Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes (2024)

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Created On: May 12, 2020&nbsp|Updated: January 8, 2024| 44 Comments

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6.70

1.11

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The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and comes together in just 20 minutes.

The recipe serves six and costs approximately $6.70 to make. That’s only around $1.11 per serving!

Table of Contents

Panda Express Chow Mein

Our Copycat Chow Mein recipe comes together faster than you can drive to Panda Express and order it! With this recipe, you can make a healthier version of the popular dish while saving money making it at home.

Our recipe only takes twenty minutes to make, so you can easily make this on a busy weeknight. You can serve these noodles as a side dish or add a protein such as chicken, beef, or shrimp to make it a main dish.

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes (2)

This chow mein recipe is so good; everyone will think you picked it up from Panda Express! You will impress your family with how delicious the chow mein is, and you will love its simplicity.

As an added bonus, this dish also makes for great leftovers for a quick lunch the next day.

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes (3)

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Ingredients & Cost:

Recipe Cost: $6.70

Per Serving: $1.11

14 oz package dry Lo Mein noodles –$4.18
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil –$0.12
2 cups thinly chopped cabbage –$0.88
3 large stalks celery –$0.75
1/2 yellow onion –$0.23
3 large garlic cloves –$0.15
2 Tablespoons soy sauce –$0.10
1 Tablespoon oyster sauce –$0.29

The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check outBudget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in December 2023.

How to Make Panda Express Chow Mein

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

First, pour oil into a large deep skillet and preheat until oil is simmering for 30 seconds.
Add the cabbage, celery, and onion to the skillet.
Then cook, constantly stirring, until the onions are translucent.
Add garlic, and then add in the cooked noodles, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
Finally, stir until the vegetables are evenly distributed and the noodles are coated and heated through. Serve and enjoy!

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes (4)

Get Kids Involved in Making Panda Express Noodles

Ages 2-3:Have them help you prepare the celery by breaking the stalks from the bunch. They can also wash and clean the stalks.
Ages 4-5: Help them measure the soy sauce and oyster sauce. They can also count out the cloves of garlic.
Ages 6-8:Guide their hands on the knife as you show them how to chop the celery and cabbage.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+:Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Panda Chow Mein Recipe Variations

If you can’t find lo mein noodles, then you can use spaghetti.
Sometimes I make this a complete meal by adding chicken and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and snow peas.

What to Serve with Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein

Orange Chicken

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes (5)

How to store Panda Express Noodles

Serve: As with most recipes, to avoid bacteria growing, you shouldn’t leave this Chow Mein out for longer than 2 hours.
Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Unfortunately, we do not recommend freezing this recipe. The vegetables will be a wilted mess upon defrosting.

Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe FAQs

What is chow mein sauce made of?

Our Chow Mein sauce is made of soy sauce and oyster sauce. Super easy and tasty!

What is the difference between chop suey and chow mein?

The ingredients in chop suey and chow mein are very similar. The main difference is in the preparation and presentation.Chow meinis made by adding cooked noodles to the sauce and vegetables. Chop suey is made by serving the cooked vegetables and sauce over rice or fried noodles.

Is chow mein authentic Chinese food?

Chow meindoes fall under the category of an authentic Chinese dish. However, how it is made in American restaurants has been slightly altered from the traditional dish. But the inspiration for the recipe does come from a traditional Chinese dish of vegetables and noodles.

Chow Mein Tools:

large skillet
mixing spoon
colander
knife
cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups

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Panda Chow Mein

Recipe Cost 6.70

Serving Cost 1.11

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Chinese

This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving!

