lo mein: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, culinary
Quick answer
What does “lo mein” mean?
A Chinese dish consisting of soft wheat noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat or seafood in a savory sauce.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Chinese dish consisting of soft wheat noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat or seafood in a savory sauce.
In Western contexts, it has become a broad term for a wide variety of stir-fried noodle dishes found in Chinese-American takeout cuisine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both UK and US English but is far more prevalent in North America due to the widespread popularity of Chinese-American cuisine. In the UK, similar noodle dishes might be less specifically labelled or found in Cantonese restaurants.
Connotations
Primarily associated with takeout or fast-casual dining. In the US, it carries strong connotations of Americanized Chinese food. In the UK, it may signal a more authentic Cantonese dish compared to a generic 'stir-fried noodles'.
Frequency
High frequency in American culinary contexts; moderate to low in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “lo mein” in a Sentence
[Verb] + lo mein (e.g., eat, order, cook, stir-fry)[Adjective] + lo mein (e.g., chicken, vegetarian, classic)lo mein + [Preposition] + [Noun] (e.g., lo mein with vegetables)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lo mein” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'a lo mein dish']
American English
- [Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'lo mein noodles']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the restaurant/food service industry (e.g., 'Our bestseller is the shrimp lo mein.').
Academic
Very rare, potentially in cultural or culinary studies.
Everyday
Common in contexts of dining, takeout, and cooking.
Technical
Used in professional culinary contexts to denote a specific preparation method for wheat noodles.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lo mein”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lo mein”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lo mein”
- Misspelling as 'low mein', 'lo mien', or 'lo main'.
- Confusing it with 'chow mein', which typically uses crispier noodles.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'two lo meins') instead of an uncountable/mass noun (e.g., 'two orders of lo mein').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are stir-fried noodle dishes, 'lo mein' uses soft, boiled noodles tossed with ingredients. 'Chow mein' typically involves frying the noodles until they become crispy.
In American English, it's pronounced /ˌloʊ ˈmeɪn/ (loh-MAYN). In British English, it's /ˌləʊ ˈmeɪn/ (loh-MAYN). The first syllable rhymes with 'go' or 'low'.
Yes. While commonly made with meat or seafood, 'vegetable lo mein' is a standard menu item, made with a variety of stir-fried vegetables and a savory sauce.
Yes, it originates from Cantonese cuisine. However, the versions commonly found in Western takeout restaurants are often adapted to local tastes with thicker sauces and different vegetable combinations.
A Chinese dish consisting of soft wheat noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat or seafood in a savory sauce.
Lo mein is usually informal, culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated. The term is a specific culinary noun.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LOw to the wok, I MIX (mein) the noodles.' It's a low-stir, mixed noodle dish.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT FOOD IS A WARM EMBRACE (lo mein as a familiar, satisfying takeout choice).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes 'lo mein' from 'chow mein' in traditional preparation?