Homemade Five Spice Pork Lo Mein: Your Ultimate Guide to Flavorful & Easy Takeout
Discover the secret to restaurant-quality Lo Mein at home! This Five Spice Pork Lo Mein recipe elevates a classic takeout dish with a burst of aromatic flavor, making it a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying dinner.
Chinese takeout has long been a beloved staple in homes across the U.S., offering comfort and delicious flavors with just a phone call. While we all have our go-to orders and favorite dishes, there’s a unique satisfaction that comes from recreating these culinary delights right in your own kitchen. Over the years, I’ve transformed many of our family favorites, like Cashew Chicken, into homemade versions. The beauty of cooking at home lies in the control it offers: you can select the freshest ingredients, customize the vegetables to your liking, and adjust the flavors to perfection. This not only results in a healthier meal but often a more flavorful one too!
For those who frequent my kitchen adventures, it’s no secret that pork holds a special place in our hearts (and freezer!). From savory Grilled Pork Chops in the summer to hearty stews in winter, pork is incredibly versatile and always a crowd-pleaser. So, it should come as no surprise that I’m sharing this incredible pork lo mein recipe with you today. While a more traditional Chicken Lo Mein recipe already graces the blog – which, by the way, is wonderfully adaptable with any protein and your choice of vegetables – this version introduces a delightful twist: Chinese Five Spice Powder. This aromatic blend takes the classic lo mein experience to an entirely new level, infusing the dish with an irresistible depth of flavor that will make it an instant favorite.
Why Choose Homemade Lo Mein?
Opting to make Lo Mein at home offers several distinct advantages over ordering takeout. Firstly, you gain complete control over the quality of your ingredients, ensuring freshness and avoiding unwanted additives. You can choose lean cuts of meat, organic vegetables, and low-sodium sauces, tailoring the meal to your dietary preferences and health goals. Secondly, homemade Lo Mein is often more cost-effective than frequent takeout orders, allowing you to enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine more regularly without breaking the bank. Finally, there’s an unparalleled sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from preparing a flavorful meal from scratch, knowing exactly what went into it and being able to adjust every aspect to suit your family’s taste buds. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to make!
What Is Chinese Five Spice and Why It’s Perfect for Pork Lo Mein
Chinese Five Spice Powder is an iconic spice blend fundamental to many traditional Chinese dishes, revered for its ability to create a harmonious balance of flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty. Typically, this enchanting blend is composed of five key ingredients: aromatic cinnamon, sweet fennel seeds, distinctive star anise, fiery (yet numbing) Sichuan peppercorns, and warm cloves. However, variations exist, sometimes including ginger, nutmeg, or white pepper.
In Chinese cooking, it’s commonly used to flavor meats like pork and duck, fish, and poultry dishes, and is a fantastic addition to marinades, rubs, and braises. The beauty of this spice blend lies in its complex flavor profile. It’s not inherently spicy in the capsaicin sense, but rather offers a warmth and depth, often characterized by a delicate licorice note from the star anise. This unique combination perfectly complements the richness of pork, tenderizing it and infusing every bite with an extraordinary aroma and taste. For our Five Spice Pork Lo Mein, it transforms the pork tenderloin into a deeply flavorful component, ensuring that each strand of noodle is coated in a sauce that sings with exotic, comforting notes. You can find Chinese Five Spice powder in most well-stocked grocery stores in the spice aisle or at Asian markets, or even make your own by grinding whole spices for maximum freshness.
Lo Mein vs. Chow Mein: Understanding the Noodle Nuances
The distinction between Lo Mein and Chow Mein often confuses diners, especially in Westernized Chinese restaurants where the terms might be used interchangeably or refer to localized variations. However, in traditional Chinese cuisine, the primary difference truly boils down to how the noodles are prepared and incorporated into the dish. Both typically utilize a wheat-flour, egg-based noodle, but their cooking methods diverge significantly.
- Chow Mein (炒麵, “fried noodles”): The noodles are usually pre-boiled, then stir-fried until they achieve a slightly crispy texture, often forming a base for stir-fried meats and vegetables. The sauce is typically lighter and served alongside or poured over the crispy noodles.
- Lo Mein (撈麵, “tossed noodles”): The noodles are boiled until soft and tender, then thoroughly tossed with the sauce, meat, and vegetables in the wok, ensuring every strand is coated. The emphasis is on the soft, chewy texture of the noodles themselves, which act as a vehicle for the sauce.
While some American Chinese restaurants might serve “chow mein” with soft noodles (which is closer to traditional lo mein), and “lo mein” might sometimes have a drier, slightly crisper noodle, the traditional distinction remains a key culinary identifier. For our Five Spice Pork Lo Mein, we’re embracing the classic lo mein method, focusing on perfectly tender noodles fully integrated with our rich, aromatic pork and sauce.
