Every lover of Asian cuisine has tried Lo Mein at least once. Originally a Chinese dish made from egg noodles mixed with other ingredients, it has become a truly popular meal in Western culture.
But can you make Lo Mein with ramen, and if the answer is yes, how to do so?
Here is how to prepare Lo Mein with ramen noodles in six easy steps:
- Assemble and prepare the ingredients,
- Fry the shrimp (or the meat of your choosing),
- Cook the noodles,
- Add vegetables,
- Add sauce,
- Serve and enjoy.
Although traditional Lo Mein is made from fresh egg noodles, this dish can be prepared with ramen and still taste divine. All you have to do is follow the recipe below – and you’ll soon see for yourself.
Click here to read an article that compares Lo Mein to Ramen.
What You’re Going to Need
There are countless ways to make delicious Lo Mein with ramen noodles – and I’ve tried many of them. That is how I’ve found the perfect combination of ingredients for the best-tasting Lo Mein. Here is what you’re going to need:
- Raw shrimp – ½ pound,
- Shrimp seasoning – to your taste (I used a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt),
- Coconut oil – 2 tbsp,
- Red bell pepper – 1,
- White mushrooms – 2 cups,
- Shredded carrots – 1 cup,
- Spinach – 4 cups,
- Ramen noodles – 3 packs,
- Soy sauce – 2 tbsp,
- Sugar – 2 tsp,
- Sesame oil – 1 tsp,
- Ground ginger – ½ tsp,
- Sriracha – ½ tsp (if you want to make ramen noodles spicy),
- Garnishes (optional).
Step 1 – Prepare the Ingredients
As with any other dish, the first thing to do is to prepare the ingredients. In this case, it means chopping the pepper, slicing the mushroom, shredding the carrots, and preparing the seasoning mix. Although pepper isn’t a vegetable that traditionally goes into Lo Mein, I find it goes exceptionally well with the rest of the ingredients and completes the final taste of the dish.
Cut out the inside of the pepper and remove the part with the seeds. Then start making the pepper slices – they should be as thin as possible. In general, whichever vegetables you decide to prepare with this meal, be sure you cut them into small pieces so they can fry better.
How to Prepare Shrimp for Lo Mein?
Keep in mind that shrimp must be peeled and deveined before you start cooking them. Grab the shrimp and break it apart where the head is, and then peel back the outer shell. Work all the way down until you get to the tail and pull it all out.
To devein shrimp, use a sharp paring knife to cut through the back of it until the intestinal tract is exposed. Take it out off the shrimp, rinse it – and the shrimp is prepared for cooking.
Additionally, if you want shrimp not to have a kind of fishy smell, all you have to do is pour a little lime juice before you start prepping it, and you’ll get a more enjoyable citrusy scent.
After the prepping work, ensure you season the shrimp with the seasoning mix of your choice.
Step 2 – Stir-Fry the Shrimp
Heat coconut oil in a large pan on medium to high heat (note that you can use any other kind of vegetable oil) and start frying the shrimp. Remember that shrimp cook very quickly, especially on high heat. You should cook them only for a couple of minutes until they get a nice, opaque color.
When shrimps are done, make sure you use the slotted spoon to get them out of the pan – that way, the rest of the vegetables will be cooking in the same seasoning.
Additionally, if you’re not a seafood enthusiast, you can utilize any type of meat in this dish – use chicken, pork, or even prepare a vegetable Lo Mein dish with ramen. However, when it comes to my taste, shrimp will always be the best choice for this meal.
Step 3 – Cook the Noodles
Place two cups of water into the pan and heat. When it boils, add the noodles. Cook them for three minutes with occasional stirring. After they become soft, remove them from the heat source and strain them. Do not utilize the premade seasoning – it’s unhealthy and, in this case, unneeded since we are making our own.
Step 4 – Add Vegetables
Place vegetables you prepared earlier, add pepper, and stir-fry them. Fry this mix until you see the mushrooms are done – they should be tender and get slightly brown coloring, for which you’ll need approximately four to five minutes of cooking. Place the spinach into the pan and once it is wilted, place shrimp and noodles into the pot.
Step 5 – Add Sauce to the Mix
Use a small bowl to mix ground ginger, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil (that provides an authentic Asian taste), and sriracha. Sriracha is there to add more spice to the mix, so if you want to make ramen noodles less spicy, don’t utilize it with this mixture. If you do like a more pungent taste but don’t have sriracha at home, note that you can use chili sauce instead.
Pour spices into the pan and stir to distribute them evenly. Remember that ramen noodles are not the sturdiest kind, so stir gently if you don’t want them to break or get mashed up.
Step 6 – Enjoy the Flavorful Meal
After removing the pot from the heat, it’s time to serve! Prepare a large bowl or a plate, fill it with this delicious mixture and enjoy. For a better presentation of the dish and additional flavor, you can sprinkle chopped scallions, green onions, or micro herbs on top – but the taste will be excellent even without them.
Final Thoughts
Instant ramen noodles can be used for much more than just ramen soup. This Lo Mein recipe is extremely easy to make, even if you’re on beginner-level cooking. Additionally, it’s a good way to use up the vegetables from your fridge and prepare an easy lunch or dinner in just fifteen minutes. There is no reason not to try it – so be sure you do as soon as possible.