Dan Mien

• Dan mien are Chinese egg noodles made from wheat flour. These are the traditional noodles used in lo mein dishes. Generally the lo mein versions of dan mien are cut thicker than the versions used for chow mein. The egg in these gives them a richer, more buttery flavor. There are imitation versions of these noodles available, but they are not made with egg; they are made with yellow food coloring. These can be found in Asian grocery stores, fresh and dried. If you cannot find dan mien, try using fettuccine or linguine noodles.

Ganmien

• Ganmien are wheat starch noodles primarily used in Chinese soups, but can still be used in lo mein recipes. They are more delicate than dan mien, so handle with care. They come in many sizes, and are available fresh, dried or frozen. Alternatives include fettuccine, linguine or Japanese noodles.

Kishimen

• Kishimen are Japanese wheat noodles similar to ganmien because of its softer texture. Ordinarily used in soups, enjoy kishimen hot or cold. These might be more difficult to find, but are still a feasible alternative.

Tofu Noodles as a Healthy Substitute

• If you or your family are looking for a healthier substitute to traditional noodles, there are tofu versions of Asian noodles, such as Tofu Shirataki noodles. These are gluten-free, low-calorie and low-fat. They can be found online, in Asian grocery stores or in health food stores.