Enjoy a fusion of Filipino and Asian flavors with our delicious Hunan Chow Mein. This dish combines the savory taste of chow mein noodles with a medley of fresh vegetables and crispy fried tofu. Each bite is a delicious mix of flavors that honors tradition with a modern touch!
Looking for more easy and healthy noodle recipes? Try my Vegan Thai Noodle Soup, Pancit Glass Noodles (Pancit Sotanghon), and Bam.i recipe!
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What is Hunan Chow Mein?
Hunan Chow Mein is a colorful and flavorful Chinese dish that originates from Hunan Province, which is famous for its bold and spicy ingredients. It's perfect for those looking for a tasty and satisfying lunch or dinner with a hint of fire.
This recipe is a plant-based version of the classic hunan chow mein, made with stir-fried chow mein noodles, fresh vegetable slices, mushrooms, and diced tofu in a delicious, spicy sauce. It's a healthy vegan dish that has a great balance of textures and a rich, aromatic flavor.
Feel free to serve this stir-fried noodles as the main course or as a side dish for an authentic Asian dining experience. Interested in trying this savory noodle dish? Learn more below!
Health Benefits of Tofu
- Rich in essential nutrients.
- Aids in weight management.
- Aids in cancer risk reduction.
- Great source of plant-based protein.
- Lowers cholesterol levels and improves heart health.
Variations
- Spicy twist - spice up your chow mein with Szechuan peppercorns, fresh chilies, and chili paste.
- Extra veggies - use broccoli, bok choy, bean sprouts or any other vegetables you like for more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Texture - add crushed cashews or peanuts for a crispy texture.
- Flavor - add a bit of pineapple juice or vegan sweet and sour sauce to your chow mein for a unique sweet-savory flavor.
- Toppings - you may top this dish with green onion slices, celery, or calamansi halves
Substitutions
- Protein - you can use tempeh or seitan instead of tofu or any protein of your choice.
- Sweeteners - for a healthy sweet-savory balance, use agave syrup or maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- Gluten-free Noodles - feel free to replace the traditional chow mein noodles with rice noodles or gluten-free noodles for individuals with gluten allergies.
Storage
- Store the leftover hunan chow mein in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- For a longer storage, place it in a freezer-safe container and put in the freezer can last up to 2-3 months.
- If possible, separate the sauce from the noodles and just mix them when reheating to avoid sogginess.
- Cover with a damp paper towel when reheating in the microwave to keep moisture in. To restore crispiness, stir fry with a small bit of oil on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- silken tofu
- green cabbage
- vegetable oil
- garlic
- chow mein noodles
- carrot
- brown beech mushrooms
- green onions
- vegetable stock
- red bell pepper
- salt
- snow peas
Sauce:
- cornstarch
- teriyaki sauce
- vegetarian oyster sauce
- black rice vinegar
- brown sugar
- sesame oil
- ground black pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare all your ingredients and place them near to your cooking area for a quick and smooth cooking. Then, let's begin!
In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients.
Place the diced tofu in a large bowl and add the sauce to marinate for 10 minutes.
In a heated pan or wok, add oil and minced garlic. Sauté for a minute.
Add marinated tofu and cook for high heat.
Stir in carrots, mushrooms, snow peas, and bell peppers on high heat.
Stir in vegetable stock and green cabbage. Cook for 2 minutes until reduced.
Add the chow mein noodles and the remaining marinade.
Stir in to thoroughly combine, and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce is absorbed. Season with salt.
Hint: Keep everything moving and use a very hot wok. This high-heat stir-frying technique keeps the veggies and noodles crunchy while allowing them to absorb sauce tastes without becoming mushy.
⭐ Top Tip
Preheat your wok or skillet over high heat before adding the ingredients to guarantee a quick stir-fry and avoid sogginess. To ensure that your cooking process runs smoothly and efficiently, prepare all of your ingredients ahead of time. Finally, add the sauce at the end to prevent overcooking and maintain the chow mein's unique crispy texture.
FAQ
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these 3:
Hunan Chow Mein
Equipment
- small bowl
- Large Bowl
- pan or wok
Ingredients
- 6 ounces silken tofu diced
- 3 ounces green cabbage shredded
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 7 ounces chow mein noodles
- 3 ounces carrot julienned
- 2 ounces brown beech mushrooms
- 1 ounce green onions
- ¼ cup vegetable stock
- 1 ounce red bell pepper julienned
- salt to taste
- 1 ounce snow peas
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon black rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients.
- Place the diced tofu in a large bowl and add the sauce to marinate for 10 minutes.
- In a heated pan or wok, add oil and minced garlic. Sauté for a minute.
- Add the marinated tofu and cook over high heat.
- Stir in carrots, mushrooms, snow peas, and bell peppers on high heat.
- Stir in vegetable stock and green cabbage. Cook for 2 minutes until reduced.
- Add the chow mein noodles and the remaining marinade. Stir in to thoroughly combine and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce is absorbed.
- Season with salt and garnish with chopped spring onions before serving.
Watch The Recipe Video!
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