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:
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12 minute recipe including prep
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one pan cooking
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simple, magic 5 ingredient Chow Mein Sauce
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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:
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instant ramen or any other instant noodles cooked in the same skillet;
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store bought Coleslaw mix – shredded cabbage and carrots – rip the packet open and tip it in!
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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
More Next-Level Ramen Noodles!
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. 🙂
Marilyn Loyer says
I have made your fishcakes and satay sticks and they were delicious
Nagi says
Woot! So glad you loved them Marilyn!
Kyra T says
Seriously I don’t know why I haven’t cooked this before! Maybe because I’ve always thought meh- how can a dish with 2min noodles be good for dinner- but Wow!! What a quick and super easy uber tasty dish everyone loved. 🙌🏼
Sorry I don’t comment on everything I’ve made of yours but I guarantee at least 4 of your recipes feature in our weekly meals. My 16yo asked why you don’t have your own tv show. 🤔🤔
(Ps hope your having a good holiday!! 😊)
Nagi says
I’m so glad you gave it a shot! It’s the perfect midweek emergency meal! – N x
Te Rau Karakia says
Loved your chow mein great favours and lite and easy my first time doing this recipe really enjoyed it my daugther enjoys your recipes too its easy for her an shes asked me too have lunch with just to taste her cooking Thanks Nagi it made her a cook at last and me it helps me with my health and diet.
Nagi says
That’s fantastic to hear, thanks so much – N x
Melanie says
Thanks Nagi for another delicious recipe! We had it for dinner last night and I just ate the leftovers for lunch. For two people I doubled the coleslaw mix (a 400g bag from Woolies with carrots, celery, cabbage and spring onions) and put extra bean sprouts in too. Lots of white pepper in the last step and chilli sauce on serving. Yum, yum, yum. Thank you!
Nagi says
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Melanie!!
Feli says
Do you substitute the water for stock?
Nagi says
Hi Feli, this recipe calls for stock & water – N x
Kim McMillan says
Made this last night! I subbed the water for low sodium chicken broth, like you suggested. I think I’ll make it again for lunch!
Nagi says
Woot, sounds great Kim!
Ethan Penn says
That’s some delicious recipe. I have tried a different Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart Recipe from your one. Well, I cook once in a blue moon to be honest but the recipes I select are the yummiest one.
Susan Magrini says
I don’t cook many online blog recipes, they all seem to be the same recipes. This I tried and hubby claimed it “this is GOOD”. Thank you for one dish perfection.
Nagi says
I’m so glad it was a hit Susan!
Yulia says
Made it yesterday! Very tasty! I did not have mirin but bought sherry cooking wine. My husband loved the dish. I saw mirin in a store. It is kind of pricey but I wonder if it is really good for next time or sherry is pretty much the same? Thanks a lot Nagi!
Nagi says
Sherry is a pretty good substitute! I wouldn’t bother buying it if it’s too expensive – N x
Cheryl says
Loved it. Substituted chicken for prawns.
Aaron Simpson says
We’ve cooked this several times. Very easy, quick and delicious.
Mary K Henderson says
Yum. Yum. So easy and definitely being added to the menu rotation. Added thinly sliced red pepper for extra color, bamboo shoots and cashews just because I like them.
LCook says
This was really good and so quick! My whole family loved it and I plan to make it often when meal planning for lunches as it is good warm and cold. Thanks so much!
Nagi says
Perfect LCook!!
Leisel says
Hi Nagi. I made this dish last week and it was great. Another quick and easy to follow recipe. My daughter liked it as she normally have her ramen via the microwave. This my first taste of ramen as I don’t fancy the the idea of using packet flavoured season with noodles. Your recipe made this a wonderful version of delicious noodles……definitely will be making this again…it is now included in my quick meals repriotoire….thanks again Nagi another 5 stars
P.S. I didn’t have oyster sauce in my pantry so I sub with a vegetarian stir fry sauce…..just as delicious
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved it Leisel!!
Ruby Salim says
The ramen noodles are really good. Though it’s simple it’s really palatable.
Nagi says
Im so glad you love the recipe Ruby!! – N x
Mona says
Hi! How many servings does this make?
Nagi says
Hi Mona, this serves 2 – N x
Jessica says
Have been craving this since you posted it last week. Finally made this delicious dish and it was well worth the wait!! I did make a small second batch of sauce and threw it in while tossing everything. Could not believe how quick and easy this was to throw together. It was so fast I kept thinking I forgot ingredients, lol. As so many of your recipes, this is going to be made quite often. I could not find light soy sauce at the store so I just used a little extra of the reduced sodium soy sauce. I love how easy it to throw in a bunch of different veggies!! I just want to thank you Nagi for your blog!! I absolutely love, love, love it!! There are many many things I enjoy and appreciate but one of the major things is how easy you make it for the every day cook. And you aren’t afraid to say you made a mistake while cooking, how refreshing that is!! If I commented on every recipe I’ve made from your site, you would probably think I’m a stalker, hahahaha!! So please take this thank you as an umbrella thank you for all the yummy things you’ve shared!! I can’t even get started on how fun it is to hear about Dozer!! As a fellow dog mom, I love hearing his stories and seeing his pictures!! Thanks again!!!
Nagi says
It’s so versatile isn’t it Jessica – I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the honest feedback, I truly appreciate it!
Leayanna Graham says
Yes i did last Sunday. Tasted great even though i used white cooking wine and ginger soy instead ….it still turned out wonderful
Nagi says
It’s such a versatile dish, that would have worked perfectly Leayanna!
Nicole says
Oops forgot to rate! Definitely five woofs (in honor of Dozer) 😁
Nagi says
😂 Thanks so much Nicole!
Nicole says
Made this last night, was absolutely delicious and very easy. I doubled the sauce quantity because we like saucy noodles (not trying for a double entendres there!!). Nagi, your site has become my mid week go-to for quick and delicious inspiration. Thank you!!
Nagi says
Thanks so much for the feedback Nicole – N x