Perfect Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat with about half the oil! It tastes exactly like you’re eating a combo plate with your favorite side.
Believe it or not, it’s easy to recreate your favorite Panda Express Recipes at home like Orange Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, and Honey Walnut Shrimp. The best part is you can reduce the oil and sodium without sacrificing that authentic restaurant flavor!
Sabrina’s Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe
Chow Mein is a type of Chinese fried noodle stir fry, usually with crunchy vegetables like celery and cabbage. Panda Express Chow Mein has been a popular recipe on the site since the beginning and with good reason. Cabbage, celery and onion sautéed and tossed with Yakisoba noodles in a soy and oyster sauce mixture make for a perfectly recreated food memory. You can take it a step further, and enjoy with our favorite, Panda Express Mushroom Chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 packages dry Yakisoba noodles , (cooked without spice packets and drained)
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 yellow onion , sliced
- 8 oz cabbage , sliced
- 2 oz celery , cut into small pieces
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons oyster sauce
Instructions
- Slice the onions and cabbage thinly.
- Cut the celery on a bias thinly as well.
- Put the oil in the pan, set to high and when the oil is hot add the veggies.
- Let cook for a couple of minutes until it is caramelized a bit.
- Stir and let more of it caramelize.
- Add the noodles and toss together.
- Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce and toss together.
Video
Nutrition
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Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Noodles: For ease and cost, this recipe calls for using Yakisoba noodles and omitting the spice packet. You can find Yakisoba in the international section of your grocery store. If you have trouble finding them, you can always substitute spaghetti noodles.
- Veggies: The thinly sliced cabbage, onion, and celery in this dish add aromatic flavor and a nice crunch that complements the soft chewy noodles. If you prefer different veggies, you can swap them out on a 1:1 ratio for your favorites. Just make sure you slice them thinly so they will soften and combine well with the other ingredients.
- Soy Sauce: Use low sodium soy sauce in all your Asian recipes. It will give you the same flavor without the salt overpowering the rest of your ingredients.
- Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce is a thick condiment that is a common ingredient in many Asian sauce recipes. It does contain oyster extract, the briny liquid from cooking oysters, and it is reduced with sugar, thickener, and salt. A little goes a long way in lending a wonderful umami flavor to any dish.
Why Make Chow Mein At Home
Learning to make your favorite takeout dinners at home offers so many benefits! You can easily feed your family a complete meal that costs a fraction of what you would spend at a restaurant. When you cook at home you also have more control over how much sodium and oil you are using. You get to enjoy a healthier version of the same flavors you love from your favorite restaurants at home! The best part of this Panda Express Chow Mein is it isn’t even hard to make.
How to Store
- Serve: Do not leave copycat chow mein at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
- Store: In an airtight container, the noodles can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: After cooling completely, freeze noodles in freezer bags or an airtight container for 1-2 months. Thaw completely before reheating, adding a little soy sauce if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yakisoba Noodles are the perfect (easy find) noodles for Panda Express Chow Mein if you’re looking online or in the store. There are more authentic versions, but for the money and the ease, buy the packages and ditch the spice packets. In a pinch, you can always use regular spaghetti noodles.
Oyster Sauce is a unique flavoring ingredient. If you avoid seafood and want another option I recommend vegetarian oyster sauce (made from mushrooms) but I don’t recommend you swap this out for something else altogether. Sometimes people recommend hoisin sauce as a replacement, but it would not give you the authentic flavor.
A wok is great for high heat, quick cooking. The angled sides of a wok help to increase the surface area for browning which speeds up the process significantly. A wok is a great addition to your kitchen if you love cooking Chinese food or stir fries in general.
Both Lo Mein and Chow Mein use chewy egg noodles combined with veggies, but for Lo Mein, you do not fry the noodles. Lo Mein typically uses soft, fresh noodles that soak up a savory sauce. Chow Mein usually uses dried noodles that have been par-boiled and then stir fried to maintain a more chewy and crispy texture.
