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An overhead shot of stir fried vegetable noodles on a white stoneware plate on a white marbled surface. The plate is surrounded by chopsticks, a wok of noodles, a dish of sesame seeds and a small blue dish of sliced green onions.

Takeout-Worthy Vegetable Stir Fry Noodles (20 Minutes)

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  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4-6 1x
  • Category: Pasta & Noodles, Side Dishes
  • Method: Stir Fry, Wok, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

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 -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

  1. 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.An overhead shot of cooked noodles in a large pot atop a white marbled surface. A pair of chopsticks sits in the noodles. An overhead shot of cooked noodles on a dark green sheet pan atop a white marbled surface.
  2. 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.An overhead shot of a woman's hands holding and whisking stir fry sauce in a liquid glass measuring cup over a white marbled surface.
  3. 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.An overhead shot of julienned carrots, onion, and cabbage in a large black wok on a white marbled surface.
  4. 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.An overhead shot of a woman's hand pouring sauce over noodles and softened veggies in a large wok on a white marbled surface. An overhead shot of bean sprouts being tossed with noodles and veggies in a large black wok on a white marbled surface.
  5. Serve: Finish the noodles with a drizzle of shoyu and a sprinkle of finely sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately. Enjoy!An overhead shot of vegetable stir fried noodles in a large black wok on a white marbled surface.


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.