Healthy Vegetable Chow Mein is a colourful and satisfying dish that promises both flavour and nutrition. This classic Chinese-inspired dish, bursting with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, is the perfect choice for a quick weeknight meal or a relaxed weekend treat. Its simplicity and adaptability make it a favourite for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
At its heart, Healthy Vegetable Chow Mein is all about balance. The noodles provide a comforting, hearty base, while the array of fresh vegetables delivers a delightful crunch and vibrant flavour. Thinly sliced onion and red pepper create a sweet and savoury foundation, while shiitake mushrooms add an earthy depth. Baby corn and spring onions contribute both texture and colour, making each bite an adventure.
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of chilli flakes is an optional but delightful addition. Combined with the unmistakable aroma of Chinese five-spice powder, the dish is elevated to new heights. This fragrant blend, often containing star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel, and Sichuan pepper, brings a warm and complex flavour profile that ties everything together beautifully.
Baby pak choi, with its tender leaves and crisp stalks, adds a touch of greenery, while finely chopped tomatoes lend subtle acidity. Beansprouts, mixed in at the end, maintain their delicate crunch and round off the vegetable medley. To finish, a drizzle of reduced-salt soy sauce provides the perfect salty-savory punch without overwhelming the dish.
Cooking Healthy Vegetable Chow Mein is an effortless process, requiring just one wok or frying pan and minimal preparation. The stir-frying technique ensures that the vegetables retain their freshness and nutrients, while the noodles soak up all the delicious flavours. It’s a dish that’s as enjoyable to cook as it is to eat.
Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a side dish, or a full dinner, Healthy Vegetable Chow Mein offers endless possibilities. Pair it with a bowl of miso soup or some crispy spring rolls for a complete feast. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Healthy Vegetable Chow Mein
Healthy Vegetable Chow Mein is a vibrant stir-fried noodle dish packed with fresh vegetables like baby corn, pak choi, and shiitake mushrooms, flavoured with soy sauce and aromatic Chinese five-spice. Quick and easy to prepare, it combines savoury, spicy, and earthy notes for a balanced and satisfying meal. Perfect as a standalone dish or a side, it’s a healthy and versatile option for any occasion.
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Servings: 4 People
Calories: 300kcal
Ingredients
- 200 g egg noodles dry
- 3 tsp rapeseed oil
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 medium red pepper sliced
- 125 g shiitake mushrooms sliced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 pinch chilli flakes optional
- 100 g baby corn halved
- 3 medium spring onion sliced in 2cm pieces
- 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder heaped
- 90 g baby pak choi separate leaves leaving heart intact
- 1 large tomato finely chopped
- 120 g beansprouts
- 2 tsp soy sauce reduced-salt
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, usually around 2-4 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse in cold water to stop them cooking and set aside.200 g egg noodles
- Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan, add the onion and red pepper and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.3 tsp rapeseed oil, 1 medium onion, 1 medium red pepper
- Add the mushrooms, garlic and chilli flakes, if using, and stir for another minute.125 g shiitake mushrooms, 2 cloves garlic, 1 pinch chilli flakes
- Add the baby corn, spring onions, Chinese five-spice powder and pak choi and continue stirring for another 2-3 minutes.100 g baby corn, 3 medium spring onion, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 90 g baby pak choi
- Add the tomatoes and the noodles and mix well for 1-2 minutes until the noodles are hot.1 large tomato
- Mix in the beansprouts and soy sauce, cook for another minute and serve.120 g beansprouts, 2 tsp soy sauce
Notes
Recipe tips:
Use rice noodles for a gluten-free version.
Cut the spring onions at an angle for a more interesting shape.
When making stir-fries prep all your ingredients first and have everything ready to throw into the wok.
Cut the spring onions at an angle for a more interesting shape.
When making stir-fries prep all your ingredients first and have everything ready to throw into the wok.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 585mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1537IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
9 comments
Such a lovely dish. Full of textures and flavours and incredibly filling. One of my favourites.
As someone trying to eat more plant-based meals, this Vegetable Chow Mein was a hit.
It’s so versatile, and everyone can customise it with their favourite veggies. Even the kids enjoyed it, especially with a little less chilli.
I was amazed at how simple yet delicious this recipe is! It tastes like something you’d get at a Chinese takeaway but feels much healthier.
The whole thing was gorgeous but the pak choi and mushrooms were my favourite parts—they added so much texture and flavour.
It’s light, healthy, and super easy to make—perfect for a quick dinner.
This dish is perfect for busy evenings. It took hardly any time to cook, and the flavours were spot-on. I didn’t have pak choi on hand, so I swapped it for spinach, and it worked perfectly
I loved how the fresh vegetables and noodles came together in this dish. The Chinese five-spice added a lovely flavour, and the crunch from the beansprouts was delightful.
This is one of those dishes you can make your own. I added some tofu for extra protein, and it was fantastic. The soy sauce and five-spice blend make the flavours pop, and it’s so easy to whip up with whatever veggies you have in the fridge