Shanghai Noodles - The Daring Gourmet (2024)

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These Chinese fried noodles feature thinly sliced pork, cabbage, garlic, ginger, green onions, and a sauce that will make your mouth water! This Shanghai Noodles recipe is Chinese street food at its best. Quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for a weeknight meal.

For more delicious Chinese takeout recipes be sure to try our Mongolian Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, and Chinese Beef and Broccoli!

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Shanghai, China. The most populated city in the world. Bustling with tourists, it is also a major port town, financial hub, business and commerce center, and cultural hotspot. Amidst the ever-changing dynamics of this global city, one thing remains constant: Noodles are the way of life.

Plump, handmade noodles are the preference and have been for centuries. Watching Chinese noodle-makers at work in food stalls along the streets of Shanghai, pulling dough and chopping with cleavers at lightening speed is truly awe-inspiring. And whatever variations of noodles are served, the most popular remain ones based on rich brown sauces such as the one featured in this authentic recipe. Not encumbered with a lot other ingredients, the central feature of this dish is, of course, the noodles. Simple, quick, and satisfying…just what a large city dweller needs.

These Shanghai Noodles are fast, easy, and positively mouth-watering. I’m confident you’re going to love them as much as we do!

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Shanghai Noodles Recipe

Let’s get started!

Shanghai Noodles use pork, but you can substitute chicken, beef or shrimp. Marinate the pork for at least 10 minutes.

Cut up the green onions and Napa cabbage (keeping the green parts and firmer white parts separate. They’re going to be cooked separately so the more tender parts aren’t over-done). Thinly slice the garlic.

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Fry the pork in a wok or heavy pan over high heat for a couple of minutes, setting the reserved marinade aside.

I like to use avocado oilfor high heat cooking. Unlike most other oils like vegetable and peanut oil that oxidize at lower heats (oxidation = free radicals/unhealthy), avocado oil has a very high smoke point.

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Remove the pork and set aside. Next cook the white parts of the green onions and cabbage along with the garlic for about 30 seconds or until tender.

Add the green parts of the cabbage and green onions and cook for another 30 seconds.

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Return the pork to the pan along with the reserved marinade, the sesame oil, and the chicken stock/cornstarch mixture.

Stir to combine and cook for 30 seconds.

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Add the cooked noodles and stir to coat.

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Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

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For more delicious Chinese takeout recipes, be sure to try our:

  • Mongolian Chicken
  • Mongolian Beef
  • Orange Chicken
  • Kung Pao Chicken
  • Beef and Broccoli
  • General Tso’s Chicken
  • Sweet and Sour Chicken
  • Orange Beef
  • Sesame Chicken

Shanghai Noodles - The Daring Gourmet (9)

Shanghai Noodles (Cu Chao Mian)

By Kimberly Killebrew

Easy, quick and incredibly delicious, these fried noodles are Chinese street food at its best!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4 servings

Calories 504 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup dark soy sauce (see Note)
  • 1/4 cup oyster sauce
  • vegans: use hoisin sauce
  • recipe for homemade hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger , finely minced
  • 1 lb pork tenderloin , sliced thinly (vegetarian/vegan: use tofu following directions from Kung Pao Chicken recipe at https://www.daringgourmet.com/2013/01/08/30/)
  • 1 lb thick round Chinese egg noodles (can substitute Japanese udon noodles) , cooked according to package instructions (fresh noodles are even better, in which case cut the sauce in half because the fresh noodles weigh more) (vegans: use wheat noodles)
  • 2 tablespoons high heat cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic , sliced thinly
  • 6 green onions , cut into 1-inch pieces and then julienned lengthwise (keep green and white parts separate)
  • 1/2 head Napa cabbage , thinly sliced (white and pale green parts kept separate)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • Ground white pepper to taste

Instructions

  • To make the marinade, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and ginger and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Place the pork in the marinade and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain and reserve the marinade for later.

  • Heat the oil in a wok or heavy skillet on high heat and fry the pork for one minute or until done. Remove the pork and set aside. Next fry the white parts of the cabbage and green onions along with the garlic for 30 seconds or until tender. Return the pork to the pan along with the reserved marinade, the sesame oil, chicken/cornstarch mixture and the green parts of the cabbage and green onions. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the noodles and stir until combined. Add white pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

The saltiness of the soy sauce varies from brand to brand. Start with a 1/3 cup and add more as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 504kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 32gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 1417mgPotassium: 601mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 182IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 4mg

Keyword Shanghai Noodles

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet on January 23, 2013

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Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

Read more about me...

