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Home » Cuisine » Asian » Vietnamese Crispy Noodles (Mì Xào Giòn)

Asian, Chinese, Dinner, Lunch, Vietnamese · August 14, 2021

Vietnamese Crispy Noodles (Mì Xào Giòn)

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This recipe combines crispy chow mein noodles with a saucy shrimp stir fry with vegetables. It’s a wonderful contrast of textures as the noodles soak up the savory sauce. The best part is that it’s highly customizable, and I’ve simplified the process so you can easily have this ready in 30 minutes or less. Once you see how easy it is, there’s no excuse not to make Vietnamese Crispy Noodles (Mì Xào Giòn) at home!

Growing up, this used to be one of my favorite dishes. It just feels special to have this dish served to you. Saucy vegetables and meat served over a crispy nest of fried noodles? What’s not to like??

It’s fun to break apart the crispy noodles and enjoy all the crunchy bits. As it sits, the noodles really absorb the yummy sauce so you get a whole new texture of noodles when you eat them. It’s so good!

Where to find Mì Xào Giòn

I’ve seen this dish under so many different types of names at both Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. Sometimes it’s called Hong Kong Style Noodles, Crispy Chow Mein Noodles, or Seafood Bird Nest. Like so many dishes, there is lots of crossover influence with Asian food so that is why you’ll see these noodles in both Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine.

Ingredients

There are three main components to this dish:

  1. Crispy noodles
  2. Sauce/broth
  3. Toppings (veggies and protein)

Below are the main ingredients for this dish with substitutions:

  • Chow mein noodles – It’s best to use fresh, thin chow mein egg noodles for best results. They are typically found in the refrigerated section and are yellow in color. Sometimes you’ll see them called Hong Kong Style noodles or wonton noodles. If you can’t find fresh, you can use the dried variety. You’ll need to cook them per the instructions on the package, and then proceed with the recipe.
  • Shrimp – I love how fast the shrimp cook with this recipe. Typically this is also served with calamari to keep with the seafood theme. Alternatively, you could use chicken, beef, or tofu to make it vegetarian.
  • Vegetables – You can use any type of vegetable for this dish, it’s very versatile. I personally like using brocolli, carrots, onions, or mushrooms. Other great options include bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, or peppers.
  • Oyster sauce – This is the main flavoring for the sauce. You can also substitute vegetarian mushroom sauce for this recipe.
  • Chicken stock – You can also substitute with vegetable stock.

How to Prepare

In the past, I’d need to break out three different pots and pans to cook all the components separately. Now, I’ve simplified it to make cooking this dish faster.

Step 1: Start by shallow frying the noodles in oil. You can also deep-fry the noodles, but I like using less oil so there isn’t as much waste.

Step 2: Mix together the broth, flavorings, and corn starch. Heat the mixture until it comes to a boil and begins to thicken.

Step 3: When the sauce is thickened and almost ready to serve, I’ll toss in my veggies. Harder vegetables (like carrots) will be tossed in first, then the leafy vegetables. Don’t overcook the veggies, they should still retain some crunch. I throw the shrimp in last as they cook fairly quickly.

Step 4: You should have a good amount of sauce at the end (it should look like a thin gravy). Pour the mixture over the crispy noodles and serve immediately.

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Vietnamese crispy noodles with shrimp stir fry

Vietnamese Crispy Noodles (Mì Xào Giòn)

This recipe combines crispy chow mein noodles with a saucy shrimp stir fry with vegetables. It's a wonderful contrast of textures as the noodles soak up the savory sauce. The best part is that it's highly customizable, and can be ready in 30 minutes!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Chinese, Vietnamese
Servings 2 people

Equipment

Large pan
Medium pot

Ingredients
  

  • 6 ounces raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 8 ounces fresh, thin chow mein noodles
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 2 cups assorted vegetables (see notes for suggestions)

