Panda Express Chow Mein (COPYCAT) in 30 Min! (VIDEO)
Jan 12, 2023, Updated Apr 01, 2024
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This Panda Express Chow Mein comes together in under 30 minutes and is so much better (and better for you) than the original! The fresh vegetables are stir-fried with chow mein noodles before being lightly coated in a sweet and savory sauce, just like your favorite mall Chinese take-out!
Watch the Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe Video Below!
Table of Contents
- Watch the Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe Video Below!
- What Noodles Should I Use?
- Ingredients for Panda Express Chow Mein at Home!
- Panda Express Chow Mein: Recipe Instructions
- Expert Tips for the BEST Panda Express Chow Mein at Home
- Storage Tips and Reheating
- What to Serve with Panda Express Chow Mein
- Cooking With a Wok (Alternatives)
- Panda Express Chow Mein (THE BEST COPYCAT) Recipe
Key Tip
What Noodles Should I Use?
I used Pancit noodles, which is what I have pictured in the images and video. These do NOT need to be pre-blanched before cooking; they’re coated with oil and can be cooked directly in the wok.
You can also use fresh chow mein noodles, which are made of wheat flour, egg, and water. I find them in the refrigerated section of my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch). These will be uncooked and thus need to be cooked (boiled) before adding them into the wok.
Here are some other options you can use – some won’t be 100% the same but it will be close enough. Some substitutes are:
- Fresh noodles made of egg (yellow in color)
- Yakisoba noodles
- Lo Mein noodles (these will be thicker and won’t have the slightly crispy nature of chow mein when fried)
- Ramen noodles (not the instant kind)
Ingredients for Panda Express Chow Mein at Home!
Making copycat Panda Express Chow Mein is so easy to do at home – most of the ingredients are items you probably already have in your pantry!
- chow mein noodles – see note above; if you want to make this dish as close to the Panda Express version, look for noodles that look like them; if you don’t care as much, use noodles you have or prefer.
- celery – these will be sliced at an angle diagonally into 1/2″ pieces, just like how Panda Express does them
- white onion
- garlic
- ginger
- cabbage
- light soy sauce – this is your “light” or “all-purpose” soy sauce; do not use dark soy sauce, as it’ll be too thick and sweet for this dish. (If you want a dish that uses dark soy sauce, you can try making Chicken Lo Mein, Shrimp Lo Mein, or Beef Lo Mein) low sodium
- sugar
- shaoxing wine – This is one of my favorite Chinese pantry staples. It adds a depth of flavor and complexity to the sauce and truly one of my “secret ingredients” for making restaurant quality Chinese food. If you can’t find it, you can substitute with mirin, sherry, or even chicken broth.
- white pepper – I love white pepper and it’s used very commonly in Chinese cooking (another “secret ingredient” for cooking restaurant quality Chinese food at home). It has an earthier, less spicy flavor than black pepper. I recommend having some in your pantry but if you can’t find it, you can always substitute with black pepper.
- sesame oil
- MSG – I like to use MSG in my cooking but this is always optional.
- cornstarch – This will help thicken the sauce so your Panda Express Chow Mein is lightly coated (versus swimming in sauce).
- chicken broth
Panda Express Chow Mein: Recipe Instructions
1. Prep the Ingredients
This dish comes together Panda Express Chow Mein quickly – most of the work will be prepping your ingredients!
Chop and slice your vegetables (celery, onions, cabbage, garlic and ginger). Have each one prepped and ready to go for cooking, as Panda Express Chow Meincomes together super quick once you start cooking.
Mix your sauce in a separate bowl and set aside.
2. Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Heat your pan or wok on high and add 2 tbsp of neutral oil. Stir fry garlic and ginger for 30 seconds then immediately add your sliced celery, onions and cabbage.
Stir fry the vegetables for 2 minutes over high heat or until you see a slight char on the vegetables. One of the key flavor profiles in Panda Express Chow Mein is the slight smokiness that is from quickly stir-frying the vegetables over high heat.
3. Cook the Noodles
If you are using uncooked noodles (like uncooked chow mein noodles), cook them 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. You want to cook 1-2 minutes less than the package because the noodles will continue to cook in the wok.
Remove noodles and rinse. Rinsing is important to remove any excess starch, which you don’t want in your dish. Pat dry.
If you are using fresh noodles (like fresh pancit noodles, such as pictured in the images and video), you do not need to pre-blanch them. They already have a slight coating of oil and can be cooked directly in the wok with the vegetables.
4. Add the Noodles and Sauce
After the vegetables are slightly charred, add your noodles and continue to stir fry over high heat for 1-2 minutes until the noodles begin to char.
Once the noodles begin to take on some color and show char from the pan, add the sauce around the edge of the pan and immediately mix and toss over high heat. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the noodles have soaked up the sauce and the stir fried noodles are relatively dry.
Your Panda Express Chow Mein should now be done!