Variations
- Protein: After cooking the veggies, remove from the pan and cook thinly sliced beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp before combining the rest of the ingredients together. You could also use ground chicken, beef, turkey, or pork.
- Spice Level: Add crushed red pepper flakes or Sriracha sauce to make a spicier noodle dish. Taste as you go to get the spice just right for you.
Related Recipes
More Asian Copycat Recipes
Photos used in previous versions of this post
I made this tonight, but used whole wheat spaghetti noodles and cut the oil by about half. It was very yummy and even my super picky teenage son approved. I did end up basically tripling the sauce because the noodles really soaked it up.
Winning over a super picky teenager is no joke! I take that as a huge compliment!! So glad you all enjoyed it!
Can you use rice noodles instead?
You can of course use different noodles if you prefer them but it would not be an authentic copycat. The flavors would still be delicious though!
TRIED IT!
I also went through the comments looking for reviews and found that most people that commented were just excited to try it.
I decided to give it a try because I’ve been obsessed with panda Express chow mein for the past couple months. Idk why lol.
First try, it came out a little sour. I’m pretty sure I added a smidge too much oyster sauce.
This last one was better. I was very precise about the sauce measurements and it came out good. It’s not exactly like panda but it’s a good cheaper version of panda chow mein. It didn’t have as much flavor but I am definitely making this again.I mean I ate it all lol. I’d say give it a try?
Love your enthusiasm 🙂 You definitely can adjust the flavors in the sauce to your liking.
Hello love your website. I haven’t had a chance to try any of the dishes yet but plan to soon as hubby and I are big Panda express fans.
I just had a few questions. Have you ever tried to make these recipes and freeze them? We are big crock pot and freezer meals and while I understand some of these might not be as good in the crock pot I wouldn’t mind defrosting in the fridge overnight and then cooking it in my Wok later but I wanted to see if you’ve tried it or know anyone who has because I’d love to make some of these in bull and freeze them for some yummy Chinese nights 🙂
I haven’t tried any of these in a slow cooker version as I think they would lose a lot of their authenticity to Panda Express but keep your eyes open on the site because I do have quite a few slow cooker versions coming that would fit exactly what you’re looking for.
My family loves chow mein and I have tried other more complicated recipes but this one beat them all! I added shrimp to the recipe and it was great, everyone loved it! My only advice is to undercook the noodles a bit since they will continue to cook when you mix them with the other ingredients.
Wow, that’s a great compliment! Thank you for letting me know how much your family loved it!
so I need to make this dish gluten free. What noodle do you suggest a rice noodle or gluten free spaghetti? Thank you! Btw I made your slow cook pineapple chicken last week it was awesome.
Barilla makes a gluten free spaghetti that I know a lot of my GF friends love. You really only need to cook it al dente as it’ll cook the rest of the way after it’s drained. Glad you enjoyed the Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken!
Hi, I tried the recipe but it didn’t turn out well, the noodles were a little sticky and it didn’t taste much like Chow Mein at all. Do you know what I could do to make it better? I boiled the noodles first, it didn’t say to but I assumed you did. Also I used mushrooms instead of onion, celery and cabbage but I don’t think that would change much, the noodles were thin and stretchy even though I used Yakisoba noodles. Any suggestions?
I’m so sorry it didn’t turn out. Did you change the ingredients to the sauce at all? If you’d like, you can email contact @ dinnerthendessert.com and we can try and figure it out.
I think the onion adds a lot to the flavor. The mushrooms would alter the outcome as well. I microwaved the noodles. They’re instant noodles so maybe they’re not meant to be boiled? I’m not sure if that would affect the consistency.
I couldn’t find the noodles that you specified so I bought the brand “Sun Luck” chuka soba chow mein noodles. They come in a 6oz package. Should I still use two?
So sorry this message got snagged in my spam filter! I am sure you made this by now, I hope it worked out! I would use those noodles without concern 🙂
Recently made and taste very close to the panda noodle dish. I bought the fresh yakisoba noodles (found in freezer section) and they worked out great. Definite keeper.
