Hairy Bikers​ Chow Mein Recipe

This simple Hairy Bikers Chow Mein is made with stir-fried egg noodles, chicken or prawns, soy sauce, ginger, and a mix of crunchy vegetables. The result is a savory, aromatic, and quick weeknight dinner that is much faster and fresher than ordering a takeaway. This fakeaway classic is a perfect way to satisfy a craving for Chinese food and serves a hungry family of four.

Hairy Bikers Chow Mein Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar

For the Chow Mein:

• 400g dried egg noodles
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 boneless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 carrots, julienned
• 150g shredded cabbage
• 4 spring onions, sliced diagonally
• Optional: a handful of bean sprouts

How To Make Hairy Bikers Chow Mein

1. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, and sugar. Set this aside.
2. Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the dried egg noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 3-4 minutes. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to stop them from sticking together.
3. Stir-fry the chicken and aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over a high heat until it’s smoking hot. Add the chicken strips and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are cooked through and golden brown. Add the sliced onion, garlic, and grated ginger and stir-fry for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the vegetables: Add the julienned carrots and shredded cabbage to the wok. Continue to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. The vegetables should be slightly softened but still have a good crunch.
5. Combine everything: Add the cooked noodles to the wok with the vegetables and chicken. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and toss to combine, making sure all the noodles are coated. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes.
6. Finish and serve: Finally, stir in the sliced spring onions and bean sprouts (if using). Give it a final toss to combine. Serve the chow mein immediately, while it’s piping hot.

Recipe Tips

• Use a Hot Wok: The key to a good stir-fry is a very hot wok. This sears the ingredients and gives them a slight smoky flavor, known as ‘wok hei’ in Chinese cooking. Don’t crowd the pan, as this will cause the ingredients to steam instead of stir-fry.
• Mise En Place: This is a French cooking term for having all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. Stir-frying is a very fast process, so you won’t have time to chop vegetables or mix the sauce as you go.
• Go with Dried Egg Noodles: While fresh noodles can be used, dried egg noodles are best for chow mein. They have a firmer texture that holds up to stir-frying without becoming mushy or clumping together.
• Customize to Your Liking: This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap the chicken for prawns, beef, or tofu. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli florets, or sugar snap peas.

What To Serve With Chow Mein

This Hairy Bikers Chow Mein is a complete meal on its own, but it can also be part of a larger fakeaway feast. It pairs perfectly with some classic Chinese starters like crispy spring rolls or a bowl of prawn crackers. For a lighter side dish, consider serving it with steamed pak choy or Chinese broccoli with a simple oyster sauce dressing.

How To Store Chow Mein Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Let the chow mein cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, stir-fry in a hot wok with a splash of water or oil to revive the noodles and prevent them from drying out.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended. The texture of the noodles and vegetables will become very soft and mushy once thawed, and the dish will lose its signature stir-fried crunch.

Hairy Bikers Chow Mein Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 60mg
• Sodium: 1350mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 75g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 28g

Frequently Asked Questions

• What kind of noodles should I use? For this recipe, dried egg noodles are the best choice. They are firm and hold up well to the high heat of the stir-fry. While you can use fresh egg noodles, they tend to be softer and can clump together or become mushy more easily.
• Can I make this vegetarian? Yes, this recipe is very easy to make vegetarian. Simply omit the chicken and use firm or extra-firm tofu instead. You can also add more vegetables, like mushrooms, bell peppers, or corn, to make the dish more substantial.
• What is Shaoxing rice wine? Can I leave it out? Shaoxing rice wine is a key ingredient in many Chinese dishes, adding a complex flavor and aroma. You can find it in most Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find it, a dry sherry is the best substitute. If you don’t use it, the dish will still be tasty, but it will lack a layer of authentic flavor.
• How do I get a good char on my noodles? To get a good sear on your noodles, you need to use a very hot wok and avoid overcrowding it. You can achieve this “wok hei” or smoky flavor by letting the noodles sit in direct contact with the hot surface for a few moments before tossing.

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Chicken Cobbler Recipe​
• Hairy Bikers​ Chicken Chasseur Recipe
• Hairy Bikers​ Carbonara Recipe

Hairy Bikers​ Chow Mein Recipe

Author: Alex Saidani Cooking Method:Stir-frying Cuisine:Chinese Courses:Dinner Main Lunch

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 10 minutesRest time: minutesTotal time: 25 minutesCooking Temp: CServings:4 servingsEstimated Cost: $Calories:510 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

Hairy Bikers Chow Mein is a quick and flavorful Chinese fakeaway classic. This stir-fried dish features egg noodles, juicy chicken, and a medley of crunchy vegetables, all tossed in a savory sauce made from soy sauce and ginger. It’s a simple recipe that is perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
  
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  
• 1 tbsp rice wine
  
• 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp sugar

For the Chow Mein:

• 400g dried egg noodles
  
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  
• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
  
• 1 onion, 2 carrots, 150g cabbage
  
• 2 cloves garlic, 1-inch ginger
  
• 4 spring onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Prepare sauce: Whisk all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
   
2. Cook noodles: Cook noodles according to package directions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
   
3. Stir-fry: Heat oil in a hot wok. Stir-fry chicken until cooked, then add onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook until fragrant.
   
4. Add vegetables: Add carrots and cabbage to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
   
5. Combine: Add the noodles to the wok, pour the sauce over, and toss to combine.
   
6. Serve: Stir in spring onions and serve immediately.