Servings: 6 people

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Equipment

large skillet
mixing spoon
Colander
knife
cutting board
Measuring spoons
measuring cups

Ingredients

14 oz package dry lo mein noodles cooked as per package instructions
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 large stalks celery cut on the diagonal
2 cups thinly chopped cabbage
½ yellow onion sliced into thin half-moons
3 large garlic cloves minced
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoons oyster sauce

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a large deep pan or skillet add the oil. Preheat the pan on high until the oil is shimmering, about 30-45 seconds.
Add celery, cabbage, and onion and cook, stirring constantly, until the edges of the vegetables are browned and the onions are translucent about 4 minutes.
Add garlic and stir constantly for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.
Stir in the cooked noodles, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Cook and stir constantly until the noodle and veggies are coated in the soy sauce and the noodles are heated through.
Serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Love this recipe?Follow @EasyBudgetRecipes or tag #EasyBudgetRecipes!

This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe is easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. The recipe serves 6 and costs $4.26 to make. That’s just 71¢ per serving!

Comments

Claudia Lamascolo says
May 12, 2020 at 11:22 am

I have made this several times and we love the recipe, it one of our favorite and we never even heard of Panda express so I am glad I get to make it at home!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 12, 2020 at 2:53 pm
  
  So happy you love it!
Allison says
May 12, 2020 at 11:25 am

I love the tips for getting kids involved. This is a delicious family friendly recipe.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 12, 2020 at 2:52 pm
  
  Thank you Allison! We think it is so important to get our kiddos involved in the kitchen.
Linda Moore says
May 13, 2020 at 7:19 am

I was excited to see this post! I’m trying this for dinner tonight! I’m entering your $50 give away too!
Wishes for tasty dishes!!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 13, 2020 at 9:16 am
  
  We would love to hear back after you make it. And thanks for entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Marina says
May 13, 2020 at 7:30 am

Great quick recipe! Cannot wait to try it out!
Reply
See Also
Sheet Pan Baked Pork Chops and Potatoes Recipe
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 13, 2020 at 9:13 am
  
  Let us know how it goes!
Kathy says
May 13, 2020 at 7:39 am

I love how easy this is!! I think it is better than Panda Express!! My daughter thinks so too!!!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 13, 2020 at 9:13 am
  
  We’re thrilled you both love it!
Deanna says
May 13, 2020 at 9:49 am

We don’t have Panda Express here, so I can’t compare. But this recipe is absolutely fantastic. So easy and so much flavour. We will be making this again.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 14, 2020 at 9:26 am
  
  So happy you enjoyed it!
Sanna says
May 13, 2020 at 11:22 am

This is such a simple and easy recipe. Can’t wait to make it.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 14, 2020 at 9:26 am
  
  It really is simple and cost effective. Enjoy!
Fran says
May 13, 2020 at 11:31 am

I love how affordable this recipe is! I may add carrots, but this is definitely a good use for the cabbage I have!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 14, 2020 at 9:27 am
  
  Carrots would be a great addition!
Amy says
May 13, 2020 at 5:39 pm

Yum! Love a good simple meal for my weekly meal planning! Soy sauce and oyster sauce are like my pantry staples so I’d be able to whip this up quite easily I think. Maybe I’ll get my daughter (she’s 11) to try it this weekend! She’s always looking for new things to try.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 14, 2020 at 9:28 am
  
  Amy, I love that you already have the ingredients on hand and that you will get your daughter involved! That’s awesome!
Amanda Marie Boyle says
May 13, 2020 at 6:47 pm

I love it! With the mall closed, I need my Panda fix!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 14, 2020 at 9:29 am
  
  Amanda, we are on the same page for sure!
Saif says
May 13, 2020 at 10:46 pm

I never tried Panda Express but chow mein is one of the best noodle dish I tried. It is quite similar to Pancit Canton Noodle dish from the Philippines.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 14, 2020 at 9:29 am
  
  Saif, that is so interesting. I love learning about dishes from around the world. Thanks for sharing!
Barrie says
May 17, 2020 at 12:19 pm

Yum! Does the oyster sauce taste like oysters? Does not sound appealing!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 18, 2020 at 1:26 pm
  
