Chow Mein Ramen Noodles is the FASTER way to make Chow Mein using a couple of cheeky shortcuts: pre shredded Coleslaw mix and instant ramen noodles. It’s the fastest of fast foods – a 12 minute recipe, including preparation!
Make ramen noodles better – faster!
Next time you’ve had a long day at work and you have to deal with the question that billions of people around the world face every day what’s for dinner??, here’s your answer: Chow Mein Ramen Noodles.
It’s everything you know and love about Chow Mein, except it’s faster to make:
- 12 minute recipe including prep
- one pan cooking
- simple, magic 5 ingredient Chow Mein Sauce
- veggie loaded – but you don’t even know it! This has half your daily recommended 5 serves of veg a day.
Handy shortcuts for this recipe
This is not one of those super quick dinner recipes like Jamie Olive 15 Minute Meals style where it’s a whirlwind of manic activity with food flying everywhere, the oven and stove going at the same time, mixing with one hand while flipping steaks with the other, then after all that you’ve got 45 minutes of clean up.
Nope.
This is an easy breezy 12 minute recipe, and here are the handy shortcuts I use:
- instant ramen or any other instant noodles cooked in the same skillet;
- store bought Coleslaw mix – shredded cabbage and carrots – rip the packet open and tip it in!
- 5 ingredient Chow Mein Sauce that doesn’t require cornflour/cornstarch for thickening (the starch from the ramen noodles thickens it)
Toss the ramen seasoning packs – we make our own sauce!
Any ramen or instant noodles!
This Chow Mein Ramen Noodles is the latest in a line up of “how to make ramen noodles better” series I started earlier this year (listed at bottom of post!). So I’m pretty sure I’ve made this recipe with every brand of instant ramen and instant noodles I’ve been able to get my hands on – and it works every time.
I have a theory that this recipe is impossible to stuff up because ramen noodles are MADE to be so foolproof that even inebriated college students can boil up some up after a late night out at the pub!?
What Chow Mein Ramen Noodles tastes like
In terms of flavour, it tastes just like “real” Chow Mein. In fact, I recommend in my Chow Mein recipe to use ramen noodles if you can’t find Chow Mein noodles!
The main difference in the eating experience is the texture of the noodles themselves. While they are the same thickness, ramen noodles have a more slippery texture and are white, whereas Chow Mein noodles are yellow. But there’s no difference in the flavour of the noodles!
Faster and healthier than take out
This really is a “faster than take out” recipe for anyone.
Even if you’re one of those people who like to swan around the kitchen sipping a glass of wine, chatting on the phone to your friend with half an eye on the TV so you don’t miss a second of Real Housewives, rummaging around in your pantry to dig out sauces, dragging a chair over to reach up high into the back of the cupboard for that packet of ramen noodles you know is buried there somewhere.
Yes, even if that’s you, you will have this Chow Mein Ramen Noodles on the table, ready to eat, faster than ordering take out (or Uber Eats?). – Nagi x
How To Make Ramen Noodles BETTER Series
Toss the seasoning packet! Be amazed what you can make with a packet of ramen – super quick!
Watch how to make it
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Chow Mein Ramen Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 200g/7oz chicken , sliced (thigh, breast)
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 ramen or instant noodle cakes , discard seasoning (Note 1)
- 200g/7oz pre shedded Coleslaw mix , cabbage and carrot (Note 2)
- 3 green onion stems , cut into 5cm/2" lengths
- 1 heaped cup beansprouts
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
Chow Mein Sauce:
- 1.5 tbsp light soy sauce (Note 3)
- 1.5 tbsp Oyster Sauce (Note 4)
- 1 tbsp Chinese Cooking Wine or Mirin (Note 5)
- 2 tsp sesame oil , toasted (Note 6)
- 1 tsp white sugar (SKIP if using Mirin)
Instructions
- Mix Sauce in a bowl.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic, cook 10 seconds.
- Add chicken and cook until mostly changes from pink to white, then add Sauce.
- Cook for 1 minute, then add Coleslaw mix and white part of green onions.
- Cook for 1 1/2 minutes until cabbage wilts, then push everything to the side to make room for the ramen (see video & photos in post).
- Add water then squidge the ramen cakes in side by side.
- When water simmers, leave for 45 seconds. Flip, then leave for 30 seconds.
- Loosen noodles, add bean sprouts and green onion, then toss energetically for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes until sauce reduces and coats noodles. (Note 7)
- Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
You know how you feel in those fancy chocolate shop? That’s how Dozer feels here – we’re in the warehouse of The Free Range Butcher where I bulk purchase offal for Dozer every few months.
I’ve been requested by a number of people to share Dozer’s diet. It’s in progress! I want to get it officially “signed off” by a specialist before going out officially with it. But for those who want a sneak peak of the post in progress, here it is. 🙂
This is an amazing recipe. So simple and very delicious. Added snow peas and mushrooms and pork instead of chicken. Lots of vegies and great flavors
Sounds great Sherri!
Thank you so much for another great recipe. All of my meals come from your website and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your website- it has completely transformed my cooking! I cook your recipes with absolute confidence because they always turn out!
Thanks so much Kate, I really appreciate the feedback!
Your chow main with Raman noodles was great. We really enjoyed it
That’s great Jan, thanks much for letting me know!
