Alright folks, we're stepping into the chow mein world! (chow mein is a stir-fried Chinese noodle dish made from wheat noodles, often tossed with vegetables and a savory soy-based sauce.) Who knew this tasty noodle dish would pair so well with so many other eats?
It's got us dreaming of all the possible sides that can jazz up this classic takeout delight.
Ever thought about munching down crispy spring rolls or savoring a steamy bowl of egg drop soup alongside? We've stocked up on side dish ideas that will make that chow mein the star of the meal.
Ready to boost your chow mein game with our top picks?
Personal opinion time: in our humble experiences, these combos have transformed meal nights into legendary food gatherings. Check out the best sidekicks for your chow mein escapades and join us in savoring these tasty moments!
Top 13 Side Dishes for Chow Mein
Here are 13 delicious sides to serve with your chow mein:
1 - Sesame Cucumber Salad
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Crunch, crisp, cucumbers. That's the dream, right?
Our sesame cucumber salad is cool, fresh, and takes minutes to whip up (made with crisp English cucumbers, Cucumis sativus).
Sprinkle some sesame oil and seeds, or try sesame oil swaps for cooking.
Boom, flavor explosion.
We're talking about an effortless sidekick for chow mein. Sugars?
Minimal. Calories?
Barely any. Something as simple as slicing cucumbers becomes next-level.
Our team? Fans of tossing this salad together.
We throw it in every meal. It's versatile, easy, and quite satisfying.
2 - Crispy Fried Wontons
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Welcome to our noodle side dish chronicles. We're talking crispy fried wontons here.
These little beauties bring a satisfying crunch alongside chow mein, made from thin wonton wrappers fried until golden.
A simple mix of minced pork or shrimp wrapped, fried till golden. Delight in their texture.
Need a tip? Try dipping them. Soy sauce or sweet chili can work wonders.
Wontons are a reliable go-to addition that spices up any meal; pair similarly with Korean fried chicken sides for bold pairing.
Unpretentious yet impactful, they've become a staple.
3 - Steamed Dumplings (Shu Mai)
Want an easy side to chow mein? Steamed dumplings, also called shu mai, give you a fluffy bite with a savory filling.
We enjoy these parcels filled with pork or shrimp. They steam up real fast and are a crowd favorite (usually steamed 6-8 minutes until cooked through).
Try them hot. Dip them in soy sauce.
Shu mai is a fantastic compliment alongside other dumpling sides like potato dumpling sides for variety.
Versatile and quick to prepare, they fit right beside the noodles without stealing the show.
4 - Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
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Wings are always a win. They come crispy and coated with sticky honey garlic glaze (a honey and soy-based glaze).
Imagine biting through sweet, savory, and garlicky hints all at once, a combo that pairs well with chicken slider side ideas for gatherings.
We think they're finger-licking good. Just bake or fry till golden.
That's it, no fuss.
Keep extra napkins handy; they're messy fun. Our favorite for sharing.
Toss in sesame seeds if you like. Adds a nuttier taste and some extra crunch.
This side dish loves to hang out with chow mein.
We've tried, talked, devoured, and concluded-this combo works!
5 - Chinese Hot and Sour Soup
Grabbing Chinese hot and sour soup? It's got tang and some zing with every sip.
We're talking silky tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots with a kick (made with soft tofu and shiitake mushrooms).
The broth hits that sweet and sour note.
Keeping it real, soup's rich yet light. We often lean on it-comforting, quick, and warms us up instantly.
No need for fancy plans.
This one's straightforward. A bowl that'll back up chow mein without fuss.
Sneak a taste, feel the bright vibe.
6 - Egg Foo Young
We've got eggs all fancied up, making Egg Foo Young our go-to. Savory, fluffy, and loaded with veggies or meat.
Why settle for plain omelets? These puffy beauties bring flair.
Whip them up in a flash. Add your favorite ingredients.
Drizzle that thicc, rich gravy (a savory brown sauce thickened with cornstarch). It's a scene-stealer for chow mein nights.
