Chinese quick chow mein with shredded cabbage and spicy fermented bean sauce.
Firstly, I am using instant noodles for this quick chow mein breakfast, which only need 10 minutes from preparation to table. So this is a perfect dish for hot summer days or hurry working day.
Secondly, the highlight part is the Lao Gan Ma black bean chili sauce. This is one of my favorite store bought chili sauce. It matches noodles, rice and even steamed buns perfectly. You can replace with other chili sauce or if you really do not want a spicy taste, skip this and slightly add more soy sauce.
Thirdly, you can customize the chow mein by adding some other vegetables like red onion, carrot, bell pepper and etc.
- 200 g instant noodles
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Lao Gan Ma black bean chili sauce
- small pinch of salt if needed
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Read the instructions of the noodle package; cook the noodles in boiling water for 1 minute less than the time given by the instructions. Drain well.
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Heat cooking oil in wok or skillet over medium heat, fry minced garlic until aroma and then shredded cabbage until soft.
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Stir in cooked noodles and other seasonings. Mix well and serve hot!
As both lao gan ma and soy sauce contains salt, spare the extra salt and taste the noodles before adding.
lao gan ma is a god sent! It cures my cravings for spicy food I too highly recommend it ^^
Totally agree! Ree.
please share me other recipe that needs lao gan ma in it. I don’t want to buy a bottle of it and use it for only this recipe
Hi Thida,
That’s a good question. In fact, Lao Gan Ma black bean chili sauce can be used in several ways. For example, you can use it in a dipping sauce for dumplings (https://chinasichuanfood.com/pot-stickers-chive-and-pork/) and wonton soup (https://chinasichuanfood.com/wonton-soup-recipes/). Besides it can be also used in common stir fry recipes like this one https://chinasichuanfood.com/easy-pork-stir-fry-with-peppers/
I am just curious, about the instant noodles…are those ramen?
Yes, Lynn. It is ramen noodle.
Hi, Can I substitute regular black bean sauce? I don’t have the “chili” version available where I live. Would the taste be similar?
Would I add in sriracha or other chili in place?
Thanks!
Hi Shannon,
If you cannot find the spicy version, I think using other chili sauce + common regular black bean sauce will be a nice choice.
I wouldn’t’t substitute siricha in this recipe because the flavor is unique and might clash with the fermented black beans. Better to use fresh chilies like a Serrano or Thai red chili minced, for their heat without introducing another flavoring. Just my $.02.
Thanks Jonathan for this sweet suggestion. Adding fresh pepper is really a great choice.
One of our favorite recipes, now! Thanks a lot! 🙂
You are the most welcome. Joelle. Enjoy and happy cooking!