The Hoo-Me Chow Mein Shortage of 2025 Is Officially Over

Restaurants across the SouthCoast and beyond have been feeling the heat for weeks. Customers have been disappointed by the disappearance of Hoo-Mee Chow Mein noodles. The shortage has impacted not only restaurants but also supermarkets and residential kitchens.

Why Hoo Mee Chow Mein Noodles Disappeared

The chow mein noodle shortage of 2025 stemmed from a malfunction in the roller machine at the Hoo-Mee Chow Mein production facility on 8th Street in Fall River.

“We had to send out for a number of parts,” said Freddy Wong of Hoo-Mee’s parent company, Oriental Chow Mein Co. “The parts were finally delivered and installed. We’re back in business.”

The machine sat idle for three weeks while restaurants waited patiently for the noodle supply to return to normal.

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A server at Rogers Family Restaurant said they have missed the Hoo-Mee Chow Mein noodles terribly.

“Most of our customers had heard about the supply issue but everyone was missing them. Nobody knew how long the shortage was going to last," they said. "I think that is what made them nervous. It went so long last time.”

Remembering the 2009 Factory Fire

This isn't the first time there has been an unexpected chow mein shortage at the Fall River factory. Back in 2009, a fire knocked out production of the noodles for six months. Wong said that while the past three weeks have been stressful, it is nothing compared to the small Fall River factory being out of commission for half a year.

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A Packaging Update Sparked by Gazelle

In 2020, Gazelle is believed to have helped Hoo-Mee Chow Mein avoid a potential PR issue by encouraging a packaging update. The iconic noodle box once said “HOO-MEE Brand Chow Mein Mix is the original chow mein mix packaged since 1926 for the home preparation by the housewife…” Gazelle wrote an article about it and encouraged the company to remove what could be seen as outdated and sexist language, which they did.