Vegetable pan fried noodles close up

Pan fried noodles are always a crowd favorite. Previously I shared a beef pan fried noodles recipe and got many questions on how to make it vegetarian. So today I want to share this colorful vegetable pan fried noodles recipe. The crispy noodles are loaded with fresh vegetables and brought together with an aromatic brown sauce. 

Compared to the restaurant version, my vegetable pan fried noodles contain much more vegetables per serving. Not only is it a healthy and satisfying meal, it’s also a great dish to help you clean out the vegetables left in your fridge. This recipe includes the veggies I enjoy the most. But I will also share tips on how to switch out the ingredients and use whatever you have on hand.  

Homemade vegetable pan fried noodles served in plates

Vegetable pan fried noodles ingredients

What type of noodles to use

The best noodles for vegetable pan fried noodles are Hong Kong pan fried noodles. It is a type of thin fresh noodles that are made with wheat flour and eggs. This type of noodle creates a very crispy and crunchy result which is perfect for this dish. You can usually find them in the refrigerated or freezer section at Chinese markets and some Asian markets such as H Mart. You can also purchase them online.

Hong Kong Pan Fried Noodles in Package

If you do not have Hong Kong pan fried noodles, the best alternative is vermicelli pasta, which yields a similar result. If you can’t find either, you can also use ramen noodles (a bit thicker) or angel hair pasta (a bit thinner). 

How to cut Chinese broccoli

For this recipe, I like to slice the Chinese broccoli stem into thin pieces and slice the leaves into bite-sized pieces. This way the Chinese broccoli will be cooked evenly together, and you can cook it through easily during the stir fry process. 

How to cut Chinese broccoli

Mise en place

Once you’re ready to cook, your table should have:

  • Prepped vegetables: carrot, onion, Chinese broccoli, mushroom, bean sprouts 
  • Noodles
  • Mixed sauce
  • Chopped aromatics 
Vegetable pan fried noodles ingredients
Vegetable pan fried noodles with brown sauce

How to make vegetable pan fried noodles

  1. Quickly cook the noodles until al dente 
  2. Pan fry the noodles until crispy
  3. Stir fry the onion and carrot
  4. Quickly cook the ginger and garlic
  5. Stir fry the Chinese broccoli and mushrooms
  6. Add the sauce 
  7. Add the bean sprouts and give it a final stir
  8. Top the vegetables and sauce over the noodles
How to make vegetable pan fried noodles

How to replace vegetables in vegetable pan fried noodles

You can replace the ingredients below with other types of vegetables that you have on hand. But for the best result, consider a mix of vegetables that has different colors and textures. 

  • To replace Chinese broccoli (leafy greens): blanched broccoli florets, chopped kale, shredded cabbage, shredded napa cabbage, spinach
  • To replace bean sprouts (crispy texture): bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, green peppers, and chili peppers 
  • Almost any type of mushroom will work: button mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, etc
  • To replace onion: shallot or green onions 

How to serve vegetable pan fried noodles

Vegetable pan fried noodles make a satisfying one-bowl dinner. If you are serving a multi-course dinner, you can serve them as a side dish along with other main dishes. 

Vegetable and brown sauce over crispy noodles

More delicious Chinese noodle recipes

Chinese Cooking Made Easy

Are you new to this website? This free email series is a great place to start. I’ll walk you through a few of my most popular recipes and show you how and why they work. You’ll quickly start to cook better Chinese food in your own kitchen.

These Vegetable pan fried noodles are a perfect one-bowl weeknight dinner! The crispy noodles are covered with colorful vegetables that come in all textures and a rich savory sauce. {Vegetarian, Vegan}

Vegetable Pan Fried Noodles

4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
These Vegetable pan fried noodles are perfect for a one-bowl weeknight dinner! The crispy noodles are covered with colorful vegetables that come in all textures and a rich savory sauce. {Vegetarian, Vegan}

Ingredients 

Sauce

Stir-Fry

  • 3 tablespoons peanut oil , divided
  • 5 heads (8 oz / 225 g) Chinese broccoli , sliced to small bite-size pieces (or 1 head broccoli) (*Footnote 2)
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 ” (2.5 cm) ginger , minced
  • 1/2 yellow onion , sliced
  • 2 (4 oz / 110 g) small carrot , sliced to rounds (yield about 1 cup once cut)
  • 1 pack (5 oz / 150 g) white shimeji mushrooms , separated (or button mushrooms, sliced)
  • 1 cup bean sprouts

Instructions

  • Combine the sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and stir to mix thoroughly.
  • Prepare the noodles according to package directions (*Footnote 3). Drain and set aside in a colander to dry.
  • Heat a large heavy-bottomed pan (nonstick or carbon steel) with 2 tablespoons of peanut oil over medium-high heat until hot. Spread the noodles. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the noodles crisp up and turn light golden, 5 minutes or so. Once done, transfer the noodles to serving plates.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the onion and carrots. Quickly stir a few times to mix well. Add the ginger and garlic. Stir and cook for 30 seconds to release the fragrance.
  • Add the Chinese broccoli and mushrooms. Cook and stir for another minute, until the veggies start to soften.
  • Stir the sauce thoroughly to dissolve the cornstarch completely and pour the sauce into the pan. Stir and cook to bring the sauce to a boil, and cook until it starts to thicken.
  • Add the bean sprouts. Stir to mix everything well. Once the sauce reaches the desired consistency, divide and pour the vegetables and sauce over the fried noodles. Serve immediately as a main dish.

Video

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Notes

  1. Hong Kong noodles will yield the best texture. The best alternative is vermicelli pasta, which yields a similar result. If you can’t find either, you can also use ramen noodles (a bit thicker) or angel hair pasta (a bit thinner). You can store the leftover HK noodles in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  2. Slice the Chinese broccoli stems into very thin slices, and slice the leaves into bite-sized pieces. This way both parts can be cooked fast and evenly during the stir frying process. You can also use blanched broccoli to replace the Chinese broccoli.
  3. Hong Kong noodles can have different preparation methods depending on the brand. Some don’t require boiling and you can directly pan fry them. In such a case, you might need to pour in a small cup of water (1/4 cup or so) to steam the noodles in the frying pan so they are not too dry. If the package requires boiling but doesn’t indicate a time, you should boil the noodles and keep a close eye on them so they will be al dente. I briefly cooked mine, for less than 1 minute. If you use pasta, cook it until al dente. If you use thin Asian noodles, cook them 1 minute less than the package indicates.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 295kcal, Carbohydrates: 38.2g, Protein: 10.3g, Fat: 12.6g, Saturated Fat: 2.2g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 777mg, Potassium: 618mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6.2g, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 3mg

Have a question or feedback? Add a Comment

Did you make this? I want to see! Tag @OmnivoresCookbook on Instagram, and rate the recipe below.