Minnesota chow mein is its own thing, a saucy mix of celery, bean sprouts, meat, and gravy that has fed families here for generations, usually with crispy noodles or rice on the side. It rarely gets the spotlight, but plenty of local Chinese-American kitchens still make it the old-school way, in portions big enough to cover lunch tomorrow too.
This list rounds up eight of those spots, from a St. Paul counter with chow mein in its name to a Winona favorite that keeps its crunchy noodles separate so they stay crisp. If you grew up on this dish or you are just curious what the fuss is about, save this one and share it with the person who always picks takeout night.
1. Golden Chow Mein Restaurant, St Paul, MN
Putting chow mein right in your restaurant name is a bold move, and this West 7th Street counter backs it up. Golden Chow Mein is a no-frills, order-at-the-counter stop that serves both quick grab-and-go versions of Chinese classics and dishes cooked to order.
The namesake Golden Chow Mein is the obvious starting point. From there, the menu branches into Shrimp Subgum, an Egg Roll Chow Mein and Fried Rice combo, egg fu yung, and a pork fried rice with a nicely even ratio of pork to rice.
The kitchen also brings real wok heat to its fried rice and lo mein, which is less common than you might think. House wings and Peking duck bao buns add a little variety if you are feeding a group.
Prices stay friendly, generally in the $10 to $20 per person range, and many plates come in well under that. A full vegetarian menu is available too.
Plan around the schedule. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and again from 5 to 11 p.m., and open Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
Street parking is free but can take a lap or two to find, so takeout or delivery is a smart call on busy nights.
2. Huie’s Chow Mein, Minneapolis, MN
Here is a practical tip before anything else: a large order of chow mein at Huie’s can easily feed two or three people for around $15. That kind of math is hard to beat in the city.
This south Minneapolis spot on Chicago Avenue is run by a Chinese couple, and the cooking leans proudly old-school. Dishes are made to order with fresh ingredients, and the menu is long enough to keep regulars exploring for years.
Chow mein comes in several forms. The special chow mein, shrimp subgum chow mein, and beef Cantonese chow mein all have fans, and you can ask for clear gravy instead of brown if you prefer a lighter sauce.
Beyond noodles, the pork with pea pods, steamed dumplings with their dipping sauce, pork egg foo young, and cream cheese wontons are all solid picks.
Think of Huie’s as a takeout-first place. There is no delivery and no public restroom, but parking is easy, with a free lot plus street spaces.
Hours run Monday through Saturday starting at 11 a.m., with Tuesday through Saturday closing at 8 p.m. Sunday is a day off, so plan your chow mein cravings accordingly.
3. House of Wong, Roseville, MN
Few restaurants in the Twin Cities can say they have been family-owned since 1958. House of Wong can, and that long run shows in a menu that mixes Chinese staples with American comfort food.
The restaurant now sits in a newer, nicely updated space a few doors down from its old spot on Larpenteur Avenue West. Same family feel, just a fresher dining room.
Chicken chow mein is a menu highlight, and portions are generous. Orange chicken, sesame chicken, lemon chicken, and sweet and sour chicken cover the saucy classics, while beef lo mein, beef chow fun, and shrimp lo mein handle the noodle side.
Moo goo gai pan, pan-fried potstickers, and crispy egg rolls round things out. Daily specials give repeat visitors something new to try.
I like this one for family dinners. There is table service, a kids’ menu, high chairs, and even a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
Reservations are accepted, and the free lot usually has plenty of room. House of Wong is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., which makes it easy to fit into almost any week.
4. Keng’s Chow Mein, Minneapolis, MN
Big pieces of chicken. That detail alone sets the chicken chow mein at Keng’s apart from the thin-sliced versions found at a lot of takeout counters.
Keng’s is a classic takeout spot on 42nd Avenue North, serving a wide range of Chinese dishes with chow mein front and center. The vegetables are fresh and neatly cut, which matters a lot in a dish built around celery, onions, and sprouts.
For something a bit different, the Singapore chow mein with shrimp brings more spice to the table. Lo mein, egg foo young, and fried rice with extra chicken are also popular orders.
