More often than not, different JSEC stalls serve similar kinds of food, especially when it comes to Chinese cuisine. Chow Mein then faces the challenge of setting itself apart through its simple yet quality menu. With this stall’s generous amounts of fresh oriental food, students easily find savory comforts on campus.

Taste

An essential to Chow Mein is its Stir-fried Egg Noodle base, sautéed in hoisin and oyster sauce to pack a savory punch. The chewy noodles pair perfectly with bean sprouts for that extra crunch, resulting in a meal that hits the marks of Chinese cuisine. With a hefty serving, this straightforward offering actually delivers a pleasant, tasteful surprise. 

Pairing the Sriracha Chicken with the noodles may seem unusual, but in reality, the chicken only adds a subtle spice. Although this may be a letdown under different circumstances, the main dish works with the noodles by adding zest to the mix without overdoing the heat. For those seeking a tamer flavor, the Garlic Butter Chicken is the way to go, though it still comes with bits of chili. However, its rich sauce falls short as the overwhelming taste of butter leaves little room for the garlic’s flavor.

Chow Mein also serves classic sides, like the Pork Siomai and Lumpia Shanghai, which deliver the typical flavors expected of both. With the tender meat of the siomai and crispy exterior of lumpia, both are salty enough to stray away from bland. Kropek chips are also available as a light, crunchy snack. Familiarity serves as these sides’ greatest appeal, as customers won’t be surprised nor let down with what they get. 

None of these would be complete without sweet drinks to complement the savor. Both the Lychee and Peach Mango juices cater to one’s sweet tooth, but the latter is more sugary while the Lychee has a cleaner, more distinguishable flavor.

Concept

It can be difficult for Chinese dishes to be cooked just right, but Chow Mein nails the method. The owners took note of how students sought noodles of a particular texture and taste, but couldn’t seem to find them anywhere on campus. Serving authentic and fresh noodles to satisfy these cravings became Chow Mein’s goal—fulfilled through oriental cuisine that hits the right spot.

Value for money

Chow Mein balances both price range and serving size. A solo meal costs Php 90 for either any main dish with rice or noodles, or four pieces of toppings with rice, and only Php 20 has to be added for chips and a drink. If one wants a lighter snack, the siomai and lumpia are sold at Php 18 per piece. For the hungrier crowd, a Lauriat option at Php 120 includes a main, one topping, noodles, rice, chips, and a drink. Chow Mein’s hearty servings, flavorful ingredients, and on-the-spot cooking ensure that customers indeed get their money’s worth.

Final verdict

Chow Mein’s dishes have their strong points and come in generous amounts that won’t break the bank. Despite this, the stall’s main issue lies in a concept JSEC has already seen time and again. In offering authentic Chinese food, this stall reaches the bar, but doesn’t quite raise it. But in the end, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to what people already love and serving it quite well–and Chow Mein does exactly that.

Rating: 4/5

Editors’ Note: In the interest of fairness, Vantage writers only reviewed food that was offered by the stalls during their respective taste tests.

Photos by Gabriel J. Medina