Mein

A mein is a type of Chinese noodle made from wheat flour and water. There are many different varieties of mein, including lo mein, chow mein, and wonton mein. Mein recipes have been around for centuries, and are a staple of Chinese cuisine.

The exact origins of mein are unknown, but it is believed that they were first created in the North China Plain during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Mein were originally made by hand, but the introduction of the rolling pin during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) made them easier to produce.

Mein became popular in the West during the 19th century, when Chinese immigrants began opening restaurants in cities like San Francisco and New York City. Today, mein can be found in Chinese restaurants around the world.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Chow Mein

  • carrot
  • bean sprout
  • chinese wine
  • oyster sauce
  • peanut oil
  • soy sauce
  • sesame oil
  • water
  • cornflour cornstarch
  • sugar
  • garlic
  • chicken breast
  • chow mein noodle
  • green onion
  • green cabbage
  • white pepper
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Smoky Lo Mein With Shiitake and Vegetables

  • salt
  • rice bran
  • dark soy sauce
  • light soy sauce
  • shaoxing wine
  • carrot
  • onion
  • sesame oil
  • white pepper
  • mung bean sprout
  • garlic
  • green onion
  • shiitake mushroom cap
  • green cabbage
  • chinese egg noodle
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Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein

  • salt
  • rib steak
  • ginger
  • broccoli
  • lime
  • dark brown sugar
  • soy sauce
  • black pepper
  • red pepper flake
  • canola
  • carrot
  • sesame oil
  • garlic
  • green onion
  • lo mein noodle
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Vegetable Chow Mein

  • CHOW MEIN SAUCE
  • abalone sauce
  • dark soy sauce
  • sugar
  • chicken bouillon powder
  • light soy sauce
  • NOODLES
  • bean sprout
  • bell pepper
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • oil
  • chinese chive
  • hong kong fried noodle
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Easy Beef Lo Mein

  • garlic
  • sugar
  • carrot
  • cornstarch
  • chinese cabbage
  • sesame oil
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • green onion
  • lo mein noodle
  • flank steak
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Chicken Chow Mein

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • dark soy sauce
  • dark asian sesame oil
  • sugar
  • chicken breast
  • ginger
  • green onion
  • celery
  • shittake mushroom
  • chicken broth
  • onion
  • water chestnut
  • peanut oil
  • cornstarch
  • white rice
  • chuka soba
  • oyster sauce
  • garlic
  • mung bean sprout
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Chinese Chow Mein

  • bean sprout
  • yaki soba noodle
  • light brown sugar
  • oil
  • oyster sauce
  • cornstarch
  • cabbage
  • sesame oil
  • soy sauce
  • carrot
  • ginger
  • chicken breast
  • garlic
  • celery
  • green onion
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Vegetable Chow Mein

  • bell pepper
  • shiitake mushroom
  • zucchini
  • ginger
  • light soy sauce
  • salt
  • sesame oil
  • sugar
  • onion
  • egg noodle
  • garlic
  • dark soy sauce
  • oyster sauce
  • rice vinegar
  • water
  • canola oil
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Easy 30 Minute Chicken Chow Mein

  • cornstarch
  • sesame oil
  • chicken breast
  • green onion
  • salt
  • green cabbage
  • chow mein noodle
  • chicken broth
  • oyster sauce
  • ginger
  • garlic
  • soy sauce
  • carrot
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Chicken, Bok Choy and Shiitake Chow Mein

  • canola oil cook
  • salt
  • chicken stock
  • refreshed lo mein noodle
  • chicken meat prefer leg thigh meat
  • ginger
  • sambal oelek
  • black pepper
  • oyster sauce
  • shaoxing wine
  • scallion white
  • shiitake mushroom
  • cornstarch
  • bok choy
  • garlic
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Pork Lo Mein With Ramen Noodles

  • pork tenderloin
  • cornstarch
  • soy sauce
  • garlic
  • green onion
  • ramen noodle
  • teriyaki sauce
  • chicken broth
  • stir fry vegetable
  • water
  • oil
  • sugar
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Stir-Fried Lo Mein With Beef and Broccoli Recipe

