What to Serve with Lo Mein (7 Tasty Side Dishes)

The night started out so well. My girlfriend and I had planned to make a romantic dinner at home – just the two of us. We decided on lo mein because it’s one of our favorite dishes.

We went to the store and picked up all of the ingredients we needed. Then, got everything home and started cooking.

But then, things went downhill. The lo mein came out okay, but it was missing something.

It needed a side dish. But what? We didn’t have any rice. And after exerting all of that energy in the kitchen, we didn’t want to order takeout.

What were we going to do?

Fortunately, I had a few ideas that saved the day. Here are the seven best side dishes to serve with lo mein.

Side Dishes for Lo Mein

1. Brown Rice
2. Garlicky Sesame Broccoli
3. Sauteed Cucumber
4. Baked Chicken Breast
5. Sesame Miso Spinach
6. General Tso’s Cauliflower
7. Chinese Vegetable Spring Rolls

Brown Rice

Brown rice is the perfect complement to any stir-fry dish. Its nutty and earthy flavor pairs well with the savory sauce of the lo mein.

Plus, it’s a whole grain, so it’s healthy for you! Win-win.

I cook it all the time. In fact, brown rice always used to come to my rescue when I didn’t know what else to make for dinner.

It is very popular, you won’t have any trouble finding it in the store.

Additionally, it works well with other Asian dishes like pad thai and pho. For busy men like me who are always on the go, it’s a great option to have in your back pocket.

Garlicky Sesame Broccoli

This side dish is for garlic lovers out there. I discovered it when I went out to eat a business dinner.

It was so good that I asked the waiter what was in it. He told me it was just broccoli, garlic, and sesame oil.

I was surprised at how simple it was yet still so flavorful.

So, every time I am looking for a way to jazz up my broccoli, I make this dish. It is quick and simple, but most importantly it is delicious.

It’s super easy to make and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

The best part is, it only takes about 15 minutes to make! So if you’re ever in a pinch, this is a great option.

By the way, I like to top mine with a little bit of soy sauce for extra flavor. The key to this dish is to not overcook the broccoli.

Sauteed Cucumber

This has been my go-to side dish for lo mein ever since that fateful night. It was an instinctive and creative decision that I took because I was trying to impress my girlfriend. At the time, I didn’t know it would taste so good.

This dish is light and refreshing, and it pairs well with the rich sauce of the lo mein.

It is also very easy to make. You simply sautee cucumbers in a little bit of oil until they are slightly softened.

Then, add a touch of salt and pepper to taste. That’s it!

My girlfriend was so impressed with this dish that she now requests it every time we have lo mein.

She even likes to add a little bit of vinegar to her cucumbers for extra flavor. If you want to get really creative, you could also try adding other vegetables like zucchini or yellow squash.

Baked Chicken Breast

This is another dish that I like to make when I’m short on time. It is a healthier option than fried chicken, and it goes well with the lo mein.

To make this dish, you simply bake your chicken breasts in the oven until they are cooked through.

Then, you can either slice them or shred them into bite-sized pieces.

I like to add a little bit of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to my chicken breasts before baking them.

But you can really use any seasonings that you like. This dish is so versatile!

One time, I even made this with BBQ sauce instead of the traditional lo mein sauce. It was so good!

Sesame Miso Spinach

This is a dish that I discovered when I was living in Japan. It is a popular side dish there, and it goes well with lo mein.

The best part about this dish is that it is so healthy for you!

Chock full of fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients, the sesame miso spinach is a great way to get your greens.

And it’s so easy to make! You simply sautee the spinach in a little bit of oil until it is wilted.

Then, you add a touch of miso paste and sesame oil. That’s it!

I like to top mine with a few toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.

General Tso’s Cauliflower

Being a fan of all things military, I was very fascinated when I first heard the story behind this dish.

It is named after a famous Chinese general who lived in the 1800s.

And it is said that he loved this dish so much that he would often request it for his meals.

So if it’s good enough for a general, it’s definitely good enough for me!

This dish is a great alternative to the traditional General Tso’s chicken. It is just as flavorful, but it is much healthier for you.

If you are looking for a way to make this dish, there are many recipes available online.

But my all-time favorite method is to toss the cauliflower in a cornstarch marinade and coat the florets with rice flour and sesame seeds for that delicious crunch I can’t resist.

There is no doubt that this dish is a winner in my book.

Chinese Vegetable Spring Rolls

I hope you do not mind if I toot my own horn on this one.

I am quite proud of this dish because it is one of the healthiest and most delicious side dishes you could ever have.

The great thing about these spring rolls is that they are packed with veggies. And they come with a dipping sauce that is out of this world! If you want to make these spring rolls, you can find the recipe online.

But I will give you a little sneak preview of what goes into them. The filling is made with cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms.

I could probably eat an entire batch of these by myself!

Frequently Asked Question

What is chow mein?

Chow mein is a popular Chinese dish that consists of noodles, vegetables, and protein. It can be made with either wheat or rice noodles.

What side dishes go with stir-fry?

There are many side dishes that go well with stir fry. Some of my favorites include rice, noodles, vegetables, and tofu.

Is lo mein served with rice?

Yes, lo mein is typically served with rice. It is also usually served with noodles or vegetables.

What are some good side dishes for Chinese food?

There are a plethora of excellent side dishes for Chinese cuisine. My favorites are chicken fried rice, baby bok choy stir fry, Chinese cucumber salad, and choy sum with garlic sauce are just a few examples.

Conclusion

There is something about lo mein that just begs for a delicious side dish. Whether you’re eating it at a restaurant or making it at home, lo mein always seems to need a side to complete the meal.

If you are like me, you are always looking for new and interesting side dishes to try.

Well, look no further! I have compiled a list of my all-time favorite side dishes to serve with lo mein.

From sesame miso spinach to General Tso’s cauliflower, this list has something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Give these dishes a try the next time you have lo mein!

I guarantee you will not be disappointed.