In Good Flavor“Don’t knock it ‘till you try it” is my advice when it comes to Chicken Chow Mein Sandwich. It consists of chicken in brown gravy served over crispy chow mein noodles and sandwiched in between a hamburger bun. You’ve got to try it!
The chow mein sandwich is a regional classic in parts of southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. You might look at this sandwich and think that it’s a lot of filling for the bun. But that isn’t so when it comes to the chow mein sandwich, where the motto seems to be “the more, the better”. It is not uncommon to have a dinner plate filled with chow mein and noodles served with just one itty-bitty hamburger bun.
The origin of the chow mein sandwich is believed to have started in the 1920s or 1930s in Fall River, Massachusetts. (I have not been able to find any substantiated dates.) It was a time of booming industrial business, particularly the textile industry. With a large population of European and Canadian workers, who were not accustomed to Chinese food, the Chinese restaurants adapted their menu to suit the taste of this demographic. The chow mein sandwich was born and became a staple.
I’m using the round kind of chow mein noodles that most people have access to. But the classic chow mein sandwich uses flat, crispy chow mein noodles. This type of noodle is exclusively produced by The Oriental Chow Mein Company in Fall River, Massachusetts. It supplies to restaurants and supermarkets in the region. The locals do not want their sandwiches with anything other than these flat chow mein noodles.
Unfortunately, I live outside the distribution areas for these noodles. The only way to get them is to make a special trip to the state’s southeastern region or order online. If you want to try them, they can be ordered online here (this is an affiliate link, but I use and love this product).
Recipe highlights:
- Season chicken with 3/4 of the salt and pepper. Sautée in a preheated, greased skillet until mostly cooked through. Transfer chicken to a bowl.
- Add celery, onion, garlic, and the remaining salt and pepper to the skillet. Cook until tender.
- Add molasses, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder to the skillet.
- Add the cornstarch, broth, and water mixture. Bring to a boil to thicken slightly.
- Add chicken and bean sprouts. Reduce heat to a simmer until sprouts are tender and chicken is cooked through. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble sandwiches.
- See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
How many sandwiches does this make?
This recipe makes between 3 to 6 servings, depending on appetite size. This one batch of chow mein yields 3 large plate-size servings or 6 smaller sandwiches.
It is not uncommon for restaurants to pile a mountain of crispy noodles and chow mein and noodles on the plate. When I make them, I prefer smaller portions because I like to attempt to eat them by hand 🙂
How do I assemble the sandwich?
To assemble, place the bottom of a hamburger bun on a plate. Cover with a handful of crispy noodles. Ladle on chow mein and top with the other half of the bun. Enjoy!
Can other kinds of meat be used?
This dish can also be made with beef, pork, or shrimp. Any of the meat can be made using the ground version. Swap out the chicken broth for beef broth if you’re making ground beef chow mein.
This sandwich might sound strange, but it’s really good!! Those of us who have had it can see the appeal. Even if you don’t make this recipe, the next time you have chow mein, put some on a hamburger bun and give it a whirl!
Recommended supplies:
(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)
- This 10-inch stainless steel skillet comes with a lid. It’s the perfect size for this recipe.
- A wooden spatula is my favorite kitchen tool for cooking and sauteing.
- Oyster sauce can be found in the Asian food aisle, but you can also get it online.
- Chow mein noodles can also be found in the Asian food aisle, but you can also get it online.
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Chicken Chow Mein Sandwich
Description
“Don’t knock it ‘till you try it” is my advice when it comes to Chicken Chow Mein Sandwich. It consists of chicken in brown gravy served over crispy chow mein noodles and sandwiched in between a hamburger bun. You’ve got to try it!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add oil to a preheated 10-inch skillet on medium heat.
- Season chicken with 3/4 of the salt and pepper. Add to skillet. Sautée until chicken is mostly cooked through. Transfer chicken and any juices to a bowl. It will be added back to the sauce to finish cooking.
- Return the skillet to heat. Add celery, onion, garlic, and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until tender, about 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In the meantime, place cornstarch in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in water. Add to chicken broth. Set aside.
- Add molasses, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder to the skillet of vegetables.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add broth. Bring to a boil. The sauce will thicken slightly.
- Add chicken and bean sprouts. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until bean sprouts are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve: place the bottom half of a hamburger bun on a plate. Add a handful of chow mein noodles, cover with chow mein mixture and top with the other half of the hamburger bun. (See notes below for serving size.)
- Makes 3 overstuffed or 6 regular burgers.
Notes
- Use 1/3 of the chow mein noodles and 1/3 of the chow mein mixture for a large serving. This makes 3 large oversized, wonderfully messy sandwiches. Or use half the amount for 6 smaller easy-to-hold sandwiches.
- Beef, pork, or shrimp versions can be made. Ground forms of the meat can be used. Swap out chicken broth for beef broth when making beef chow mein.
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Sounds like great comfort food! I am also living in an area with few unique products and having to resort to travel or online ordering. I miss the convenience, but it's good for me to plan more 🙂
This sandwich is one of those things you need to try at least once in your life…just to say you’ve tried it. It’s quite delish.
Not having access to ingredients is quite inconvenient. I stock up on them when I get the chance, and I love the convenience of online shopping 🙂
Being a Rhode Islander, reading this recipe brought me home! THANK YOU!
It’s my pleasure! Food has a magical way of connecting us with our fondest memories.