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Here are 30+ of the best side dishes to serve with Chow Mein! Chow Mein is a Chinese favorite that’s loved for its tasty combo of stir-fried noodles and mouth watering flavors. But what goes best with your Chow Mein? In this post, we’ll dive into some delicious sidekicks and drinks to make your Chow Mein meal even more awesome.
Chow Mein is a delicious Chinese dish featuring stir-fried noodles with a mix of vegetables, your choice of protein and some herbs and seasoning (soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger). The noodles are cooked to a crispy yet tender texture, while a savory, slightly sweet sauce infuses each bite with a burst of flavor, making it a beloved and versatile staple of Chinese food. You can keep this simple and keep it veggie, or you can make it heartier and have Chicken Chow Mein! I love to have leftovers, and leftover Chow Mein is super tasty the next day. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container and you’re good to go! Keep scrolling to get some great recipes on what to serve with your Chow Mein! With these tasty recipes, the Asian market will be your best friend.
Chow Mein Vs. Lo Mein
This recipe is customizable so you can switch out the Ramen Noodles and make Lo Mein Noodles instead. The main difference between Chow Mein and Lo Mein is how the noodles are prepared, so pick your preferred style of cooked noodles and make a delicious meal! Chow Mein is a Chinese stir-fried noodle dish with crispy fried noodles, while Lo Mein features soft, boiled noodles, both typically mixed with vegetables, protein, and a savory sauce.
What To Serve With Chow Mein (30+ Tasty Side Ideas!)
Fresh Spring Rolls Recipe with Peanut Dipping Sauce: This Fresh Spring Rolls Recipe is healthy, easy, and yummy! Made with fresh vegetables and shrimp (but could easily be made with chicken). Perfect to complete your healthy meal!
Egg Rolls: Crispy egg rolls stuffed with vegetables (green cabbage, carrots and scallions) and sometimes meat are a classic accompaniment to chow mein.
Wonton Soup: This warm and comforting wonton soup is chicken broth based, add dumplings filled with meat and vegetables and you have a great starter for your meal.
Crab Rangoon: Crab Rangoons are popular take-out appetizer that are just as easy to make at home and taste even better! Crab, cream cheese, onion and seasonings are fried in a wonton wrapper until crispy.
Fried Rice: Serve a side of fried rice (like vegetable fried rice or chicken fried rice) to complement the chow mein. The combination of noodles and rice can be quite satisfying. You can try my favorite Best Fried Rice Recipe, or if you want a low-carb option you should take a look at my Cauliflower Fried Rice!
Steamed Dumplings: Chinese steamed dumplings (dim sum) filled with various fillings like pork, shrimp, or vegetables can be a tasty side dish.
Stir-Fried Snow Peas with Garlic: This side dish offers a tantalizing combination of flavors and textures that will enhance any meal. Stir-fry snow peas and some garlic in a large skillet in vegetable oil over medium heat and you’ve got yourself a great side for your main course!
Honey Garlic Shrimp: This Honey Garlic Grilled Shrimp Recipe is super tasty, lazy aka easy meal! Pair with Chow Mein Noodles and a vegatable for a complete dinner.
Easy Pork Potstickers: Potstickers are Chinese dumplings usually consisting of ground meat and vegetable filling. The filling is wrapped in a dough and then is boiled, steamed or fried. Pair it with a soy sauce based savory sauce and you’ll have a delicious side dish!
Stir-Fried Veggies: A quick, easy, and delicious Stir Fry Recipe your family is sure to love! You can add just about any vegetable of your choice to a stir-fry. Bell peppers, snap peas or even purple cabbage! It’s all up to how you like your stir-fry to taste.
Seaweed Salad: A light and flavorful seaweed salad is a great side dish that adds a taste of the sea to your meal.
Orange Chicken: This classic chicken recipe is full of savory and orange citrus flavors, topped with sesame seeds and green onions for garnish, the perfect dish that the whole family will love!
Hot and Sour Soup: A hot and sour soup is another delicious option for a warm and tangy side dish.
Scallion Pancakes: Crispy scallion pancakes are a delightful and savory option that complements chow mein.
Crispy Sesame Beef: Prepare yourselves for the best homemade Crispy Sesame Beef that tastes BETTER than take-out! Yes, it’s possible, and not all that hard to do either! Try it out tonight and see for yourself!
Asian Slaw: This Asian Slaw Recipe with Peanuts is a refreshing new Thai take on the same old coleslaw recipe. With simple ingredients and a sweet, peanutty kick!
Pickled Vegetables: Serve pickled or fermented vegetables, such as kimchi or Chinese pickled cucumbers, to add a tangy and spicy contrast. This is a great way to get some more vegetables in!
Korean Beef: This Korean Beef recipe is simple, tasty, and perfect for when you only have a minutes to get dinner on the table. Serve in lettuce cups and with chow mein.
Edamame: Steamed edamame (young soybeans) sprinkled with sea salt can be a healthy and simple side.
Fruit Salad: A simple fruit salad or a platter of fresh fruit can provide a refreshing, sweet contrast to the savory chow mein.
Green Tea: Consider offering green tea, a traditional Chinese beverage, to accompany the meal.
Tofu Dishes: If you prefer a vegetarian option, consider serving a tofu stir-fry or a braised tofu dish alongside the chow mein.
Chicken Skewers: Grilled Asian Sweet and Spicy Chicken Skewers are super simple to do, very easy to throw together and marinate all day AND, they take no time at all to cook and are done in 10 minutes or less. Amazing and super tasty!
Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad can add a light, crisp element to your meal.
Asian Lettuce Wraps: Eat plain or top with peanuts, bean sprouts, and cilantro!
Chinese Chicken Salad: This is a simple and tasty way to enjoy your greens! A little sweet and a little crunch with lots of veggies and protein.
Kung Pao Chicken: This Kung Pao Chicken recipe is the perfect balance of sweet, savory and spicy, all stir-fried together in about 30 minutes.
Teriyaki Chicken: This Teriyaki Chicken recipe is tangy, savory, and best of all, homemade. Made in less than 30 minutes and served alongside rice and veggies.
Beef and Broccoli: You can’t go wrong with the classic beef and broccoli! The tender beef mixed with steamed broccoli in a delicious sauce guarantees happy bellies. Not only is it a great make-ahead meal but you can also freeze it!
Braised Greens: Serve braised Chinese greens like gai lan (Chinese broccoli) or yu choy with oyster sauce for a tasty and nutritious side.
Kimchi: Korean kimchi is a spicy fermented cabbage dish that can add a zesty and tangy kick to your meal.
Complementing your Chow Mein with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience. Whether you opt for traditional choices like egg rolls and fried rice or decide to explore more exotic options such as seaweed salad or potstickers, the key is to create a harmonious and well-rounded meal. Mix and match to suit your palate and dietary preferences, and enjoy the diverse combination of flavors and textures that side dishes bring to the table. Bon appétit!
If you make these recipes, I would really appreciate it if you would give them a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
