Mongolian Beef Recipe + Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat (2024)

Jul 1, 2017 · Last Updated: Apr 30, 2020 by Calleigh ~

This Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat recipe tastes way much better than the original. Now you can have some Panda Express at home for a fraction of a price as this Panda Express Chow Mein copycat recipe tastes way much better than the original.

Our family loves alfresco but it can be a little pricey dining out every weekend. See, I love to cook and been craving this Mongolian beef chow Mien but too lazy to go and grab some. It's not only me who loves this dish but my picky son and husband as well.

Pictures speak volume…our Panda Express Chow Mein is even yummier than it looks!

I've got this recipe from my mom and been making this for a dozen time hence often get rave reviews. My friends and relatives love it more than Panda Express as it tastes more YUM than the Panda Express Chow Mein.

You can alternate this dish with my PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap recipe, this is one of my favorite copycat recipes as well. If you love Asian food, you may try my Rice Pin Noodles as well.

The Noodles

I bought these thick noodles when I went to the Asian market, they are actually cheap and packed in a rectangular block. When cooking Panda Express Chow Mein, using pasta noodles is NOT recommended as these type of wheat flour noodles hold up better than the Italian pasta.

Extra tips

In this recipe, I didn't add the cabbage, but this is only me. You can add Napa cabbage as it tastes better than the regular green cabbage.

And for the ingredients of Mongolian sauce, you can use the Cooking Wine or a dry Sherry but for me, I like to use the Xiao Xing wine vinegar, you can pick this up at your local Chinese Market or in the Asian section/aisle of your grocery stores.You can read my post here for Kung Pao Chicken.

Any local supermarkets have a small Asian section and you can find some Asian sauce that could make up a delicious stir-fry sauce, in case you want it quick. This dish also needs a Hoisin sauce, Oyster sauce, ginger, brown sugar, and garlic.

Ingredients you'll need

• thick egg Noodles (fresh - or Yakisoba noodles)
• beef brisket (or sirloin beef thinly sliced)
• cashew nuts
• garlic (minced)
• vegetable oil
• mushrooms (sliced)
• sugar snap peas
• celery (sliced)
• broccoli (cut into florets)
• julienne carrots
• Chinese sausage (optional and stir fried cooked separately)

for Beef Marinade:

• cornstarch
• light soy sauce
• oyster sauce
• sugar
• brandy (I used Chinese Xiaoshing wine)
• sesame oil
• white pepper
• ginger (minced)
• garlic (finely chopped)

For the Mongolian Sauce:

• vegetable oil
• garlic (minced)
• ginger root (freshly grated )
• cup water
• Hoisin sauce
• low sodium soy sauce
• brown sugar
• rice wine vinegar (or Xiao Xing wine vinegar)
• chili flakes (optional)

Step by step instructions:

Marinate the Beef:

1 In a separate bowl, add all the ingredients for the beef marinade. Toss beef, mix with all the ingredients. Set aside and put in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight.

Prepare Vegetables:

2 Par boil all the vegetables except for the mushrooms.

For the Mongolian Sauce:

In a separate container, prepare the sauce. Put all the ingredients and mix well. Set aside.

For the Main Dish:

3 In a large skillet (or wok), set over medium heat and add vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, lightly saute 1 teaspoon mince garlic and add the marinated beef. Stir until the beef is cooked and then add mushrooms + cashew nuts.

4 Pour the par boiled vegetables and stir continuously so the bottom does not get burn.

5 Once everything is sizzling hot, add the thick noodles and ½ of the Mongolian sauce. Pour ½ cup of water around the side of the wok and combine with all the ingredients. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.

6 Add the remaining ½ of the Mongolian sauce. Keep stirring until the thick noodles are cooked. Sprinkle the cooked Chinese sausage and add more cashew nuts if needed.
Garnish with scallions.

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• Pad See Ew
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Watch the Video

Full Recipe