Does this mean the chow mein is not veg? 🙁
So sorry, this comment got snared in the spam filter!
Nope, But they do make vegetarian oyster sauce made with mushrooms if you’d like to experiment with veg options :/
This was easy and amazing! My family loved it!
Awesome! Thanks for coming back to let me know you enjoyed it!
This was so good and tastes exactly like Panda Express, but for 1/2 the price! Thank you for posting! Delicious!
Awesome and super easy!!
I just made this and I loved it! It’s really close to the one from Panda Express. Thank you for the recipe :).
My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for coming back to tell me how it turned out!
I made this today and followed the recipe exactly. Its pretty close to panda express’ chow mein and it was delicious! It was very easy and next time I think I will try the chow mein noodles in the Asian aisle at the grocery store. I also made the copycat mushroom chicken recipe and had them together. Yummy! Thanks for the recipes!
Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed it Amanda. Try the orange chicken too, that one is so addictive!
I have a quick ingredient question. The directions say oyster sauce, but the link takes you to hoisin. Is it really just oyster sauce and the link is an error? Thanks! Can’t wait to try it!
Yes! The link changed on me, thank you so much for catching that! 🙂 It is supposed to link you to oyster sauce. I am off to change that now. Using hoisin would be a totally different flavor.
OK great! I figured that was what happened. Just wanted to make sure before I ruined it. I just always like to see the brands people use. 🙂 Thanks so much! On the anniversary menu tonight since we’re snowed in!
And here I am with a heated blanket on and it is 50 degrees out. I officially won’t complain at all anymore! I hope you have a fantastic anniversary dinner!
Sorry folks, but It is really annoying sifting through all of the ‘it looks good’ and’I’m going to try it’ comments. I want to see replies from people who have actually made the posted recipe!!! At least wait until you’ve tried it. Some have said ‘it’s in the oven and smells great. You can’t wait a few more minutes until it’s OUT of the oven to leave a comment. Makes me wonder about comments, period.
I have to say I sort of scan comments on blogs too looking for reviews of those who made them. I wish there was a way to sort those! Also I am pretty guilty of responding to all comments because I get so excited people want to talk about the recipe so I made it twice as long. Sorry 🙁 I hope you do try the recipe though, we actually had it for dinner last night with some potstickers and Hoisin chicken. 🙂
I had this exact frustration! Also from those who have absolutely no point of reference since this is a “copycat” recipe from a restaurant. I’m sure this is great but not helpful for those who actually want to know if this tastes like the real thing.
Yep, my only other option would be to delete them. Then people would be hurt their comments are getting deleted. It’s sort of a catch 22. I want to be inviting and welcoming and of course love hearing people love how the recipes look but getting people to come back and comment after the fact is pretty hard. The best I can offer is that you look on Pinterest for this recipe. Here is a link to one of the pins: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/238831586469839734/activity/tried They have a button for people who have tried it to comment. Also here is the older pin for it before I reshot the pictures with more commentary: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/238831586466147041/activity/tried and if you want a different chow mein recipe I also have this one: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/238831586467332559/activity/tried Hope that helps 🙂
I get so frustrated looking through reviews rying to find ones where people actually made the food.
I’d love to know what you think after trying. 🙂
I cooked this and the suggested chicken recipe for dinner yesterday And I loved it. I can’t compare it with Panda Express because we don’t have here in Portugal but I couldn’r care less. This was delicious, very easy and quick to prepare and cook and with few ingredients! I jsust didn’t add the celery to the noodles nor the sesame seeds to the chicken because I forgot to buy them. I think regular dry chinese noodles would work fine, no need to buy those yakisoba/ramen noodles. I loved this and surely keep on doing it! I’ll rate 5 stars the chicken recipe too. Só smooth and tasty!
Yes regular Chinese noodles would be great, they aren’t the easiest to source in grocery stores here so the yakisoba noodles are an easy substitution. I am so glad you enjoyed them! We make these noodles frequently!
Your pictures are amazing! I want to eat everything you make. it looks divine!
Aww that is so sweet! Thank you!
