The chow mein is a dish with Chinese origins that has been altered and adapted to suit the tastes of the different cultures it finds itself in. The dish was originally created as a way to use up leftover bits of meat or seafood, but nowadays most people enjoy it as a meal on its own. But it’s not always easy to find the best place for this dish and you now have a question: “What restaurant has the best chow mein near me?” In this article, we’ll explore five of the best places in San Francisco to find some tasty chow mein.
We’ve done the work for you and have compiled a list of restaurants that serve up delicious chow mein dishes near San Francisco. This list includes reviews from other customers who have eaten at these establishments and rated them!
If you do not live in San Francisco, you can still make your own chow mein by following our tips and guides below!
What is Chow Mein?
Chow mein is a dish that has origins in late imperial China. It is thought to be one of the dishes which form the basis for American Chop Suey. Chow mein includes crispy noodles, meat, vegetables, and soy sauce. The dish can be found in many countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States.
Chow mein can be made at home with about ten minutes of preparation time and twenty minutes of cooking time. A large variety of chow mein recipes exist with regional differences in ingredients present across cultures including soy sauce, chili pepper sauce or ketchup, sesame oil, or crushed peanuts. Chow mein can be made with a variety of meats including beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp. Additional vegetables such as celery, cabbage, carrots, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots can be used to create an additional layer of flavor.
In order to find the best chow mein, many factors should be considered. These include how good the noodles taste as noodles are a central ingredient in any chow mein dish. In addition, the freshness of the vegetables present should be assessed as well as their quality and quantity relative to other ingredients being used in the meal. Any additional ingredients added should also be accounted for but may vary depending on geographic location or personal preference. The best chow mein will come down to a combination of all factors present in any given meal.
Best Chow Mein Near Me In San Francisco
Z & Y Restaurant
Z & Y Restaurant serves some of the best chow mein I’ve ever had! This establishment offers up some of the best chicken, shrimp, and beef chow mein in all of San Francisco. Not to mention, they also have some fantastic vegetable chow mein options as well. And if that’s not enough for you, they also offer delivery and takeout services.
The restaurant is easy to find using Google Maps, and they offer takeout and delivery services. The staff is always friendly and willing to help, and the reviews from previous customers are overwhelmingly positive. If you’re looking for an amazing chow mein experience, Z & Y Restaurant is definitely the place to go!
R & G Lounge
If you’re looking for a delicious and authentic Chinese meal, R & G Lounge is the place to go! The restaurant has an extensive menu with options like Original Chow Mein, Fresh-Mild Mushroom Chow Mein, Braised E-Fu Noodles, etc. You can choose to dine-in, get a curbside pickup, or have the food delivered to your doorstep.
The reviews from customers who have eaten at R & G Lounge before are overwhelmingly positive, with many mentioning the high quality of the food and excellent service. So if you’re in the mood for some amazing Chinese cuisine, be sure to check out R & G Lounge!
Mission Chinese Food
If you’re looking for some fantastic chow mein near you in San Francisco, Mission Chinese Food is the place to go! The restaurant has a great atmosphere, thanks to the funky dope music played throughout. The service is wonderful, and the staff is extremely friendly and accommodating.
The menu offers a variety of dishes, including a classic chow mein option, as well as Sichuan carbonara and Thai peanut noodle bowls. The classic chow mein is a must-try, and the Sichuan carbonara is also fantastic. The decor may be run down and dated, but it doesn’t take away from the delicious food.
Alice’s Restaurant
If you’re in the mood for some delicious Chinese food, Alice’s Restaurant is the place to go. They have amazing Fried Rice, Chow Fun, and Chow Mein dishes. Their service is fast and the food is always fresh and tasty. I’ve never had trouble getting in or out, and they have plenty of parking spaces. The staff is also very polite and welcoming. I highly recommend their Chow Mein – it’s one of my favorites!
Dragon Well
Dragon Well is a great Chinese restaurant that offers delicious Chow Mein dishes. The restaurant also has an extensive menu that offers variety. I enjoy ordering from Dragon Well because the food is always good, the service is always friendly and the prices are reasonable. I recommend their busy wok chicken and curry noodles. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a good Chow Mein meal.
Some Best Chow Mein Recipes You Can Make At Home
Chow Mein is a dish that has its origin in China and it consists of noodles, meat, vegetables, and soy sauce. It is often served with eggs on top or as part of the dish’s stir fry ingredients. Chow Mein was first introduced to America by Chinese immigrants who settled here during the late 1800s. The dish became popular among other immigrant groups because it was an easy one-pot meal that could be cooked quickly over a stovetop flame or open fire.
Nowadays, people are making variations of this recipe all over the world but they still call it Chow Mein- for example in Australia where there is ‘Aussie chow mein’, or in the UK where there is ‘chow mein king’.
