The secret’s in the name.
Today, countless iterations of Chinese dishes inundate the contemporary American food scene.
Here’s how to tell them apart.
Credit: Eugene Mymrin/Getty Images
But China is massive, and not all regions of China are suitable for growing wheat.
It’s the environment of the fertile North China Plain that’s most conducive to wheat farming.
This gives chow mein its characteristic chewy texture and fried flavor.
Lo mein, however, is not fried.
Cooked noodles are added tostir-fried vegetablesand proteins near the end of the cooking process.
Chow Mein And Lo Mein Use Different Noodles
Both chow mein and lo mein use egg noodles.
Lo mein typically uses fresh noodles, while chow mein can be made with fresh or dried.
Lo mein noodles are typically thick and chewy.
Stir-fried noodles in chow mein are thinner and cooked to a golden crisp.
Chow mein sauce lightly coats the noodles.
Lo mein is saucier and the sauce is often thickened.
Stick to a vegetarian option, or choose your favorite protein.
Both dishes feature veggies, but lo mein is more vegetable-heavy.