Move over, scrambled eggs. This one's keeping things exciting on your plate.
Rich flavors, minimal fuss. Make it, eat it, enjoy it.
7 - Pork Spring Rolls
Crunch time. Pork spring rolls roll out major flavor.
Wraps crispy and filling savory. Our main stay, easy munching.
Dip in sweet chili or soy sauce, delivers extra layer.
Balance meat with crunch; pair similarly with char siu pork side dishes for sweet-salty contrast.
Mix pork with fresh veggies, maybe mushrooms (about 1 lb ground pork per 12 rolls).
No extras needed. Quick fry it, get golden crisp.
They're trouble-free and rewarding. Keeps chow mein company.
Filling, simple, gives bursts taste.
Always on our side. Easily in the munch times.
8 - Garlic Stir-Fried Green Beans
Green beans hooked us with their simplicity. Stir-fry them in garlic, and you've got flavor magic.
Just a quick sauté and they're crunchy yet tender, bringing garlic goodness to the table (sauté 4-6 minutes over medium-high heat).
Salty, slightly nutty. We think sesame oil finishes them off perfectly.
Garlic green beans cut the richness of chow mein, our go-to side. They're easy and straightforward.
Break from routine, switch them up with chili flakes.
We've eaten these on every meal. Subtle twist from big flavors, so effortless.
9 - Steamed Buns (Baozi)
We've been into baozi. Soft and pillowy.
They're filled with pork or veggies (common fillings include ground pork and scallions). A satisfying bite alongside chow mein.
We steam them till fluffy.
Dunk in soy sauce or vinegar for extra zing.
These buns are comforting. Quick to heat up.
Good for sharing too. We often grab a pack when we crave hearty sides.
Easy to make, quick to eat. Perfectly suits any meal lineup.
10 - Spicy Szechuan Eggplant
Eggplant gets spicy. We pan-fry eggplant slices, heating up flavors with Szechuan spice mix.
Simple start, big taste. It's got a hot kick, yet mellow.
We find it enhances the dining spread. Sauce clings perfectly.
We suggest trying different spices. Swap ingredients occasionally.
Play with textures. Our opinion?
This dish brings variety to the table. Eggplant here is soft inside, crispy out, with Szechuan peppercorns adding numbing spice.
Bold enough to stand solo, yet fits alongside chow mein. Ideal bite without being too overbearing.
11 - Asian Slaw with Ginger Dressing
Asian slaw with ginger dressing is fresh. It's like flavor on a plate.
Cabbage is crisp and carrots are crunchy. A zesty ginger sauce ties it all together (made with rice vinegar and soy for balance).
We enjoy the tangy taste and simple prep.
Mix everything without fuss.
We don't overdo the ginger; balance is key. We toss it alongside stir fry noodles.
Pick colors for veggie variety. That's how we keep it bright.
No fuss, just good slaw.
We think it stands well with chow mein.
12 - Crispy Orange Tofu
We're talking crispy tofu bliss. Golden, crunchy outside, soft inside (press tofu to remove excess moisture before frying).
This dish uses an orange tangy sauce that sticks.
Quick to make, quicker to eat. Beware of sticky fingers.
Mix with bell peppers for kick. Fry the tofu till it sings "crunch." Simplicity sings here.
We enjoy the zest. Never fuss over protein options.
Just coat, fry, enjoy. Goes well with chow mein in a snap.
Sesame seeds add crackle. Safe for vegans. Quirky, casual, satisfied with less.
13 - Cantonese Roast Pork (Char Siu)
Roast pork? Oh yeah, we're talking juicy and smoky bites of magic (char siu is typically marinated pork shoulder roasted with honey and five-spice).
This side rocks with chow mein. It brings sweet and savory vibes.
Scoop up a piece; it's caramelized fresh goodness.
Roast it slow. Use hoisin for rich flavor.
We think five-spice adds a real kick. Slice it thin, get that crispy edge right.
Grabs attention on any plate. It's a classic, no fuss needed.
Mix char siu in any noodle dish.
Simple yet bold flavors keep us happy.
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.
