Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles (Pork Lo Mein) | A Spicy Perspective (2023)

Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles (Pork Lo Mein) – Our pan-fried noodles AKA pork lo mein recipe is savory, slightly spicy, and packed with flavor. Made with fresh veggies and stir-fried pork, it’s a light and healthy dish that’s easy to make in only 30 minutes!

It’s easy to get into a rut at dinner time…

We often fall into a routine of making either quick healthy dinners that cut calories, or comfort foods we know our kids won’t complain about like grilled chicken salador spaghetti with marinara.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s good to have a few staple meals you can pull together without ever looking at a recipe.

But, c’mon. Sometimes you need a break from the American comfort foods and weekly staples.

Today’s Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles recipe, AKA Pork Lo Mein, is a far cry from traditional (mostly mundane) dinner options. It’s packed with veggies like scallions, carrots, and mung bean sprouts, as well as stir-fried pork loin, and oodles of skinny egg noodles.

Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles AKA Pork Lo Mein

Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles is a quick meal that feeds a hungry crowd and always, always, gets rave reviews.

It will make any boring weeknight feel like an exotic celebration.

Egg noodles that are first boiled and then lightly stir-fried have a deliciously delicate texture. Fresh vegetables and juicy pork tenderloin are all sliced thin to create a balance with the noodles, and together they perfectly absorb and hold on to all of the spicy, salty, crave-able saucy goodness.

Fresh bean sprouts help to finish the dish, adding a delightful crunch that you won’t be able to get enough of.

What Ingredients You Need

This pan fried noodles recipe is great for making with whatever protein or produce you have available, so feel free to mix it up with different meats and veggies.

I generally make Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles with pork, but you can certainly swap our chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

Here are the ingredients we used to make our version of Pork Lo Mein:

• Egg noodles
• Bean sprouts
• Carrots
• Scallions
• Cornstarch
• Soy sauce
• Rice wine
• Sesame oil
• Oyster sauce
• Garlic
• Crushed red pepper
• Coconut oil

See Also

Pan-Fried Hong Kong Noodles | Beyond KimcheeSimple, Spicy Pan-Fried NoodlesCantonese Style Pan Fried NoodlesChinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein)

How to Make Pan Fried Noodles

The key to making fabulous lo mein is to mix the soy sauce based dressing ahead of time, and then to stir-fry the pork and veggies separately so that each gets just the amount of time and attention it needs.

Then just toss it all back together in the end and serve!

From start to finish this dish only takes about 30 minutes to make. Here’s how to make the BEST Easy Cantonese Lo Mein Recipe:

1. First, prep all of the veggies and cut the pork loin into thin strips and. Sprinkle the pork or other protein with soy sauce and cornstarch, and toss to coat. In a small bowl whisk together the remaining soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper. Set aside.

2. Place a large pot of water on to boil for the egg noodles, and heat coconut oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet. Stir fry the pork in the wok for just a few minutes until cooked through, and transfer to a plate or bowl.

3. While the pork is sautéing, cook the egg noodles in boiling water according to package instructions.

4. After removing the pork from the wok, stir fry the shredded carrots and scallion whites, followed by the cooked and drained egg noodles.

Be sure to stir fry the ingredients over a hot flame so they sizzle immediately when added to a wok or large skillet.

5. Add the pork and soy sauce back to the wok, continuing to stir and cook for just a few minutes more until hot.

Stir in the scallion greens and mung beans just before serving to keep them fresh and crunchy.

Get the Complete (Printable) Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles (Pork Lo Mein) Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles (Pork Lo Mein) makes great leftovers.

I love to meal prep a large batch in under 30 minutes, enjoy a serving for dinner that night, and set myself up with a few healthy and yummy weekday lunches.

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge this dish will keep well for up to 4 days. Wait to add the fresh bean sprouts and scallions until ready to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles Gluten-Free?

This recipe calls for egg noodles which do contain gluten. However, if you swap the egg noodles for rice noodles, and make sure to buy gluten-free soy sauce then yes, this is easily a tasty gf-friendly dish!

What Other Ingredients Could I Include or Substitute?

Sliced celery, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and baby corn as just a few examples of the many different vegetables you could add or swap in this easy recipe.

Use thinly sliced chicken breasts or whole peeled and deveined shrimp for a pork-free version.

For a vegetarian and vegan-friendly dish, substitute thinly sliced extra firm tofu (well pressed first) in place of the pork.

What Kind of Noodles Do You Use for Lo Mein?

The best noodles to use for any this recipe is Hong Kong Style pan-fried noodles. You can get them dried or fresh, and either will work. These noodles are thinner than traditional lo mein noodles so they get a nice crisp in the hot wok!

Looking for More Delicious Asian-Inspired Dishes?

• Potstickers (Chinese Dumplings)
• Easy Szechuan Beef
• Instant Pot Chinese Sesame Chicken
• Homemade Lo Mein Recipe with Vegetables
• Black Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
• Chinese Hot Pot Recipe