The Taishan dialect of Chinese is the source of the word chow mein, which is its English equivalent. Meing is noodles, while Chau is stir-fried. Typically, the noodles are parboiled before being cooked in a hot wok with crisp veggies, protein, and aromatics. When eaten in moderation and prepared healthily, chow mein may generally be a component of a balanced diet. Like any cuisine, too much chow mein can have detrimental impacts on one's health.