Save room for the sides. Crisp egg rolls, spring rolls, and cream cheese wontons are staples here, and a combo of chow mein, pork fried rice, and wontons makes an easy family meal.
Prices are very reasonable for the portion sizes, generally landing between $10 and $20 per person.
Keng’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Delivery, dine-in, and takeout are all options, and there is a free parking lot, so a quick pickup rarely turns into a hassle.
5. Cantonese House | Chinese • American, Duluth, MN
Burgers and egg foo yong on the same menu? In downtown Duluth, that combination has a home at Cantonese House.
This family-run restaurant on West 1st Street serves both Chinese and American fare in old-school digs with a retro look. It is the kind of place where one person orders chicken chow mein and the other orders a burger, and nobody argues.
On the Chinese side, chicken chow mein, sweet and sour chicken, and tofu with vegetables are reliable picks. The chicken lo mein is seasoned with a lighter hand on the salt, which is a nice change of pace.
Portions are large and prices stay affordable. There is also a good tea selection if you want something warm on a chilly lake day.
The hours are a big plus for night owls. Cantonese House is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 3 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m.
Mondays are closed. Reservations are accepted, high chairs are available, and street parking downtown is usually easy to find.
6. JJ Garden, St Cloud, MN
Anyone who moves from the Twin Cities to St. Cloud learns a hard truth fast: Minnesota-style chicken chow mein is surprisingly tough to find outside the metro. JJ Garden is one of the places filling that gap.
The chicken chow mein here follows the classic local style, and the chow mein, fried rice, and egg roll combo is an easy order for first-timers. Egg foo young is another favorite for fans of old-fashioned Chinese-American cooking.
What makes JJ Garden different from the rest of this list is range. Along with Chinese dishes like orange chicken, sesame chicken, Kung Pao chicken, and black pepper chicken, the kitchen also serves sushi and Thai fare such as pad thai and vegetable curry.
That mix is handy for groups where not everyone wants the same thing. Service is quick and friendly, and portions are ample.
You will find it at 2104 8th St N, with a free parking lot and plenty of spaces.
Hours run Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 9:30 p.m. It is closed Mondays.
7. Great Hunan Restaurant, Winona, MN
Crunchy noodles on the side, not buried in sauce. Great Hunan serves its chow mein the traditional Minnesota way, with celery and gravy packed separately from the crispy noodles so everything stays crunchy until you are ready to eat.
That old-school approach fits a restaurant that has been part of downtown Winona for more than 30 years. It sits on West 3rd Street, an easy stop if you are exploring the river town or passing through on a southeast Minnesota road trip.
The menu is big, with plenty of meat and vegetarian options. Sesame chicken, orange chicken, moo goo gai pan, and crab rangoon are some of the most popular orders, and portions run large.
Winona’s college crowd knows this place well, so expect a steady stream of students during the school year.
Service is counter-style and quick. Curbside pickup, delivery, and takeout make it easy to grab dinner on the go.
Great Hunan is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed Sundays. Parking can be a little tight downtown, so curbside pickup is a smart option at busy times.
8. Yu’s Chinese Cuisine, Mankato, MN
Timing matters at Yu’s. The Mankato restaurant gets busy on weeknight evenings and Friday and Saturday afternoons, so a lunch visit can mean a shorter wait.
The chicken chow mein is a strong reason to go. Pair it with the seafood noodle soup, which is packed with flavor and filling enough to count as a meal of its own.
For a budget-friendly lunch, the sesame beef and lo mein with a crab rangoon lunch special is a smart pick. Orange chicken, beef and broccoli, egg foo young, and egg rolls are also go-to orders.
The space is clean and casual, with friendly staff and both table and counter service. College students from the area make up a good share of the crowd.
You will find Yu’s at 1633 Monks Ave, with a free parking lot that usually has room. Reservations are accepted, and delivery and takeout are available.
Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m. It is closed Sundays.
That wraps up the list. From St. Paul to Winona, these kitchens prove old-school chow mein is alive, well, and still served in portions that guarantee leftovers.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.