Mongolian Beef Recipe + Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat (2024)

FAQs

What are the best noodles to use for chow mein? ›

Can't find Chow Mein Noodles? Use Ramen Noodles or other instant noodles – just toss the packet seasoning! Or use thin spaghetti or other thin egg noodles (check ingredients on packet, should have egg listed).

Panda Express' Mongolian Beef typically consists of tender strips of marinated beef, wok-tossed with scallions and garlic, and glazed in a rich and savory sauce.

Crispy beef, bell peppers and onions in a sweet-tangy sauce.

Combine soy sauce, light sesame oil, oyster sauce, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth to make the signature sweet and savory sauce that makes chow mein taste authentic.

Panda Express entrees and sides contain zero grams of trans fat per serving and adds no MSG in their food. Panda Express uses only 100% pure soybean oil in the preparation of recipes.

Chow mein stir fry sauce with soy sauce, garlic and chives.

If you are unable to find noodles that are specifically labeled as chow mein noodles or lo mein noodles, you can use linguine noodles, regular Italian spaghetti noodles, or another type of Asian noodle as a similar substitute.

Yes, it is possible to substitute spaghetti for chow mein noodles by boiling it with a small amount of baking soda. The baking soda alters the pH level of the spaghetti, giving it a similar texture and flavor to chow mein noodles. They can then be used in any dish that calls for chow mein noodles.

This is a common Chinese cooking technique called velveting the meat. Basically, the meat is marinated in egg whites and cornstarch (other optional seasonings may be added, depending upon what flavor you wish to achieve), then refrigerated for about an hour before cooking.

What is Mongolian Beef? It's a simple stir fry with thin slices of beef simmered in a sauce of soy, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. The brown sugar caramelizes in the soy to make a slightly sticky sauce that coats the beef.

What cut of beef is Mongolian beef made from? ›

What's the best cut of beef for making Mongolian Beef? Restaurants often slice up flank steak for this type of stir-fry. It's also a great choice for beginner cooks, because the grain on flank steak is really, really obvious, which makes it easy to make sure that you're slicing against the grain.

No MSG added except for that naturally occurring in certain ingredients.

Does Panda Express serve authentic Chinese food? A lot of the Chinese dishes sold in Panda Express are not really that authentic because most of them are altered for the American taste. Some dishes are authentic but there are still traces of alteration within the dishes.

Helpful? The answer to your question is probably Yes. Panda Express claims that they do not add extra MSG to their food, but they issued disclaimer that ingredients they use could include MSG. Panda Express is "fast food" and the largest Chinese fast food chain.

"Panda Express's Orange Chicken and Chow Mein are considered unhealthy due to their high levels of sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats," says Young.

✗ Chow Mein

This side dish is high in almost every category, with 510 calories, 20g total fat, 3.5g saturated fat, 80g carbohydrate, 13g protein, and 860mg sodium. (Fried rice is a close second, with similar nutrition info.)

If you're someone who likes texture, a Panda Express chow mein may be the best bet for you as it has the crunch from the vegetables and crispy noodles. But if you want a saucy dish with chewy noodles you can slurp, a hot and sour shrimp lo mein will surely satisfy you.

Noodles: Chow fun uses chewy wide rice noodles, while chow mein is made with thin, round egg noodles that get a bit crispy when cooked. Sauce: Chow fun can be made wet (more sauce) or dry (less sauce). Chow mein is typically a bit dryer than chow fun.