Chow Mein

A fascinating aspect of chow mein is its varied interpretations across the globe. Officially, chow mein refers to stir-fried noodles, as the term “chow mein” is an English transliteration of the Chinese words for, essentially, “stir-fried” and “noodles.”  However, its preparation and ingredients may vary depending on location. 
 
On the West Coast, where Uwajimaya calls home, chow mein resembles stir-fried noodles but may differ from versions found in China. In the Midwest, East Coast, and elsewhere in the world you might find a dish that has almost no resemblance to Chinese chow mein despite ostensibly tracing its origin back to it. 
 
Regardless of these variations, chow mein serves as a fascinating exploration at the intersection of food anthropology and linguistics.  Whether traditional or adapted, when you visit Uwajimaya looking for chow mein, you’ll find everything you need from fresh or dry chow mein noodles, vegetables and meats in our stores.