The Origins of Lo Mein

My favorite holiday is Chinese New Year. It is also called Lunar New Year depending on what part of Asia you and your family came from. I look forward to the special red envelope that the “elders” give to the children as a gift. I enjoy drinking hot tea and having lo mein. We normally eat out to emphasize how important this holiday is to my culture. I would love to learn how to cook these special foods so I don’t have to rely on take out.


Lo Mein came from China in the Han Dynasty. The word comes from the Cantonese “lōu mihn” meaning “stirred noodles." The reason we eat Lo Mein is because it symbolizes a long and prosperous life. When the Chinese immigrated to America for the California gold rush they also brought their culture. Since then the classic lo mein became Americanized to what we have now.

Chinese New Year is important to my family, because it helps me remember where I came from. It is especially important as an Asian adoptie to know my culture so this is one way we do that. There aren't a lot of people who share the same story, so celebrating this Lunar New Year is one way to connect with people who share similar stories. 

What is Lo Mein? — Windchimes. “Windchimes.” Windchimes, 22 Aug. 2018, www.windchimeschinese.com/windchimes-blog/2018/8/22/what-is-lo-mein. Accessed 10 Dec. 2021.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Lo Mein.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lo_mein. Accessed 10 Dec. 2021.