  • Noodles
  • salt
  • lo mein noodle
  • broccoli
  • garlic
  • vegetable oil
  • Sauce
  • oyster sauce
  • sesame oil
  • water
  • shaoxing wine
  • salt
  • sugar
  • dark soy sauce
  • light soy sauce
  • Beef
  • oil
  • skirt steak
  • cornstarch
  • light soy sauce
  • shaoxing wine
  • salt
  • sugar
  • black pepper
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Low Carb Instant Pot Lo Mein

  • brown sugar
  • mann' kohlrabi linguine
  • mann' stringless sugar snap pea
  • carrot
  • lemon juice
  • onion
  • mushroom
  • olive oil
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable broth
  • garlic
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Beef Chow Mein

  • flank steak
  • cornstarch
  • black sesame seed
  • light sesame seed
  • rice wine
  • asian medley veggy
  • rice wine vinegar
  • water
  • hoisin sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • brown sugar
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
  • green onion
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Whole30 Chicken Lo Mein

  • carrot
  • chicken breast
  • arrowroot
  • ginger
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • sesame oil
  • onion
  • chinese cabbage
  • mushroom
  • avocado oil
  • coconut amino
  • palmini
  • garlic
  • green onion
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Vegetable Lo Mein

  • Noodles & Vegetables
  • chili oil
  • carrot
  • vegan yellow noodle
  • ginger
  • green onion
  • oil
  • garlic
  • bok choy
  • fried tofu
  • Sauce
  • light soy sauce
  • shaoxing wine
  • sesame oil
  • sugar
  • mushroom seasoning
  • dark soy sauce
  • vegan oyster sauce
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CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

  • carrot
  • chicken against grain
  • oil
  • water
  • chinese all purpose stir fry sauce
  • chinese cabbage
  • shallot scallion
  • chow mein egg noodle
  • garlic
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Crockpot Chicken Chow Mein

  • bean sprout
  • water chestnut
  • chicken broth
  • garlic
  • sugar
  • celery
  • chicken breast
  • light soy sauce
  • water
  • cornstarch
  • red pepper flake
  • ginger
  • vegetable oil
  • carrot
  • green onion
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Chicken Chow Mein

  • corn starch
  • egg noodle
  • soy sauce
  • thigh
  • sugar snap pea
  • sesame oil
  • carrot
  • garlic
  • brown sugar tb
  • ginger tb
  • tbs rice wine vinegar
  • tbs canola oil
  • green onion
  • shitake mushroom
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Vegetarian Chow Mein

  • bean sprout
  • chinese wine
  • soy sauce
  • carrot
  • chilli garlic sauce
  • hoisin sauce
  • sesame oil
  • water
  • chinese cabbage
  • oil
  • sugar
  • garlic
  • scallion shallot
  • tofu
  • chow mein noodle
  • white pepper
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Chicken Chow Mein

  • dark soy sauce
  • black pepper
  • cornstarch
  • chile sauce
  • chinese 5-spice powder
  • sesame oil
  • spring onion
  • bell pepper
  • chicken breast
  • groundnut oil
  • light soy sauce
  • bean sprout
  • yellow shi wheat flour noodle
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Vegetable Chow Mein

  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • carrot
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • broccoli
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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Chicken Lo Mein

  • brown sugar
  • olive oil
  • sesame oil
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • snap pea stir fry
  • hoisin sauce
  • soy sauce
  • garlic
  • lo mein noodle
  • green onion
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Chicken Chow Mein

  • green onion
  • celery
  • chicken
  • bell pepper
  • brown sugar
  • rice vinegar
  • salt
  • chili sauce
  • chow mein noodle
  • oyster sauce
  • cabbage
  • cornstarch
  • ginger
  • garlic
  • sesame oil
  • soy sauce
  • canola oil
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Spicy Pork Chow Mein

  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • onion
  • ground pork
  • napa cabbage
  • chile garlic sauce
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • green onion
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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Chicken Chow Mein

