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Mushroom Chow Mein Vegetarian Fakeaway

Mushroom Chow Mein, a vegetarian version of an all-time favourite takeaway dish, this version cooks in 20 minutes and tastes spectacular.

This vegetable chow main is stuffed to the gunnels with mushrooms, I use shiitake, shimeji and chestnut and you can change them out any way you want.

Vegetarian mushroom chow mein noodles served with shredded spring onion.

Takeaway Vegetable Chow Mein

I can’t believe I have not shared this recipe earlier. This mushroom chow mein recipe is a stalwart dish at casa Jones and it is so incredibly simple and quick.

You will be playing with variations on this dish for months, nah years.

The secret as with all stir fry recipes is preparation or mise en place as the French and chefs would say.

There is little or no time with this recipe to chop or mix as you go. So take 10 minutes and systematically chop your vegetables and mix the sauce.

This is not just true for chow mein recipes, but all stir-fry recipes! Whether you are cooking Szechuan chicken, yaki udon, satay chicken stir fry, my hoisin pork stir fry, or this duck stir fry recipe, make sure you prep in advance.

Once you get going because you need to concentrate on keeping things moving in your fiercely hot wok.

But do that and I promise you will have the most wonderful fakeaway on the table in no time.

Let’s face it 20 minutes (at the most), is definitely quicker than your takeaway dude or dudette can get to you.

If you want other chow mein ideas then check out my chicken chow mein, beef chow mein and duck chow mein recipes.

Overhead vegetarian mushroom chow mein noodles served in a white bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the perfect mushrooms for a chow mein?

I usually use a combination of mushrooms for this recipe. The images here show a combination of shimeji, shiitake and chestnut mushrooms.

Straw mushrooms and oyster mushrooms are both great as are the king oyster mushrooms that I use to top my walnut and mushroom risotto.

It’s also superb with portabello mushrooms cut into slices. Essentially you can’t go wrong, buy what looks good at the supermarket!

What is in Chow Mein Sauce?

Common themes in a classic chow mein sauce are oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice wine or vinegar, and some form of sugar.

This recipe is vegetarian so I swap out the oyster sauce for hoisin sauce. You can swap out the hoisin for the oyster sauce in this recipe by reducing the soy sauce by half and doubling the sugar.

What else can I add?

Knock yourself out, with additions to this recipe. Green pepper, courgette (zucchini), water chestnuts and bean sprouts are things that occasionally get thrown into mine.

Close up vegetarian mushroom chow mein noodles using 3 types of mushroom.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is typically a main course Friday fakeaway for me and it is served with nothing but a cold beer.

I do however sometimes serve this dish scaled down as a side dish.

It is particularly good with my Chinese braised ham hock and char siu pork tenderloin.

You can also serve it with crispy fried takeaway dishes, think salt and pepper chicken, salt and pepper squid.

It would also be great alongside this Chinese roast chicken.

Stir fried vegetarian mushroom chow mein noodles served in a white bowl with red chopsticks.

Equipment Used

I only mention brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

  • Stovetop.
  • Wok.
  • Kettle and mixing bowl for soaking the noodles if required.
  • Kitchen knife.
  • Chopping board.
  • Mixing bowl.
  • Stirring and serving spoons.
  • Weighing scales and or measuring cups and spoons.
Stir fried vegetarian mushroom chow mein noodles served in a white bowl.
Yield: 2 Servings

Vegetarian Mushroom Chow Mein Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

My Mushroom Chow Mein as my take on the takeaway legend and being ready in 20 minutes means it is much quicker than delivery.

Ingredients

  • 150g (5oz packet) Dried Egg Noodles
  • 250g (2-3 Cups) Mixed Mushrooms
  • 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 30g (Thumb sized piece) Ginger
  • 50g (~⅓ Cup) Carrot
  • 100g (~⅔ Cup) Onion
  • 2 Spring Onions
  • 1 Tbsp Cornflour (Corn Starch)
  • 3 Tbsp Light Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Rice Wine
  • 1 Tbsp Hoisin Sauce
  • 1 Tsp Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Sesame Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
  • 75g (~½ Cup) Sliced Bamboo Shoots

Instructions

  1. Cook the egg noodles as per the instructions on the packet, then refresh in cold water and set aside.
  2. Chop the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces
  3. Slice the garlic cloves as finely as possible.
  4. Peel and cut the ginger into matchstick-sized sticks.
  5. Cut the carrot into thin 3-4cm (1½-1¾") long and 2-3mm (⅛") in profile.
  6. Top and tail the onion, then peel it and cut it into 8 wedges before breaking it into individual "petals".
  7. Cut the white part of the spring onions into 1.5cm (½") lengths and finely slice the green parts into 2-3mm (⅛") thick rings.
  8. Mix together the cornflour, soy sauce, rice wine, hoisin sauce, sugar, and sesame oil and set aside.
  9. Heat a wok over high heat until it begins to shimmer, then add the oil.
  10. Throw in the garlic and ginger, white parts of the spring onion, sliced onion, and carrot, then stir fry for 1-2 minutes keeping the ingredients moving all of the time.
  11. Throw in the mushrooms and continue to stir fry for another 2-3 minutes.
  12. Now add in the bamboo shoots and noodles and toss to combine.
  13. Finally, add the sauce and cook for 30 seconds before tossing through the green parts of the spring onions.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    2

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 576Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2124mgCarbohydrates: 81gFiber: 9gSugar: 16gProtein: 13g

    Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.

    Did you make this recipe?

    If you made this recipe, I'd love to see what you did and what I can do better, share a picture with me on Instagram and tag me @krumplibrian and tell me how it went!

    Renu

    Friday 9th of March 2018

    I am tempted to make this now. Healthy and loaded with veggies. Loved it.

    Brian Jones

    Saturday 10th of March 2018

    Thank you.

    Beth

    Friday 9th of March 2018

    Oh my, I love those little mushrooms you found! I am crazy about stir fries! I have to give yours a try! I also love those chopsticks!! Fancy!!

    Brian Jones

    Saturday 10th of March 2018

    Thank you Beth! Not really fancy though, cheap from Lidl :D

    Melve

    Friday 9th of March 2018

    Healthy meal that is fast and easy to prepare, perfect for a busy schedule. Thanks for sharing.

    Brian Jones

    Friday 9th of March 2018

    Thank you.

    Brian Jones

    Tuesday 6th of December 2016

    Aw shcuks, that's very kind of you to say, it sure as hell tastes great.

    Sabrina | The Tomato Tart

    Friday 2nd of December 2016

    This recipe sounds so delicious and healthy, I love it! Easy to prepare and love the spices on it.

    Brian Jones

    Tuesday 6th of December 2016

    Thanks Sabrina

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