Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe: Best Seafood Noodle Delicacy

Shrimp Lo Mein, with its enticing aroma and an irresistible medley of flavours, has long held a cherished place in the hearts of food enthusiasts around the world.

This classic Asian dish, a beloved member of the Chinese-American culinary repertoire, beautifully marries succulent shrimp with tender noodles and an array of vibrant vegetables, all bathed in a harmonious sauce that’s both savoury and slightly sweet.

A true testament to the art of stir-frying, Shrimp Lo Mein is a delicious treat for the taste buds and a celebration of culinary finesse. 

In this article, we will journey through the origins, ingredients, preparation techniques, and the sheer joy this iconic dish brings.

Whether you’re a novice cook eager to try your hand at Asian cuisine or a seasoned chef looking to perfect your Shrimp Lo Mein recipe, join us as we explore the wonders of this delectable dish that promises to satisfy your hunger and your culinary curiosity.

SEE ALSO:

• Chow Mein vs Lo Mein: A Review of Chinese Noodles
• How to Prepare Chicken Chow Mein With The Best Sauce
• Peri-Peri Chicken Recipe
• Chow Mein Recipe (7 variations)
• Hunan Chicken Recipe

What is Shrimp Lo mein?

Shrimp lo mein is a super popular Chinese takeout dish consisting of egg noodles stir-fried with shrimp, vegetables, and some garlicky lo mein sauce. In Chinese, lo mein is lāo miàn, which translates to strained noodles. The translation comes from how the lo mein noodles are boiled and drained before use.

What is the difference between Shrimp Lo Mein and Shrimp Chow Mein?

Shrimp Lo Mein and Shrimp Chow Mein are both Chinese-American dishes, but they both have characteristics that differentiate them:

Noodles:

• Shrimp Lo Mein: This dish contains soft egg noodles that are boiled and stir-fried with a variety of vegetables, including bean sprouts, carrots, and cabbage. The noodles tend to be thicker and softer, which results in slight crispiness at their edges.
• Shrimp Chow Mein: Unlike shrimp lo mein, Shrimp Chow Mein traditionally showcases crispy fried noodles. These noodles are deep-fried until they attain a golden-brown, crunchy texture. They are then adorned with a sauce and stir-fried vegetables, retaining their inherent crunchiness.

Cooking Method:

• Shrimp Lo Mein: The soft egg noodles in Shrimp Lo Mein are typically stir-fried along with other ingredients, including shrimp, in a sauce. These noodles absorb the sauce’s flavours, rendering them soft but not crispy.
• Shrimp Chow Mein: Shrimp Chow Mein frequently serves the crispy fried noodles separately from the sauce and stir-fried components. The sauce is poured over the crispy noodles just before serving, preserving their crunchiness.

Sauce:

• Shrimp Lo Mein: Shrimp Lo Mein is accompanied by a savoury brown sauce crafted from ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. This sauce envelops the soft noodles and ingredients, delivering a rich and robust flavour.
• Shrimp Chow Mein: The sauce for Shrimp Chow Mein also contains savoury ingredients but tends to be lighter in comparison. It contains ingredients such as soy sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, and cornstarch for thickening. This sauce is poured over the crispy noodles to maintain their crunch while infusing a delectable taste.

What is Shrimp Lo Mein made of?

Shrimp Lo Mein is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its savoury flavours and different combinations of ingredients. Here is what makes up Shrimp Lo Mein:

• Shrimp: Shrimp is the main protein in Shrimp Lo Mein. It’s usually peeled and cooked until pink and tender.
• Egg Noodles: Soft and often egg-based noodles are used for Shrimp Lo Mein. 
• Vegetables in shrimp lo mein may include but are not limited to Bean Sprouts.
  • Carrots 
  • Cabbage Snow Peas
  • Bell Peppers (sliced)
  • Spring Onions
• Sauce: Shrimp Lo Mein also consists of sauces like:

Soy Sauce

• Oyster Sauce
• Sesame Oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth 
• Chilli sauce

Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe

Ingredients

For the Noodles

• 8 ounces dried Chinese egg noodles, or 1 pound fresh
• Salt

For the Sauce

• 1 packet chicken bouillon mix, such as Knorr, dissolved in 1 3/4 cups hot water
• ¼  cup plus 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Sriracha chilli sauce

For the Lo Mein

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 1 small bunch spring onions, white and green parts, sliced
• 1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup thinly sliced white button mushrooms
• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• ¼  head white cabbage, finely shredded
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions on How to Make the Shrimp Lo Mein

For the noodles

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the noodles according to their package directions. Drain and set aside.

For the sauce

• Combine the bouillon, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sriracha in a large glass measuring cup or small bowl and set aside. 
• This may look like a lot of sauce, but you have a lot of noodles and veggies to coat!

For the lo mein

• Heat a wok over high heat. When hot, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, half the garlic, half the ginger, half the scallions, and saute for 30 seconds. 
• Add in the shrimp and cook until they just start to turn pink and curl up for about 2 minutes. 
• Transfer the shrimp and aromatics to a plate and reserve. 
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in the same pan and add the remaining garlic, ginger and spring onions. 
• Saute for 30 seconds, and then add in the mushrooms, celery, carrots and cabbage. 
• Saute the veggies until they brown and caramelise, for 4 to 5 minutes. 
• Whisk the cornstarch into 2 tablespoons of cold water. Once dissolved, add to the sauce.
• Add the sauce to the pan with the vegetables and bring to a simmer. Toss in the reserved shrimp, aromatics and noodles and serve.

