chow mein

American  

[chou meyn] / ˌtʃaʊ ˈmeɪn /

noun

1. a Chinese-style dish of steamed or stir-fried vegetables, topped with shredded chicken, shrimp, etc., and served with fried noodles.

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chow mein British  

/ meɪn /

noun

1. a Chinese-American dish, consisting of mushrooms, meat, shrimps, etc, served with fried noodles

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Etymology

Origin of chow mein

1900–05, < Chinese chǎo fry + miàn noodles, or < cognate dial. forms

Example Sentences

To tell that complicated story, Hethington depends on dishes like Guyanese chow mein and Trini-Chinese chicken.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Since 1959, they’ve come for Chinese American classics such as sweet and sour chicken, barbecued pork chow mein, egg rolls, chop suey and shrimp fried rice.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025

Will jollof or efo riro follow in the footsteps of tikka masala or chow mein to become UK favourites?

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2024

Let’s take chow mein – there are endless varieties of this.

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2024

"Because some people don't like chow mein for breakfast," Sydelle Pulaski replied.

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin