How To Reheat Chow Mein – I Test 4 Methods [Pics]

This article was updated on 30th August 2023 for freshness and to incorporate a new method: the air fryer.

There’s nothing better than freshly prepared chow mein.  Of course, if you’re like me, you might order a little bit too much (not that I’m complaining). But how do you reheat it so that you don’t end up with a rubbery mushy mess?

In a rush? The best way to reheat chow mein is in a skillet. Heat oil in a wok or non-stick pan on medium-high heat and toss the noodles around for 3-4 minutes (one portion). To add more flavor, fry some garlic or chili in the oil before adding the noodles.

How I tested reheating chow mein

I ordered a ton of chow mein takeout and stored it in the fridge overnight.

The following evening, I tried four different ways to reheat it. I used:

• Wok or frying pan: The best method.
• Microwave: Okay if you’re in a rush.
• Oven: The worst method.
• Bonus method: Air fryer.

The main problem with reheating chow mein is mushy noodles, so I was looking for methods where this didn’t happen.

Reheating chow mein in a wok or frying pan

Time: 3-4 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Heat a wok or non-stick pan on medium-high heat.
2. Add one tablespoon of oil and let it get hot. To test the temperature, drop a small piece of noodle into the oil. It should sizzle straight away.
3. Add the noodles and toss for 3 to 4 minutes, until heated through. If you’re heating more than one portion, it will take longer.
4. If the noodles are dry, add a splash of sauce or water to the pan. Soy sauce works well.

Use your best judgment when it comes to adding oil. If you’ve got particularly oily chow mein, you might not need any extra oil.

Using kitchen tongs is a great way to toss the noodles evenly. I find that you can end up with some overcooked noodles if you use a spatula or spoon because they’ve been resting on the bottom for too long.

Chow mein can lose some vibrance in the fridge, and the vegetables can become less crispy.  Frying some fresh ingredients in the pan before adding the chow mein can give the dish a lift. My go-to’s are garlic, ginger, and bok-choy.  You can also up the spice by adding in some freshly diced chili peppers.

Results: Using a wok or a pan to reheat chow mein was my favorite method. There was none of the dreaded mushy noodles. The sauce’s flavor was still there, which is something that I felt faded with other methods.

Reheating chow mein in a microwave

Time: 1-2 minutes
Rating: 7/10

1. Place the chow mein into a microwave-safe bowl and optionally sprinkle over a bit of soy sauce or water.
2. Cover with either a damp paper towel or plastic wrap (leaving a small gap so the steam can escape).
3. Heat in 30-second intervals, making sure that you stir the noodles in between.
4. Let the chow mein rest for 30 seconds before serving.

Always transfer your chow mein from the takeout container to a microwave-safe bowl. Takeout containers often have metal handles or are made from plastic that will release harmful chemicals into your food once heated. 

Unless your container is labeled as BPA-free and has no metal, use a microwave-safe bowl. 

Results: This wasn’t too bad of a method. It is quick and convenient, so great if you’re in a hurry. But the microwave made the noodles slightly chewy, and the flavors weren’t as vibrant as the day before.

Reheating chow mein in an oven

Time: 10-15 minutes
Rating: 6/10

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
2. Evenly spread out the chow mein on an oven-safe dish.
3. Sprinkle with soy sauce or water and cover with foil.
4. Heat the chow mein for 10 to 15 minutes.

The extra liquid creates steam (which is trapped by the foil) and makes sure you won’t end up with dried-out noodles. I prefer soy sauce over water because it adds a bit of extra flavor to the dish. You could also use stock.

Results: Out of the three, this was my least favorite reheating method. The noodles were noticeably mushy as the slow reheating process overcooked them.

How to store chow mein

To store leftover chow mein, let the noodles cool before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can keep the noodles in their takeout containers, but these aren’t always airtight so you can end up with dry noodles.

Can you freeze chow mein?

Yes, you can freeze chow mein for 2-3 months. Noodles that are a little underdone freeze best. If you have overdone noodles, they can turn mushy after freezing. Certain vegetables will also become a bit limp after freezing (bok choy, for example).

The dish will still be edible after 2-3 months, but the quality will deteriorate.

How to freeze chow mein:

1. Cool the leftover chow mein to room temperature and portion it out.
2. Place it in an air-tight container or freezer bag. If you’re using a container, don’t go for one with lots of extra space. 
3. Remove as much air as possible from your freezer bag, or place a layer of plastic wrap over the top of the chow mein in the airtight container.
4. Label and place in the freezer.
5. Use within 2 to 3 months of freezing.

Cooling the chow mein before freezing is important. If you put hot chow mein into the freezer, ice crystals will form inside the noodles and then break down when you thaw them = soggy noodles.

To remove the air from a freezer bag, submerge the open bag in a bowl of water. The water will force the air out, and you can seal the bag. You could also use a straw to suck the air out. 

This isn’t possible in an airtight container, so I use a layer of plastic wrap over the noodles to limit air exposure. Too much air exposure in the freezer will lead to premature freezer burn. 

How to reheat frozen chow mein

I always recommend thawing your chow mein before reheating it. If you have enough time, leave the chow mein to defrost in the fridge. If you’re short on time, place the chow mein under cold running water to speed things up.

Once thawed, you can reheat the chow mein in a skillet, microwave, or oven.

How To Reheat Chow Mein [Tested Methods]

There’s nothing better than freshly prepared chow mein.  Of course, if you're like me, you tend to order a little bit too much (not that I'm complaining). But how do you reheat it so that you don't end up with a rubbery mushy mess?

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: chow mein, how to reheat chow mein

Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes

Total Time: 4 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 459kcal

Equipment

• Wok or frying pan

Ingredients

• 1 portion chow mein
• 1 tbsp soy sauce or water

Instructions

• Add one tablespoon of oil and let it get hot. To test the temperature, drop a small piece of noodle into the oil. It should sizzle straight away.
• Add the noodles and toss for 3 to 4 minutes, until heated through. If you’re heating more than one portion, it will take longer.
• If the noodles are dry, add a splash of sauce or water to the pan. Soy sauce works well.

Notes

Use your best judgment when it comes to adding oil. 

If you’ve got particularly oily chow mein, you might not need any extra oil.

Frying some fresh ingredients in the pan before adding the chow mein can give the dish a lift.

My go-to’s are garlic, ginger, and bok-choy. 

You can also up the spice by adding in some freshly diced chili peppers.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 459kcal