MSP: Chow Mein

Question

Hi everyone~

I am looking for a good chow mein around town. I prefer chicken but, most importantly, a chow mein that comes in a brownish sauce. So many that I've tried come in a white/clear sauce/glaze that I don't like very much.
(The importance of the brown sauce all stems from the food at a Chinese restaurant that I LOVED to go to when I was growing up...Port Arthur's in New Hope if anyone remembers it.)

Thanks!

Answer

I guess I've never checked the color of chow mein sauce before...

I really like Hong's on 38th and Nicollet. It most reminds me of what I grew up with in Brooklyn Park, probably similar to what you grew up with. But they have two kinds (each in multiple flavors), one is pre made and one made to order. Clearly get the made to order one.

I dislike Village Wok's a lot. I love their food, but their chow mein tastes like they are trying to make it good, which is not what I want when I get chow mein.

Answer

If "old-fashioned" (= "greasy spoon") chow mein is what you're looking for, you really should go to Leo's Chow Mein. It's on Earl St. in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood of St. Paul (on the east side). It's been around forever, has great ambience, and some good comfort food. They also have an amazing lunch special-- something like 5 bucks for all you can eat, brought around to your table on big platters. It's great fun, and great people-watching too. We love it.

Answer

I've had chow mein exactly twice in this town and did not grow up with it (other than in a can from La Choy). From the two times I've had it, I suspect it's just not a food that appeals to me too much. However, I bet that the chow mein was what you are looking for.

The two places were Cathay Chow Mein on Nicollet just south of Diamond Lake Road in Minneapolis and Kim's Chow Mein on Marshall just east of Cretin in St. Paul.

It's been years since I've been to either of these places, so maybe someone else can throw some more light on them.

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Cathay Chow Mein
5457 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Kim's Chow Mein
2048 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Answer

Asia Chow Mein in Columbia Heights - been around forever. I am 90% sure that the Asia special Chow Mein comes in the brown gravy. The other varieties may too.

Answer

Places Link

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Asia Chow Mein
4905 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421

Answer

Personally, I adore House of Wong on Larpenteur and Fernwood(?) in Roseville. They also do nice Egg Fu Young- much different than most I have seen. Theirs is a large omelet shaped item in a Chicken like gravy sauce. MMMMMMMMM

Answer

Sorry, I am too stupid to use place link.

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House of Wong
1163 Larpenteur Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55113

Answer

I LOVE Duc's of Maplewood on Century (120) and 10th (Minnehaha) in Maplewood. It's in the strip mall behind McDonald's. EVERYTHING is made to order, it's super fresh and delicious. It's a little more expensive but totally worth it. I work in New Brighton, and my coworkers drive there for lunch.

Answer

So am I to understand there is no old-school Minnesota chow mein in the Twin Cities anymore? What is the world coming to?

I grew up with Cathy Chow Mein and am horrified to learn they've smartened up their chow mein. 

I guess it's time to start digging around the tiny neighborhood places I pass but never enter. 

I googled 'chow mein Minneapolis' and found Jin's Chow Mein in Crystal which by the reviews on planet99 sounds like it might be the real deal. 

A little Chow project. Fun.

Answer

Has anyone here ever tried Golden Chow Mein on West 7th in St. Paul??? I’ve been eating there for years, but never had the chow mein. But based on what I have had there-- The fried rice, the lo mein, the egg foo yung, egg rolls, etc.--- my guess is that they would make a pretty good old-fashioned American Chinese restaurant chow mein. Very friendly owners and I’ve always loved the things I order there. In fact, I have them on speed dial.


Golden Chow Mein
1105 West 7th Street, Saint Paul 55102
651-228-1276

Uncle Ira

Answer

I think that what you're calling the "sauce" is actually the thickening agent. If they use a cheap thickening agent-- the flavors are masked. Real chow mein ( yeah, it's americanized) like what you're looking for is made by cooks from a region in Canton, China called Taishan. This is where the original immigrants to San Francisco and New York came from-- as well the the early chow mein places here. Several of the places mentioned by others do have Taishanese cooks. Uncle Ida mentioned Golden Chow Mein on W. Seventh (1105) in St. Paul. Yup-- they've got it. their # is 651-228-1276 
Oh by the way, slexie-- some of the "brown-ness" of the chow mein is just a little more soy sauce used in the prep.

Answer

I've not been there, but my neighbors all rave about Sui Yep on Payne Avenue. I think they only do takeout.

When I worked at Honeywell in Plymouth, there was a little hole-in-the-wall chow mein place in the strip mall at 55 & Boone or Winnetka where Down in the Valley and Schuler's Shoes are. It was called Lu's Chow Mein, I think.

Answer

The 'brown' sauce comes from the addition of a little oyster sauce. If you can't find a chowmein that hits the spot for you, maybe you can try buying some oyster sauce from a chinese market and adding a little to the dish that comes closest for you!

