Lo mein gives you tender noodles tossed in savory soy sauce with bits of vegetables and maybe some protein. The bowl feels filling, but it runs a bit one-note without sides that add crunch or freshness.
We look for companions that bring texture contrast, bright acid, or extra protein to round out the plate. Crisp vegetables cut through the sauce, grilled proteins add substance, and cold salads refresh the palate between bites.
Lo mein brings tender noodles and savory sauce but needs sides with crunch and freshness to balance the richness. Grilled sesame chicken adds protein, cucumber salad brings crisp acid, and roasted green beans provide texture contrast. Proteins round out the meal, vegetables add brightness, and cold sides refresh the palate.
What to Serve With Lo Mein: 15 Delicious Sides
These sides bring the protein, crunch, and freshness lo mein needs to feel complete.
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| # | Side Dish | Best For | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ginger Sesame Chicken | ✨ Any Occasion | ✅ Easy |
| 2 | Spicy Garlic Shrimp | 🌙 Weeknight | ✅ Easy |
| 3 | Roasted Green Beans | ✨ Any Occasion | ⚡ Medium |
| 4 | Cucumber Salad | ✨ Any Occasion | ✅ Easy |
| 5 | Steamed Edamame | 🌙 Weeknight | ✅ Easy |
| 6 | Sesame Broccoli | ✨ Any Occasion | ✅ Easy |
| 7 | Soy-Glazed Carrots | ✨ Any Occasion | ⚡ Medium |
| 8 | Steamed Bok Choy | 🌙 Weeknight | ✅ Easy |
| 9 | Sesame Noodle Salad | ✨ Any Occasion | ✅ Easy |
| 10 | Fried Wontons | 🎉 Hosting | ✅ Easy |
| 11 | Steamed Rice | ✨ Any Occasion | ⚡ Medium |
| 12 | Pickled Daikon Slaw | ✨ Any Occasion | ✅ Easy |
| 13 | Hot and Sour Soup | ✨ Any Occasion | ⚡ Medium |
| 14 | Pork Dumplings | 🎉 Hosting | ⚡ Medium |
| 15 | Soy Glazed Tofu | ✨ Any Occasion | ✅ Easy |
1. Ginger Sesame Grilled Chicken
Savory grilled chicken with ginger and sesame notes pairs naturally with lo mein's soy base. The ginger adds brightness while sesame oil echoes the noodle sauce.
Quick tips:
- Marinate for 30 minutes - Ginger-soy marinade penetrates chicken breast and adds depth.
- Use medium-high heat - Sear develops char marks without drying out the meat.
- Rest before slicing - Letting chicken rest 5 minutes keeps juices inside.
- Double the marinade - Make extra to drizzle over finished chicken.
If you need grilled sesame chicken on the side, this delivers protein that complements rather than competes.
2. Spicy Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry
Light seafood with a kick balances lo mein richness without adding heaviness. The garlic and chili flakes bring heat that cuts through the savory sauce.
The details:
- Cook shrimp quickly - Two minutes per side in a hot skillet keeps them tender.
- Add garlic last - Toss minced garlic in for the final 30 seconds to avoid burning.
Try golden stir fry on the side when you want seafood that cooks in minutes.
| If You Want | Try This |
|---|---|
| More heat | Double the chili flakes |
| Milder flavor | Skip chili, add lemon zest |
| Extra garlic | Use 4 cloves instead of 2 |
3. Roasted Garlic Green Beans
Crunchy green beans with roasted garlic add a garlicky, slightly charred element that contrasts with tender noodles. The texture difference matters here.
Toss beans with olive oil and minced garlic, then roast at 425°F until crisp-tender with golden edges. You want something bright on the side that holds its snap.
4. Tangy Asian Cucumber Salad
Bright rice vinegar and crisp cucumber slices refresh the palate between bites. The acid cuts through soy sauce richness while adding cool crunch.
