What is Chinese Chow Foon?

Chow foon is a classic Cantonese noodle dish made with wide, flat rice noodles stir-fried with beef, vegetables, and savory sauces like soy and oyster sauce. Known for its tender texture and smoky flavor (wok hei), chow foon is a staple in Chinese-American restaurants and homes. The noodles are typically chewy and slippery, offering a satisfying, saucy bite in every mouthful.

What is the difference between chow mein and chow foon?

The main difference lies in the noodles and cooking style. Chow mein uses thin, wheat-based egg noodles and is often pan-fried for a crisp finish, while chow foon features wide, flat rice noodles stir-fried over high heat. Chow mein tends to be firmer or crispier, while chow foon is softer and chewier with a deeper soy-based flavor.

Chao fen (炒粉) is the Mandarin term for stir-fried rice noodles and is often used interchangeably with chow foon , especially in non-Cantonese regions. While chao fen can refer to any stir-fried rice noodles, chow foon specifically denotes wide, flat rice noodles and is more commonly associated with Cantonese cooking traditions.

What is chow mein made of?

Chow mein is made from egg noodles (wheat-based), stir-fried with meat (often chicken, pork, or beef), vegetables like cabbage and carrots, and seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and sometimes hoisin or sesame oil. It's either soft or crispy depending on the cooking method—pan-fried for crispiness or stir-fried for a tender finish.

Is Chow Mei Fun healthy?

Chow mei fun , which uses thin rice vermicelli noodles, can be healthy when cooked with lean proteins, light oil, and plenty of vegetables. It’s naturally gluten-free and lower in calories compared to chow mein. However, like chow foon, it can become calorie-dense if overloaded with oil or sugary sauces. Light stir-frying and balanced ingredients keep it nutritious.

What's the difference between chow mein and chow choy?

While chow mein is a noodle-based dish, chow choy translates to “stir-fried vegetables” in Cantonese. Chow choy is typically a medley of seasonal veggies stir-fried in garlic, soy sauce, or oyster sauce, often served as a side. Chow mein focuses on noodles as the main ingredient, while chow choy centers around greens.

Chow Foon – 7 Reasons It’s the Best Noodle Dish to Try

Name: Authentic Beef Chow Foon
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Cantonese
Ingredients: 8 oz flat rice noodles (fresh or dried and soaked); 6 oz flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain; 2 tbsp vegetable or peanut oil; 2 cups bean sprouts; ½ medium onion, sliced; 2 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; ½ tsp cornstarch; 2 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tsp oyster sauce (or hoisin for vegan); 1 tsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry); ½ tsp sugar

Description

This beef chow foon recipe features wide rice noodles stir-fried with marinated flank steak, crisp vegetables, and rich Cantonese sauces. A bold and savory Chinese noodle dish ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz flat rice noodles (fresh or dried and soaked)
6 oz flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
2 tbsp vegetable or peanut oil
2 cups bean sprouts
½ medium onion, sliced
2 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces

Marinade:

1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
½ tsp cornstarch

Sauce Mix:

2 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp oyster sauce (or hoisin for vegan)
1 tsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
½ tsp sugar

Instructions

In a bowl, combine flank steak with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Marinate for 15–20 minutes.
Mix all sauce ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a hot wok. Sear beef until browned (1–2 minutes), then remove.
Add remaining oil to the wok. Stir-fry onions and scallions for 1 minute.
Add noodles and sauce mix. Toss quickly to coat all noodles evenly.
Return beef and add bean sprouts. Stir-fry for another 30–60 seconds.
Drizzle with sesame oil and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh ho fun noodles for best texture.
For gluten-free, substitute soy sauces with tamari.
Add chili oil or Sriracha for a spicy kick.
For vegan: sub beef with tofu and oyster sauce with mushroom soy.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stir-fry
Cuisine: Cantonese, Chinese-American

Keywords: chow foon, beef chow foon, flat rice noodles, Chinese stir-fry, Cantonese noodle dish, easy chow foon recipe, gluten-free Chinese noodles, vegan chow foon