Shanghai Noodles - The Daring Gourmet (2024)

FAQs

What are Shanghai noodles made of? ›

What are Shanghai noodles made from? Shanghai noodles are a specific type of noodle that are a wheat flour noodle, and are typically thin, round and slightly chewy. If you're looking for an easy Chinese dish, Shanghai noodles can be rustled up and on the dinner table in under 30 minutes.

What is a substitute for Shanghai noodles? ›

A common substitute for Shanghai noodles is Japanese udon which have a similar thickness and chewy mouthfeel. Japanese udon is often sold frozen at most East Asian grocery stores (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) which make them much more widely accessible and easy to stock in the home freezer.

How many calories are in Shanghai noodles? ›

Mandarin Shanghai Noodles (1 portion) contains 70g total carbs, 67g net carbs, 2.5g fat, 18g protein, and 370 calories.

What are the fat noodles in Chinese food called? ›

Lo mein: These are thick, wheat-based noodles that are commonly used in stir-fry dishes. They have a chewy texture and can be served with a variety of meats, vegetables, and sauces. Chow mein: These are also wheat-based noodles, but they are thinner and have a more delicate texture.

Are Shanghai noodles skinny? ›

Shanghai noodles are created in two versatile widths, and available in both thick and thin.

What does Shanghai style mean? ›

Hu Cai, or Shanghai Cuisine is made up of two different styles ofcooking, Benbang Cuisine and Haipai Cuisine. Benbang and Haipai Cuisine have much in common. Both use techniques such as steaming, braising, stir-frying, marinating and roasting. They also have signature dishes that are made from seasonal ingredients.

Are Shanghai noodles the same as udon? ›

The actual name of the Shanghai noodles is 上海粗炒. It is translated to “Shanghai thick fry” in Chinese. The noodles are similar in shape and texture to udon noodles. The dish itself is extremely easy to make and features a delicious umami flavored sauce.

What are the really skinny Chinese noodles called? ›

The term vermicelli encompasses a broad category of thin Asian noodles. The noodle must have a diameter of less than 0.06 inches (1.5 mm) to be classified as vermicelli. The most popular type of Asian vermicelli noodle is rice vermicelli.

What is the closest noodle to lo mein? ›

If you are unable to find noodles that are specifically labeled as chow mein noodles or lo mein noodles, you can use linguine noodles, regular Italian spaghetti noodles, or another type of Asian noodle as a similar substitute.

What are Chinese noodles with no calories? ›

Shirataki noodles are a unique food that's very filling yet low in calories. These noodles are high in glucomannan, a type of fiber that has impressive health benefits. In fact, glucomannan has been shown to cause weight loss in numerous studies (1).

Are Chinese noodles high in calories? ›

A single bowl of cooked rice noodles (176 grams) constitutes about 190 calories. It makes the food calorie-dense. As a result, a single bowl can pack enough calories, and you should be careful about the proportions you consume as it generates more energy than some other food types.

Which is healthier, noodles or spaghetti? ›

Beyond the sensory experience, Pasta made from Durum Wheat Semolina offers notable nutritional advantages over noodles made from maida. Durum wheat semolina is rich in essential nutrients, including fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Are Shanghai noodles egg noodles? ›

Also called cumian, which literally translates to “thick noodles,” Shanghai noodles are a chewy variety made from wheat flour and water. You'll find them in soups and stir-fries, particularly in northern China.

What does Shanghai sauce taste like? ›

Its sweet, savoury, tangy and aromatic tastes are perfectly balanced. This will surely to tingle your taste buds.

What are the white Chinese noodles made of? ›

It's called fěnsī in Chinese 粉絲; literally 'flour thread'. Sometimes it is referred to as glass noodle, or cellophane noodle, or bean noodle. The noodle is a type of transparent noodle made from starch such as mung bean starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca, or canna starch, and water.

Are Shanghai noodles gluten-free? ›

The authentic buckwheat noodles should be made only with buckwheat flour, making them naturally gluten-free. However, many brands add wheat flour, mostly because of the cost factor.

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