  • yaki soba noodle
  • light brown sugar
  • oil
  • oyster sauce
  • cornstarch
  • cabbage
  • sesame oil
  • soy sauce
  • carrot
  • ginger
  • chicken breast
  • garlic
  • celery
  • green onion
  • sauce
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Chicken Sausage Chow Mein

  • chicken stock
  • chicken sausage
  • basil
  • chinese egg noodle
  • orange juice
  • ginger
  • hot red chile
  • snow pea
  • garlic
  • vegetable oil
  • salt
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Beef Lo Mein

  • ginger
  • egg white
  • carrot
  • onion
  • snow pea
  • cornstarch
  • salt
  • sesame oil
  • corn
  • white pepper
  • sugar
  • par egg noodle
  • hoisin sauce
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • green onion
  • grapeseed oil
  • shaoxing wine
  • garlic
  • flank steak
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Chow Mein

  • ginger
  • white pepper
  • soy sauce
  • peanut oil
  • sesame oil
  • green cabbage
  • oyster sauce
  • shaoxing wine
  • garlic
  • veggy
  • green onion
  • chow mein noodle
  • chili garlic sauce
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Savory Beef Lo Mein

  • bean sprout
  • carrot
  • cornstarch
  • sesame oil
  • bell pepper
  • black pepper
  • chicken broth
  • oyster sauce
  • green onion
  • green cabbage
  • lo mein noodle
  • snow pea
  • flank steak
  • ginger
  • garlic
  • salt
  • soy sauce
  Moms Dish

Shrimp Lo Mein

  • shrimp
  • beef better than bouillon
  • bell pepper
  • carrot
  • onion
  • water
  • broccoli
  • brown sugar
  • sesame oil
  • soy sauce
  • garlic
  • lo mein noodle
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Shrimp Lo Mein

  • mushroom
  • napa cabbage
  • oyster sauce
  • sshrimp
  • garlic
  • sesame oil
  • carrot
  • lime
  • snow pea
  • shallot
  • bell pepper
  • green onion
  • soy sauce
  • chicken broth
  • cilantro
  • ginger
  • sriracha
  • cornstarch
  • lo mein noodle
  • canola oil
  • heavy sugar
  • spice
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Bok Choy Chow Mein

  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • bok choy
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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Cashew Chicken Chow Mein

  • sugar snap pea
  • cashew
  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • chicken
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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Chicken Chow Mein

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • spring onion
  • sesame seed
  • carrot
  • garlic
  • sesame oil
  • ginger
  • cabbage
  • oyster sauce
  • chow mein noodle
  • chicken thigh
  • chicken stock
  • soy sauce
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Shrimp Chow Mein

  • snow pea
  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • carrot
  • onion
  • shrimp
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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10 Minute Chow Mein

  • la choy beef chow mein
  • la choy sweet
  • vegetables carrot
  • la choy water chestnut
  • lo mein noodle
  • la choy chow mein noodle
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Beef Lo Mein

  • chicken stock
  • lo mein noodle
  • sugar
  • green onion
  • top sirloin steak
  • salt
  • soy sauce
  • oil
  • bean sprout
  • shiitake mushroom
  • water chestnut
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Spicy Beef Chow Mein

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • snow pea
  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • onion
  • cabbage
  • top round
  • chile garlic sauce
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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Beef Chow Mein

  • cabbage
  • brown sugar
  • corn starch
  • sesame oil
  • baking soda
  • carrot
  • celery
  • flank steak
  • black
  • onion
  • green onion
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • chow mein noodle
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Beef and Broccoli Chow Mein

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • carrot
  • onion
  • top round
  • broccoli
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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Beef Lo Mein

  • carrot
  • mushroom
  • lo mein noodle
  • mirin
  • vegetable oil
  • sesame oil
  • bell pepper
  • flank steak
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • soy sauce
  • napa cabbage
  • garlic
  • green onion
  • cornstarch
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Ginger Pork Chow Mein

  • sugar snap pea
  • hoisin
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • carrot
  • onion
  • ground pork
  • ginger
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • garlic
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
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Chicken Spaghetti Lo Mein

