Chow fun and chow mein are two popular Chinese noodle dishes that you can often find on the same restaurant menu. While they’re both stir-fried noodle dishes, there are some key differences that set them apart.
This article will compare and contrast chow fun and chow mein, exploring the differences in their ingredients, preparation methods, tastes, and nutritional profiles. We’ll also touch on their origins. Chow fun is thought to have originated in Southern China, while chow mein is said to have come from Northern China.
So, let’s settle the chow fun vs chow mein debate once and for all!
Defining Chow Fun: The Rice Noodle Delight
Chow fun is a stir-fried noodle dish that’s a staple in Chinese restaurants, especially those that serve dim sum. Here’s a closer look at this satisfying dish:
Origins and history
Chow fun originated in Guangzhou, China, during World War II. As people emigrated, it spread across Southeast Asia, eventually becoming popular in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Ingredients and preparation
Chow fun is made with wide, flat rice noodles, and the dish requires a mastery of stir-frying techniques, including achieving “wok hei,” the slightly charred taste that comes from cooking in a wok over high heat. Another technique used in making chow fun is “pow wok,” a method of tossing the noodles in the wok to make sure they’re evenly cooked.
Chefs often prepare chow fun using a dry-frying method, which means they don’t add much sauce to the wok. Common ingredients include beef, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, oil, and ginger.
Taste and texture
Because it’s made with rice noodles, chow fun has a mild, rice-like flavor. It tends to be a bit greasier and slicker than other noodle dishes.
Defining Chow Mein: The Crispy Egg Noodle Classic
Chow mein is another familiar dish that you’ll find on the menu at most Chinese restaurants in the United States. But what is it, exactly?
Origins and History
Chow mein probably originated in Northern China. The dish became popular in America in the mid-1800s, during the Gold Rush, as Chinese immigrants began opening restaurants.
Ingredients and Preparation
The base of chow mein is egg noodles, which can be fried for a crispy texture or served soft. The dish is typically prepared in a large skillet or pan.
To make chow mein, the noodles and various vegetables are stir-fried with meat, seafood, or tofu. Common additions include cabbage, bean sprouts, celery, onions, and bell peppers. A sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch brings it all together.
Taste and Texture
Chow mein has a mildly pungent, yolk-like taste. It’s drier and crispier than chow fun, especially when the noodles are fried.
You’ll also find variations in how it’s served, depending on where you are. Some restaurants will mix the noodles and ingredients together, while others will top the noodles with the stir-fried mixture.
Key Differences: A Side-by-Side Comparison
While both chow fun and chow mein are popular noodle dishes, they have several key differences.
- Noodle Type: Chow fun is made with wide, flat rice noodles, while chow mein is made with thin egg noodles.
- Origin: Chow fun originated in Southern China, whereas chow mein comes from Northern China.
- Cooking Method: Stir-frying chow fun requires wok hei, that slightly charred taste and aroma that comes from cooking in a wok over high heat. Chow mein can be pan-fried in a skillet.
- Taste and Texture: The wide rice noodles in chow fun give the dish a slippery texture. Chow mein noodles can be crispy, depending on how they’re prepared.
- Gluten Content: Chow fun is naturally gluten-free since it’s made from rice. However, you should always check the ingredients in any sauce that’s added. Chow mein is made with egg noodles, which contain gluten.
- Regional Popularity: Chow fun is popular in Southeast Asia, while chow mein is more popular in America.
Ultimately, the choice between chow fun and chow mein comes down to personal preference. Both are delicious and satisfying noodle dishes, but they offer different flavors and textures. Whether you prefer the slippery texture of wide rice noodles or the crispy bite of egg noodles, there’s a noodle dish out there for you.
Nutritional Breakdown: Calories, Macros, and More
If you’re watching your weight or tracking your macros, you might want to know how chow fun and chow mein stack up, nutritionally.
Calorie Comparison
Chow fun has significantly fewer calories per serving. A 100-gram serving of chow fun has about 109 calories. The same amount of chow mein clocks in at around 527 calories.
Macronutrient Differences
Chow mein has a higher protein and fat content than chow fun. Chow fun, on the other hand, has more carbohydrates.
One reason for the difference is that chow mein recipes typically call for more oil than chow fun.
Making Healthier Choices
No matter which noodle dish you prefer, you can make it healthier by adding lean protein and lots of colorful vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Chinese chow fun?
Chinese chow fun (also called Ho Fun) typically consists of stir-fried wide rice noodles, often called rice flour sheets, along with a protein (like beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp), vegetables (such as bean sprouts, scallions, and onions), and a savory sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes a touch of sesame oil. It’s all about that wok hei, that smoky, slightly charred flavor from the high heat of the wok!
Which is healthier, lo mein or chow fun?
Generally, chow fun might be considered slightly healthier than lo mein, mainly because the wide rice noodles tend to absorb less oil than the egg noodles used in lo mein. However, the healthiness really depends on the ingredients and preparation method. Both can be loaded with sodium and oil depending on the restaurant. Ordering extra vegetables and asking for less sauce can make either dish a healthier option.
What is the difference between chow mein and chow fun?
The main difference lies in the noodles. Chow mein uses thin, crispy egg noodles that are stir-fried or pan-fried until slightly crispy. Chow fun, on the other hand, uses wide, flat rice noodles that are stir-fried until tender and slightly chewy. The textures are completely different, and the sauces and preparation methods also tend to vary to complement each noodle type.
Putting It All Together
Chow fun and chow mein are both delicious, popular Chinese noodle dishes, but they’re quite different. Chow fun features wide, chewy rice noodles that are usually stir-fried, while chow mein uses thinner egg noodles that can be stir-fried until crispy or steamed until soft.
Nutritionally, chow fun tends to be higher in carbs, while chow mein can be higher in protein, but the exact nutrition can vary greatly depending on the ingredients and preparation methods.
The best way to decide which one you like better is to try both! And don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations. Both chow fun and chow mein can easily be adapted to vegetarian or vegan diets.
Whether you prefer the wide, satisfying chew of chow fun or the crispy-edged delight of chow mein, there’s no denying the versatility and deliciousness of Chinese noodle cuisine.