Shrimp Chow Mein is a homemade version of your favorite take-out. These noodles are easy to make, ready in 20 minutes, and full of flavor!
Chinese Food is a dinner favorite and now you can make it in the comfort of your own home. Try my Chicken Lo Mein or my Beef Lo Mein.
Sabrina’s Shrimp Chow Mein Recipe
Shrimp Chow Mein comes together so quickly, you’ll want to have everything prepped ahead of time. While you’re prepping your veggies, you can have your noodles cooking in hot water, then have them ready to go when your shrimp goes in. These noodles are full of flavor that your family and guests will think they were take-out. They will be a favorite that your family will ask for once a week for dinner!
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp , peeled and deveined (13-15 count)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup cabbage , thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red cabbage , thinly sliced
- 1 cup celery , thinly sliced
- 1 carrot , thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce , aka Kecap Manis
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 cup water
- 12 ounces chow mein noodles , cooked a minute shy of the directions
- 6 ounces bean sprouts , optional
- sesame seeds for garnish , optional
Instructions
- Heat a large pan or wok on high heat with the oil and cook the shrimp for one minute on each side then remove the shrimp from the pan and add in the cabbage, red cabbage, celery and carrots.
- Cook 2-3 minutes until wilted, add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce and water and bring to a boil for 1 minute.
- Add in the pasta, bean sprouts and shrimp and toss to coat.
Notes
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe? Create a free account to easily save your favorite recipes
Sabrina’s Tip
Part of what makes Chinese food taste so good is the way the wok works with the heat. Try to keep your wok or pan really hot, and pay close attention while stirring to make sure the food quickly cooks instead of burning. I like to use a more traditional wok, but you can find electric ones if you don’t have a gas stove.
Table of contents
About This Recipe
Shrimp Chow Mein is one of the most popular Chinese Food take-out dishes, and it’s insanely easy to make right at home! This chow mein is the shrimpier version of my Classic Chinese Chow Mein made with fresh shrimp, vegetables, and a savory sauce tossed with chow mein noodles and bean sprouts. There is not a lot of prep time needed for this, because the whole thing takes a total time of under 20 minutes to prepare. Plus it’s done in just one pot (or wok), so cleanup is really easy.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Can’t find chow mein noodles? You can substitute yakisoba noodles and just toss the packet and use the noodles only.
- You can add ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger or a teaspoon of minced ginger to the Chow Mein for more flavor, or ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a dash of sriracha for heat.
- This recipe calls for either regular or light soy sauce, it is not recommended to use dark soy sauce for this chow mein.
How To Store
- Serve: Do not leave chow mein at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
- Store: Shrimp Chow Mein will last refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. When reheating, add a tablespoon or two of water to the dish, to keep the noodles from drying out.
- Freeze: It can be frozen up to 3 months. Allow to cool completely before freezing in individual freezer safe containers for easy defrosting and reheating.
Frequent Questions
Both dishes use egg noodles, but shrimp chow mein uses specific chow mein fried noodles, while lo mein uses noodles that are boiled. Lo mein also typically has more sauce in the dish than chow mein, while chow mein has more oil and is crispy in texture because the noodles are fried.
Lots of veggies would go great with Shrimp Chow Mein. Try adding mushrooms, green onions, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, bell peppers, broccoli, or bok choy.
If you want to make this vegetarian, you can substitute the shrimp with extra firm tofu.
Make this chow mein lower carb by using tofu noodles, but they won’t be as crunchy as your traditional chow mein noodle. Or you can stir fry spiralized vegetables like carrots and zucchini.
This recipe calls for shrimp but you can make it with pork, beef, prawns, or chicken, too. I like to use chicken breast for a leaner cut of meat. Or make this vegetarian with extra firm tofu.
Related Recipes
Takeout Favorites
Photos used in a previous version of this post.
This was very good. I followed the recipe to a T except I did use fresh Ramen noodles because that’s what I had on hand. I plan to use more of your recipes in the future. They work well for many of the things I like to eat.
Glad you enjoyed the recipe Lauran! Stop by again for more Asian recipes…one of my favorite foods!
I enjoyed making this shrimp dish, preparation of all the ingredients is a must! It comes together quickly and we will be adding it to our dinner rotation! I use MoMoFuko raman noodles, just the noodles – also added chili crunch for a little kick! I seem to always find a recipe on this website and all have been enjoyable to make and delicious!
Love this one! Was wondering if I could bake the shrimp instead to save a few calories and mess?? Pls advise. Thank you so much ?
Hi!
I made it tonight for my family, and they loved it. My son said that it was better than the Chow Mein from the Chinese restaurant.
Thank you for the recipe!
That’s awesome, Mari. Thanks for coming back to let me know.
Just got done eating this! Wanted something different than rice tonight so I tried this, so good and easy too! Forgot to put the ginger in but it was still delicious. Everything I have tried from here has been fantastic, do you mind if I use these recipes when I open my own restaurant? ?
So glad you liked it! It’s a great change up from rice!
Made this tonight with the addition of the ginger mentioned and it was delicious.
So glad you enjoyed it, Carol. Thanks for the 5 stars.
This has to happen this week! Love when I have more options to eat in!
Yes, so much more budget friendly too!
This looks so flavorful! Love that it only takes 30 minutes!
Looks incredibly delicious! This is great specially when we need something quick and easy!
Yes, perfect for that!
This was wonderful! Definitely something I will be making regularly. My whole family enjoyed it, even the picky ones.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Why go out when you can make this yummy meal at home! Great dish! I love all those shrimp.
Perfect for when you don’t feel like going out!
Can you make this with substitute for shrimp.? Also, I have your Tater Tot recipe in the oven right now!! I can’t wait & will it make it too mushy if I melt shredded cheese on top rt before I take it out? I love cheese ?
Yes, you can substitute with chicken or whatever protein you’d like. So glad you’re enjoying the recipes so much!
Nice recipe
Thank you!