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Five Spice Pork Lo Mein – Lo Mein is a classic take out dish, but this takes it up a notch. Chinese Five Spice Powder gives tons of great flavor in this quick and easy dinner!
Chinese take out is a staple in almost every household across the U.S. and we are no exception. We have our favorites and go-to orders, and over the years I have turned most of them into homemade version like Cashew Chicken. There is just something about homemade, where you can add the veggies you like and control the ingredients that makes it better!
If you have been around here at all before you know that we love pork. We eat it in just about any form, and it is always in our freezer. In the summer Grilled Pork Chops are a must. So it should come as no surprise that I am making pork lo mein for you. There is a more traditional Chicken Lo Mein already on the blog. You can substitute any protein you want for the chicken and add in your favorite veggies. This has a slight twist by using Chinese Five Spice Powder.
What Is Chinese Five Spice
It is a classic spice blend that is usually made from cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise, Sichuan peppercorn and cloves. In Chinese food it is commonly used to flavor meats, fish, and poultry dishes, and is often included in marinades and rubs. The blend of spices gives anything you put it on a really unique and complex blend of flavors. It is not spicy at all, it has a lightly licorice flavor from the star anise and just works really well with meat.
What is the Difference Between Lo Mein and Chow Mein
The difference really comes from how the noodles are cooked. Both use a wheat-flour egg based noodle, but chow mein is traditionally fried until crisp while lo mein is boiled until they are soft. This distinction is not always made in American based Chinese restaurants and recipes, but in traditional Chinese food this is the difference between them.
How to Make Pork Lo Mein
- Start with the noodles. Cook them according to the package directions and then cut or snip them into smaller pieces. What kind of noodles you use it up to you. You can often times find lo mein noodles in the grocery store, but spaghetti, ramen, or any of the noodles labeled Chinese style noodles in the Asian section will work.
- Next you season the meat. I like to use a pork tenderloin for this so that it stays nice and tender. Five spice has a lot of flavor, so you don’t need a lot of other ingredients. Fresh ginger and a little salt is added and tossed together until the pork is evenly coated.
- Add the pork to a hot pan with hot oil. The pork will brown quickly, so make sure to have everything ready when you start. Cook for a few minutes mixing everything around until the pork is nicely browned.
- Mix in the water and hoisin sauce for the lo mein sauce and let it simmer until the pork is cooked through.
- Toss the noodles with the pork mixture until everything is evenly coated. Then just top with sliced green onions to serve.
This is a pretty basic recipe for pork lo mein, you can add in broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms or whatever veggies that you like. We have been making this recipe for at least the last 12 years. It is a staple in our house and it gets devoured every time I make it. Plus the leftovers are great for lunch the next day.
So the next time you are thinking of getting Chinese take out remember this! Making Chinese food at home is so much faster and easier than you think. About 20 minutes and this is on the table and so much better than the place down the street.
More Asian Recipes To Try
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Egg Drop Soup
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Wonton Soup
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Spicy Asian Noodles
- Garlic Beef Noodle Bowls
Five Spice Pork Lo Mein
Ingredients
- 1 package uncooked Chinese-style noodles
- 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons five-spice powder
- 1 approx 1 lbpork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into thin strips
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, , divided
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Place in a large bowl. Snip noodles several times with kitchen scissors.
- Combine ginger, five-spice powder, and pork in a medium bowl; add 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing to coat. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add pork mixture; saute 2 minutes or until browned. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, water, and hoisin sauce; cook 2 minutes or until pork is done. Add pork mixture and green onions to noodles; toss well to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This looks so yummy and delicious! My family is going to love this! Can’t wait to give this a try!
I eat pork lo mein every time I get takeout, can’t wait to make it myself!
Yum! This dish has all the flavor that I love! Looks so inviting!
Such a fantastic meal! It looks incredibly delicious!
This was such an excellent meal! I am definitely making it again and again!!
Wow! This is a killer recipe! I love the flavors so much! I really love your photos in this post too! They made me want to try this!