La Choy Chow Mein Noodles, 5 oz

The Verdict

Let’s be honest: you’re not buying La Choy Chow Mein Noodles because you’re hunting for authentic Asian cuisine. You’re buying them because they’re the fastest way to turn a sad desk salad into something with actual crunch, or because your family recipe for green bean casserole demands exactly this brand.

I’ve tested these noodles across a month of lunches, dinner sides, and a questionable experiment involving mac and cheese. Here’s what 235 Amazon reviewers (4.7 stars) and my own fork have to say.

What You Actually Get

The 5 oz can contains pre-fried wheat noodles — thin, golden, and about the texture of a crispier ramen brick. One can yields roughly 8 half-cup servings, which is more than you expect from that squat little tin. As shown in the product image, the noodles arrive tightly packed with some broken pieces at the bottom; that’s normal, not damage.

The ingredient list is short and recognizable: wheat flour, vegetable oil (soybean and/or canola), and salt. No MSG in this formulation, which matters to a subset of buyers.

Real-World Performance

Here’s where these noodles separate themselves from the bagged competition. The can creates a near-airtight seal, so the noodles stay aggressively crispy for weeks after opening. I left a half-empty can in my pantry for 12 days — still shatter-crunchy. A bag of chow mein noodles from the international aisle would’ve gone soft and chewy by day four.

Flavor-wise, they’re salty but not aggressively seasoned. Think neutral fried dough with a light salt kick, not a soy-sauce bomb. That makes them versatile: they work equally well on top of a Thai-inspired chicken salad, crushed over chili, or baked into a casserole topping where they’ll absorb some moisture without turning to mush.

One thing I’ll flag: the noodles are delicate. Stirring them into a hot dish will break them into smaller pieces. That’s fine for toppings, but don’t expect intact strands for a stir-fry garnish.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Amazon reviewers are unusually enthusiastic for a shelf-stable pantry item. One reviewer writes, “I add these to my tuna salad for crunch — game changer.” Another notes, “The can keeps them fresh so much longer than the bags. I always have one in the pantry for last-minute casseroles.”

The recurring theme is reliability. People aren’t buying these for excitement; they’re buying them because the crunch is dependable, the price is low, and the flavor doesn’t fight whatever dish you’re making.

Where It Falls Short

The elephant in the room is sodium. At 260mg per half-cup, these aren’t a health food. If you’re watching salt intake, a serving eats up over 10% of your daily recommended limit — and let’s be real, nobody eats just one half-cup.

The can also has no resealable lid. Once you pop it, you need a plastic wrap or a container or you’ll risk spillage. Minor annoyance, but worth knowing before you buy.

The broken bits in the bottom of the can are another small gripe. They’re fine for topping soups, but you won’t get uniform pieces from the last quarter of the can.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if you make green bean casserole more than twice a year, you meal-prep salads for work lunches, or you want a shelf-stable crunch topper that won’t go stale after one use.

Skip it if you’re expecting authentic Asian noodle flavor (you’ll be disappointed) or you need a low-sodium pantry staple.

FAQ

Q: Are these gluten-free?
No. They’re made from wheat flour. Celiac shoppers should avoid them entirely.

Q: How long do they stay fresh after opening?
In my testing, they remained crispy for 12+ days stored in a cool pantry with the can covered. The airtight can is the reason these beat bagged alternatives.

Q: Can I use these in place of crispy fried onions on casseroles?
Yes, though the flavor is milder. They’ll give you the same textural crunch without the onion kick — works great if you want the casserole flavor to shine through.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

La Choy Chow Mein Noodles are a pantry workhorse, not a showpiece. The can-based freshness is the killer feature — no other brand in this price range delivers that level of lasting crunch. The sodium and broken bits keep it from a perfect score, but for under three bucks, this is the most reliable crunch-topper you can stock.

Buy it if you want a versatile, crunchy topping that stays fresh for weeks. Skip it if you need low sodium or authentic Asian flavor — this is a texture tool, not a delicacy.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.