Wondering what to serve with chow mein? Get those stretchy sweatpants ready because this post is full of mouthwatering ideas.

Chow mein is one of the most famous Chinese noodle dishes on the planet, with endless variations and possibilities, depending on your persuasion.

So, whether you’re looking for sides that go well with chicken chow mein or crispy chow mein with beef and broccoli, keep scrolling. We have tons of delicious ideas for you down below that are nood doubt gonna be a hit.

Soups and Appetizers to Have with Chow Mein

If you’re in the mood to start your chow mein feast off with a nice soup or starter, then here are some ideas. From classic takeout appetizers to world-famous soups, all of these chow mein accompaniments are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

Seafood Spring Rolls

Ugh, we could honestly eat these unbelievable Seafood Spring Rolls for every meal… but as a starter, they go very well with a big Chinese feast starring chow mein.

Filled with juicy morsels of mixed seafood, all tossed in a creamy dressing, these beautiful golden brown treats are sure to be a hit. Make a batch and watch them disappear. Trust me – they’re that good.

Check out our full Seafood Spring Rolls recipe for more details.

Vegan Spring Rolls

Or if you’re hoping to enjoy some plant-based spring rolls with your chow mein, this Vegan Spring Roll recipe is must try, whether you’re vegan or not.

Packed with a crunchy and succulent assortment of finely diced vegetables, these beautiful spring rolls are as addictive as they are gorgeous.

Check out our full Vegan Spring Rolls recipe for more details.

Chicken and Corn Egg Drop Soup

And if you’re looking for soups that go well with chow mein, why don’t we start with the most famous Chinese soup in North America: egg drop soup! Order any combo deal from a Westernized Chinese restaurant and odds are this one will be be included.

As you might expect then, it does make for a perfect starter to go with chow mein.

This tasty recipe in particular consists of juicy chicken and corn, all mixed together in a dreamy broth with wispy egg swirls.

Check out our full Chicken and Corn Egg Drop Soup recipe for more details.

Hot and Sour Soup

Looking for something with more of a kick? Another great soup that goes well with Chow Mein is of course the classic Hot and Sour Soup.

Not only is it spicy (thanks to hot sauce/oil) and tangy (thanks to vinegar), it’s also incredibly filling thanks to its abundance of hearty ingredients like mushrooms, tofu, pork, carrots, and egg.

Paired with some chow mein, this soup makes for a winning meal for lunch or dinner.

Check out our full Hot and Sour Soup recipe for more details.

West Lake Beef Soup

For another light but delicious soup that goes well with chow mein, a lesser known choice is West Lake Beef Soup.

This dreamy soup is made up of succulent beef pieces and luscious egg whites, all stirred together in a slightly thickened broth that is oh so comforting.

Check out our full West Lake Beef Soup recipe for more details.

Tomato and Tofu Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soups are a great pre-chow mein starter, but if you’re looking for an especially tangy pick to mix things up, this tomato and tofu egg drop soup is a great pick.

Hefty chunks of tomato add just the right amount of acidity to this savory soup, which pairs with tofu and egg to create a satisfying mouthful.

Check out our full Tomato and Tofu Egg Drop Soup Recipe for more details.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls

Looking for a heavier appetizer to go with your chow mein? No takeout feast is complete without Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls, so why not whip up a batch of your own?

Made up of juicy chicken coated in batter, then deep fried to perfection and served with a delicious sweet and sour sauce, these amazing Chinese appetizers are a starring feature of every takeout menu for good reason.

Check out our full Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls recipe for more details.

Pork & Chive Dumplings

Another great appetizer to serve with chow mein are pork and chive dumplings.

Ideal as a starter or even thrown on top as a delightful topping, these juicy bundles of meat are encased in a thin dough wrapper, then pan fried to perfection.

They do take some work, but trust us, every ounce of effort is worth it!

Check out our full Pork and Chive Dumplings recipe for more details.

Vegan Dumplings

Or if you’re looking for a delicious pre-chow mein appetizer that’s also vegan-friendly, these juicy Vegan Dumplings are a must-try.

Packed with an assortment of crunchy yet succulent veggies, you won’t believe how good they are.

Check out our full Vegan Dumplings recipe for more details.

Main Dishes That Go Well with Chow Mein

Chow mein is often considered a side dish of its own, especially at fast food Chinese places where it’s frequently paired with other dishes as a combo.

If you want to emulate your own favourite Panda Express combo at home, then here are some tasty recipes for main dishes that go well with chow mein.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Looking for a classic Chinese takeout dish that goes perfectly with Chow Mein? Look no further than Sweet and Sour Pork.

In this dish, battered pork pieces are deep fried to golden perfection, and served with juicy chunks of pepper and pineapple in a tangy sweet sauce. It’s a staple of Chinese takeout menus across North America, and a match made in heaven with classic sides like chow mein.

Check out our full Sweet and Sour Pork recipe for more details.

Kung Pao Chicken

Or hey, if you’re looking for a bit of a kick, another dish that goes well with chow mein is the almighty Kung Pao Chicken.

Composed of succulent chicken pieces, crunchy peppers, and a deliciously spicy sauce, this recipe makes an excellent match for chow mein, which on its own can be fairly mild.

Check out our full Kung Pao Chicken recipe for more details.

Beef and Broccoli

Of course, for a chow mein pairing that’s packed with umami rather than spice, another popular choice is beef and broccoli, one of the most popular Chinese takeout dishes of all time… and as it so happens, one that pairs perfectly with a bed of slurpworthy chow mein.

In this dish, juicy beef strips and crunchy broccoli florets come together perfectly with an irresistible brown sauce.

