What Is The Difference Between Chow Mein And Lo Mein?

If you love Chinese foods, then you must know the difference between chow mein and lo mein. Here, the term mein means noodles, so both these dishes are related to noodles. As both these Chinese dishes are noodles, but they are cooked very differently. In today’s debate on chow mein vs lo mein, I will explain the major difference between lo mein and chow mein in detail. Here, I have also listed down few chow mein recipes and lo mein recipes at the end of the article. To know the difference between chow mein and lo mein, you can keep on reading.

What Is The Difference Between Chow Mein And Lo Mein?

In this section, I will explain the difference between chow mein and lo mein. Here, I have summarized a chow mein vs lo mein chart where I have listed down few important elements of these dishes.

Parameters Peanut ButterJams 
Varieties It is available in different varieties.It is available in only varieties either in uncooked or cooked form.
Texture Peanut butter has a hard texture.Whereas jams have smooth, thick textures.
Ingredients Here, peanuts are the main ingredient of peanut butter.Here, peach, raspberry, strawberry, apricot, and sugars are the main ingredients of jams.
Process of production Usually, peanuts are roasted then are blended till a paste-like texture is achieved.Jams are made by mixing and boiling fruits with water and sugars till a jelly-like texture is achieved.
Amount of fats and caloriesPeanut butter has more fats and calories as they are made from peanuts.Jams have fewer fats and calories as they are made from fruits.
Sugars Peanut butter has less sugar than jams.Jams have more sugars than peanut butter. 
Nutrients They contain dietary fibers as well as folates.They have lower nutritional value but have a good source of vitamin C.
Health benefitsIt helps to control and prevent cardiovascular diseases.You get no additional health benefits by eating jams.

The biggest difference between Chinese chow mein and lo mein is how they are cooked.

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Nutrition Value Of Chow Mean And Lo Mein

You must be surprised to know that the nutritional values of both these dishes are the same, just have a look!

  • Calories: 237
  • Fat: 13.8 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 25.9 grams
  • Sodium: 198 milligrams

Chow Mein vs Lo Mein Preparation

Below are the methods by which lo mein and chow mein can be prepared. 

How Chow Mein Is Prepared?

As you go to know what is chow mein, then you must be eager to know how it is prepared. You can go along with the following instructions to make delicious chow mein noodles.

  1. To soften the noodles, you have to partially boil or soak noodles in hot water.
  2. In the sizzling wok, stir-fry meat, tofu, or shrimp along with aromatics. This includes onion, celery, bean sprouts, or other vegetables.
  3. Lastly, you have to add the par-cooked noodles to the wok to finish.

Thus, a slightly soft noodle with crisp-tender vegetables is ready to serve! 

Let us now see how lo mein is prepared.

How Lo Mein Is Prepared?

In lo mein, you do not have to partially boil noodles. To prepare lo mein, you can follow these instructions.

  1. First, you have to fully cook the noodles.
  2. In a wok, add cooked noodles and stir fry vegetables, meat, or seafood.
  3. You can also add dark or light soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar once everything is mixed together.

Thus, soft and coated noodles in sauce in ready for serving.

You can keep on reading to know the various recipes of chow mein and lo mein.

Different Types In Chow Mein And Lo Mein

Here, I have listed down different chow mein and lo mein recipes that you can make by yourself.

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Difference Between Chow Mein And Lo Mein And Chow Fun

Here, I have given few points that will help you to differentiate between chow mein vs lo mein vs chow fun.

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Difference Between Chow Mein And Lo Mein And Chop Suey

In this section, we will study the difference between lo mein vs chow mein vs chop suey.

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You can keep on reading to know the difference between Cantonese chow mein and chow mein.

Cantonese Chow Mein Vs Chow Mein

People often get confused between Cantonese chow mein and chow mein. Don’t worry, I will explain the major difference between Cantonese chow mein and chow mein in detail.

  • Both chow mein and Cantonese chow mein are Chinese dishes made up of crispy stir-fried noodles. However, Cantonese chow mein is more dry and crispy than chow mein.
  • In chow mein, noodles are tossed with sauces. Whereas in Cantonese chow mein, the noodles are not tossed with the sauces.
  • In chow mein, you can add stir-fry meat, tofu, or shrimp to the noodles. While in Cantonese chow mein, you also can top the noodles with sauce, beef, and veggies.

As now you have understood the difference between chow mein and lo mein, let us see how these dishes are prepared.

Which Is Better: Chow Mein Or Lo Mein?

According to my personal taste, both chow mein and lo mein taste equally good! In lo mein, the noodles are soaked up in the sauce. While in chow mein, you get a variety of textures due to added vegetables. 

FAQ

Should I Get Chow Mein Or Lo Mein?

The texture: Chow mein noodles tend to be crunchier than lo mein noodles due to the way they are cooked. Lo mein noodles are typically smoother and slightly chewier because they are fully cooked before being tossed with any extra ingredients and sauce.

Is Chinese Lo Mein Healthy?

Worst: Lo Mein

The noodles are made from white flour, which raises your blood sugar faster than fiber-rich whole grains. Plus, they’re cooked with oil and soy sauce, so you get extra fat and sodium

Which Is Healthier Chow Mein Or Lo Mein?

When it comes to how healthy these dishes are, Lo Mein certainly comes out on top, as Chow Mein is fried and therefore has a higher fat count. That said, both Lo Mein and Chow Mein will provide some source of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins if meat or seafood is added to the recipe.

What Is Special About Chow Mein?

Chow mein is a traditional Chinese dish made with egg noodles and stir-fried veggies. We love adding a protein and our favorite is chicken, but you can try different meat or tofu. This dish is pan-fried so the noodles get a nice crisp to them and then tossed in a yummy sauce.

What Is The Difference Between Chicken Chow Mein And Chicken Lo Mein?

The main difference between chicken chow mein and chicken lo mein is as follows.

  • Chicken chow mien is a dry chicken noodle dish that is made without sauce.
  • While chicken lo mein is a saucy chicken noodle dish.

What Is Chop Suey Vs Chow Mein Vs Lo Mein?

What is the difference between these Chinese food dishes? Chow mein and lo mein both use noodles (mein) while chop suey is generally served over rice. All of these dishes are comprised of chopped vegetables, may include a meat-based protein, and are enhanced with a sauce.

Is Panda Express Chow Mein Or Lo Mein?

Some may argue that Panda Express chow mein is a LO mein, but looking over these qualifications above, you know that is actually IS a chow mein. Panda got it right. The noodles are stir-fried, they are a little oily, there is little sauce used, and they aren’t easy to slurp.

Why Is Chow Mein So Good?

A great Chow Mein comes down to the sauce, made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and cornstarch for thickening. Slippery noodles slick with the savoury sauce is noodle heaven! One of my favourite noodles, up there with all time greats Pad Thai, Pad See Ew and Singapore noodles.

Conclusion

By reading my above-written article, you have got to learn the difference between chow mein and lo mein noodles. Chow mein is a Chinese dish made up of crispy stir-fried noodles. It is a dry noodle dish without sauce. Whereas Lo mein is also a Chinese dish made from soft wheat flour noodles. It is a saucy noodle dish. However, there is only one difference in both these dishes that is how they are cooked!  Both these dishes have different textures. As you have understood the difference between chow mein and lo mein, you can easily order these dishes in your favorite Chinese restaurants.