  • sesame oil
  • black pepper
  • cornstarch
  • salt
  • celery
  • shaoxing wine
  • chicken breast
  • water
  • shiitake mushroom
  • egg
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • spaghetti
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Mushroom and Garlic Chicken Chow Mein

  • hoisin
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • onion
  • chicken
  • oyster sauce
  • soy sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • green onion
  • mushroom
  • yellow chinese egg noodle
  • garlic

Ingredient Breakdown

 
garlic
soy sauce
sesame oil
carrot
ginger
oyster sauce
green onion
onion
salt
water
brown sugar
cornstarch
bell pepper
vegetable oil
sugar
oil
black pepper
lo mein noodle
rice vinegar
bean sprout
chicken breast
yellow chinese egg noodle
dark soy sauce
light soy sauce
hoisin
broccoli
shaoxing wine
celery
chow mein noodle
flank steak
chicken broth
snow pea
white pepper
cabbage
mushroom
green cabbage
chicken stock
hoisin sauce
peanut oil
chinese cabbage
shiitake mushroom
mung bean sprout
chinese egg noodle
red pepper flake
olive oil
water chestnut
canola oil
bok choy
sugar snap pea
chicken
napa cabbage
noodle
chinese wine
lime
yaki soba noodle
light brown sugar
egg noodle
vegetable broth
corn starch
mirin
sesame seed
spring onion
ground pork
chile garlic sauce
shrimp
top round
beef
beef better than bullion
cornflour cornstarch
rice bran
shiitake mushroom cap
rib steak
dark brown sugar
canola
pepper
hoisen sauce
abalone sauce
chicken bouillon powder
chinese chive
hong kong fried noodle
dark asian sesame oil
shittake mushroom
white rice
chuka soba
zucchini
canola oil cook
refreshed lo mein noodle
chicken meat prefer leg thigh meat
sambal oelek
scallion white
pork tenderloin
ramen noodle
teriyaki sauce
stir fry vegetable
skirt steak
mann' kohlrabi linguine
mann' stringless sugar snap pea
lemon juice
black sesame seed
light sesame seed
rice wine
asian medley veggy
rice wine vinegar
arrowroot
avocado oil
coconut amino
palmini
turkey meat
chili oil
vegan yellow noodle
mushroom seasoning
vegan oyster sauce
fried tofu
chicken against grain
chinese all purpose stir fry sauce
shallot scallion
chow mein egg noodle
thigh
brown sugar tb
ginger tb
tbs rice wine vinegar
tbs canola oil
shitake mushroom
chilli garlic sauce
scallion shallot
tofu
chile sauce
chinese 5-spice powder
groundnut oil
yellow shi wheat flour noodle
chinese flowering chive
hong kong noodle
spiced tofu
snap pea stir fry
chili sauce
sauce
chicken sausage
basil
orange juice
hot red chile
egg white
corn
par egg noodle
grapeseed oil
veggy
chili garlic sauce
white
chinese rice wine
peanut
mushroom shiitake mushroom
beef better than bouillon
sshrimp
shallot
cilantro
sriracha
heavy sugar
spice
cashew
chicken thigh
la choy beef chow mein
la choy sweet
vegetables carrot
la choy water chestnut
la choy chow mein noodle
top sirloin steak
baking soda
black
egg
spaghetti

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • bell pepper

Staple Ingredients

  • garlic 29%
  • sesame oil 21%
  • carrot 19%
  • green onion 19%
  • soy sauce 19%
  • ginger 17%

Common Ingredients

  • oyster sauce 15%
  • cornstarch 13%
  • salt 13%
  • sugar 12%

Usual Ingredients

  • oil 11%
  • onion 11%
  • water 11%
  • brown sugar 9%
  • dark soy sauce 9%
  • chicken breast 8%
  • light soy sauce 8%
  • bean sprout 7%
  • bell pepper 7%
  • black pepper 7%
  • celery 6%
  • lo mein noodle 6%
  • shaoxing wine 6%
  • vegetable oil 6%
  • white pepper 6% See More
  • broccoli 5%
  • chicken broth 5%
  • chow mein noodle 5%
  • rice vinegar 5%