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

I’ll make chow mein with what I have in the fridge, it’s a pantry meal!

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2024

At the deli counter at Haggen, a local grocery chain, Gerald orders two containers of chow mein.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 4, 2022

And because customers liked to have other kinds of Asian food with their seafood soup, they added Chinese American classics like chow mein, beef broccoli, orange chicken and egg rolls.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2022

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

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin