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Easiest Ever Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein

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Vegetable lo mein is served with fresh parsley in the background and chopsticks lying across the top of the bowl. | Hurry The Food Up

This vegetable lo mein is almost as easy as ordering from your favourite takeaway and definitely much healthier. It’s ready to eat in just twenty minutes and is packed full of vegetables.

The sauce is carefully balanced to be lower in sodium than anything shop-bought, and we think, just as delicious.

Vegetarian noodle recipes always seem so easy – the promise of throwing some veg and noodles together and ending up with something delicious is very appealing!

But have you ever been caught out by a recipe that seems simple but requires loads of sauces and seasonings that just aren’t in your kitchen cupboards?

We have, and it sucks. So, enter our vegan lo mein. You can cook it without a wok, an extensive spice rack, or even Chinese noodles, since spaghetti noodles also do the trick!

What exactly is lo mein?

Lo mein is a traditional Chinese dish, which literally means ‘stirred noodles’ in Cantonese. And that’s exactly what it is: fried, crunchy vegetables and a soy based sauce stirred through soft, cooked noodles.

The earliest noodles were created in China over two thousand years ago by throwing small pieces of bread dough into boiling water.

Noodles have come a long way since then, taking on their long, thin shape and becoming popular in cuisines around the world.

Vegetable lo mein is presented in a bowl, with two chopsticks, and a pan with lo mein in it to the left of the howl. | Hurry The Food Up

What are the health benefits of this vegetable lo mein?

This vegan lo mein is made with colourful, fresh vegetables. Mushrooms, bell pepper, carrot and spinach all mean that this recipe packs 131% of your daily vitamin A intake, supporting eye health and bone re-modeling.

On top of this, eating this vegetable lo mein for dinner will provide 76% of your daily vitamin C intake, a powerful antioxidant that clears free radicals and is crucial in controlling infections.

As if this vegetable lo mein recipe wasn’t already pulling its weight in a thirty day vegan challenge, it also has great benefits for your metabolism if you’re trying to lose some weight this new year.

Sriracha, garlic, and ginger are the key players for this vegan lo mein noodle recipe’s metabolism-boosting effect.

These ingredients create a thermogenic effect in your body, meaning they increase the metabolic rate occurring after a meal and help your body to digest healthily.

We’ve also got plenty more guidance on how to incorporate foods with metabolism boosting effects into your diet.

Finally, the mushrooms, peas, and leafy greens in this vegetarian lo mein provide an excellent amount of potassium.

Potassium is a crucial mineral in maintaining your body’s electrical system and balancing the water levels in your body. These are important to aid the functioning of the brain, nerves, muscles, and heart.

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Switch it up: ingredient swaps and substitutions

In a bid to make this the easiest lo mein recipe probably ever, we’ve made sure to give you plenty of flexibility and substitutions.

So, you don’t have white wine vinegar? No problem, use white wine! You don’t ever buy Siracha? Try tabasco or another hot sauce!

We’ve also recommended using crunchy vegetables like sliced peppers and carrots to contrast with the soft texture of the noodles.

However, if you have other vegetables in your fridge that need using up, feel free to try something different.

Remember to let us know in the comments how it goes!

We guarantee that this vegetable lo mein is bound to become a firm favourite that you’ll find yourself repeating (with as many substitutions as you like!) week after week.

But don’t just take our word for it – lots of our wonderful readers feel the same!

For more noodle goodness try this vegan chow mein or these fiery dragon noodles. If you’re still craving more excellent vegan Chinese cooking, check out our list of 20 vegan Chinese recipes.

What our readers are saying

ALICE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

One of the best Chinese dishes (matched only by some of these other delicious vegetarian chinese recipes!). Definitely I will do this again (more than once) ❤️

DIANE 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was easy, delicious and my family loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.

WHITNEY 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve made this twice now! […] This recipe is BOMB! (that means delicious) and literally cooks in 20 minutes for me once all my veggies are chopped. Thank you so much for posting!

Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein
4.75 from 27 votes
Looking for a speedy noodle dish, packed with vegetables and flavour? The search is over with this easy vegetable lo mein!
Cuisine:Chinese, Vegan
Diet: dairy-free, egg-free, vegan
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes
Servings:2 servings
Calories:464kcal

Ingredients

  • 5.5 oz spaghetti (wholegrain would be best)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 handful mushrooms (1 handful = 1 cup, sliced)
  • ½ bell pepper, red
  • 1 carrot (sliced)
  • 3 tbsp white wine (3 tbsp white wine = 1 tbsp white wine vinegar)
  • cup peas
  • 1 handful leafy greens (eg. spinach)
  • 3-4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 tsp maple syrup (or honey, if that’s ok for you)
  • 1 thumb ginger, fresh (ginger powder is fine too)
  • 2 tsp Sriracha (or similar hot sauce)

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
    5.5 oz spaghetti
  • Finely dice the garlic, slice mushrooms and bell pepper. Slice carrot into sticks
    1 clove garlic, 1 handful mushrooms, ½ bell pepper, red, 1 carrot
  • Get a large pan or wok, and heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add garlic, mushrooms, bell pepper and carrot. Stir frequently until tender (3-4 minutes).
    1 tbsp olive oil
  • Then hit it with the white wine. Afterwards add the peas and leafy greens. Let it simmer and take care of the sauce.
    3 tbsp white wine, ⅔ cup peas, 1 handful leafy greens
  • Get a bowl, add soy sauce and maple syrup, minced ginger and sriracha. Whisk together and set aside.
    3-4 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 thumb ginger, fresh, 2 tsp Sriracha
  • When ready, stir it in the nutritional yeast, pasta and soy sauce mixture. Toss to combine.
    1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • Taste test and see, if it needs more soy sauce!
  • Ready to serve, enjoy!

NOTES

Adapted from The Woks of Life
On the search for more veggie & vegan Asian recipes? Try these! 
Super Saucy Vegan Chow Mein 
Spicy Vegetarian Dragon Noodles
Tasty Asian Tofu Salad
Creamy Peanut Sauce Stir Fry
Asian-style Creamy Corn Soup

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein
Amount per Serving
Calories
464
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Sodium
 
1648
mg
72
%
Potassium
 
670
mg
19
%
Carbohydrates
 
72
g
24
%
Fiber
 
11
g
46
%
Sugar
 
13
g
14
%
Protein
 
19
g
38
%
Vitamin A
 
6630
IU
133
%
Vitamin C
 
67
mg
81
%
Calcium
 
52
mg
5
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Comments

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Recipe Rating




35 comments
  1. I love stir frys and this look delicious.

    I have the same problem with salt. My chicken chow mein has 49% of the recommended daily intake of salt. I tried reducing the soy but like you said, the flavour just isn’t as good. If you ever find a solution then let me know.

    1. Thanks!
      I’ll ask around. I’m sure there’s a way to reduce the sodium even more. It’s tricky though 😉
      Have to check out your chow mein too!

  2. Like you I cook with low sodium soy sauce and it’s OK because it tastes like the “normal” one. Beautiful recipe!

  3. Gah – am definitely in your boat – I am wok-less, special Chinese spice-less, and peanut oil-less – so fake lo mein in a pan with white wine and soy is my kinda stir fry! I found these black rice noodles here and I bet they would be wonderful in this dish! Thanks so much – now I can stir fry happily! 🙂

    1. I never heard of black rice noodles! Thinking about it I never heard of black rice. Well, only black rice that you prepare with squid ink.
      Thanks for reading!

  4. have you ever used this with zoodles?? im trying to find good tasting Asian recipes that incorporate zucchini noodles, suggestions are welcomed wink wink!!

    1. Hi Kymberlye,
      That’s a pretty smart idea, I guess that would work! 😀
      Oh, actually I wrote a roundup on zoodle recipes the other day, let me share it with you: https://hurrythefoodup.com/zoodle-zucchini-pasta-recipes/
      Hope you find some tasty looking recipes in there 🙂

    2. Yep, there’s no excuse not to use zoodles really 😉

  5. 4 stars
    I am a new vegetarian convert…since January 1. This website has been a valuable resource. Quick, easy and protein packed recipes are just what I need to maintain my commitment to a plant-based diet. Keep the recipes coming, please. The fake lo mein is a winner. Yummy!!!

    1. Hi Sonya!
      How cool is that?! Thanks for the great feedback! Honestly, this is exactly the goal with our blog. Finding easy veggie recipes that make the switch to a vegetarian diet smooth 🙂
      Glad we could help out a little!

  6. I clicked on this just because of the “Who has all these Chinese ingredients anyway” part of your Pinterest pic. OMG. I’m cracking up over here.

