Classic Plain Lo Mein Noodles Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh lo mein noodles (or 12 oz dried egg noodles, cooked al dente)
• 1/4 cup light soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (for color, optional)
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional, but highly recommended for flavor)
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (to add at the end of the sauce)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for tossing noodles)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or peanut oil)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated or minced)
• 2 green onions (sliced, white and green parts separated)

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fresh lo mein noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 2-3 minutes for fresh, 5-7 minutes for dried). Do not overcook.

2. 2

   Drain and Oil Noodles: Drain the noodles thoroughly in a colander. For fresh noodles, quickly rinse with cold water to prevent sticking, then drain well. Toss the drained noodles with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to prevent clumping. Set aside.

3. 3

   Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together light soy sauce, dark soy sauce (if using), oyster sauce (if using), granulated sugar, and white pepper. In a separate small bowl, combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry. Add slurry and sesame oil to the sauce mixture and whisk until well combined. Set aside.

4. 4

   Heat Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

5. 5

   Stir-Fry Noodles and Sauce: Add the cooked and oiled lo mein noodles to the wok. Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles. Using tongs or two spatulas, toss continuously for 2-3 minutes to evenly coat noodles and heat through. The sauce will thicken slightly.

6. 6

   Add Green Onions: Add the green parts of the sliced green onions and toss for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until they are just wilted but still vibrant.

7. 7

   Serve: Transfer the plain lo mein noodles to serving plates immediately and serve hot. Enjoy!