Just sent this to my son for his college cooking repertoire. The minimal cleaning required is right up his alley and the higher nutritional value than standard student living is right up mine!
Quote of the day! 😂 N xx
Hey Nagi, I feed Obe a natural diet. If you are having difficulty finding certain meats, try going to a restaurant meat supplier. I buy in bulk (40-60lb cases of meat/bones/whole carcasses.). I freeze and store single meals in “his” freezer. Hope this helps a little.
Now THAT is a great idea Krisby! Thank you! N xx
Oh I love your instant noodle hack! Genius! I make a similar dish (also using store bought coleslaw or “rainbow veggies”!) but I usually add cooked ramen noodles (boiled then strained) as well as a heap of fresh shiitake mushrooms and grated ginger (so I guess it has more of a Japanese twist?). Can’t wait to try out your noodle trick though!
It works wonders! I’ve been doing it for years 🙂 Use all the flavours you usually use, just cook it this way! N x
This was really tasty and so delicious.
So so easy and a definite to the make again list.
I like that all the ingredients were in he pantry and nothing to exotic I might never use again,
Our only complaint, it didn’t make enough for 2nds, 3rds etc….
😂 I have that complaint often…. N xx
Our dinner tonight. I made this for the kids and I as a quick easy meal whilst we are on school holiday. Delicious. The only change I would make is to reduce the water as my sauce didn’t thicken as it should (500ml/4people). I think 100ml less would make it perfect next time. I made your Chocolate Zucchini Bread for dessert – yum 😋
Hi Lisa! Just added a note to the recipe to reduce water if doubling recipe 🙂 All the extra volume of stuff in the pan will make it all a bit steamy and braise = more liquid! N xx
Nagi, this looks amazing!!!!!!
Thaaaanks! N x
For some reason never been a big fan of chow mien, but this version is so easy and if I can say dumbed down version(being I love) I will be adding this to my meal plan for next week… Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou 😘😘😘😘
I read your draft for Dozer’s file, I glad to see l am doing very well with my girl Cuddlz but need to tweek, Dozers meals do look great… Boy, never realised how big Dozed was, he could almost tower over you, very handsome boy..🤩😘🌻🐝🐶
You’re so welcome Linda! Hugs to Cuddlz (what a cute name!) N x
My mother always added celery into her Chow Mein, as well as the other ingredients you listed.
Mmmm yes to celery! Any veggies are the go, really 🙂 N x
Shock! Horror ! I have just found out I eat like Dozer – never mind the ramen 🙂 ! Same vegetables, only brown rice if I use it, heaps of sustainable water-packed sardines, kangaroo at least once a week and offal as often as I can get it here in the country ! Beef tongue (my very favourite food), livers from all animals, sweetbreads, kidneys and intestines to make a gorgeous tripe dinner I could eat every day . . . yes, I love Asian noodle dishes, be they fusion Chinese or Japanese as here but PLEASE may we have Dozer’s meal plan so I could add to my own ! Woof, woof !! (Oh, your wonderful butcher does not as yet deliver here: ooh, I like him !!!!)
BA HA HA! That is just TOO FUNNY!!!! N xx
Hey Nagi simply the best all of your recipes I can do lol lol
And they taste great
😇 N x
Hi Nagi, I have made this and is delicious so easy.
Live your story about Dozers good as I do not feed my Holly any dry food at all, she has organic food of Chicken patties with all the veggies and nutrients in it as I get it from a well known company here in Brissy and at least once a week I give her salmon and she gets scrambled eggs some mornings for brekky.
I think dry food is really bad to feed animals .
Cheers
I give Dozer salmon too! He absolutely loves it. Never thought of eggs, I have to give that a go! I bet he will love it 🙂 N x
My parents give their dogs the same diet (except not bones) and it has worked wonders. Nobody needs the details on a food blog but I will say things are a lot less messy now😊 Great food as always-will be trying this ASAP. Enjoyed your marinated BBQ vegetables over the weekend! Yum.
🤣🤣🤣 I hear you Jo! N xx
Hi Nagi. I love the idea of your chicken chow mein recipe and will definitely try it.
My question/comment is, do you think soft noodles (off the shelf) would work just as well and be even more swift?
If so, would I still add some water?
Cheers.
Jan
Hi Jan! Not for this particular method but just use the classic chow mien recipe (linked throughout post)! N x
Hi Nagi,
What brand(s) of mirin do you use? Also wondering what brand(s) of saki you like, as well because I want to try your homemade teriyaki recipe. Thanks, so much! And, also thank you for the draft of Dozer’s diet. He’s a lucky dog!!! -Lynn
Hi Lynn! Hi use Kikkoman brand Mirin and Mizkan cooking sake 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi! This IS faster than fast! I haven’t made chow mein in forever, but I think I need to make this soon. I love sugar snap peas so I’ll probably throw some of them in.
Mmmmm they would be delightful in this! Hope you’re well Dorothy! N x
Omgoodness!! Chow mein looks so so delicious.. Cant wait to try it ❤️
😇 N x
Hi Nagi, is there a sub for cabbage? My son really dislikes cabbage and bean sprouts. Can you please suggest alternatives. Thank you as always
Oh dear, the two MAIN veggies in this dish! 😂 Any shreddable veggies will be suitable – what about kale and/or spinach?? 🙂 You could also increase the amount of carrot 🙂 N x