Is Lo Mein Vegan? Your Ultimate Guide
Have you ever tried lo mein? If not, here's what you need to know! Lo mein is a Chinese street food dish consisting of soft, stir-fried, slurpable noodles. They're boiled, then tossed in a delicious sweet and savory sauce with veggies, as well as a protein source. However, it's sometimes made vegetarian simply by removing the meat and adding more vegetables. In fact, in Chinese, "lo mein" means "tossed/stirred noodles"
Lo mein is a widely celebrated dish all around the world, and has gained a ton of popularity here in the U.S., especially at Chinese fast food-style restaurants! Although it's been heavily westernized, the essence remains the same. So, now that we've made you hungry, is lo mein vegan-friendly?
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but lo mein noodles are traditionally made with eggs. So, they are sadly not vegan. However, all hope is not lost! You can find plenty of lo mein noodle substitutes and enjoy a similar dish made at a restaurant or from the comfort of your own kitchen. Keep reading for the complete breakdown!
Why Is Lo Mein Usually Not Vegan?
Lo mein's non-vegan status boils down to more than the egg noodles. Although the eggs provide color and a chewy texture, the real flavor comes from the traditional sauce. Traditionally, lo mein sauce is made with oyster sauce. So, trying to order vegan lo mein at a Chinese restaurant can be a struggle. It typically requires more than one simple swap.
This egg noodle dish is also usually made with some sort of meat, like seafood, pork, chicken, or beef. Even vegetable lo mein is sometimes stir-fried with eggs. Ultimately, your best bet as a plant-based eater is to prepare your own version of this dish at home.
You can always swap out the lo mein noodles with some eggless noodles, prepare your own sauce, add a protein source like tofu or seitan, sprinkle some chili flakes and green onions, and enjoy a flavorful weeknight dinner! The result will be a similar bowl of slurpable noodles, minus the cruelty!
However, if lo mein is the most 'veganizable' dish at your favorite Chinese restaurant, simply make sure to let your waiter know you're omitting animal derivatives. This way, they can possibly figure out how to modify the dish for you. Just keep in mind that this might not be an option at all restaurants, as some prepare their sauces ahead of time.
What Is Lo Mein Sauce Made Out Of?
As we've covered, lo mein egg noodles are typically tossed in a flavor-packed sauce. This traditional sauce can consist of ingredients like dark soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, fish sauce, garlic, and ginger. To make a Chinese-style vegan sauce, you can always replace the fish sauce with a vegetarian oyster sauce, or a shiitake mushroom-based sauce!
When Is Lo Mein Vegan?
The good news is, that there are many more Chinese vegan dish options, and even Chinese vegan restaurants available to try this year! A lot of dried lo mein noodle manufacturers are also starting to omit the eggs to reduce costs, and to provide a lower-calorie, zero-cholesterol alternative for today's growing crowd of healthy eaters.
However, if you simply can't find eggless noodles that replicate lo mein to perfection, don't sweat it! Although egg noodles boast a more elastic texture than wheat noodles or rice noodles, a plant-based noodle option can be just as delicious as the traditional variety.
Vegan Substitutes for Lo Mein
(Click to shop)
Now that we've covered what lo mein is and why it's not vegan, let's explore some of the products that can help you easily 'veganize' it! Almost any Asian noodles or even regular noodles will do, but there are a few that stand out to us for their similar taste and texture. These could include wheat-based ramen noodles, eggless lo mein noodles, and gluten-free eaters, soba noodles or thin, rice-based noodles. Check out some of our favorite vegan noodles for this dish below!
Tips To Make The Best Vegan Lo Mein
If you're a major food enthusiast, you'll want to try a vegan dish that mimics traditional Chinese lo mein, and packs a flavorful punch that can impress all your guests! Luckily, we have some tips to help you achieve that level of sweet and savory goodness found in the original Chinese food dish. Check them out!
Choose your noodles wisely. While any noodle will work when preparing vegan lo mein, if you want to take it to the next level, try going for a thin noodle with a somewhat elastic texture, similar to that of ramen noodles. Boil them according to package instructions, until they're soft and chewy!