There are many different ways to make Chow Mein but a few essentials always remain the same- the noodles, vegetables, and sauce. You can use any type of noodles you like for this dish- from thin egg noodles to thicker wheat ones, or even rice noodles. The vegetables used in Chow Mein can also be varied depending on what’s in season or what you have in your fridge, but some favorites include carrots, cabbage, onions, and bean sprouts. As for the sauce, soy sauce is the most popular choice but you could also use oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, or sweet and sour sauce.
Classic Chow Mein Recipe
Here is the version of a classic Chow Mein recipe:
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped, 2 eggs beaten, 1/4 cup light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar or honey, or a pinch of salt if using dark soy sauce. 1/2 head small cabbage (or shredded big), 240g pkt thin and wide chow mein noodles (can also use other shaped noodles), 2 tablespoons chicken stock (optional), and 3 tablespoons water.
Directions:
- Heat oil in a wok then add garlic and cook until golden brown. Add the beaten eggs and swirl them around the pan to make a thin omelette-like layer on the bottom of the wok. Flip over to cook the other side for about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the chow mein noodles and cook for 1 minute until they start to turn a slightly golden color. Add the cabbage, soy sauce, sugar or honey (if using), chicken stock (if using), and water. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Top with the omelette and serve immediately.
Variations: You can also add cooked chicken, pork, or shrimp to this dish for extra protein.
‘Thai Style’ Chow Mein Recipe
Thai Style Chow Mein Recipe is a delicious variation of the original Chinese dish, made by incorporating Thai ingredients. This recipe has many variations which are all worth trying! One such variation is this ‘Thai style’ Chow Mein:
Ingredients: 8 ounces Chow Mein Noodles (fresh or dried), 1 large can coconut milk (14 oz.), 2 Tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or crunchy), 1 tablespoon curry powder (or more to taste), 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press, 1 teaspoon ground ginger (optional), 2 teaspoons soy sauce (or use vegetable broth for gluten-free option), salt and pepper to taste (if using soy sauce instead of salt, do not add any extra salt), 1/3 cup peanut oil or other high-heat oil (olive oil will work but turn nutty when heated), 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves for garnish.
Directions:
- Prepare the noodles according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the coconut milk and peanut butter until smooth. Add curry powder (and ginger if you’re using it), garlic, soy sauce (or vegetable broth), and season with salt and pepper to taste; if using soy sauce instead of salt, do not add any extra salt. Whisk until well blended, then reduce the heat to low and keep warm while you cook the vegetables.
- Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat (see note). Add the onion, celery, and red bell pepper; stir-fry until tender but still crisp, about 2-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Stir in the broccoli and mushrooms; cook until tender yet still crisp, about 3-5 minutes.
- Increase heat to high and add noodles to the wok or skillet along with the sauce. Toss quickly to coat all ingredients well with sauce and heat through, about 3-4 minutes. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve immediately.
Note: You can use a little less oil if you prefer, or you can omit the oil altogether if you’d rather not use it. However, cooking in oil helps give this dish its distinctive flavor – just be sure to use an oil that’s good for high heat cooking: peanut oil is the best choice.
‘Southern Style’ Chow Mein Recipe
Southern-style Chow Mein Recipe is a very different dish than the traditional Northern Chinese style. Southern Chow Mein does not have soy sauce or green onions, but it has more vegetables like cabbage and celery. It also contains rice vinegar in addition to salt, pepper, and sugar for seasoning.
Southern-style Chow Mein is often served with white rice instead of noodles; however, you can use ramen noodles if desired.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of sesame oil or vegetable oil (like peanut), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated), 1/2 cup chopped onion, 3 cups shredded cabbage (about half a small head), 3 stalks of celery (thinly sliced), 1/2 cup frozen peas, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon sugar.
Directions:
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped onion and cabbage to the skillet, stirring well to combine with the garlic and ginger. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the celery. Cook for another 2 minutes until it becomes crisp-tender.
- Add the peas, rice vinegar, soy sauce, black pepper, and sugar to the skillet. Mix well before serving over rice or noodles.
Cooking Time And Temperature For Each Step Of The Process Of Making The Chow Mein
The Chow mein dish can be made with fresh or dried noodles. If using dried noodles, they need to be boiled in water for about 5 minutes before being drained and added to the stir-fry. For the vegetables, any variety can be used, but some of the more popular ones include carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, and celery. The meat can also be varied, but pork is a common choice.
In order to cook the Chow mein properly, it is important to follow the right sequence of steps and use the correct cooking times and temperatures. The first step is to prepare the noodles by boiling them in water for 5 minutes. Then, drain the noodles and set them aside. Next, prepare the vegetables by chopping the carrots, celery, and cabbage into small pieces. Then stir fry all of the vegetables except for the cabbage in a wok until soft. The next step is to add the noodles and meat to the wok and stir fry everything together until hot. Finally, before serving, you can incorporate other flavorings such as soy sauce or oyster sauce if desired.