PRO TIPS
Expert Tips for the BEST Panda Express Chow Mein at Home
Undercook Your Noodles
If you are using noodles that need to be cooked before adding into the wok (for ex: uncooked chow mein noodles), make sure to UNDER-cook them by 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. This is because the noodles will continue to cook in the wok or pan. This ensures your noodles will be the perfect level of done-ness by the time your Panda Express Chow Mein is done in the wok or pan. As always, taste and adjust based on your preference!
Rinse Your Noodles
After cooking your noodles in water, make sure to rinse them. Rinsing them removes the excess starch that the noodles were coated in. You do not want this starch in your finished dish, as it’ll impact the final texture and taste.
Cut Your Vegetables into Similar Sizes
I always recommend cutting your vegetables into similar sizes – this ensures that they cook evenly. This extra effort makes a huge difference in your completed dish!
Success is in the Prep!
Once you start cooking, this recipe will come together very quickly. The key to pulling this off successfully is having all of your ingredients prepped and in bowls right next to your wok or pan! Have your premixed sauce, noodles, and vegetables ready and easily accessible during the cooking process.
Storage Tips and Reheating
You can store your leftover Panda Express Chow Mein in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I like to reheat in a hot wok or pan; the high heat warms up the noodles quickly and helps separate any that stuck together. I also like the extra slight char that gives the noodles more texture. You can also use a microwave.
What to Serve with Panda Express Chow Mein
If you’re making Panda Express Chow Mein, then you must love Chinese take-out! I would make it a themed Chinese take-out meal and make your favorite take-out meals.
You can’t have Chinese take-out without the classic Beef and Broccoli and Orange Chicken. I know some Panda Express fans were devastated when this was discontinued but now you can make Sweetfire Chicken Breast at home! I personally always have to order String Bean Chicken. If you’re feeling like shrimp, definitely make my Honey Walnut Shrimp. If you’re looking for other Chinese takeout chicken dishes to make alongside it, I would go for Sesame Chicken or Black Pepper Chicken. And don’t forget Fried Rice – I would make my classic Egg Fried Rice but if you want a heartier option, you can make Chicken Fried Rice or Shrimp Fried Rice!
Cooking With a Wok (Alternatives)
By now, you know that I LOVE cooking with my carbon steel wok! It is my #1 most recommended kitchen tool, as I believe it is perfect for high-heat cooking and results in restaurant quality Chinese food!
If it is your first time cooking with a wok, make sure to read my “How To Season a Wok” post. There is a video included that shows exactly how to season your brand new wok and how to maintain it so it lasts for years.
If you cannot or do not want to use a wok, you can use a large pan, cast iron, or even a Dutch oven. My KEY TIP would be to avoid crowding your pan – crowding can lead to your Panda Express Chow Mein not cooking thoroughly and becoming mushy. If you think your dish will be crowded, use a larger pan, cast iron, or Dutch oven, OR cook in batches.
If you tried this Panda Express Chow Mein or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Panda Express Chow Mein (THE BEST COPYCAT)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chow Mein or Pancit noodle, fresh preferred
- 4 stalks celery, sliced at an angle diagonally into 1/2" pieces
- 1 white onion, sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 cups cabbage, sliced into ribbons
Sauce
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce, low sodium
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp shaoxing wine
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp msg, optional
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables by mincing garlic and ginger, slicing white onion, cabbage, and celery. Set aside in separate bowls.
- Mix sauce in a bowl by combining low sodium light soy sauce, sugar, shaoxing wine, white pepper, sesame oil, msg, cornstarch, and chicken broth.
- If using chow mein noodles, blanch for 30 seconds in boiling water then drain and pat dry. If using fresh pancit noodles, separate noodles and set aside.
- Add 2 tbsp of neutral oil over high heat to a wok or pan and saute garlic and ginger for 30 seconds. Add vegetables and stir fry for 2 minutes until charred.
- Add noodles and stir fry for 1-2 minutes to char noodles. Add the sauce and mix together, stir frying for an additional 2-3 minutes over high heat until the sauce has absorbed and noodles are dry. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What brand pancit noodles? I ask bc the taste can vary among the brands.
The ones I’ve used in Los Angeles that have worked well are Fung’s Village and Lucky KT Co. I always try to stick to fresh ones!
Love this better than Panda’s!
One of my favorite noodles to cook! Thanks for the recipe
@goldenjar
My kid’s favorite at Panda’s, and mow they justlove this home made better!!
Spot on. I used 2 C cole slaw mix and celery. Great recipe, thank you CJ!
This was so delicious and so easy!!! I’m happy to finally know how to make this at home!!
I love this chow mein and I can now make it at home. Thank you for making this recipe. Instagram handle @sailredpanda
I love panda and this was almost the exact thing but it was better like 10x better.
Replace my Pandex orders with this! One of my favorites of your 30 mins or less recipes!