Whip up a killer sauce. The best Asian umami sauces always nail the perfect balance between savory, sweet, and sour. In this case, you want to go savory and sweet all the way. So, try going for a few tablespoons soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, and/or mushroom sauce, then sweeten with a dash of organic sugar or some molasses. To boost the flavor, sautée some minced garlic and grated ginger before deglazing the pan with rice vinegar, and toss in your sauce mixture. Then, top it off with a tbsp of sesame oil to further enhance the flavor!
Select your protein and veggies. No meal is complete without a source of protein! Try adding some pressed and cubed/sliced tofu, tempeh, or seitan for a savory addition to your dish. Then, toss in some vegetables you enjoy for extra nutrients. We'd recommend snow peas, carrots, fresh baby corn, baby spinach, onions, bell peppers, fresh mushrooms, and/or cabbage!
Don't forget the toppings! Lo mein is truly not complete without some fresh toppings. You can always add some green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, and black pepper for a nice finishing touch.
Sauce Substitution Suggestions
Store-Bought Vegan Stir Fry Sauces
If you're not feeling the homemade sauce and prefer a quick, flavor-packed sauce you can find at the supermarket, we have plenty of suggestions for you! Check them out below!
Store Bought Vegan Oyster Or Mushroom Sauce
Or, maybe you're having trouble finding a vegetarian oyster sauce or mushroom sauce! You'll likely find them at a health food store, or Asian grocery store, but you can also pick them up online. Check out our suggestions here:
Optional Toppings for Your Vegan Lo Mein
As mentioned earlier, toppings can be a major game-changer in your vegan lo mein! Add some fresh elements like spring onions, cilantro, red pepper flakes, toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, black or white pepper, and others you enjoy for an extra kick.
How To Make Vegan Veggie Lo Mein
Ready to get cooking? Check out our quick and easy-to-follow vegan lo mein recipe below!
Ingredients (Makes two servings)
Vegan Lo Mein Sauce
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce or mushroom sauce
1 tbsp filtered water
1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp organic brown sugar or molasses
2 small cloves of minced garlic
1/2 inch ginger root, grated
1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
Vegetable and Tofu Noodle Stir Fry
4 oz. Asian noodles of your choice
3/4 cup snow peas
1 cup fresh mushrooms
1 medium carrot, julienned
1/2 large yellow onion, julienned
1 cup shredded green cabbage
1 cup bok choy
1 cup vegan protein source (tofu, tempeh, seitan), drained/pressed and cubed
Toppings (Optional)
Small bunch of spring onions, sliced
Small bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 tsp of sesame seeds
Black pepper to taste
Method
Boil your noodles in a pot of water as instructed on the package, until they're soft and chewy. Drain them, and set them aside.
Mix all sauce ingredients except the water and vinegar. Combine these two in a separate small bowl.
Add some cooking oil to a well-heated wok, and toss in your vegetables and vegan protein. Sautée and stir frequently until onions are transparent, then deglaze the wok with the water-vinegar mixture. Cook for 1-2 additional minutes, then pour in your sauce.
Let your lo mein sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the snow peas are tender and carrots are softer, but still slightly firm. Add your cooked noodles, and stir them into the sauce using tongs or chopsticks. Add some more water if necessary.
Serve your delicious vegan lo mein and garnish with any toppings you'd like! Enjoy!
How Healthy Is Vegetable Lo Mein?
Wondering if this dish is a healthy choice to incorporate into your daily diet? According to Cronometer, each serving (made with soba noodles and no toppings) is an excellent option containing 26g of protein, 6g of fiber, and crazy high levels of vitamin A, C, K, magnesium, manganese, calcium, iron, and potassium. Plus, you'll get all of this for just under 500 calories, 13g of total fat, and zero saturated fat or cholesterol!
So, go ahead and add this healthful meal to your weekly meal plan for a major nutrition boost!
Can I Make Lo Mein Gluten-Free and Refined Sugar-Free?
You can totally enjoy a gluten-free and refined sugar-free version of this vegan noodle stir fry! Simply make sure to replace your soy sauce with tamari, use gluten-free vegetarian oyster sauce, and go for rice noodles instead of wheat-based noodles. As for replacing the refined sugar, you can swap the brown sugar with maple syrup or molasses for a more natural option. Or, forgo the sugar entirely and swap it with some stevia or monk fruit sweetener!
We hope we were able to guide you through the process of veganizing your favorite Chinese lo mein dish. For more tips, advice, and recommendations to help simplify your vegan journey, make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter!