The Strings of Bliss – Different Harmonies, the Variations of Chow Mein

Chow mein is generally made of soft noodles; however Hong Kong-style chow mein is made from thin crispy noodles.

American Chinese cuisine
In American Chinese cuisine, it is a stir-fried dish consisting of noodles, meat (usually chicken, although beef, shrimp, or pork may also be used), and cabbage and other vegetables. It is often served as a specific dish at westernized Chinese restaurants with soy sauce and vegetables such as celery, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts.
Chow mein is mentioned as early as 1920, in the novel Main Street by Sinclair Lewis.
There are two kinds of chow meins available in the market: 1) Steamed chow mein, and 2) Crispy chow mein, also known as Hong Kong style chow mein. The steamed chow mein has a softer texture while crispy chow mein is crispier and dryer.

Canadian Chinese cuisine
Canadian westernized Chinese restaurants may offer up to three different types of chow mein, none of which are identical to American chow mein. Cantonese style chow mein contains deep-fried crunchy golden egg noodles, green peppers, pea pods, bok choy, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, shrimp, Chinese roast pork (char siu), chicken, and beef, and is served in a thick sauce. Plain chow mein is similar to Western chow mein but contains far more mung bean sprouts; some recipes may be up to one-half bean sprouts. Hong Kong style chow mein is similar to plain chow mein but is always served on a bed of deep-fried crunchy golden egg noodles.

Caribbean style
Many West Indian people include chow mein in their cuisine, especially peoples from islands like Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica which include a significant ethnic Chinese population. As well, in the South American country Guyana the culture and cuisine is similar to Trinidad's. This chow mein is cooked in a similar manner, with green beans, carrots, peas, onions and sometimes other vegetables. Meat used is mostly chicken and sometimes pork and/or shrimp. The main difference is that local spices are added, and the dish is often served with hot Scotch bonnet peppers and/or pepper sauce.
In Cuba, aside from the foreign owned tourist hotels which often serve Western-style Chinese food, local Chinese restaurants can be found in Havana that offer a distinct Cuban style.