Check out our full Beef and Broccoli recipe for more details, or (if you’re looking to mix things up a little), check out our Beef with Chinese Broccoli (AKA Gai Lan) recipe.

Stir Fry Vegetables

Or if you’re looking for a healthy dish to serve with chow mein, give these versatile Stir Fry Vegetables a try!

In this easy recipe, your choice of veggies are prepared with a light but flavorful sauce to create a health-packed dish that contrasts perfectly with starchier dishes like chow mein.

Check out our full Stir Fry Vegetables recipe for more details.

Cashew Chicken

For a lighter Chinese main that goes well with chow mein, this nutty Cashew Chicken is a must-try.

In this dish, you get a bit of everything in each bite: juicy chicken, crunchy cashews, and crisp pepper chunks, all brought together in a flavorful clear sauce.

Check out our full Cashew Chicken recipe for more details.

Ginger Beef

Ginger Beef is a beloved Chinese-Canadian main dish made up of thin strips of deep fried beef that are then slathered in an addictive sweet sauce. It’s a takeout classic that pairs perfectly with chow mein, and shockingly simple to prepare at home.

Check out our full Ginger Beef recipe for more details.

Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry

For a more health-conscious chow mein side dish, be sure to try this Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry recipe.

In this dish, juicy shrimp and crunchy asparagus come together for a clean but tasty stir fry that lends itself perfectly to plain rice, fried rice, or of course, chow mein!

Check out our full Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry Recipe for more details.

Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Green Onion

Looking for a saucy addition to your chow mein? This Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Green Onion is a must try.

Packed with aromatic flavor thanks to its abundance of ginger and green onion, this recipe comes together super easily to produce restaurant-quality results… and yes, it’s absolutely dreamy on top of chow mein.

Check out our full Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Green Onion recipe for more details.

Quick & Juicy Beef and Tomato Stir Fry

Another saucy addition to chow mein that’s super delicious and easy to prepare is this Beef and Tomato Stir Fry.

Made up of juicy tomatoes and tender beef, this dish is a staple of Cantonese home cooking, and you won’t believe how quick it is to make yourself.

Check out our full Beef and Tomato Stir Fry recipe for more details.

5 Minute Chinese Cold Shredded Chicken

I know that cold chicken doesn’t sound like the most appetizing chow mein side dish, but if you’re looking for a refreshing and flavourful dish to go with your delicious noodles, this 5 minute Chinese Cold Shredded Chicken is well worth considering.

… especially because you can make it with rotisserie chicken leftovers!

Check out our full Chinese Cold Shredded Chicken recipe for more details.

Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Char Siu (BBQ Pork)

Lastly, if you want a truly AMAZING topping to go with your chow mein, air fry yourself some of this outrageously tasty Char Siu (BBQ Pork).

In this recipe, succulent pork is roasted to perfection with a salty, sweet, and sticky marinade that will hacve you swooning.

Check out our Air Fryer Char Siu recipe for more details.

Desserts to Serve with Chow Mein

Lastly, if you’re looking for something sweet to finish off your chow mein feast, here are some ideas for desserts that go well with chow mein!

Lime Jello

This may seem like a weird recommendation, but anybody who has ever been to a North American Chinese buffet will know that jello blocks are a staple of Westernized Asian cuisine… probably because it’s light, refreshing, and most importantly: cheap!

So, if you’re looking for an easy dessert to go with chow mein that you can prep well ahead of time, consider making some of these dense Jello blocks that are seen in dim sum and buffet restaurants all across North America.

Check out our full Dim Sum Style Jello recipe for more details.

Mango Pudding

Or for something a bit more conventional, consider finishing your chow mein feast with a huge helping of tasty mango pudding.

This is one of the most popular desserts served at large Chinese banquets, and makes for a refreshing and delicious way to end a meal.

Looking for an easy way to make it? Papa G’s mango pudding recipe couldn’t be simpler.

Check out our Mango Pudding recipe for more details.

Coconut Milk Pudding

Another popular Chinese dessert pudding is Coconut Milk Pudding.

Sure, it’s richer than its fruity mango counterpart, but it makes for an absolutely divine way to end a meal.

Check out our Coconut Milk Pudding recipe for more details.

Egg Tarts

These popular Chinese pastries/desserts are made up of a sweet eggy custard encased in a flaky pastry shell. They’re especially popular as a snack or at dim sum, but we love them so much we’ll happily eat them for dessert… even if it’s after a heavier starchy dish like chow mein.

Check out our quick & easy Egg Tarts recipe for more details.

Deep Fried Sesame Balls

If you’re up for a challenge, another Chinese dessert you could serve after chow mein is Deep Fried Sesame Balls.

These delicious golden-brown treats are typically filled with either lotus or red bean paste, although more unconventional fillings like Nutella or chocolate are becoming popular too.

They may not be easy to make, but they sure are delicious.

Check out our Deep Fried Sesame Balls recipe for more details.

Black Sesame Tang Yuan 

Looking for a unique Chinese dessert to have after your chow mein? Black Sesame Tang Yuan (Black Sesame “Soup Balls”) are a popular Chinese dessert commonly served for special occasions like Winter Solstice and Chinese New Year.

They consist of an addictively chewy skin made of glutinous rice flour on the outside, and a nutty sweet filling made of black sesame on the inside.

Again, they take a bit of work, but are well worth it!

Check out our Black Sesame Tang Yuan recipe for more details.

Did we miss any of your favorite dishes to enjoy with Chow Mein?

Let us know in the comments so we can add more recommendations to the list!