Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat

Panda Express Chow Mein recipe tastes exactly like the restaurant’s signature side dish. Make a healthier version of Panda at home for a fraction of the price!

Panda Express Chow Mein

Panda Express Chow Mein is one of our favorite dishes when we’re craving Chinese food but it can be inconvenient, not to mention pricey to grab take-out all the time. So why not make it at home? This chow mein recipe uses fresh, simple ingredients from right in your own kitchen. It’s so simple to throw together when the mood strikes, and tastes just as good (if not better) than the restaurant version.

You can make chow mein or lo mein with this recipe; it just depends on the way you like your noodles. Most of the great lo mein dishes are made with fresh noodles, while chow mein can be made with dried or fresh. Chow mein noodles are generally prepared to be a bit crispier than lo mein noodles, which are very soft. I actually prefer this recipe made with soft noodles, but give either one a try and pick your favorite!

Suggestions for this Recipe

• Craving good Chinese, but don’t have any refrigerated Yaki Soba noodles on hand? Italian pasta noodles such as linguine, fettuccine or even spaghetti are a great substitute in a pinch.
• This simple recipe makes several good sized servings, so if you find yourself with leftovers, store it in a sealed container in the fridge. The noodles reheat beautifully and you can eat on this dish for up to a week!
• In this recipe you can add a shake or two of sesame oil to the vegetable oil to add a deeper flavor, but make sure to use it sparingly. The sesame oil flavoring can overpower the rest of the flavors. I have made it both ways (with and without sesame oil) and they both taste great.
• This recipe calls for celery, onion and cabbage but you could add shredded carrots, pea pods, broccoli or any of your favorite veggies to this dish.

Main Dishes to Serve with Panda Express Chow Mein

Pair this Chow Mein with some of our other Asian inspired recipes and you can have a full-on family style Chinese take-out night at home for a fraction of the price of going out.

• P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef 
• Panda Express String Bean Chicken Breast
• Jared’s Gerenal Tso’s Chicken
• Orange Chicken
• Crock Pot Cashew Chicken
• Kung Pao Chicken
• Lettuce Wraps
• Chinese Barbecue Pork
• Ham Fried Rice

How to Make Panda Express Chow Mein

Our Version of Panda Express Chow Mein

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Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is so easy to make and tastes exactly like the Panda Express side dish. Make a healthier version of Panda at home for a fraction of the price!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total: 25 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 5.6 oz packages refrigerated Yaki Soba noodles (Found in the produce section of the grocery store. Usually the 3 packages are sold together in one 17oz. pack)
• 2/3 cup chopped celery chopped diagonally
• 1 medium-sized onion thinly sliced
• 2 cups chopped cabbage

Instructions

• In a small bowl combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger and black pepper. Set aside.
• Remove Yaki Soba from packages and discard included flavoring packets. Rinse noodles well, drain, and set aside.
• Heat oil in a large wok or skillet.  
• Add celery and onion and saute for about 1-2 minutes or until onions start to become soft and transparent.
• Add cabbage and saute an additional minute or so.
• Toss Yaki Soba noodles and soy sauce mixture with the vegetables over medium-high heat for an additional 2-3 minutes or until noodles are heated through.

Notes

*In this recipe you can add a shake or two of sesame oil to the vegetable oil to add a deeper flavor, but don't overdo it! I am not including it in the recipe because the sesame oil flavoring can become overpowering real quick if you aren't careful. I have made it both ways (with and without sesame oil) and they both taste great.

Recipe Video

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 556mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 73IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Side, Side Dish

Recipe by: Erica Walker

Tried this recipe?Mention @favoritefamilyrecipes or tag #favoritefamilyrecipes!

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