What's the Difference Between Chow Mein and Lo Mein?

Chow mein and lo mein have been staples in the American diet for as long as we can remember. And, for good reason, of course! Both are equally delicious and made with the holy trinity of noodles, veggies, and protein. Given the many qualities they share, both of these dishes can appear to be quite similar. In reality though, these Chinese American staples are actually quite different. So, what really sets them apart?

For starters, chow mein is a stir-fried dish whose name comes from the Mandarin word chǎomiàn, which translates to "fried noodles." Lo mein, on the other hand, is called lao mian in Cantonese, which translates to "mixed" or "tossed noodles." That said, the two major differences between these two dishes are the noodles and the cooking method—we'll walk you through all the details below!

What types of noodles are used for chow mein and lo mein?

Traditional lo mein recipes usually call for fresh (not dry) noodles that are thick and chewy. On the other hand, chow mein can be made with both fresh and dried noodles, but these noodles are much thinner which makes them great for stir-frying in a wok.

What's the difference in the cooking method for chow mein and lo mein?

Now that you know the difference between the two types of noodles used in these dishes, let's talk about how they are cooked!

Chow mein noodles are first parboiled for 5 to 6 minutes, then pan-fried with tons of veggies and protein until the noodles are crispy and slightly golden.

With lo mein, the noodles don't actually go into the pan until the very end. The veggies and protein are first cooked in a thick sauce and then the boiled noodles are tossed into the mix. (This allows the noodles to soak in all the flavor and remain nice and chewy, giving lo mein its distinctive saucy texture.)

What's the best way to cook chow mein or lo mein? The great thing about chow mein and lo mein is that they are hearty and delicious but also that they are easily adjustable to your preference! You can get creative with your veggies and proteins, and what's more, both of these dishes can be made vegan or vegetarian quite easily.

All you need to remember is the basic characteristics that set the two apart: chow mein is thin and crispy; lo mein is thick and saucy.