Tips for making Shrimp Lo Mein

• Do not rinse the noodles after cooking; leaving them will keep them just starchy enough to help thicken the sauce so it clings better to the shrimp and veggies.
• Barely cook the shrimp in the saute pan because it will cook further once it’s added back in the final step. Just get them lightly pink.
• Also, don’t forget that shrimp lo mein makes a great next-day lunch for work or school! Just reheat and serve!

What to serve with Shrimp Lo Mein

Shrimp Lo Mein is a delicious and satisfying dish on its own, but if you’d like to create a complete meal and add some variety to your dinner table, you can consider serving it with complementary side dishes. Here are some ideas:

Asian Cucumber salad

Cucumber salad is a light, refreshing side dish that goes great with any Asian-inspired meal. This recipe is simple to follow and takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish. You will need just a few ingredients, like cucumbers, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and more. You can also add a touch of red pepper flakes for some extra heat.

Sesame Garlic Green Beans

Green beans are a healthy, delicious side dish with any meal. This requires a few ingredients, like green beans, olive oil, garlic, and salt. And if you want, you can add a touch of red pepper flakes for some extra heat. You’ll notice the sugars from the peas caramelise when you cook it, giving this dish a great flavour. 

Teriyaki Chicken

This teriyaki chicken goes perfectly with a side of fried rice or shrimp lo mein.

It’s simple to make and takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, simple to make, and it tastes delicious. You can also try making the teriyaki sauce from scratch using soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger. This gives the dish an even tastier punch that makes it extra flavorful.

Fresh Fruit

A refreshing fruit salad or a plate of fresh fruit slices can be a refreshing way to end your meal. The natural sweetness of the fruit provides a nice contrast to the savoury flavours of the shrimp lo mein.

Steamed Vegetables

A simple steamed vegetable medley can be a great side dish. Broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and baby corn are all good options. Lightly steam them to retain their crispness, and serve them with a light soy sauce or sesame oil drizzle for added flavour.

Stir-Fried Greens

Consider stir-frying some leafy greens like bok choy, gai lan (Chinese broccoli), or spinach. A quick stir-fry with garlic and a touch of soy sauce or oyster sauce complements the lo mein nicely.

Egg Drop Soup

Start your meal with a warm bowl of egg drop soup. It’s a light and flavorful appetizer that pairs well with the savoury flavours of Shrimp Lo Mein. You can make it easily using chicken or vegetable broth, eggs, and some seasonings like ginger and green onions.

How to store shrimp lo mein

Storing shrimp lo mein properly is important to maintain its quality and safety. Here’s how to store it:

• Cool It Down Quickly: After cooking or buying your shrimp lo mein, allow it to cool down to room temperature for about 30 minutes on the counter. You don’t want to put hot food directly into the fridge as it can raise the temperature and promote bacterial growth.
• Portion the Leftovers: If you have leftover shrimp lo mein, portion it into smaller, airtight containers. This makes it easier to store and helps reheat only the portion you need, preserving the quality of the rest.
• Refrigeration: Place the airtight containers in the refrigerator. Make sure the containers are sealed tightly to prevent the absorption of other odours in the fridge. Shrimp lo mein can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: If you don’t plan to consume the leftovers within a few days, you can freeze them for longer-term storage. Transfer the cooled lo mein into airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label the containers with the date. It can be stored in the freezer for about 1-2 months.

Related: Salty Ice Cream Tiktok Trend: Meaning and Definitions

Calories in Shrimp Lo Mein

A standard serving of shrimp lo mein, which is about 1 cup or 240 grams, contains approximately 250 to 350 calories. While this is just a general estimate, the actual calorie count can vary based on factors such as Ingredients, Cooking Method, Portion Size, Additional Toppings or Condiments.

Conclusion

Shrimp Lo Mein is more than just a delightful stir-fry; it’s a gastronomic adventure that brings together the essence of Asian cuisine in a single, satisfying plate. From its humble beginnings in the heart of Chinese-American culture to its widespread worldwide popularity, this dish has captured our taste buds and imaginations.

As we’ve discovered, crafting the perfect Shrimp Lo Mein involves a delicate balance of flavours and textures, a testament to the artistry of culinary fusion. 

Whether you savour it in the comfort of your home kitchen or at your favourite local Chinese restaurant, Shrimp Lo Mein is a reminder that food can transport us across borders and cultures, connecting us through a shared love for exquisite flavours.

So, the next time you’re craving a harmonious blend of succulent shrimp, tender noodles, and an array of vibrant vegetables, don’t hesitate to whip up a batch of Shrimp Lo Mein – an experience that’s as fulfilling to prepare as it is to enjoy.

This culinary gem truly showcases the beauty of diverse ingredients coming together to create a masterpiece that’s sure to leave a lasting impression on your palate.

Frequently Asked Questions