This vegetarian/vegan version of chow mein is very close to the traditional version, but I have created a sauce without oyster sauce in it - and obviously substituted the meat with tofu. This recipe contains directions to make this from scratch as well as the directions for making this using my Real Chinese All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce (Vegetarian version) which, if you have a stash of it on hand, makes this super quick to make because you already have the sauce ready made!
Prepare noodles according to packet instructions (usually soaking it in boiling water).
Combine tofu with marinade and set aside for 5 minutes.
Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
Heat oil in wok over high heat, add garlic and stir fry for 10 seconds.
Add tofu and stir fry until starting to caramelise - about 1 minute. Stir fry gently so the tofu doesn't break.
Add the cabbage and carrot and stir fry until the cabbage starts to wilt.
Add the noodles, scallions/shallots, bean sprouts and sauce and stir fry until the noodles are warmed through and sauce evenly coats the noodles - about 1 minute. Don't cook it too much - the bean sprouts should still be quite crisp, not wilted.
Serve immediately.
Directions using homemade Real Chinese All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce
Substitute the tofu marinade with 1 tbsp Stir Fry Sauce
Substitute the Sauce ingredients with 1/4 cup Stir Fry Sauce and 1/4 cup water.
Notes
1. You can substitute the noodles with other egg noodles (eg. hokkien) or even rice noodles.2. Chinese cooking wine can be substituted with sake or sherry. You can also use mirin, but if you do then do not use the 2 tsp sugar.3. Nutrition per serving.