Description
This quick and flavorful 15 Minute Lo Mein recipe is perfect for a fast weeknight dinner. It features tender ramen noodles stir-fried with fresh vegetables and tossed in a savory sauce made from dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a hint of sesame oil. Easy to customize with your favorite veggies, this stir-fried noodle dish is a delicious, comforting Asian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (substitute regular soy sauce if needed)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (substitute regular soy sauce if needed)
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 clove garlic, grated (optional)
Main Ingredients
- 4–6 ounces uncooked ramen noodles
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 green onions, chopped (separate green parts from white parts)
- 2–3 cups julienne cut or chopped vegetables (such as carrots, red peppers, cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, or broccoli)
- 1–2 tablespoons mirin
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a jar or small bowl, combine dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, sugar, and grated garlic. Shake or stir well to blend all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Cook the noodles: Boil ramen noodles following the package instructions until just tender. Drain the noodles well and set aside to prevent them from overcooking or sticking.
- Stir-fry vegetables and aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the white parts of the chopped green onions along with your choice of 2-3 cups julienned or chopped vegetables. Stir-fry until the vegetables are fork-tender, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Deglaze with mirin: Pour in 1-2 tablespoons of mirin to the hot pan to loosen the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. This adds depth to the dish and prevents burning.
- Combine noodles and sauce: Add the cooked noodles into the wok with the vegetables. Pour about half of the prepared sauce over the noodles and vegetables. Toss everything thoroughly in the hot pan, ensuring noodles are evenly coated and heated through. Adjust the sauce quantity depending on the desired color and flavor intensity – aim for a medium brown color on the noodles. Add additional sauce if necessary.
- Serve: Transfer the lo mein to serving plates and garnish with the remaining green parts of the chopped green onions. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can customize the vegetables based on personal preference or seasonal availability; common options include carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage, and bok choy.
- If oyster sauce is unavailable, vegetarian stir-fry sauce or mushroom soy sauce can be a substitute for a similar umami flavor.
- Grated garlic is optional but adds a nice aromatic depth to the sauce.
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles during boiling, as they will continue to cook slightly during stir-frying.
- Adjust soy sauce quantities to taste, especially if using regular soy sauce instead of light or dark varieties to manage saltiness.
- Mirin adds sweetness and helps deglaze the pan, but a splash of sake or a teaspoon of sugar can be substituted if needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: lo mein, stir-fry noodles, quick noodles, Chinese noodles, ramen noodles, vegetable lo mein, easy dinner, Asian stir-fry