    1. Hi Missy! Thanks for the comment! Haaa, yes I bet that’s what many people think when they want to make their first Asian stir fry. Sth along “okay now I need to go to the Asia store, buy five ingredients that I will never use up and leave in the cupboard for the next couple of years, Much better then a take-away. Not.” 😀

  7. 5 stars
    One of the best chinese dishes . Definitely I will do this again ( more than once) ❤️

    1. Thanks Alice! Really glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂

  8. 3 stars
    So, the third issue is you don’t have any specialty items, but then list Sriracha as an ingredient, and leave it up to the reader to find an appropriate substitute. Back to my search, I guess 🙁

    1. Oh dear! I didn’t realize Sriracha is not readily available anywhere! Substitutes would be sambal oelek or any other spicy chili sauce. Thanks for the heads up, will update the post!

  9. I don’t know if it fits the flavor profile for this recipe but when I want to cut back on soy sauce I add either lime or lemon juice. So 3tbs of soy sauce would be 2tbs soy sauce and 1tbs juice.

    1. Sounds good to me, Kevin! I definitely like the idea, will try. Thanks!

  10. I have noticed tummy cramps and gassy feeling and state when I try to stay vegan. Any suggestions to avoid or cut it off.

    1. Hi D, is it one particular type of food that sets it off? It might be worth trying to find out exactly what causes it – could you get a test done?

  11. 5 stars
    Don’t know why I took so long to try this. It is delicious and easy. I use 80g pasta (rather than (200g) because I’m more interested in the veg, so 2 tbsp soy is plenty. Second time I also threw in some cauliflower and asparagus – fabulous!

    1. Woop! I’m glad you tried it too. Yes, this one has been around for a while – and cool idea with more veg and less pasta. You’ve made me fancy it again now too 😀

  12. 5 stars
    I’ve made this twice now! Both times i added broccoli with the carrots. Second time i also added a handful of shredded cabbage and onion. I started my vegan journey in August 2020 and wanted to find other uses for all my spaghetti noodles. This recipe is BOMB! (that means delicious ) and literally cooks in 20 minutes for me once all my veggies are chopped. Thank you so much for posting!

    1. Ah wow, thank you for the kind compliments! Really glad you’re enjoying it so much! Glad you’re getting on so well with your vegan journey, too 🙂

  13. 5 stars
    This was easy, delicious and my family loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.

  14. 5 stars
    Delicious! Used gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce, brown rice noodles (so good for soaking up sauce), and Pinot Grigio for the white wine. We also added broccoli and tofu. Very simple recipe and turned out so well 🙂 Really rich flavor. I felt that it was not spicy, so red pepper flakes would be a good addition if you like more of a kick. Definitely a keeper!

    1. Woohoo! Thanks for sharing your experience! All these additions sound so appropriate!!

      1. I will be making this for.a vegan/eat better
        group pot luck on April 4th.
        I love to cook and can’t wait to hear the oos
        and ah’s, as I’m sure this vegan lo mean dish will be delicious.

        1. Ah yes, be sure it will be delicious and pretty easy to cook! I wish you to have fun! 🙂

  15. Please where does the 20 g of protein in 1 serving come from in the Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein ?

    1. Hi Jan, happy to help! Here’s the breakdown of the recipe’s relevant protein sources: divided by 2
      5.5 oz spaghetti whole – Calories: 543kcal | Carbohydrates: 117g | Fat: 2g | Protein: 23g
      1 handful mushrooms – Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 0.1g | Protein: 2g
      ½ bell pepper, red – Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 0.2g | Protein: 1g
      1 carrot – Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Fat: 0.1g | Protein: 1g
      ⅔ cup peas – Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Fat: 0.4g | Protein: 5g
      1 handful leafy greens – Calories: 6kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 0.03g | Protein: 1g
      3-4 tbsp soy sauce – Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 0.1g | Protein: 6g
      1 tbsp nutritional yeast – Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 0.3g | Protein: 4g

      Please note that these are always estimates. But we do our best 🙂

      1. Many thanks bro 🙂

      2. Sorry but there seems to be a mistake. There is not 23g of protein in 5.5 oz of spaghetti whole

        1. Hi Jan, you’re right, thanks for pointing this out! Our nutrition tool is a bit off with the spaghetti. I switched it to ‘whole wheat pasta’ and now it looks right. 5.5oz whole wheat pasta has about 20g protein.