Shrimp Chow Mein

Shrimp Chow Mein is a homemade version of your favorite take-out dish, made with shrimp, veggies, and chow mein noodles in a savory sauce, ready in under 30 minutes!

Chinese Noodles are a fan favorite on the blog including Chicken Lo Mein, Pad See Ew (Thai Stir Fried Noodles) and Easy Pad Thai.

SHRIMP CHOW MEIN

Shrimp Chow Mein is one of my all-time favorite take-out dishes, and it’s insanely easy to make right at home! This chow mein is the shrimpier version of the Classic Chinese Chow Mein made with fresh shrimp, vegetables, and a savory sauce tossed with chow mein noodles and bean sprouts.

There is not a lot of prep time needed for this, because the whole thing takes a total time of under 30 minutes to prepare. Plus it’s done in just one pot (or wok), so cleanup is really easy.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHRIMP CHOW MEIN AND SHRIMP LO MEIN?

Both dishes use egg noodles, but shrimp chow mein uses specific chow mein fried noodles, while lo mein uses noodles that are boiled. Lo mein also typically has more sauce in the dish than chow mein, while chow mein has more oil and is crispy in texture because the noodles are fried.

WHAT OTHER VEGGIES CAN I ADD TO SHRIMP CHOW MEIN?

• mushrooms
• Green onions
• bamboo shoots
• Water chestnuts
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Bok choy

MORE HOMEMADE CHOW MEIN AND NOODLE RECIPES

• Ramen Noodle Salad
• Panda Express Chow Mein (Copycat)
• P. F. Chang’s Garlic Noodles (Copycat)
• Chicken Pad Thai

Create a free account to Save Recipes

Email addressSign Up Now

HOW LONG DOES SHRIMP CHOW MEIN LAST?

Shrimp chow mein will last refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. When reheating, add a tablespoon or two of water to the dish, to keep the noodles from drying out.

TIPS FOR MAKING SHRIMP CHOW MEIN

• Can’t find chow mein noodles? You can substitute yakisoba noodles and just toss the packet and use the noodles only.
• You can add 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger or a teaspoon of minced ginger to the chow mein for more flavor, or 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a dash of sriracha for heat.
• If you want to make this vegetarian, you can substitute the shrimp with extra firm tofu.
• Part of what makes Chinese food taste so good is the way the wok works with the heat. Try to keep your wok or pan really hot, and pay close attention while stirring to make sure the food quickly cooks instead of burning. I like to use a more traditional wok, but you can find electric ones if you don’t have a gas stove.
• This shrimp chow mein recipe calls for either regular or light soy sauce, I do not recommend using dark soy sauce for this chow mein.
• Try to have everything prepped ahead of time, like the veggies or the sauce, because this dish will cook quickly. I would have your noodles cooking in hot water while you’re prepping your veggies, then have them ready to go when your shrimp goes in.
• This recipe calls for shrimp but you can make it with pork, beef, prawns, or chicken, too. I like to use chicken breast for a leaner cut of meat. Or make this vegetarian with extra firm tofu.
• Make this chow mein lower carb by using tofu noodles, but they won’t be as crunchy as your traditional chow mein noodle. Or you can stir fry spiralized vegetables like carrots and zucchini.

5 from 7 votes

Print

Shrimp Chow Mein

Shrimp Chow Mein is a homemade version of your favorite take-out dish, made with shrimp, veggies, and chow mein noodles in a savory sauce, ready in under 30 minutes!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Chinese Food

Keyword shrimp chow mein

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 556 kcal

Author Sabrina Snyder

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined (13-15 count)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup cabbage thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup red cabbage thinly sliced
• 1 cup celery thinly sliced
• 1 carrot thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce aka Kecap Manis*
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 cup water
• 12 ounces chow mein noodles cooked a minute shy of the directions*
• 6 ounces bean sprouts optional
• sesame seeds for garnish optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Heat a large pan or wok on high heat with the oil and cook the shrimp for one minute on each side then remove the shrimp from the pan and add in the cabbage, red cabbage, celery and carrots.

2. Cook 2-3 minutes until wilted, add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

3. Add the soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce and water and bring to a boil for 1 minute.

4. Add in the pasta, bean sprouts and shrimp and toss to coat.

Recipe Notes

Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.

*Homemade Kecap Manis: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of soy sauce and 1 1/2 teaspoons of molasses or dark brown sugar with a tiny pinch of ground anise. This is a decent substitute, but if you can get the original the flavor will be even deeper.

Nutrition Facts

Shrimp Chow Mein

Amount Per Serving

Calories 556 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 285mg95%

Sodium 2349mg102%

Potassium 274mg8%

Carbohydrates 76g25%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 55IU1%

Vitamin C 31.5mg38%

Calcium 201mg20%

Iron 6mg33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.