Instructions
 

  • Gather the ingredients.
    ingredients for vietnamese crispy noodles
  • In a bowl, season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Set aside.
    shrimp with salt and pepper
  • Next, heat up a medium pan with cooking oil (about 1/4 inch of oil) over medium heat. While you wait for the oil to heat up, untangle and separate the noodles. The noodles will likely come in small bundles, so you'll want to separate them and make sure none of the strands are stuck together.
    chow mein noodles
  • Test the oil by putting a small strand in the oil. It should sizzle and begin to turn brown. Make sure it's not so hot that the noodle turns dark too quickly. When it's ready, take half of the noodles (4 ounces) and put a thin layer of noodles into the pan.
  • Cook 2-3 minutes on one side, then carefully flip with a spatula. Fry the noodles until the noodles become crispy. Take out of the pan and repeat with the other half of the noodles.
  • Next, make the sauce. Combine chicken stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce, pepper, and corn starch in a container and stir with a whisk.
  • Pour this mixture into a pot and heat over medium-high heat. Let it boil and thicken. It should have the consistency of a thin gravy.
    chicken stock and corn starch
  • Next, you'll cook your vegetables in the sauce. Start with root vegetables (like carrots). Let it cook for a few minutes before adding leafy vegetables. Do not overcook the vegetables, they will generally take about 4-7 minutes to cook.
    vegetables in sauce
  • Lastly, add the reserved shrimp. They will only take about 3 minutes to cook. Give everything a stir until the shrimp turn opaque and turn off the heat.
  • Time to plate! Place the fried chow mein noodles on a plate. Evenly divide the sauce with vegetables and shrimp and pour it over the chow mein noodles. Serve immediately and enjoy!
    vietnamese crispy noodles plated

Notes

  1. Options for vegetables: sliced carrots, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, chopped bok choy, sliced cabbage, sliced mushrooms, or chopped peppers (this is a great meal for cleaning out your fridge). 
  2. If you want to make this vegetarian, substitute shrimp for tofu, chicken stock for vegetable stock, and oyster sauce for vegetarian mushroom sauce. 
  3. This is best served immediately. You can make this ahead of time but keep the noodles and sauce separate until right before serving. 
Keyword noodles, shrimp
Tried this recipe?Mention @EatingForLuu or tag #eatingforluu!

Posted In: Asian, Chinese, Dinner, Lunch, Vietnamese

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Comments

  1. Avatar for JagrutiJagruti says

    August 15, 2021 at 6:21 am

    5 stars
    I love that this recipe customizable as I have a couple of very picky eaters. Anytime I can get dinner on the table in 30 minutes is a win for me. So light and flavorful!

  2. Avatar for StacyStacy says

    August 15, 2021 at 6:32 am

    My husband will love this. I am always looking for new ways to use shrimp. Thank you

    • Avatar for Phuong LuuPhuong Luu says

      August 15, 2021 at 9:38 am

      Yes, my husband loves shrimp and gets so excited when I make this dish!

  3. Avatar for LucaLuca says

    August 15, 2021 at 7:27 am

    5 stars
    Great quick recipe and a nice way to eat those yummy shrimp!

  4. Avatar for JeanJean says

    August 15, 2021 at 7:53 pm

    5 stars
    I love savory noodles, its been a while since I had crispy noodles!

    • Avatar for Phuong LuuPhuong Luu says

      August 16, 2021 at 4:00 pm

      Yes, I haven’t made this dish in awhile so this was a hit in my house!

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Why hello there! My name is Phuong and welcome to my little place on the internet where I share recipes that simply make me (and hopefully you) happy. I’ll show you how to cook tried and true recipes that will save you time in the kitchen but won’t sacrifice any flavor. Here you’ll find real everyday food I’d cook at home for my friends and family. The flavors will be bold but the recipes will be simple so you can spend more time eating at the dinner table instead of hours in the kitchen.

A little more about me? I’m a recovering perfectionist and a chronic multitasker. I’m also a mama of two human babies and two fur babies, Goose and Nugget.

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hey there!

My name is Phuong Luu and welcome to my little place on the internet where I share recipes that simply make me (and hopefully you) happy. I’ll show you how to cook tried and true recipes that will save you time in the kitchen but won’t sacrifice any flavor. I hope you'll try my recipes!

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