The best supermarket chicken chow mein: tried and tasted

Supermarket versions of the takeaway classic are widely available, but which ones are worth bringing home?

A bowl of chicken chow mein with a fork on top

Image credit: Getty Images

By Saga Magazine | Published - 25 Sep 2025

1. Sainsbury’s Chicken Chow Mein

Winner

400g, £3.50

Perfectly textured noodles in a deliciously balanced sauce delivering ample hints of soy and sesame oil.

The large slices of chicken were tender and were enhanced by the crispiness of the red peppers and spring greens.

A great-tasting, good-value chow mein.

Rating: 9/10

2. Aldi Chicken Chow Mein

400g, £2.69

A medley of vegetables, including carrots, greens and red peppers, gave great taste and texture to this appetising, excellently priced dish.

The plentiful chicken was flavoursome (albeit a little dry), and fans like us of rich soy sauce will love it.

Rating: 8/10

3. M&S Chicken Chow Mein

400g, £5.25

The noodles had a pleasing texture and were nicely paired with large, crunchy beansprouts, all coated in a flavourful, soy-rich sauce.

But the onion was a bit overpowering, and while the chicken was tasty, the pieces were small and slightly dry.

Overall, it was enjoyable, though it didn’t justify the price.

Rating: 7/10

4. Co-op Chicken Chow Mein

350g, £4.55

The dish had sizeable chunks of tender chicken, though they were few in number, plus large slices of onion and pepper.

The noodles were firm and the sauce was pleasant with a sesame oil aroma.

But the roughly chopped greens detracted from the overall experience, with unappealing, woody stalks.

Rating: 7/10

5. Waitrose Chicken Chow Mein

400g, £5.30

The tender, succulent chopped chicken was the best of all the dishes and full of flavour, but that taste did not extend to the sauce.

The noodles were fat and very long, which made them difficult to handle.

The mushrooms were a welcome addition, but the other vegetables were hard to detect.

Rating: 6/10

6. Morrisons Chicken Chow Mein

400g, £3.75

The chicken consisted of large breast slices, but they were quite chewy and lacked flavour, as did the cabbage and carrot.

The dish was dominated by stringy noodles contained in a thick, gloopy sauce which didn’t have any real taste.

Rating: 6/10

Our reviewers: Mother and daughter team Diana Redfern and Emma Gill

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