Description
Learn how to make Takeout-Worthy Vegetable Stir-Fried Noodles with my Chinese-American mom’s foolproof recipe!
Crisp cabbage, sweet carrots, and perfectly chewy noodles are tossed in a savory, umami-rich stir-fry sauce for a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it as a meatless main, pair it with your favorite Chinese dishes, or bulk it up with tofu, shrimp, or chicken—endless ways to enjoy!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces long noodles of choice (yi mein, lo mein, udon, etc; see Recipe Notes)
- 1-2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2-4 tablespoons neutral oil of choice
- ¼ head green cabbage, chopped (approx. 2 cups)
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- ½ large yellow onion, sliced
- 3 stalks green onion, sliced into 2½-inch lengths, whites halved lengthwise and separated from greens
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 3 cups bean sprouts
noodle stir fry sauce:
- 2 tablespoons shoyu (can sub low-sodium soy sauce or tamari)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon dark soy sauce (see Recipe Notes)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable broth (can substitute water)
- ¼ teaspoon MSG
Instructions
- Par-boil the noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and blanch for 1-2 minutes, just until softened and separated but not fully cooked. Drain and rinse with cold water. Spread on a paper towel-lined baking sheet, pat dry, and toss with sesame oil to coat evenly. Set aside.

- Prepare the stir fry sauce: Meanwhile, as the water boils, mix the sauce. Add all listed ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine well. Set aside.

- Stir fry the vegetables: Heat a large wok or skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons neutral oil, swirling to coat the sides of the pan. Add the cabbage, carrot, and onion. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes, until softened.

- Stir fry the noodles: Add the prepared noodles, the white portion of the green onions, and garlic to the pan. Pour the sauce over the noodles. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes, tossing often to coat evenly. Add the green portion of the green onions and bean sprouts. Stir fry for 1 minute longer, until fragrant and softened. Remove from heat.

- Serve: Finish the noodles with a drizzle of shoyu and a sprinkle of finely sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes
Jess’ Tips and Tricks:
- Noodles: For the best results, use long noodles that can stand up to stir-frying without breaking or becoming mushy. Yi mein (E-Fu/longevity noodles), lo mein, and udon are all excellent choices that are typically available at Asian grocery stores or in the international aisle of well-stocked conventional grocery stores. If you prefer a gluten-free option, wide rice noodles work beautifully. In a pinch, Italian-style pasta like linguine or spaghetti works well—just cook it 2–3 minutes under al dente to avoid overcooking.
- Dark soy sauce is a richer, sweeter variety of soy sauce that adds a beautiful caramel color and depth of flavor to stir-fried noodles—I highly suggest seeking it out! Look for it at Asian grocery stores, in the international aisle of well-stocked supermarkets, or online. If unavailable, substitute with shoyu, though the flavor and color of the stir fry sauce won’t be nearly as intense.
- Dietary Restrictions: This recipe naturally meatless, but to ensure fully vegetarian or vegan stir fried noodles, be sure to use a plant-based oyster sauce. Vegan oyster sauces, typically made from mushrooms, can be found in the Asian foods aisle of most well-stocked grocery stores or online.
- 10-Minute Meal Prep: Most of the active prep for this noodle stir fry is in chopping the vegetables and mixing the sauce. Prepping these in advance makes dinnertime a breeze:
- Stir fry sauce: Mix the sauce (Step 2) and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Veggies: Chop the cabbage, julienne the carrot, and slice the onions and green onions. Store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Storage Instructions:
- Storage and Reheating: Leftover stir-fried noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through or refresh them in a skillet with a splash of vegetable broth or water to loosen the sauce and bring back the flavors.