A few notes:
- Slice thin - Use a mandoline for uniform, delicate slices.
- Salt and drain - Let sliced cucumbers sit with salt for 10 minutes, then pat dry to avoid watery salad.
- Add sesame oil - A small drizzle brings nutty richness.
- Toss in chili flakes - Red pepper flakes add gentle heat.
This works as a bright side to try when you need something cold and tangy.
5. Steamed Edamame with Sea Salt
Simple steamed pods bring protein-rich satisfaction with minimal effort. The mild flavor lets lo mein shine while adding a snappy bite that noodles lack.
Steam edamame in salted water until pods turn bright green and feel tender. Drain, then sprinkle with coarse sea salt before serving warm.
| Method | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Boil in salted water | 5 minutes | Fastest method |
| Steam in basket | 8 minutes | Best texture |
| Microwave with water | 3 minutes | Quick weeknight |
6. Roasted Sesame Broccoli Florets
Crunchy roasted broccoli with toasted sesame seeds echoes lo mein flavors while adding texture contrast. The nutty sesame amplifies what is already on the plate.
Keep in mind:
- Roast at 425°F - High heat creates crispy edges.
- Dry florets first - Pat broccoli dry before tossing with oil for better browning.
- Toast sesame seeds - Add them after roasting to preserve crunch and aroma.
Broccoli turns golden at the edges and stays tender inside. If you want an easy broccoli florets to try, roasting delivers the best texture.
7. Soy-Glazed Baby Carrots
Sweet-savory glazed carrots with soy and honey complement lo mein's soy base. The glaze thickens into a sticky coating that clings to tender carrots.
What to know:
- Simmer until tender - Cook carrots in soy-honey mixture for about 15 minutes.
- Reduce the glaze - Let liquid cook down until it turns syrupy.
- Add ginger - Fresh grated ginger brightens the glaze.
Try something crisp on the side when you want vegetables with a glossy finish.
| If You Want | Try This |
|---|---|
| Sweeter glaze | Use more honey, less soy |
| Deeper color | Add a splash of dark soy sauce |
| Spicy kick | Stir in chili garlic paste |
8. Light Steamed Bok Choy with Garlic
Tender bok choy with garlic adds mild bitterness and fresh greens to the plate. The delicate leaves cook quickly without turning mushy.
Quick tips:
- Halve lengthwise - Cut bok choy in half to speed cooking.
- Steam 3-4 minutes - Stop when leaves wilt but stems stay crisp.
- Drizzle sesame oil - Finish with toasted sesame oil and minced garlic.
- Use baby bok choy - Smaller heads cook faster and taste more tender.
Bok choy brings freshness without heaviness. The mild flavor pairs with everything on the table.
9. Cold Sesame Noodle Salad
Cool egg noodles tossed in nutty sesame dressing offer textural contrast with warm lo mein. The chilled side adds variety to the plate.
A few notes:
- Chill noodles first - Rinse cooked noodles under cold water and refrigerate before tossing.
- Use peanut butter - Creamy peanut butter makes the dressing rich and thick.
- Add scallions - Chopped green onions bring sharpness.
Cold noodle salad works when you want something familiar that tastes different. Consider our favorite noodle salad side for potlucks or buffets.
Peanut Dressing
Works for: Rich, creamy texture with nutty flavor
Skip if: Peanut allergies present
Tahini Dressing
Works for: Lighter feel, works for nut-free meals
Skip if: You want pronounced nuttiness
10. Crispy Fried Wontons
Golden fried wontons bring crunchy texture and savory filling that contrasts with tender noodles. The crisp wrappers shatter when you bite them.
Use wonton wrappers filled with seasoned pork or cream cheese, then fry in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving warm.
11. Steamed Jasmine Rice
Neutral jasmine rice soaks up extra lo mein sauce and adds mild comfort to the meal. The fluffy grains provide a starchy base without competing flavors.