  Don’t let the name fool you! It’s actually very tasty!
Kakhaber Khmelidze says
May 18, 2020 at 1:55 pm

Ohh, love it
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 18, 2020 at 11:44 pm
  
  Me too!
Kakhaber Khmelidze says
May 22, 2020 at 6:37 am

So great, love it and thank you.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 23, 2020 at 9:28 am
  
  You are so welcome!
Steve Grant says
May 22, 2020 at 4:39 pm

These noodles look so good. I want to try it with spaghetti noodles and maybe add a bit of ginger for flavor.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 23, 2020 at 9:25 am
  
  Steve, great idea. Let us know how it goes!
Amy says
June 6, 2020 at 8:51 am

I added sesame oil..just a bit because it can overpower the flavor..so yummy!!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  June 13, 2020 at 2:28 pm
  
  Sounds great Amy! Glad you enjoyed it!
Barb Batten says
June 18, 2020 at 4:18 am

please and thanks Smile
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  September 6, 2020 at 10:00 am
  
  Enjoy!
Jessica says
June 18, 2020 at 9:16 am

My family loved this! They think it’s better than Panda Express
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  June 18, 2020 at 10:37 am
  
  That’s awesome! Thanks for letting us know!
Rosie says
June 19, 2020 at 4:10 pm

I love copycat recipes, and just yesterday on our local FB group, people were talking about chow mein and lo mein, and how they are made different in various states. It made me hungry, and I’d love to try this!
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  June 21, 2020 at 11:09 pm
  
  Copycat recipes are so fun! Excited for you to try it.
Betty says
February 8, 2022 at 3:43 pm

Made this for the 1st time several weeks ago, followed Recipe as writen, it was great . About to give it another try, today will add a little shredded carrot, excited for the outcome.
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  February 9, 2022 at 6:35 am
  
  So glad you love it as much as we do. Enjoy the addition of the carrots!
Allison says
May 16, 2022 at 1:47 pm

I love Panda Express Chow Mein!! What brand of lo mein noodles do you use?
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  May 17, 2022 at 2:36 pm
  
  Isn’t it so good?! We like Simply Asia and also Ka-Me, just note that the Ka-Me are a little wider typically. Enjoy!
Sgurl says
October 2, 2022 at 5:54 pm

Easy and delicious
Reply
- Jess Jankowski says
  October 5, 2022 at 12:04 pm
  
  Thank you!

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are Panda chow mein noodles made of? ›

Ingredients for Panda Express Chow Mein at Home!

You can use fresh chow mein noodles, which are made of wheat flour, egg, and water. I find them in the refrigerated section of my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch). These will be uncooked and thus need to be cooked before adding them into the wok.

What is chow mein sauce made of? ›

All you need is soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, oyster sauce, black pepper, and sesame oil. The flavor that is often missing in homemade chow mein is the tanginess.

Know More ›

What makes chow mein taste like chow mein? ›

Simple sauce: While chow mein sauce is unbelievably easy to make, it still brings a complexity of flavors to the dish. The careful combination of ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce and sugar results in a chow mein sauce that has hints of both savory and sweet notes.

Discover More ›

What is lo mein vs chow mein panda? ›

If you're someone who likes texture, a Panda Express chow mein may be the best bet for you as it has the crunch from the vegetables and crispy noodles. But if you want a saucy dish with chewy noodles you can slurp, a hot and sour shrimp lo mein will surely satisfy you.

Explore More ›

What oil does Panda Express use? ›

Panda Express entrees and sides contain zero grams of trans fat per serving and adds no MSG in their food. Panda Express uses only 100% pure soybean oil in the preparation of recipes.

Learn More Now ›

What is the difference between Chinese noodles and chow mein? ›

Noodles are simply strands or ribbons of a flour/water dough, sometimes with other things like eggs or milk added. Chow mein is a dish that is prepared with particular types of noodles, stir-fried with various ingredients. It's a main dish that includes protein and vegetables, not just carbohydrates.