Answer

This may answer your ? I remember the Star/Trib. paper had a recipe for Port Arthur's chow mein some years back, the Taste staff is great at e-mailing a recipe, the brownish sauce was molasses in the sause. Or try Ming -tree in Champlin it is most like Port Arthur's in the area.

Answer

The real question is where can you get it like the Nankin used to serve (old # ???)? classic Minnesota Chow Mein.

Answer

Hello! Like Jennyknitstoo, I grew up on Cathay Chow Mein and it was a BIG deal. We didn't go out to eat much or ever get fast food or take out, so bringing home Cathay after church was a major highlight. My whole family loved it, and we still get it occasionally. I don't know if it's not as good as back then (30+ years ago) or if my tastes have just matured, but I do admit now that it's not sublime. (I still love the egg foo yung though). Like Mpls Mary, it was my job to distribute the cashews on each plate (I ate all the broken pieces - probably not fair - and probably just one of the reasons why my dad really did call me chow hound!). Chow mein just IS comfort food, and if that's what you're looking for, Cathay will probably fill the bill.

Answer

There is a restuarunt in south st. paul "Hong Kong" connected to an asian gift store that has the best chow mein I have ever had. the vegtables are fresh and crisp. the sauce is flavorfull, quality pieces of chicken, abundunt portions. If anyone else has eaten there it was worth the trip. I believe the cross streets are 12th and Southview. a few blocks north of 494 and the 7th street exit just west of the new river bridge.

Answer

Sorry for resurrecting another oldy moldy thread but I just got the scoop on some "old school Minnesota" chow mein. Jade Fountain in Wayzata.

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Jade Fountain
838 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391

Answer

Can anyone give me a recipe for this type of chow mein? I grew up on Jin's Chow Mein (the best), but I now live on the West coast where "chow mein" is something completely different.

Answer

Kengs Chow Mein in Crystal has the old school chow mein (on 42nd near Douglas). They have been around for 30+ years and as far as i know they have not changed the recipe. I haven't been there for a while as I moved out of the old 'hood, but I believe that my parents still get it.

Answer

Ming Tree in Champlin serves excellent brown sauce chow mein.

Answer

Hello - The Taste staff is great at e-mailing a recipe, the brownish sauce was molasses in the sause, see above post, Jin's is great stuff, grew up on it also.

Answer

OLD RECIPE FROM ST.PAUL PAPER. PORT ARTHUR CHICKEN CHOW MEIN,8 CUPS CHOPPED CELERY,21/2TBSPN. OIL,6CUPS CHICKEN BROTH,1TBSPN.SOY SAUCE,3TBSPN.MOLASSES,1 TBSPN.MSG [OPTIONAL],SALT,SUGAR,1/3 CUP CORNSTARCH[MIXED WITH WATER],11/2 CUP SHREDDED CHICKEN,BOILED,[OPTIONAL],CHOW MEIN NOODLES,STEAMED WHITE RICE. boil celery in water until tender;drain.lightly brown chicken in oil.add celery and chicken broth;cook covered until boiling.add soy sauce,molasses,msg and salt and sugar to taste.thicken with cornstarch mixture to desired consistency.serve over noodles and top with shredded chicken.makes 4 to 6 servings

Answer

I was going to say Keng's Chow Mein in New Hope (although I just saw somebody already did). My mom worked there when she was in high school (in the 60's) and still goes there when she wants "old school" Chinese food. Although I haven't been there in years, I remember going there as a child and thinking it was the only Chinese restaurant on Earth because it's the only place we went!

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Keng's Chow Mein
New Hope, MN, New Hope, MN

Answer

Woooops, the St.Paul (Eat) not the Mpls. (Taste) sorry. Thank you stinamond5 .

Answer

If you are still looking for a place that makes great chow mein w/ brown sauce try the China Dragon in Maple Grove.

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China Dragon Restaurant
11251 96th Ave N, Maple Grove, MN 55369

Answer

Try jin's takeout in Crystal Shopping Center.

closest thing to the old Nankin.

cheap too...but takeout only...and no checks

Answer

Chin Chin Chinese at 981 Smith Ave in West St. Paul. It is called Minnesota Chow Mein on the menu. I get it when I am craving old style chow mein. It is exactly what you are looking for. Brown gravy, celery, crunchy noodles.

Answer

We live in Texas now, but loved the Chow Mein at Mings Palace on 40th and Minnehaha in south Minneapolis. We would go at least once a week. We recently went to Minneapolis on vacation and had to go get our chow mein fix 2 times while we were there. Its a small restaurant but you won't find a cleaner, friendlier place. Well worth the stop. Now I am constantly looking for a recipe for the same chow mein.

Answer

Hi! I know 5ismpost was quite awhile ago but I like you miss the old style Chow Mein that we wpgrew up with. The best I have found is FONG’S - they are in Bloomington, Prior Lake and Savage, in my opinion SAVAGE is the BEST of the three!!! Everything we have had there is SO delicious and we drive a long way to get there and it’s worth it. How mein has SO much flavor, it’s the best I have ever found out there. I hope you see this so,you can try D Fongs in Savage

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MSP: Chow Mein

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