Skip to main content
Epicurious
Cookbooks

Roast Pork Lo Mein

By Diana Kuan

4.5

(26)

Image may contain Spaghetti Food Pasta and Noodle
Photo by Diana Kuan

Lo mein is a noodle dish that often is confused with chow mein, and many Chinese restaurants further the confusion by using the two names interchangeably. The dishes are similar, both featuring noodles mixed with stir-fried meat and vegetables and a savory sauce. But whereas chow mein refers to parboiled and stir-fried noodles, lo mein refers to noodles that are fully cooked separately and quickly tossed with sauce in the wok. The roast pork in this recipe is char siu, the same gorgeous reddish-brown pork often displayed and sold in Chinatown shop windows. Instead of buying the pork ready-made, you can also roast your own at home. For the egg noodles, you can use any that are thin and round; spaghetti will also work.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 as part of a multicourse meal

Ingredients

12 ounces, thin dried Chinese egg noodles
2 tablespoons sesame oil

sauce

3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced or grated fresh ginger
3 scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths
4 or 5 fresh shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/2 pound Chinese barbecued pork, store-bought or homemade, cut into small, bite-sized pieces

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, or the minimum amount of time suggested by the package. Drain the noodles, rinse under cold water, and drain again, shaking well to remove excess water. Return the noodles to the pot, toss with the sesame oil until the noodles are well coated, and set aside.

    Step 2

    2. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, and honey. Set aside.

    Step 3

    3. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until a bead of water sizzles and evaporates on contact. Add the peanut oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Add the garlic, ginger, and scallions and stir-fry until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened, 1 to 2 minutes.

    Step 4

    4. Add the noodles and pork. Pour in the sauce mixture and toss with tongs or chopsticks until the noodles and pork are heated through and well coated with sauce. Transfer to a platter and serve.

Cover of the cookbook featuring eggrolls, kung pao chicken, soup, and a noodle dish.
Reprinted with permission from The Chinese Takeout Cookbook by Diana Kuan, © 2012 Ballantine Books. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
TagsStir-FryLo Mein NoodleNoodlePasta & NoodlesChineseEast AsianAsianChinese-AmericanShiitake MushroomMushroomVegetablePorkMeatMainDinnerDairy FreeNut FreeSimmerFryWokLunar New YearCookbooks

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Stir-Fried Phở Noodles With Beef
This dish is not only a quick meal option but also a practical way to use leftover phở noodles when you’re out of broth.
Beef Stroganoff Ramen
This traditional dish of beef, sour cream, and mustard may have originated in Russia, but it’s about time for a version with ramen noodles, don’t you think?
Zaru Soba (Cold Buckwheat Noodles)
Cool off with this easy zaru soba recipe: a Japanese dish of chewy buckwheat noodles served with chilled mentsuyu dipping sauce, daikon, nori, and scallions.
Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Spaghetti)
Spaghetti is a common variation in modern Thai cooking. It’s so easy to work with and absorbs the garlicky, spicy notes of pad kee mao well.
Moo Ping (Thai Grilled Pork Skewers)
This version of pork skewers is made in the oven, which tastes just as good, but you could always throw these on the grill for a version closer to the original.
Sofrito Bolognese
An ex-boyfriend’s mom—who emigrated from Colombia—made the best meat sauce—she would fry sofrito for the base and simply add cooked ground beef, sazón, and jarred tomato sauce. My version is a bit more bougie—it calls for caramelized tomato paste and white wine—but the result is just as good.
Crispy Oyster Mushroom Skewers With Bok Choy Salad
Oyster mushrooms are a strong all-rounder in the kitchen, seeming to straddle both plant and meat worlds in what they look and taste like when cooked. Here they’re coated in a marinade my mother used to use when cooking Chinese food at home—honey, soy, garlic and ginger—and roasted until golden, crisp, and juicy.
Frijoles de la Olla Ramen (Mexican Stewed Beans)
Traditionally, this Mexican staple is simmered for hours in an olla, or clay pot. You can achieve a similar result by using canned beans and instant ramen.