Chao Mian (pronounced chow-mee-en) is a simple dish commonly known as Chow Mein, fried noodles, or, on the East coast of America, Lo Mein. Chao Mian is a staple of Chinese snack food and fast food and is both delicious and convenient.

While typical chao mian is served with some greens and bean sprouts, the dish is quite dynamic because of its ability to go well with a variety of ingredients. The noodles to the right are served with zhurousi (pork strips, pronounced joo-row-sih) and chaodan (fried eggs, pronounced chow-dahn), but you can easily add niurou (beef, pronounce nyoh-row) or jirou (chicken, pronounced jee-row).

If you are living in China, or planning to come visit, chao mian will quickly become a staple of your existence, not only because it tastes great, but also because it's widely available and CHEAP.

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