Settle your own

Chow mein vs Lo mein

Chow mein or lo mein: which should you order?

The verdict
Lo mein wins.

Order lo mein: soft, saucy noodles that soak up flavor beat chow mein for most takeout cravings.

Verdict as of · Cite this verdict

Do you agree? (Lo mein wins)

Disagree? Make your own verdict →

XWhatsAppRedditBluesky

Head-to-head

Chow mein
category
Lo mein
Noodles are stir-fried or pan-fried so they get some crisp edges, with less sauce.
The difference
Noodles are boiled, then tossed with sauce, vegetables and protein. Soft and saucy.
Chewy with crispy bits, sometimes a crunchy noodle bed depending on the restaurant.
Texture
Soft, slurpable and evenly coated.
Lighter and more about the wok char.
Flavor
Sauce-forward, so every bite is seasoned.
Varies a lot: some places serve it crispy, others nearly identical to lo mein.
Consistency
Pretty much the same dish wherever you order it.
Frying can make it oilier.
Grease
Can also be oily, but the sauce carries most of the flavor.

Chow mein

  • Crispy, wok-charred edges
  • Lighter on sauce
  • Great if you like texture contrast

Lo mein

winner
  • Soft noodles that soak up sauce
  • Consistent from place to place
  • Ultimate comfort takeout

Why Lo mein wins

Both use wheat-and-egg noodles; the difference is the cooking. Lo mein's tossed, saucy noodles are the more satisfying, reliable order for most people, while chow mein suits those who want crisp edges and a lighter sauce.

Frequently asked

Chow mein or lo mein: which should you order?

Lo mein. Both use wheat-and-egg noodles; the difference is the cooking. Lo mein's tossed, saucy noodles are the more satisfying, reliable order for most people, while chow mein suits those who want crisp edges and a lighter sauce.

Should I pick Chow mein or Lo mein?

Lo mein. Both use wheat-and-egg noodles; the difference is the cooking. Lo mein's tossed, saucy noodles are the more satisfying, reliable order for most people, while chow mein suits those who want crisp edges and a lighter sauce.

Is Chow mein better than Lo mein?

Lo mein comes out ahead overall. Both use wheat-and-egg noodles; the difference is the cooking. Lo mein's tossed, saucy noodles are the more satisfying, reliable order for most people, while chow mein suits those who want crisp edges and a lighter sauce. That said, Chow mein still has real strengths — see the pros lists above.

What's the difference between Chow mein and Lo mein?

Order lo mein: soft, saucy noodles that soak up flavor beat chow mein for most takeout cravings.

Cite this verdict

disordat. (2026, November 4). Chow mein or lo mein: which should you order? [Chow mein vs Lo mein verdict]. https://disordat.org/vs/chow-mein-vs-lo-mein

Verdict as of November 4, 2026 · Markdown version

Settle these next

All food & drink debates →

XWhatsAppRedditBluesky