How to Make Flavorful Five Spice Pork Lo Mein: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this delicious Five Spice Pork Lo Mein at home is simpler than you might think. With just a few key steps and fresh ingredients, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in under 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Noodles: Begin by cooking your chosen noodles according to the package directions. While “lo mein noodles” are ideal and often found in the Asian section of most grocery stores, don’t hesitate to use spaghetti, ramen noodles (discarding the seasoning packet), or any other Chinese-style wheat noodles. Cook them until they are al dente – tender but still firm. Once cooked, drain them well and, for easier eating, snip them into shorter pieces with kitchen scissors. This step prevents long, unwieldy strands when tossing and serving.
- Season the Pork: For this recipe, I highly recommend using pork tenderloin. It’s lean, cooks quickly, and stays incredibly tender when sliced thinly. Cut the tenderloin into thin strips against the grain for maximum tenderness. In a medium bowl, combine the pork strips with fresh grated ginger, the star of our dish – Chinese Five Spice powder, and a portion of the salt. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring each piece of pork is evenly coated with these fragrant spices.
- Sear the Pork: Heat your canola oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers. High heat is crucial for a good sear and to prevent the pork from stewing. Add the seasoned pork strips to the hot pan, spreading them out in a single layer if possible. Cook for just a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is nicely browned and nearly cooked through. Remember, pork tenderloin cooks quickly, so keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking.
- Create the Lo Mein Sauce: Once the pork is browned, stir in the remaining salt, water, and hoisin sauce directly into the pan. Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce often used in Cantonese cuisine, providing a sweet and savory base. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the pork to finish cooking and absorb the delicious sauce. The sauce will slightly thicken as it simmers.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked and snipped noodles to the skillet with the pork and sauce. Using tongs, toss everything together vigorously until the noodles are completely and evenly coated with the savory pork and rich hoisin-five spice sauce. Garnish generously with fresh sliced green onions just before serving. The vibrant green adds a touch of freshness and a mild oniony bite that complements the dish perfectly.
Customizing Your Five Spice Pork Lo Mein
This recipe provides a fantastic basic framework for a deeply flavorful pork lo mein, but it’s incredibly versatile! Feel free to experiment and add your favorite vegetables to make it a more complete meal. Broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for color), snow peas, sliced mushrooms, shredded carrots, or baby corn are all excellent additions. Simply add harder vegetables like broccoli or carrots a few minutes before the pork is fully cooked to allow them to soften slightly, or blanch them beforehand. Softer vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers can be added with the sauce. We’ve been making this recipe for over a decade, and it’s always a resounding success, devoured every time I prepare it. Plus, the leftovers make an amazing, quick lunch the following day!
Tips for the Best Homemade Lo Mein
- Prep Ahead: Chop all your vegetables and slice the pork before you start cooking. Stir-fries cook quickly, so having everything ready is key to success.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the pork in batches if necessary to ensure it browns properly rather than steaming. Overcrowding cools the pan and can lead to less flavorful, tougher meat.
- High Heat is Your Friend: Use medium-high heat for cooking the pork and stir-frying the noodles to achieve that authentic stir-fry char and quick cooking time.
- Fresh Ginger: While ground ginger can be used in a pinch, fresh grated ginger adds a bright, pungent flavor that is unmatched.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before combining it with the noodles. Adjust salt, sweetness (with a touch more hoisin or a pinch of sugar), or even a dash of soy sauce if desired.
So, the next time you’re contemplating ordering Chinese takeout, remember this incredibly simple and delicious recipe! Making Chinese food at home is far faster and easier than you might imagine. In about 20-25 minutes, you can have this aromatic Five Spice Pork Lo Mein on your table, a dish that not only rivals but often surpasses the quality of your local takeout spot. Give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!
More Asian-Inspired Recipes To Try
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Egg Drop Soup
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Wonton Soup
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Spicy Asian Noodles
- Garlic Beef Noodle Bowls
Five Spice Pork Lo Mein
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Ingredients
- 1 package uncooked Chinese-style noodles
- 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons five-spice powder
- 1 approx 1 lbpork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into thin strips
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, , divided
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
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Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Place in a large bowl. Snip noodles several times with kitchen scissors.
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Combine ginger, five-spice powder, and pork in a medium bowl; add 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing to coat. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add pork mixture; saute 2 minutes or until browned. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, water, and hoisin sauce; cook 2 minutes or until pork is done. Add pork mixture and green onions to noodles; toss well to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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