The cooking time for each step in this process will vary based on your stovetop pressure cooker. For example, when boiling dried noodles it takes about 8-10 minutes at 15 psi (pounds per square inch). When stir-frying vegetables it can take anywhere from 3-5 minutes at 10 psi while also adding some oil to prevent sticking. If using fresh noodles, the boiling time may be reduced to 3-5 minutes. And finally, the Chow mein should be cooked for an additional 5 minutes at 15 psi after all of the ingredients have been added to the wok. Following these guidelines will result in a delicious and authentic Chow mein dish.
Tips To Make Sure Your Own Chow Mein Dish Is Perfect!
If you want to make sure that your own chow mein dish is perfect, then the first thing that you need to do is plan ahead. This means making sure that everything is done in advance and all of the cooking has been finished before it’s time for dinner. By planning out your meal early on, you’ll have more peace of mind knowing exactly what needs to be done so there will be less chance of forgetting something important!
The second most important tip about how to make your own chow mein dish perfect is not being afraid of experimenting with new recipes or ingredients. If you are looking for a way to spice up an old recipe, try adding some different spices or sauces, which can really help turn a good meal into an amazing one. And if you’re feeling daring, then why not try out a new dish altogether? With so many different recipes available online or in cookbooks, there’s no need to stick to the same old thing every time.
The third and final tip for making your chow main dish perfect is to make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. This means taking inventory of what you need and making a list so that you don’t have to make last-minute trips to the grocery store or run out of an essential ingredient in the middle of cooking. By being prepared, you’ll not only save time but also avoid any potential culinary disasters!
So, these are our top tips for ensuring that your chow main dish turns out perfectly. If you follow them, then you’ll have no problem making a delicious meal that will leave your family and friends wanting more!
Perfect Chow Mein Noodles That You Can Find On Amazon
Nissin Teriyaki Beef Flavor Chow Mein Noodles
I was very excited to try these Nissin Teriyaki Beef Flavor Chow Mein Noodles because I love Chinese food. These noodles did not disappoint! They were very flavorful and tasted like restaurant-quality noodles. The beef flavor is rich and full, and the noodles are delicious.
The best part was that they were ready in just five minutes–perfect for a quick and easy meal. They’re also really easy to prepare–just add boiling water and let them sit for a few minutes. I would definitely recommend these noodles to anyone looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal.
Gefen Gluten-Free Chow Mein Fine Noodles
- CRISP & DELICIOUS - Crispy and Delicious Thin Gluten Free Chow Mein Noodles, You Wont Believe It's Really GF!
- VERSATILE - Great With Protein, Delicious in Salads, Add as Croutons to Your Favorite Soups or Just Snack Right out of the Bag
- NATURALLY BETTER - Gluten Free, No Artificial Flavors, Colors or Ingredients
- CERTIFIED - Certified Kosher For Year Round Use Including Passover
I loved how delicious these thin gluten-free noodles tasted! The noodles are so crispy and remind me of the texture I used to get from traditional flour pasta. It’s hard to believe that the texture is gluten-free because it tastes just as good as a regular noodle. I also love that there aren’t any artificial flavors or colors because that’s a big deal for people who have celiac or other food allergies.
These noodles are really versatile and can be used with any kind of protein because they’re low in calories. They make for great salad croutons, too! If you’re looking for a new gluten-free pasta option, try out these Gefen Gluten-Free Chow Mein Fine Noodles!
Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein
- Yakisoba
- Cooks in 3 minutes
- Pack of twenty four, 3.6-ounces per pack (total of 86.4 ounces)
- Japanese style noodles
- With natural and artificial flavors
Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein was one of the noodles that I have tried. I have always had a problem with regular ramen noodles because they are not long enough to reach the bottom of the pot. Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein has solved this for me because they are long enough to make it to the bottom of my pot.
Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein also cooks very quickly, in three minutes! This is very nice because it doesn’t need as much time as most other types of noodles. They are also very easy to cook too, which is really good for me because I am terrible at cooking things that require more effort than boiling water. The best thing about Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein is that they are Japanese-style noodles. This means that they have a different flavor than most other noodles and I really enjoy it.
Overall, I really like Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for quick, easy, and delicious noodles. They are my new favorite!
Conclusion
The 5 Best Places In San Francisco for perfect chow main dishes and some tips and guides to make chow main by yourself. I hope you found this article helpful in your search for the best Chow Mein near me! If you don’t live in San Francisco, check out these above tips and guides on how to make it yourself that will help transform this dish into a delicious homemade meal. With just a little more effort than grabbing take-out or delivery, making some Chow Mein at home is easy with our recipe guide!