Shanghai Fried Noodles

Restaurant style fried noodles, stir fried quick in your very own kitchen!! Shanghai Fried Noodles is a one pan Asian dish that is a complete meal with noodles, meat and veggies. The chewy, thick noodles are so much fun to slurp when coated in a delicious sweet and savory sauce.

It has all the right flavors with juicy, tender strips of pork and Chinese veggie staples like shiitake mushrooms and bok choy.

Simple, yet absolutely cracking Chinese flavors ready in about 20 minutes. Shanghai style fried noodles are your thing for busy weeknights when you crave Chinese take out...

Any type of Asian noodles are such a fun meal. From Korean Japachae to our very favorite Spicy Noodles, they are so versatile, and can be loaded with all the right flavors.

Fried noodles are one of the most popular dishes on any Asian restaurant menu, and are devoured by all ages. Today’s Shanghai noodles are even more tasty, as they are thick and chewy, and absorb the sauce beautifully. And they pair well with meat and veggies.

These Shanghai Style Noodles are Great for Your Next Asian Meal, Why?

• They’re super easy and quick. Everything is flash cooked in a hot wok, and you can have your dinner ready in about 20 minutes.
• They have bold Asian flavors and bright brown color, thanks to the combination of light and dark soy sauce.
• You can further customize the dish by adding different veggies available, or other kind of protein. We will tell all about the variations later in the post.
• It’s a complete one pan meal with protein, carbs and veggies, Asian style. No need to cook sides or multiple dishes. Easy clean up after dinner. Win, win!!

What are Shanghai Fried Noodles

Shanghai Style Fried Noodles (Shanghai Cu Chao Mian – 上海粗炒面) is a popular dish found in most Chinese food markets, and in Shanghainese or Chinese restaurants all over the world, especially in Hong Kong.

The dish is a staple of Shanghai cuisine, and is usually served at dumpling houses, and is a very popular street food.

Shanghai Noodles are more popular in Hong Kong than China. It’s believed that many Shanghai residents moved to Hong Kong around 1950, exporting the dish along with them, and making it very popular in that region. In recent years, it’s becoming very popular in Western countries, thanks to the easy preparation and delicious flavors.

The noodles are more common in Northern China, and are called cumian, meaning thick noodles, made from wheat flour and water. Shanghai noodles are a type of Chinese wheat flour noodles that are white in color, and are typically thick, round and slightly chewy.

The noodles are typically stir fried with pork, beef or even shrimp, along with some Asian veggies and greens, and the dish is known for its dark brown color.

Shanghai Fried Noodles Ingredients

• Noodles – Today we are using Shanghai Noodles. They are thick Chinese noodles that are white in color and have a wonderful chewy, thick and bouncy texture. You can use fresh Shanghai noodles (available in the fridge section of Asian supermarkets), or use vacuum sealed packs of pre-cooked noodles. Dried noodles can be used instead too. These noodles can be substituted with udon noodles, which have a similar thick and chewy texture. Simply follow instructions at the back of the package for preparing them before using in the recipe.
• Pork – We like pork tenderloin for this recipe, as it yields juicy, tender bites. Cut it against the grain into thin strips. You can also use pork loin, or swap the meat. We will give you some meat variations later.
• Veggies & aromatics – Shiitake mushrooms (you can use any other mushrooms too), baby bok choy and garlic.
• Pork Marinade – Soy sauce, Chinese Shaoxing wine (for flavor and tenderizing the meat), cornstarch.
• Stir Fry Sauce – Regular light soy sauce, dark soy sauce (dark soy is needed for Shanghai-style fried noodles’ signature dark color. You can substitute it with regular soy sauce, but the color will not be as dark.), oyster sauce (gives great umami flavor), sugar.
• Oil

Shanghai Fried Noodles with Pork Recipe:

1. Marinate the pork: Mix thinly sliced pork with all the marinade ingredients. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

2. Prepare the noodles: If using precooked noodles, add them to a pot of boiling water. Agitate the block of noodles with a fork to separate them. If using fresh or dried noodles, cook them according to package instructions.

3. Make the stir fry sauce: In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well. Set aside.

4. Cook the pork: Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat, then add marinated pork strips. Spread them all over the wok and cook undisturbed for a minute. Stir fry until brown all over. Remove it to the plate and set aside.

5. Stir fry shiitake mushrooms : In the same wok, add in 1 Tbsp oil and stir fry mushrooms for a minute. Add in garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

6. Add pork, noodles and stir fry sauce: Add the pork and toss it with the mushroom. Then add the noodles and pour the sauce on top. Stir-fry and mix until everything is evenly coated in the sauce and the noodles get a deep brown color. (You can add a tiny dash more dark soy sauce at this point to get more brown color if you like.)

7. Add bok choy: Mix in bok choy and stir fry until it has wilted, but still has a little crunch. If the sauce is getting too dry, you can add a splash of water. Serve immediately.

Tips for Making BEST Shanghai Noodles

1. Prep all the ingredients before stir frying: Any Asian stir fry cooks in a flash. Prepping and cutting all your meats and veggies and aromatics before cooking ensures a smooth and quick stir fry.
2. Use a large wok: Using a large wok ensures that you don’t overcrowd the meat, and the meat sears nicely without steaming. If using a smaller wok, cook the meat in two batches.
3. Don’t over cook the veggies: Keep a little crunch in the mushrooms and bok choy without wilting them too much, as they can turn mushy.

Shanghai Fried Noodles Variations

• Use other proteins like beef, chicken or even shrimp. Similarly, you can use ground meat like ground pork, ground beef or ground chicken for the same recipe.
• Use other veggies like cabbage, snow peas, broccoli, bell peppers or carrots to give more veggie boost.
• Make it spicy. Finish off the dish by serving it with a good drizzle of Chinese Chili Oil. So good…
• Make it vegetarian by simply skipping the meat.

Storing Leftovers

Shanghai Noodles leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, or in a skillet on stovetop till warmed through out. You can add splash of water when reheating if the noodles have dried out.

We wouldn’t recommend freezing these noodles, as they will clump together and turn mushy.

Stir fried noodles are a great, super easy and quick meal to whip up for your family. Get your wok hot and make this tasty noodle recipe with these plump and chewy noodles.

Twirl them, slurp them and finish them…

Shanghai Fried Noodles, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

Try these other great Asian stir fry meals!
Pork Stir Fry
Kung Pao Chicken
Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
Moo Shu Pork
General Tso’s Chicken
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Hunan Shrimp
Bo Luc Lac