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How To Reheat Lo Mein – I Test 3 Methods [Pics]

Lo mein is one of my favorite dishes, and it’s perfect for making in bulk.

The only issue is reheating it so the noodles don’t overcook.

I’ve tested three different reheating methods to find the best one, and now I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about reheating lo mein.

Get ready for this meal to be even more impressive than yesterday! 

A note on my experiment

I ordered too much lo mein for my dinner (ate more than my fill) and left the rest in the refrigerator overnight.

The following day, I tested three different ways of reheating lo mein without it coming out as soggy, mushy, or greasy.

I tested the following methods:

  1. A wok or frying pan (my favorite method)
  2. The microwave (best if you’re in a hurry)
  3. The oven (the worst method)

Reheating lo mein in a frying pan is the best option. It reinvigorates the flavors and doesn’t overcook the noodles.

The microwave is okay if you’re in a hurry. I don’t recommend using the oven.

Reheating lo mein in a wok or frying pan

The best way to reheat lo mein is in a wok (or frying pan). Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the noodles and toss them until they’re heated through, around 3-4 minutes for one portion. Keep an eye on the noodles as they can burn quickly if left unattended.

How to reheat lo mein in a wok or frying pan:

  1. Place the wok or frying pan on the stove, add one tablespoon of oil and preheat to medium heat.
  2. Add the lo mein to the pan and toss frequently for 3-4 minutes until thoroughly reheated. Pro tip: add a little soy sauce or water if it seems too dry.

Use your discretion when adding the oil.

If your noodles already seem particularly oily, then extra oil probably isn’t needed. 

Tossing the noodles is better than simply stirring them. Tossing ensures the noodles aren’t left resting in the hot pan for too long, so there’s less chance of them overcooking. 

The great thing about reheating lo mein in a wok is that you can easily add extra ingredients. 

I like to add some extra garlic and chili while I’m heating the oil. 

Sometimes I also add extra veggies to give the dish a bit more of a crunch. 

Day-old veggies tend to be a bit limp.

Verdict:

My lo mein reheated brilliantly in a frying pan. 

The noodles weren’t mushy, and the flavor of the sauce was still there. With other methods, the flavors were a bit flat.

The only downside I can see is the frying pan is kind of messy compared to other methods.

Reheating lo mein in the microwave

To reheat lo mein in the microwave, place it in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water or soy sauce over the noodles and cover the dish. Microwave the noodles in 30-second intervals, stirring the noodles in each break. Ensure you leave a gap in the cover so any steam can escape.

How to reheat lo mein in the microwave:

  1. Place lo mein in a microwave-safe dish (if you want to use the takeaway container, check it’s suitable for the microwave first).
  2. Add a little water or soy sauce to the bowl (about a tablespoon) and cover it, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
  3. Heat at 30-second intervals until heated through. Stir the noodles after every 30 seconds of heating.
  4. Let the lo mein rest for 60 seconds before serving.

Top tip: avoid using the microwave if your lo mein has seafood in it. Seafood quickly turns rubbery in the microwave.

The extra water or soy sauce helps to re-moisturize your noodles so they’re not dry.

If your microwave container has any metal in it – don’t put it anywhere near the microwave!

I always transfer any takeaway foods into a container I know is safe for microwave use to avoid any disasters. 

Verdict:

The results from this method were okay – good enough for a quick lunch at work, but I probably wouldn’t be serving it at a dinner party.

The flavors were slightly muted, and the noodles were mushier than the day before. 

Reheating lo mein in the oven

To reheat lo mein in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread your lo mein out in a baking dish, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or soy sauce and cover the dish with foil. Heat the lo mein for 5-10 minutes. The foil traps any steam and helps to prevent the noodles from drying out.

How to reheat lo mein in the oven:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Put the lo mein in an oven-safe dish and spread it out.
  3. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water or soy sauce* to the noodles. You can also use leftover sauce if you have any.
  4. Cover with foil.
  5. Bake for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. 

