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If you are confused between Mei fun and lo mein we have got you covered. These are the two popular dishes in Chinese cuisine. Also, they are available in most traditional Chinese restaurants. Both are versatile noodles used throughout Asia.
At first glance, it would be difficult to differentiate between the two because of their similar appearances. While their names are used interchangeably by some people, they have gleaming differences as well. You find the texture, taste, ingredients, flavor, and color variations between these two dishes.
Let’s take a closer look at the Mei fun vs lo mein.
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Mei fun Vs lo mein
Both mei fun and lo mein are widely used all over the world. Most probably they are an integral part of Asian cuisine. However, they are prepared with different techniques. Mei fun is covered with hot water for a few minutes. On the other hand, Lo mein is partially boiled noodles. Talking about their texture, mei fun is crunchy and crispy. Lo mein is more chunky and thick noodles. The most interesting thing about lo mein is that it is a dish, unlike mei fun.
If you are keen to know more differences, read the article further.
Mei fun Vs lo mein – Quick Comparison
Most people want to find the star between mei fun and lo mein. However, we can say both of them are winners in some or the other way. They can become an amazing addition to your meal. Mei fun is a different category of noodles originating from China. Lo mein is a Chinese dish served with egg noodles.
Depending on their taste, texture, ingredients, and cooking techniques, mei fun and lo mein show more differences. Keep reading to know more.
| Features | Mei Fun | Lei Mein |
| Texture | Crunchy texture | Softer Texture |
| Ingredients | Rice and water | Wheat base and eggs |
| Healthy | More healthy | Less healthy |
| Appearance | Delicate and white in appearance | Thick and yellowish in appearance |
| Flavor | Mild with hints of sweetness | Fuller taste |
| Method of cooking | With parboiling | With boiled water |
| Type of noodle used | Dried noodles | Fresh noodles |
| Addition to | It’s a great addition to vegetables | It’s a great addition to meat |
Now let’s explore more about what mei fun and lo mein are? This will help you know which dish to eat the next time you visit a Chinese restaurant.
Overview of Mei fun and lo mein
Most Chinese dishes have similar tastes. Every noodle is cooked through the same techniques. But when we talk about Mei fun and lo mein, it’s easy to tell the difference on the basis of their flavors.
It’s better to take an overview of each one of them and get into details. In this way, you will be able to decide on whether Mei fun or lo mein is better for you.
Mei fun is made from rice. It is soaked in hot-not boiling water for softening. This type of noodles is used in Singapore Chow Mei Fun, spring rolls, and Vietnamese bun. In addition, it is thinner than hair and fragile.
In comparison, lo mein is a dish that contains vegetables, meat, and egg noodles. But in some areas of North China, you will get white noodles without an egg. The ingredients differ from region to region. You can also get it with wontons. People call it a dry variation of noodle soup.
Mei fun Vs lo mein – [Detailed Comparison]
Different areas has produced different variations of Mei fun and lo mein. This brings varied textures, ingredients, and appearances. With these considered, we can infer both the foods will have their own features.
To simplify things, we have listed down the points you need to keep in mind before ordering Mei fun or lo mein.
Appearance
The first thing to observe about Mei fun and lo mein is their appearance. This specifies whether you liked them or not. Therefore, look at the way they are served.
Mei Fun, also known as rice noodles, looks fragile and delicate. They are generally white. Lo Mein, on the other hand, has a thick consistency. Unlike Mei fun, they are yellow in color.
Make sure you don’t fix these points in your mind. That’s because the appearance may change according to the way they are cooked.
Texture
Mei fun differs completely in texture. It is a dry type of rice noodles. It looks crispy and crunchy. As Mei fun is cooked in hot water, it will remain crispy for a few hours.
The added starch in these noodles makes them sticky. It easily gets bundled up together. But if you don’t want stickiness, you can use chili oil. Bear in mind, that a lot of chili oil will make the dish too oily. So it’s better to avoid that.
Lo mein is not sticky. Rather it has more volume than Mei fun. This dish is softer in texture as compared to Mei fun.
Flavor
We all prefer taste above appearance. So, read this part of the article carefully as on the basis of the flavors you love, we can decide the star dish for you.
Mei fun has a subtle sweetness because of the rice present in it. It is a perfect dish for food lovers who can’t resist the mild sweetness in a dish.
Lo Mein has a smoky flavor. Garlic, ginger, oyster, and sauce give it a fuller taste. It’s savory and subtle in flavor. So, if you want a Chinese dish with a mouthwatering taste, choose lo mein vs Mei fun.
Cooking Process
The cooking techniques followed to make any noodles are boiling. Still, Mei fun and lo mein are prepared in a different manner. For Mei fun, dry noodles are partially boiled or heated for 5-6 minutes.
On the other hand, lo mein is boiled for 2-4 minutes to get softness. Further, as vegetables are added to both the dishes, they are also cooked in boiling water. Then, they are added to the boiling soup in these noodles.
If you want to cook these Chinese dishes at home, make sure you don’t overcook them.
Also read our comparison article on hash brown vs tater tots.
Ingredients
Essentially, Mei fun is made of rice vermicelli, curry powder, stir-fried with eggs, chicken or shrimp, soy sauce, pork, and veggies. It may contain other ingredients that can make Mei fun and an appetizing dish.
Combining many elements like soy sauce, sesame oil, chicken stock, honey, mushrooms, ginger, garlic, vegetables, etc will make your lo mein a dish bursting with flavors. For lo mein, you should use egg noodles and other protein-rich ingredients to increase the nutrient’s quantity.
Final Verdict
Egg noodles and vegetables are an ideal combination to make mei fun and lo mein delicious. They are widely regarded as the most unique cuisine in the world. The flavor of these foods makes them an ultimate tasty treat.
Mei fun has more sweetness than lo mein which has a smoky taste. Because of the different content in Mei fun, it is naturally gluten-free. So, you can cook Mei fun if you are health conscious.
Gluten-free dishes have various health benefits. They can reduce inflammation, relieve digestive symptoms, boost energy, etc. Most importantly, these dishes can help you lose weight. So, you can try Mei fun with more eggs, beans, and wheat to make it healthier.
Due to the excellent flavors, lo mein may be the perfect food to eat. Lo mein can be found in almost all Chinese cookbooks. It is tossed noodles that absorb the sauce to stay soft.
The ingredients in both dishes are almost similar. You can also interchange them according to your needs. However, adding meat, seafood, and sauce to the noodles can satiate your hunger.
Aside from its taste, consuming protein-rich food like Mei fun can reduce the carb content of your diet. You can add more protein and get healthy even after eating noodles.
There is a concern about consuming high gluten content present in lo mein. You can’t consume it daily as it has a significant amount of gluten.
To shorten things out, you can consume Mei fun and lo mein according to your choice of flavors and ingredients. Lastly, make sure you follow the best recipes to make them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lo mein soup?
Lo mein soup is the dry variation of noodle soup. You can easily separate the soup from its ingredients.
What is the best way to cook lo mein?
The best way to cook lo mein is by boiling the noodles. Make sure you cook it according to the instructions given on the package. Toss them with vegetables and different sauces.
Is Mei Fun like chow mein?
Chow mein can be prepared in the same way as mei fun. But as the noodles used in these dishes are different, their taste and texture would also change.
Conclusion
Indeed, we have given you the right insights into Mei fun vs lo mein. It is easy to decide between these two dishes. Make sure you taste both of them once in a lifetime just to enjoy every tasty food.
Pro tip: If you are thinking of going for a healthy option, choose Mei fun over lo mein.