Quick Answer
Yes, you can use spaghetti noodles as a substitute for traditional chow mein noodles. While chow mein is traditionally made with thin, crisp egg noodles, spaghetti can work well as a readily available replacement. The key is to undercook the spaghetti slightly so it doesn’t get overly soft and soggy when stir-fried. Break the spaghetti into shorter pieces before cooking to approximate the shape of chow mein noodles. Then stir-fry it with classic chow mein sauce and vegetables for a simple weeknight meal. The texture and flavor will be slightly different than traditional chow mein, but still tasty.
Exploring Chow Mein Noodles
Chow mein is a classic Chinese stir-fry dish made with wheat noodles, vegetables, and a savory sauce. The traditional noodles used are thin, round egg noodles that have a light, crispy texture even when cooked. They are pale yellow in color. Some key features of chow mein noodles:
- Made from wheat flour and egg
- Very thin, around 1/8 inch wide or less
- Purchased dried then rehydrated in hot water
- Rehydrate for 1-2 minutes only to keep crisp texture
- Commonly used in chow mein and lo mein dishes
Fresh or frozen chow mein noodles can also be found at some Asian grocery stores. Dried noodles are most common though, as they store well for long periods. Chow mein noodles provide an appetizing soft but slightly chewy texture contrast to the crunchy stir-fried vegetables.
Spaghetti Noodles as a Substitute
While they are a different shape and texture, spaghetti noodles can be used to make chow mein in a pinch. Here are some tips for using spaghetti noodles:
- Choose regular, thin spaghetti for best results
- Break the dry spaghetti into shorter 2-3 inch pieces before cooking
- Boil for 1 minute less than package directions for a firmer al dente texture
- Drain and briefly rinse with cool water to stop further cooking
- Stir-fry briefly with other ingredients just to heat through
The shortened pieces and slightly undercooked noodles will give a closer approximation of true chow mein noodles. While not an exact duplicate, the spaghetti will soak up the flavorful sauce and mix well with the vegetables and protein.
Chow Mein Sauce Options
You can make your chow mein with spaghetti noodles using a variety of tasty sauce options:
Classic Stir-Fry Sauce
The traditional chow mein sauce is made with:
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Sesame oil
- Rice wine or sherry
- Sugar
- Cornstarch slurry to thicken
The sauce comes out savory, salty, and lightly sweet. Thickening it with cornstarch gives it a lovely velvety texture.
Teriyaki Stir-Fry Sauce
For a Japanese twist, use a teriyaki sauce made with:
- Soy sauce
- Mirin
- Rice wine vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Cornstarch
The teriyaki flavor is sweet and tangy, coating the noodles and veggies perfectly.
Spicy Szechuan Sauce
For some heat, make a spicy Szechuan sauce with:
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Chili garlic sauce
- Chili oil
- Brown sugar
The chili oils and garlic sauce give this sauce a fiery kick. It’s delicious with tender chicken or beef.
Chow Mein Vegetable Options
One of the best parts of chow mein is the satisfying mix of textures from the vegetables. Try these vegetable options:
- Cabbage – green or Napa
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Bell peppers
- Bean sprouts
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Baby corn
- Water chestnuts
- Bamboo shoots
Aim for a variety of colors, textures, and flavors. Slice veggies thinly so they cook quickly. Crisp, crunchy vegetables pair wonderfully with the tender noodles.
Proteins to Add
While vegetables make up the bulk of chow mein, adding some protein makes it a complete meal:
- Chicken – breast or thigh
- Beef – flank steak or sirloin
- Pork – tenderloin or shoulder
- Shrimp
- Tofu
Slice the meat thinly across the grain so it cooks fast and mixes into the noodles easily. Shrimp and tofu can be added at the very end to heat through.
Step By Step Chow Mein Recipe with Spaghetti
Putting it all together, here is a recipe for chow mein with spaghetti noodles:
Ingredients:
- 8oz uncooked spaghetti
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, sliced thin
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 4 cups mixed vegetables (cabbage, carrot, onion, celery, etc)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- Sesame seeds, green onions, and chili oil for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 2 minutes less than package directions.
- Drain spaghetti in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Use kitchen shears or a knife to cut spaghetti into 2-3 inch pieces.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Swirl in the sesame oil.
- Add chicken and stir fry for 2 minutes until starting to brown.
- Add garlic, ginger, and vegetables. Stir fry 3-4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, broth, and cornstarch. Stir to dissolve cornstarch.
- Give sauce mixture a stir and add to the wok. Bring to a simmer.
- Add drained spaghetti noodles. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Remove from heat. Serve chow mein garnished with sesame seeds, green onions, and a drizzle of chili oil if desired.
With this easy method, spaghetti noodles make a fine substitute for chow mein noodles in a pinch! The undercooked pasta soaks up the flavorful sauce and mixes with the crisp vegetables for a satisfying dinner. While not exactly the same texture as traditional chow mein, it’s still a tasty weeknight meal using pantry ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between chow mein and lo mein noodles?
Chow mein and lo mein noodles are very similar. They are both made from wheat flour and egg. The main difference is that lo mein noodles are a bit wider and thicker than chow mein noodles. Lo mein noodles also tend to be boiled longer until fully cooked through, whereas chow mein noodles are briefly boiled leaving them with a firmer, crisper texture.
Can I use linguine instead of spaghetti?
Linguine is wider than spaghetti, but you can use it as a substitute for chow mein noodles too. Simply break the uncooked linguine into 2-3 inch pieces. Boil it about 1 minute less than package directions. The wider surface area of linguine means it may stick together more than spaghetti, but it will still work reasonably well in a stir-fry.
Is there a way to make the noodles crispy?
It’s difficult to get true crispy texture using spaghetti or other substitutes. However, soaking the cooked noodles briefly in ice water rather than rinsing with hot water can help firm them up after boiling. Letting them dry thoroughly after rinsing can also help avoid sogginess. Finally, be sure not to overcook the pasta in the first place and stir-fry briefly with high heat to retain some firmness.
Can I use whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti instead?
Whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti can also work, though the taste and texture may be a bit different. Make sure to account for the slightly longer cook time of whole wheat. For gluten-free pasta, rinse it after boiling and use it immediately or it can become gummy. Cook both varieties al dente. Focus on the stir-frying method to get the best results.
What protein goes best with chow mein?
Chicken or shrimp are classic proteins to pair with chow mein. The mild flavor of chicken takes on the sauce flavors well. Shrimp adds a meaty bite and cooks quickly. Beef and pork also work if sliced very thin against the grain so they cook fast without toughening. For vegetarian chow mein, tofu is an ideal choice as it readily soaks up the sauce.
Conclusion
While not an exact match, spaghetti can be used as a handy substitute for hard-to-find chow mein noodles. With a few simple tweaks like breaking into smaller pieces, undercooking slightly, and rinsing after boiling, the texture of spaghetti comes reasonably close to crispy chow mein noodles. Combined with classic chow mein vegetables, proteins, and flavorful stir-fry sauces, you can make an easy weeknight dinner with pantry ingredients. So next time you have a craving for chow mein but lack the specialty noodles, reach for a box of spaghetti instead.