What is a good substitute for chow mein noodles? ›

Yes, it is possible to substitute spaghetti for chow mein noodles by boiling it with a small amount of baking soda. The baking soda alters the pH level of the spaghetti, giving it a similar texture and flavor to chow mein noodles. They can then be used in any dish that calls for chow mein noodles.

Tell Me More ›

What is authentic chow mein? ›

Chow mein (/ˈtʃaʊ ˈmeɪn/ and /ˈtʃaʊ ˈmiːn/, simplified Chinese: 炒面; traditional Chinese: 炒麵; Pinyin: chǎomiàn) is a dish of Chinese stir-fried noodles with vegetables and sometimes meat or tofu.

Keep Reading ›

Can you use spaghetti noodles for chow mein? ›

Spaghettis won't turn soggy or sticky too easily, and they can hold the sauce on its surface very well. Therefore spaghetti is a perfect substitution of chow mein to make Chinese style stir fry noodles.

Learn More ›

What is Chicago style chow mein? ›

CHICAGO CHOW MEIN: Slices of vegetables in a dark sauce with mushrooms, water chestnuts, and pea pods. A la carte.

What kind of noodles are used in chow mein? ›

Chow mein is a traditional Chinese dish made with egg noodles and stir-fried veggies.

Find Out More ›

What are the crunchy Chinese noodles called? ›

Mein gon (面干 miàn-gān), informally referred to as crunchy noodles or crunchy chow mein, are a type of noodle-shaped cracker (or dried biscuit) used in American Chinese cuisine.

Get More Info ›

What kind of chow mein is at Panda Express? ›

Some may argue that Panda Express chow mein is a LO mein, but looking over these qualifications above, you know that is actually IS a chow mein. Panda got it right. The noodles are stir-fried, they are a little oily, there is little sauce used, and they aren't easy to slurp.

Show Me More ›

What are the thick Chinese noodles called? ›

"thick noodles") are thick Chinese noodles made from wheat flour and water. Two types of Chinese noodles are called cumian. One is Shanghai style, thick in diameter, used in Shanghai fried noodles. The other type is Hong Kong style, flat and wide, sometimes yellow-alkaline.

Are Panda Express chow mein noodles healthy? ›

✗ Chow Mein

This side dish is high in almost every category, with 510 calories, 20g total fat, 3.5g saturated fat, 80g carbohydrate, 13g protein, and 860mg sodium. (Fried rice is a close second, with similar nutrition info.)

Get More Info Here ›

Is Panda Express chow mein soft noodles? ›

Panda Express chow mein features soft noodles stir-fried with cabbage, onion, and celery, in a slightly sweet and salty soy-based sauce.

Know More ›

Are Panda Express chow mein noodles vegan? ›

Are the Noodles at Panda Express Vegan? Yes! The noodles contain no eggs or other animal products. But, be aware that all of the vegan-friendly food options are cooked in the same wok as foods that contain meat.

What are the Chinese noodles called at Panda Express? ›

Some think that chow mein noodles are strictly crunchy, deep fried noodles, like the kind that comes in a canister, but that is only one type of chow mein noodle. The most common kind of chow mein noodle is the stir-fried kind, like they use at Panda Express.

Find Out More ›

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes (2024)

Panda Express Chow Mein

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Ingredients & Cost:

How to Make Panda Express Chow Mein

Get Kids Involved in Making Panda Express Noodles

Panda Chow Mein Recipe Variations

What to Serve with Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein

How to store Panda Express Noodles

Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe FAQs

Chow Mein Tools:

More $5 Recipes like this Chow Mein Panda Express Copycat Recipe

Panda Chow Mein

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

Nutrition

Reader Interactions

Comments

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FAQs

What are Panda chow mein noodles made of? ›

What kind of noodles are used in chow mein? ›