*I prefer to use soy sauce as my extra liquid because it adds some flavor.

You could also use chicken stock, oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce… (you get the idea). Basically, anything liquidy you have in your cupboard.

Verdict:

The low steady heat of the oven doesn’t work for reheating everything, and lo mein is one of those things.

The noodles were noticeably overcooked because of the slow heating. 

The foil cover helped retain some moisture, but the lo mein was still a little dryer than the day before.  

Extra sauce would help here if you have it.

How to store lo mein?

You can store lo mein in the refrigerator for 3-4 days days. Allow the lo mein to come to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. I don’t recommend using the takeaway container if you want to keep the noodles longer than one day because they aren’t always airtight. 

Cooling the noodles before storage is important because, otherwise, excess condensation can leave you with mushy noodles. 

Can you freeze lo mein?

Yes, you can freeze lo mein for reheating later. It’s best to slightly undercook the noodles if you want to freeze them. Overcooked noodles can turn mushy in the freezer. Watery vegetables like cabbage can also suffer textural changes in the freezer. Lo mein will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

The lo mein will still be safe to eat after three months, but the quality of the noodles may have deteriorated.

How to freeze lo mein

  1. Let the lo mein cool to room temperature.
  2. Portion the noodles out and store each portion separately. 
  3. Put the lo mein in a freezer-safe bag and remove as much of the air as possible.
  4. Label the freezer bag with the date and freeze it
  5. Aim to consume the noodles within 3 months.

Removing the air from the bag before freezing the noodles helps prevent freezer burn and means the lo mein will last a little longer before its decline in quality and taste.

To remove the air, you have four options:

  • Use a vacuum sealer (most efficient).
  • Squeeze the air out with your hands (least efficient).
  • Suck the air out with a straw.
  • Submerge the open freezer bag in water before sealing it.

Always let the lo mein cool before freezing it.

 If you don’t, this will add extra moisture to the noodles during freezing and cause them to be mushy in texture when you thaw them out.

How to thaw lo mein

The best way to thaw lo main is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re in a hurry, you can hold the frozen lo mein under running water (in its freezer bag). I’d avoid the microwave because you’ll end up with mushy noodles. 

Don’t leave your lo mein to thaw on the counter because that can invite unwanted bacteria into your noodles.

How to reheat frozen lo mein

  1. Defrost lo mein in the refrigerator overnight.
  2. Preheat a wok or frying pan over medium heat with a tablespoon of oil
  3. Add the thawed lo mein and toss in the pan for about 3-4 minutes until reheated.

If the noodles seem dry, add a splash of soy sauce, water, or extra sauce.

If the noodles are really watery from the defrosting, add a pinch of cornstarch to the sauce. This will help thicken it up.

The BEST Way To Reheat Lo Mein

Lo mein is one of my favorite dishes, and it’s perfect for making in bulk.
The only issue is reheating it so the noodles don’t overcook.
I’ve tested three different reheating methods to find the best one, and now I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about reheating lo mein.
Get ready for this meal to be even more impressive than yesterday! 
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: how to reheat lo mein, lo mein
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 155kcal

Equipment

  • Wok or frying pan

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 portion lo mein

Instructions

  • Place the wok or frying pan on the stove, add one tablespoon of oil and preheat to medium heat.
  • Add the lo mein to the pan and toss frequently for 3-4 minutes until thoroughly reheated. Pro tip: add a little soy sauce or water if it seems too dry.

Notes

Use your discretion when adding the oil.
If your noodles already seem particularly oily, then extra oil probably isn’t needed. 
Tossing the noodles is better than simply stirring them. Tossing ensures the noodles aren’t left resting in the hot pan for too long, so there’s less chance of them overcooking. 
The great thing about reheating lo mein in a wok is that you can easily add extra ingredients. 
I like to add some extra garlic and chili while I’m heating the oil. 
Sometimes I also add extra veggies to give the dish a bit more of a crunch. 
Day-old veggies tend to be a bit limp.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 155kcal

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