No Chinese takeaway on ChineseTakeaway.co.uk has added chicken chow mein to its menu with us yet. Many takeaways haven’t added their menus, so search near you to see the Chinese takeaways closest to you.
What arrives in the carton
The noodles are usually wheat noodles, often made with egg, tossed with sliced chicken and vegetables such as beansprouts and onion. Soy sauce supplies much of the seasoning. Cabbage, carrot or spring onion may join the mix, but there is no single vegetable combination that every kitchen follows.
Chow mein refers to fried noodles, rather than one fixed recipe. On British takeaway menus, the chicken version normally means chicken is the main meat, not that the dish contains nothing else. A glossy coating is usual; a deep pool of sauce is less characteristic of the drier style.
How the wok shapes the flavour
A kitchen will generally prepare the noodles before finishing them in a hot wok with chicken, vegetables and seasoning. Separating and tossing the strands helps spread the sauce through the dish. The result should offer a mixture of soft noodles, cooked chicken and vegetables that retain some bite.
Dark soy sauce can deepen the colour, while light soy sauce adds seasoning; the balance varies. Some recipes also use oyster sauce, stock or a little sugar. A darker carton is not necessarily spicier, and a pale version is not automatically less flavourful: colour alone tells you little about the seasoning.
Choosing a version you will enjoy
If texture matters, ask whether the noodles are soft, dry-fried or crisp. Crispy noodle dishes can be a separate menu item with sauce poured over them, rather than the familiar tossed version. Asking that question is more useful than assuming every dish called chow mein will arrive in the same style.
Chicken chow mein can form a meal on its own, with spring rolls or soup alongside if you want more variety. It is usually not chilli-hot, but chilli sauce or fresh chilli may be available. Ask about sauces and shared cooking equipment if you have an allergy; recipes vary between takeaways. If you are sharing, keep serving spoons separate and retain the labelled containers so everyone can identify their dish; this is useful organisation, not a substitute for confirmed allergy-safe preparation.
Key Ingredients
Typical ingredients; every kitchen has its own recipe.
- Chicken
- Wheat noodles
- Beansprouts
- Onion
- Soy sauce
- Spring onion
- Vegetable oil
Allergens and Dietary Information
Commonly contains or may contain: Gluten (wheat), Soya, Egg, Molluscs.
Usually made with meat and wheat noodles, it is unlikely to suit vegetarian or gluten-free diets, so check ingredients and preparation with the takeaway.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between restaurants. Always check directly with the takeaway before ordering if you have a food allergy or specific dietary requirement.
What Goes Well With Chicken Chow Mein?
Find Chicken Chow Mein at Takeaways Near You
Enter your postcode to see Chinese takeaways on ChineseTakeaway.co.uk whose menus list chicken chow mein.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken chow mein the same as chicken noodles?
Chicken noodles is a broad description, while chow mein usually indicates a stir-fried preparation. Ask whether an unfamiliar noodle listing is fried, served in soup or topped with sauce before ordering.
Does it contain egg?
The noodles commonly contain egg, and some kitchens may add egg separately. For an egg allergy, check both the noodle ingredients and the way the dish is cooked rather than relying on its appearance.
Can I order it without beansprouts?
Some takeaways can leave them out if the vegetables are added separately during cooking. Ask before ordering, since prepared mixtures and busy service can limit changes; removing one ingredient does not establish allergy safety.
Photos are illustrative, not a particular takeaway’s dish. Guide written by ChineseTakeaway.co.uk, last reviewed 11 November 2026.