This recipe looks amazing! I love that you can use the packets from Panda Express to help make it taste just like it from the restaurant. Yum!
Thanks so much Candy!
We do not have Panda Express around here, but this recipe looks great and makes me wish I did! I love Asian-inspired dinner time meals.
i love love love Asian food! This is definitely something I Would inhale!!
Oh that sounds wonderful! Great tip. Can you say I can use some Vinegar?
THIS LOOKS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! I HAVE TO MAKE THIS!
Yay! I hope you love it Penelope!
Oh, this makes me hungry! I want to try this!
Yum, it looks delicious! I love copycat recipes!
That looks delicious. Will be adding that to my menu rotation. It’s always fun to be able to eat the same things we like when we dine out, but save the money and make it ourselves.
This looks like a delicious copy cat recipe. I will have to try it on the weekend. I am sure my family will love it.
I love love love Panda, so being able to make it at home would be awesome. You need to do the orange chicken next!
Already bought the ingredients for it! It is happening this weekend. 🙂
That’s a great looking chicken cow mein. I know my daughter would LOVE this dish.
This looks SO GOOD! I love copy cat recipes like this. Pinning this for future cooking!
Awesome, thanks for the pin Tracey!!
That looks super delicious. I haven’t ever tried panda experss or chow mein!! It looks really great.
I’m with you on wishing I had still had my teenage years metabolism. Geez, those were the days weren’t they? This looks fantastic and even better than restaurant dining!
This sounds so scrumptious. I like chow mien, and will be glad to make some with less oil. Thanks for the great recipe.
My pleasure!
Yes please!! Now I need this in my belly! You always have the best foods.
Thanks Felicia!
I love copycat recipes! This one looks especially delicious!
Meeeeee too!
Your Panda Express copycat recipes are so good looking. This looks like something I would truly enjoy!
Thanks Valerie!
Panda Express has surprisingly good chow mein. I’d love to try making this healthier copycat recipe for my family!
My former high school self is longing for a bowl of this! Looks incredible.
Haha thanks Monique!
We are getting a Panda Express a couple towns away. I will have to make this.
I hope you love it Debbie!
Panda Express is one of my weaknesses so I can not wait to try this chow mein. I even craved it when I was pregnant with my third child and was known to load up the other two just for a drive thru run!
I have to say the first time I saw a Panda drive thru I thought it was a gift the universe for me! Haha. So many times I would have gotten Panda except for the long lines in the store. The drive thrus are awesome!
Yum, I love chow mein, this looks wonderful and I love that you used less oil!
Thanks Joy!
Looks REALLY good and surprisingly easy!!
Thanks Chrissa!
Okay, this is SO weird! I was just searching for a good chow mein recipe when I can across yours!! This is too good to be true. Thank you for the recipe, you just made tonights dinner, super easy for me 😉
Perfect! I hope you love it!
You pretty much just wrote my teenage years in this post. Sub broc beef for Mandarian chicken. I too miss Suncoast. If this recipe tastes half as good as Panda tastes in my memories, then I shall kiss you.
Haha, I shall be waiting!
Love this! Panda Express is one of my guilty pleasures, and their chow mein is a must every time. I’ve seen this floating around Pinterest for awhile now, why have I not made it yet?! Your pictures are wonderful, looks even better than what you get at the restaurant!
Thanks Julie! I was surprised it was so dead on perfect and so easy!
We don’t have Panda Express around here, so I will have to try this.
This looks so incredibly delicious! You did an amazing job!
Thanks Paige!
Holy moly! That IS a perfect copycat. It looks just like the stuff I get from Panda Express. Yummo!
Thanks Stacie!
This looks yummy and sounds really easy. I am pinning it to try myself at some point.
Thanks so much for the pin!
I’ve never had Panda Express chow mein, but I bet yours would win hands down – looks so, so good!
Thanks Alisa!
Tried the chow mein and simply added chicken… brilliant. I did, however add slightly more of the sauces.
Going to try more Sabrina recipes now. Well done girl!!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!