Lo mein, with pork
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Pork lo mein is a classic Chinese-American stir-fry dish featuring soft, chewy egg noodles tossed with tender slices of pork and vegetables in a savory, slightly sweet soy-based sauce. The texture is a delightful contrast between the slippery, springy noodles and the crisp-tender vegetables, while the pork adds a satisfying, meaty depth. At 138 kcal per 100g, it's a relatively moderate-calorie option that provides a good balance of protein and carbohydrates for a quick meal.
Calorie split: 28% protein · 47% carbs · 25% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love pork lo mein for its comforting, savory flavor profile and the satisfying, chewy texture of the noodles. It's a beloved staple in Chinese-American cuisine, often enjoyed as a hearty, customizable meal that brings together sweet, salty, and umami notes in every bite.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium due to soy sauce and other seasonings, which may be a concern for those monitoring salt intake. Additionally, the refined carbohydrates in the noodles can cause blood-sugar spikes, especially for individuals with diabetes. To counteract this, pair it with extra vegetables or a side of steamed greens to increase fiber, and opt for a smaller portion or whole-grain noodles if available.
Key benefits
- Provides a balanced mix of protein (9.48g) and carbs (16.18g) for sustained energy.
- Contains dietary fiber (1g) from vegetables and noodles, aiding digestion.
- Moderate fat content (3.79g) makes it lighter than many fried noodle dishes.
- Quick and versatile, easily customizable with different vegetables and proteins.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Lo mein literally means 'stirred noodles' in Chinese, referring to the method of tossing cooked noodles with sauce and ingredients, unlike chow mein where noodles are fried crispy.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 69.3 g |
| Energy | 138 kcal |
| Protein | 9.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 16.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.1 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 85.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 168 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 357 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.79 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 16.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.24 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.16 mg |
| Niacin | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.16 mg |
| Folate, total | 23.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 23.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 23.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 26.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.14 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 8.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 78.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 17.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 2.0 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 90.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.28 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 10.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.69 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.31 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 16.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Restaurant, Chinese, chicken chow mein — USDA does not publish this profile for Lo mein.
| Tryptophan | 0.08 g |
| Threonine | 0.27 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.28 g |
| Leucine | 0.50 g |
| Lysine | 0.47 g |
| Methionine | 0.16 g |
| Cystine | 0.08 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.25 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.22 g |
| Valine | 0.31 g |
| Arginine | 0.42 g |
| Histidine | 0.18 g |
| Alanine | 0.36 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.60 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.24 g |
| Proline | 0.35 g |
| Serine | 0.25 g |
FAQ
Is pork lo mein healthy?
Pork lo mein can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. It provides protein and carbs, but be mindful of sodium and portion sizes. Pairing with vegetables and choosing lean pork can make it healthier.
How many calories are in a serving of pork lo mein?
A typical 100g serving has about 138 calories, but a full restaurant portion can be 500-800 calories, depending on size and ingredients.
Can I make pork lo mein at home?
Yes, it's easy to make at home. Use egg noodles, sliced pork, vegetables like bell peppers and carrots, and a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bit of sugar. Stir-fry everything quickly for the best texture.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.38 kcal/g · 27% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 2.1 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.13 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.