Use a rice cooker for hands-off cooking, then fluff with a fork before serving. Rice stretches the meal when you need something golden on the side for larger groups.
| Method | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Rice cooker | 30 minutes | Hands-off cooking |
| Stovetop | 20 minutes | Better control |
| Microwave | 15 minutes | Quick weeknight |
12. Pickled Daikon and Carrot Slaw
Tangy quick-pickled vegetables add acid and crunch that refresh the palate. The bright vinegar cuts through soy sauce richness with every bite.
The details:
- Julienne thin - Matchstick cuts pickle faster and taste more delicate.
- Quick-pickle method - Toss vegetables with rice vinegar and sugar, let sit 15 minutes.
- Add chili flakes - Red pepper flakes bring gentle heat.
- Drain before serving - Pour off excess liquid to avoid soggy slaw.
This works as an easy carrot slaw to try when you need something bright and crunchy.
If you need more easy weeknight chicken meals that work with noodle dishes, we have other options worth trying.
13. Hot and Sour Soup
Light broth with sour spice notes warms the palate and adds complementary heat. The tangy base echoes lo mein flavors while bringing liquid to the meal.
Serve soup in small cups as a starter or side. The broth feels lighter than heavy cream-based soups and pairs naturally with Chinese-American dishes. Try creamy sour soup on the side when you want something warm and tangy.
14. Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings
Crispy-bottomed dumplings bring savory pork filling and satisfying umami to the plate. The contrast between crisp bottom and tender top makes each bite interesting.
A few notes:
- Sear first - Brown dumplings in oil until golden on one side.
- Add water and steam - Pour in water, cover, and steam until wrappers turn translucent.
Pan-fried dumplings work when you want something more substantial than vegetables. Consider this easy pork dumplings recipe for hosting or family dinners.
Pan-Fried
Works for: Crispy texture, restaurant-style finish
Skip if: You want lighter preparation
Steamed
Works for: Softer texture, less oil needed
Skip if: You want crunch
15. Soy Ginger Glazed Tofu
Crispy tofu with ginger-soy glaze brings vegetarian protein that complements lo mein flavors. The golden edges add textural contrast to tender noodles.
Keep in mind:
- Press tofu first - Remove moisture by pressing tofu between paper towels for 10 minutes.
- Use high heat - Pan-fry in hot oil until edges turn golden and crisp.
- Glaze at the end - Toss cooked tofu with soy-ginger sauce just before serving.
Tofu absorbs the glaze and adds protein without heaviness. Try something golden on the side when you need a vegetarian option that holds up on the plate.
We also have quick vegetarian options to try when you need meatless sides that pair with noodle dishes.
These sides round out lo mein with protein, crunch, and freshness that noodles alone cannot provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grilled proteins like sesame chicken or garlic shrimp add substance, while crisp vegetables like roasted green beans or cucumber salad bring freshness and texture contrast.
Roasted broccoli, steamed bok choy, soy-glazed carrots, and roasted green beans all work because they add crunch and freshness without competing with the noodles.
Cucumber salad, pickled slaw, sesame noodle salad, and glazed carrots all hold well in the fridge and taste better after flavors meld for a few hours.
Steamed edamame, roasted green beans, cucumber salad, and steamed bok choy all bring vegetables and protein without adding more starch or heavy sauces.
Two sides work for weeknight meals-one protein and one vegetable-while hosting calls for three or four options to give everyone variety.
What to Eat With Lo Mein: 15 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Assess what the main dish already provides-if it has starch, focus on vegetables and fresh sides.
- Choose 2-3 sides that fill different gaps: one vegetable, one starch or bread, one sauce or dip.
- Start the longest-cooking side first. Prep quick items like salads while the oven works.
- Balance temperatures-pair hot roasted vegetables with a cold slaw or chilled dip.
- Plate the main dish with sides arranged around it. Drizzle sauce or add garnish last.
