UK Chinese Takeaway-Style Chicken Chow Mein

For a proper UK takeaway-style chicken chow mein, the important bits are proper thin egg noodles, very high heat, relatively little sauce, MSG, white pepper, and sesame oil right at the end. Bean sprouts also make a surprisingly big difference.

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Mix the chicken with its marinade and leave for 10–15 minutes.

Step 2

Mix the sauce ingredients together except the sesame oil.

Step 3

If your noodles are vacuum-packed/pre-cooked, loosen them according to the packet instructions. The important thing is not to overcook them. Drain extremely well — wet noodles are one of the main reasons homemade chow mein goes soft and saucy.

Step 4

Get your largest wok or frying pan really hot. Add a little oil and fry the chicken quickly until just cooked, about 2–3 minutes. Remove it.

Step 5

Add the remaining oil. Onion goes in for about 30–45 seconds, then add the noodles. Spread them out and leave them against the hot pan for 20–30 seconds before tossing. Repeat a couple of times. You're trying to fry the noodles rather than steam them.

Step 6

Return the chicken. Pour the sauce around the hot sides of the wok, rather than directly onto the noodles. Toss hard over maximum heat for about 45–60 seconds.

Step 7

Add the bean sprouts and spring onions for only the last 30–45 seconds. Turn off the heat and toss through the ½ tsp sesame oil.

Step 8

The bits I'd particularly avoid

Step 9

Don't put loads of garlic, ginger, honey, hoisin or several tablespoons of soy into it. They're all perfectly good ingredients, but that's usually when you end up thinking "nice noodles, but nothing like my Chinese takeaway."

Step 10

And don't skip the MSG if you're specifically chasing that takeaway taste. A small amount makes a disproportionate difference here.

Step 11

If your usual order is special chow mein rather than chicken chow mein, say so — that's the one I'd recreate slightly differently with chicken, char siu pork and prawns.