What to Serve with Chow Mein? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Chow mein is a dish that brings out the kid in all of us. Those curly noodles, crispy veggies, and savory sauce make everything feel right in the world.

We love whipping up a big batch for friends or indulging in a late-night snack when the cravings hit.

It's a hit every time! But what should we serve alongside those delicious noodles?

Having a few solid sides can really amp up our chow mein experience.

We've tried a bunch of options, from refreshing salads to hearty dumplings, and trust us, some were total wins while others. well, let's not name names. Here's our list of the best accompaniments to chow mein that'll have everyone asking for seconds!

7 Best Side Dishes to Pair with Chow Mein

Check out some exciting side dishes which you can serve with chow mein - and explore lo mein side ideas for similar pairings.

1. Stir-Fried Baby Bok Choy

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Noodles and veggies are the perfect combinations, so why not try stir-fried baby bok choy with chow mein?

It is pretty simple to make and in appearance too, but it's delicious and ideal to go with stir-fried noodles whether it has veggies or meat.

Make the noodles with tender bok choy so that you don't taste the natural bitterness.

Stir-fry the crunchy leaves in a wok over high heat using any vegetable oil.

You can add some garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, soy sauce or tamari, and salt.

For an unexpected flavor comparison when balancing bitterness, see the baby formula taste guide to help tweak seasonings.

2. Chinese Zucchini Salad

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Next up is a salad, and you're surely going to love it with chow mein - try Chinese chicken salad side ideas alongside the noodles.

Stir-fry noodles that taste delicious with veggies, as you know, so add Chinese zucchini salad aside.

Making the salad is pretty simple, but you will come up with a delicious item that everyone will love.

You have rich and savory "Chinese stir-fried noodles" on one hand and yummy softened zucchini.

Zucchini is also a veggie that contains several nutrients and offers several health benefits.

Hence, you enjoy the taste and receive plenty of goodness.

3. Garlic Green Beans

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It's yet another veggie dish but a good one to serve with chow mein - similar to garlic butter shrimp side pairings that highlight garlic-forward flavors.

If you love a garlicky aroma, then green garlic beans suit perfectly.

Besides being delicious, the dish is also simple to make, and it takes less than fifteen minutes.

You can make the item with just four ingredients: green beans, sunflower, garlic, and oyster or soy sauce.

Since you need only a few ingredients and a little time, green garlic beans are also a suitable dish to serve a crowd.

So, when you make chow mein for an occasion, make the beans dish.

4. Chinese Fried Rice

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It's a savory dish, but noodles and rice make an ideal pair. So, you can serve it with chow mein.

Fried rice is yummy and simple to make.

You can make a plain one or add veggies, meat, seafood, or eggs.

But no matter whichever type you make, it will be delicious.

To get the perfect fried rice, you need a good non-stick wok or add a sufficient amount of oil so that the rice does not stick to the pan.

It's also essential to use cold and fluffy rice, so make some and place it in the fridge overnight.

For a heartier protein option alongside rice and noodles, consider chicken scallopini side ideas that hold up well on the plate.

5. Egg Drop Soup

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Chow mein is a flexible dish, and you can eat it with many items, with egg drop soup being one of them - or try egg bites side options for another egg-forward pairing.

So, you can serve the soup with noodles.

Making the egg drop soup is also easy, and you can make big batches at one time.

If you have plans to serve chow mein on occasion, adding the soup would be good.

You have to make a chicken broth, crack an egg on top of it, and stir it.

You can add salt, pepper, and other spices if you want.

Ginger, garlic, spring onions, and cilantro are herbs and spices that you can add to the soup.

You can also add other soups using mushroom, veggie, or chicken.

6. Scallion Pancakes

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Who doesn't like pancakes? But how about if they come with a twist?

Scallion pancakes are the way to go with chow mein - see scallion pancakes side pairings for serving ideas.

Yes, you eat pancakes at breakfast, but there are no hard and fast rules.

You can eat the yummy items any time you wish.

Making the scallion pancakes is also easy as you don't have to go the extra mile.

Unlike regular pancakes, though, you use dough instead of batter.

Also called cong you bing, scallion pancakes are savory, so you don't have to add any sugar.

Add your preferred seasoning and herbs and also other veggies if you like.

7. Stir Fry Mix Vegetables

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Finally, we have another veggie dish, but it's delicious and perfect for chow mein.

There are several reasons it makes an ideal side dish with stir-fried noodles.

First of all, you can use different veggies to make this dish.

Secondly, it's a good idea to use veggies that have passed their prime.

They may not be suitable for salad but are perfect for a tasty stir-fry.

You can use leaves like spinach, Swiss chard, kale, broccoli, and cabbage.

You can also use beets, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

Adding salt, pepper, and some herbs of your choice can make it a perfect dish from leftover veggies.

Enjoy it hot with the chow mein for a whole and filling meal.

Different noodle choices change the meal balance; consider lo mein noodles substitutes for texture swaps. For a direct comparison, read chow mei fun vs lo mein comparison to decide which noodle works best.