I learned east coast chow mein is NOT west coast chow mein
I learned east coast chow mein is NOT west coast chow mein
by BlackRockCrackRock
23 Comments
No_Rip_3504
what does any of this mean
takeme2tendieztown
Those don’t even look like chow mein noodles
Moto_Glitch
This looks like unseasoned sadness.
uey01
As a west coaster: r/wtf
jmanly3
It’s not a matter of which coast, but which restaurant. I’ve lived in 7 states, from Hawaii to Maine, and I’ve seen this type of “chow mein” on both coasts.
My anecdotal rule, now that I learned the hard way myself: **always order lo mein**. If the restaurant has both chow mein and lo mein on the menu, there’s a good chance this is what their idea of chow mein is.
BeenDills47
A lot of Chinese spots back east, especially the “hood spots” are going to crank out food like this. It’s not meant for ppl seeking actual Chinese food. This is where the locals go for things like French fries with sweet and sour sauce, etc. Kinda the parallel to what we see in the UK.
First sign of a legit spot will always be the presence of Chinese patrons, esp grandmas in floral vests. Bonus points of rocking a tight perm.
Jawhshuwah
Last few times I got it, it was floating in thick (maybe chicken-y but just tasted like water) broth
illest_slutbag
What the actual fuck is that – sincerely, the west coast
Wide_Train6492
I don’t think you learned anything, I think you went to a bad place
heepofsheep
Did it come with a bag of fried noodles?
Potential-Opposite88
Lo mein is what you seek 🤣🤣
beatdaddyo
Whenever I order this at my local. woman on the phone will say, chow mein vegetable, lo mein noodle.
villain75
This don’t look very shitty.
IrrelevantOnes
You want Lo Mein OP, I live on the East and when I ordered from a new Chinese spot they called me back after I placed my order.
“ Lo mein, are you sure not Chow mein? “ I said yes, but really I didn’t know.. until it was delivered like you.
Both are still really good though!
cosmiczap_
Lo Mein is what you’re looking for. I learned this the hard way at some point as well, hahah. Always order Lo Mein instead
SoyDusty
Lol like others have said, the place you went is bad, & we do lo mein
wheresmyfuckingjuul
Hey, at least panda express chow mein is same on west or east coast : D
AnUdderDay
I love east coast chow mein and grew up eating it. Then I moved to the UK where chow mein is akin to east coast lo mein. They don’t even have anything in the UK like east coast chow mein, with just meat and some veg with a clear savoury sauce. I miss it so much
Mean-Cheesecake-2635
In Oregon I believe this is often called “Subgum Chow Mein” which is meat, vegetables and bean sprouts in a clear, stock based sauce. Often it will come with crispy fried noodles like the kind you buy in a can.
ThatsRobToYou
If you’re eating chow mein, your expectations or opinions on proper Chinese food are bad… Wherever you go.
You’re right, though. This is just terrible.
RizzoTheRiot1989
East Coast Chow Mein is awesome but pisses me off when I don’t expect it.
ThaFoxThatRox
It’s the restaurant. It’s not good. There are amazing restaurants on the East Coast. New York especially. I miss it everyday.
thxxx1337
That looks like you just cleaned out the drain trap in your sink after eating chow mein.
23 Comments
what does any of this mean
Those don’t even look like chow mein noodles
This looks like unseasoned sadness.
As a west coaster: r/wtf
It’s not a matter of which coast, but which restaurant. I’ve lived in 7 states, from Hawaii to Maine, and I’ve seen this type of “chow mein” on both coasts.
My anecdotal rule, now that I learned the hard way myself: **always order lo mein**. If the restaurant has both chow mein and lo mein on the menu, there’s a good chance this is what their idea of chow mein is.
A lot of Chinese spots back east, especially the “hood spots” are going to crank out food like this. It’s not meant for ppl seeking actual Chinese food. This is where the locals go for things like French fries with sweet and sour sauce, etc. Kinda the parallel to what we see in the UK.
First sign of a legit spot will always be the presence of Chinese patrons, esp grandmas in floral vests. Bonus points of rocking a tight perm.
Last few times I got it, it was floating in thick (maybe chicken-y but just tasted like water) broth
What the actual fuck is that – sincerely, the west coast
I don’t think you learned anything, I think you went to a bad place
Did it come with a bag of fried noodles?
Lo mein is what you seek 🤣🤣
Whenever I order this at my local. woman on the phone will say, chow mein vegetable, lo mein noodle.
This don’t look very shitty.
You want Lo Mein OP, I live on the East and when I ordered from a new Chinese spot they called me back after I placed my order.
“ Lo mein, are you sure not Chow mein? “
I said yes, but really I didn’t know.. until it was delivered like you.
Both are still really good though!
Lo Mein is what you’re looking for. I learned this the hard way at some point as well, hahah. Always order Lo Mein instead
Lol like others have said, the place you went is bad, & we do lo mein
Hey, at least panda express chow mein is same on west or east coast : D
I love east coast chow mein and grew up eating it. Then I moved to the UK where chow mein is akin to east coast lo mein. They don’t even have anything in the UK like east coast chow mein, with just meat and some veg with a clear savoury sauce. I miss it so much
In Oregon I believe this is often called “Subgum Chow Mein” which is meat, vegetables and bean sprouts in a clear, stock based sauce. Often it will come with crispy fried noodles like the kind you buy in a can.
If you’re eating chow mein, your expectations or opinions on proper Chinese food are bad… Wherever you go.
You’re right, though. This is just terrible.
East Coast Chow Mein is awesome but pisses me off when I don’t expect it.
It’s the restaurant. It’s not good. There are amazing restaurants on the East Coast. New York especially. I miss it everyday.
That looks like you just cleaned out the drain trap in your sink after eating chow mein.