How to Cook Dried Noodles for Chow Mein

Authentic chow mein is a fairly simple dish made of noodles, a good protein source — such as thinly sliced fish, chicken, pork or beef — and a sauce to pull it all together. Here's how to prepare dried chow mein noodles two different ways: boiling and steaming.

Boiling Dried Noodles for Chow Mein

Things You'll Need

  • Large pot

  • Salt

  • Dried chow mein noodles

  • Wooden spoon or chopsticks

  • Colander

  • Canola or vegetable oil

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

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Step 2

Add dried chow mein noodles and stir them carefully to separate them.

Step 3

Boil the noodles for 2 to 4 minutes, or whatever the dried noodle manufacturer's instructions recommend.

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Warning

Do not overcook dried chow mein noodles or they will fall apart.

Step 4

Stir the noodles again to separate them and drain them in a colander. Toss the noodles with oil to keep them from sticking together.

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Steaming Dried Noodles for Chow Mein

Things You'll Need

  • Large pot

  • Steamer basket

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • Colander

  • Wooden spoon or chopsticks

  • Canola or vegetable oil

Step 1

Spray a steamer basket with a light coating of nonstick cooking spray. Place the oiled steamer basket in a large pot.

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Step 2

Add enough water to the pot to fill the space below the bottom of the pot and the bottom of the steamer basket.

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Step 3

Bring the water to a boil.

Step 4

Rinse the noodles in cool water and place the softened noodles in the steamer basket. Cover the pot and steam the noodles for 2 to 3 minutes.

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Step 5

Drain the noodles without turning the heat off under the pot and the steamer basket.

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Step 6

Rinse the noodles in hot water to remove the starch. Return them to the steamer basket. Steam them for another 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the noodles out into a bowl and splash them with a bit of vegetable or canola oil.

Warning

Do not overcook dried chow mein noodles or they will fall apart.

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