Main Difference
The first key difference between Chow mein and Lo mein is the two methods that are used to make these delicious stir-fry noodles. Cho mein is a type of Chinese stir-fried noodles. This dish is most popular across the China and appear on the menu of almost every Chinese restaurant. Lo mein is also a type of Chinese noodles made of wheat flour. As compare to meat, it contains more vegetables. If meat is used than meat or seafood of beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or wontons is used.
Chow mein
Cho mein is a type of Chinese stir-fried noodles. This dish is most popular across the China and appear on the menu of almost every Chinese restaurant. It is also a popular dish in United States, United Kingdom and Sub-continent. The word Cho means fried and mein means noodles. So, the words Cho mein stands for fried noodles. Cho mein noodles are made of lean beef mince brown onion, crushed garlic, peeled and chopped carrot, mushrooms, frozen peas, and frozen sliced green beans. However, in United States, its recipe is slightly different from the recipes use in China.
Low mein
Lo mein is also a type of Chinese noodles made of wheat flour. As compare to meat, it contains more vegetables. If meat is used than meat or seafood of beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or wontons is used. Instead of meat, it can also be eaten with just vegetables. It is most popular in China and America. The word Lo means stirred and mein means noodles. So, the words Lo mein stands for stirred noodles. Ingredient includes: minced cloves garlic, carrot, red bell pepper, baby spinach, mushrooms, snow peas, vegetables. ground ginger, and sugar.
Key Differences
- First there is different cooking method of both dishes. Chow mein is cooked by stir fry in a wok while Lo mien is cooked in boiling water in a normal pot.
- Different method of cooking brings different results. Lo mein is a soft noodle as it is boiled and looks like pasta while Chow mein is a crunchy noodle as it is fried noodle.
- Chow mein contains more meat as compare to Lo mein. Lo mein can be cooked with or without meat and most of the time Lo mein contains more vegetables. Making Chow mein without meat means you have cooked nothing.
- Chow mein is popular in China, United States, United Kingdom and Sub-continent while Lo mien is most popular in China and America.
- The quantity of sauce is more in Lo mein as compare to Chow mein.
- Chow mein noodle shape is either flat or rounded while Lo mein noodle shape is rounded.