Easy and Delicious Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe You’ll Love

Growing up in Monterey, my earliest kitchen memories are wrapped in the cozy aromas of my Nonna Rosa’s marinara simmering gently on the stove and my mother Elena’s spontaneous cooking experiments. It’s that same feeling of warmth and family love I wanted to capture when I first set out to recreate Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein in my own kitchen. This dish, with its simple yet satisfying combination of tender noodles, crisp vegetables, and savory sauce, has a way of bringing people together—much like my family’s Sunday dinners by the coast. I’m excited to share this recipe with you, filled with the heart and soul of home cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein

There’s something truly comforting about chow mein that reminds me of those bustling kitchens in Monterey, where food was always a celebration of heritage and togetherness. This Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein isn’t just a copycat recipe; it’s a love letter to those cherished family meals and the vibrant street food stalls I explored in Spain and Italy during my travels. The noodles are perfectly tender yet slightly crisp, the vegetables are fresh and colorful, and the sauce strikes just the right balance between savory and subtly sweet.

What makes this recipe special is how accessible it is. You don’t need to hunt down exotic ingredients or spend hours in the kitchen. Instead, you get a dish that brings the flavors of my childhood and European adventures into your home, ready in under 30 minutes. Plus, it’s flexible enough to make your own—with your favorite veggies or protein additions—just like my mom Elena would do when improvising with whatever was fresh from the garden or market that day.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein

• 8 ounces egg noodles or lo mein noodles (fresh if possible, dried works too)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or peanut oil
• 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or Napa cabbage)
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1/2 cup sliced yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, sliced (separate white and green parts)
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (or mushroom sauce for vegetarian option)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• Optional: 1/2 cup bean sprouts for added crunch
• Optional protein additions: cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
• Protein: 12g (varies with protein additions)
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 700mg (can be reduced with low-sodium soy sauce)

Print

Steps to Create Your Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the egg noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes or until just tender but still firm to the bite. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
2. In a large wok or skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and the white parts of the green onions; sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Add the sliced onions, carrots, and celery. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften but remain crisp. This reminds me of standing next to my mother Elena, tossing vegetables quickly over high heat, coaxing out their natural sweetness.
4. Stir in the shredded cabbage and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing it to wilt slightly but retain some crunch.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, black pepper, and broth. Pour this sauce mixture over the vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly.
6. Add the drained noodles to the wok, gently tossing with the vegetables and sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the flavors and heat through. If using protein like cooked chicken or shrimp, fold it in now to warm up.
7. Lastly, stir in the bean sprouts and green parts of the scallions. Cook for an additional minute to combine all the flavors.
8. Remove from heat and serve immediately, letting the noodles speak for themselves—simple, flavorful, and full of heart.

Tips for Making the Best Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein

One of my fondest memories is watching my Nonna Rosa patiently knead dough for fresh pasta under the warm Monterey sun. While this recipe calls for store-bought noodles, if you ever have the chance to make fresh egg noodles, it’s a game-changer. Fresh noodles bring a tenderness and bite that instantly elevates the dish.

When stir-frying, it’s crucial to keep the pan hot and the ingredients moving, just like my mother taught me. This keeps the vegetables crisp and vibrant, a hallmark of great chow mein. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or the veggies will steam instead of fry.

Feel free to customize your vegetable mix—snap peas, bell peppers, or baby corn work beautifully, especially if you have a bustling garden like my grandmother’s filled with fresh herbs and seasonal bounty. And don’t skip the bean sprouts; their crunch adds a lovely contrast to the tender noodles. Learn more: Hearty Crockpot Kielbasa and Green Beans Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Lastly, taste your sauce before adding it to the pan. Adjust the balance of sweetness and saltiness to your liking. Cooking is about love and intuition, a lesson that has traveled with me from my childhood kitchen to every market I’ve wandered.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein shines as a standalone meal, but it also pairs wonderfully with lighter sides. I love serving it alongside simple steamed dumplings or a crisp cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil—both provide freshness that cuts through the richness of the noodles.

For family dinners, I often set out small bowls of chili oil and extra soy sauce, inviting everyone to customize their plates, much like the lively gatherings I remember in my Monterey kitchen. A chilled jasmine tea or a light white wine complements the meal beautifully, balancing the savory notes.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Leftovers of this chow mein keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I store mine in an airtight container, and when reheating, I add a splash of broth or water to revive the noodles and prevent them from drying out. A quick stir-fry in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes works best to restore that fresh-made texture.

Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the noodles mushy—something my Nonna Rosa always warned me about when reheating pasta dishes! If you’re planning ahead, this dish also freezes well; just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main ingredients for Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein?

The main ingredients for Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein include the items listed in our ingredients section above. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture.

How long does it take to make Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein?

The total time to make Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein includes both preparation and cooking time. Check the recipe card above for exact timing details.

Can I make Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein ahead of time?

Yes, Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein can often be prepared in advance. Store it properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within the recommended timeframe.

What can I serve with Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein?

Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein pairs well with various sides and accompaniments. Consider the serving suggestions mentioned in the recipe for the best dining experience.

Is Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein suitable for special diets?

Depending on the ingredients used, Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein may be adapted for various dietary needs. Check the ingredients list and consider substitutions as needed for your dietary requirements.

Final Thoughts

Cooking this Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein brought me back to those early days in Monterey, standing on a flour-dusted stool beside my grandmother, absorbing the rhythms of a kitchen alive with love and tradition. It’s a dish that honors family, spontaneity, and the joy of sharing simple yet soulful food. Whether you’re new to stir-frying or a seasoned home cook, this recipe invites you to embrace the warmth of homemade meals that nourish both body and heart.

As I now cook alongside my daughters Olivia and Isabella, I see how these recipes become threads in the tapestry of family memories—just as they did with my mother and Nonna Rosa. I hope this chow mein recipe inspires you to create your own kitchen traditions, filled with laughter, stories, and the irresistible scent of garlic and fresh vegetables sizzling in a pan.