Why is chop suey such a popular dish in Chinese restaurants

What is chop suey and why have not only Americans fallen in love with it?

The famous dish, often featured on the menus of Chinese restaurants around the world, is synonymous for many with exotic cuisine that is quick to prepare and full of flavor. We are talking about chop suey – a dish that was somewhat mistakenly christened as a traditional Chinese meal, even though it has its roots more in the USA than in Beijing. Nevertheless, it has become an integral part of international gastronomy, and today you can prepare it at home – healthier, tastier, and above all, according to your own preferences.

Chop suey - an American-Chinese phenomenon

The name "chop suey" comes from Cantonese, where the expression “tsap sui" (杂碎) literally means “a mix of leftovers” or “mixed pieces”. And that's precisely what this dish is about – a combination of various ingredients, primarily vegetables and meat, quickly stir-fried in a wok and served with rice or noodles. However, it is not an ancient Chinese recipe. Chop suey probably originated in the 19th century in the United States, where it was invented by Chinese immigrants to suit the tastes of American customers.

According to one legend, the first chop suey was created in San Francisco when hungry sailors visited a Chinese restaurant late at night. The kitchen was already closed, so the cook quickly mixed various leftovers from the day – vegetables, meat, and sauce – thus creating the first chop suey. Whether the legend is true or not, the fact remains that chop suey became a symbol of American-Chinese cuisine.

Starring - chicken chop suey

Today, there are several variations of this dish, but one of the most popular is chicken chop suey. It's no wonder – chicken meat is tender, quick to prepare, and easily absorbs the flavors of the sauce and vegetables. Additionally, it fits well into the diet of those who care about a healthy lifestyle.

In its homemade version, chicken chop suey is not only tasty but also nutritionally balanced. It contains proteins from the meat, fiber and vitamins from the vegetables, and only a minimal amount of fats if prepared gently. The recipe can be adjusted according to seasonal ingredients or availability – from classic bell peppers, onions, and carrots to Asian bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, or fresh mung bean sprouts.

The choice of sauce is also crucial. A mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sometimes starch for thickening is most commonly used. The result is a mildly salty sauce with an Asian character, yet without excessive spiciness or complex flavors, making chop suey suitable even for children.

How to prepare homemade chop suey?

Preparing homemade chop suey does not require any complex ingredients. It is actually one of those dishes that allow you to utilize what you have in the fridge – and that is its charm and ecological aspect. You avoid waste while enjoying a meal with an Asian touch.

Here is a simple and delicious recipe for chicken chop suey for four people:

Ingredients:

• 500 g chicken breasts (cut into thin slices)
• 1 onion
• 2 colored bell peppers
• 2 carrots
• A handful of broccoli
• A handful of bean sprouts
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• A piece of fresh ginger (about 2 cm)
• Salt, pepper, optionally chili to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the vegetables – cut everything into thin strips or small pieces. You can pre-blanch the carrots and broccoli.
2. In a bowl, mix cornstarch with soy sauce, add crushed garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil.
3. Mix the chicken with half of the marinade and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a pan or wok and quickly fry the chicken until golden. Remove and set aside.
5. In the same pan, fry the vegetables – start with the harder pieces like carrots and broccoli, then add the onion, bell pepper, and finally the sprouts.
6. Return the chicken to the pan, pour in the remaining sauce, and heat briefly.
7. Serve with rice or rice noodles.

This chop suey recipe can be easily modified according to personal preferences – you can replace the meat with tofu, add shiitake mushrooms, or change the vegetables according to seasonal availability. The advantage is that the whole meal is ready in 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for weekdays.

Chop suey in the context of a healthy lifestyle

One of the reasons why chop suey fits well on the table even in households that care about sustainability and health is its variability. Instead of industrially processed ingredients, you can use organic vegetables from farmers' markets, free-range chicken, and fermented soy sauces without glutamates.

Moreover, due to the short cooking time, the vegetables do not lose as many vitamins and minerals. And since this dish does not use any heavy creams or fried dough, it is a meal with relatively low calories. It fits perfectly into the diet of people who want to lose weight or eat balanced.

From an ecological standpoint, chop suey is friendly because it allows for the utilization of leftovers – like a not-so-fresh carrot or broccoli that would otherwise end up in the trash. In today's world, where up to 30% of food is wasted in Europe, even such a simple recipe can be a small step towards reducing food waste.

A culture that tastes good

The story of chop suey is also a story of cultural blending and adaptation. What began as a simple dish in a port can now be found in restaurants from Tokyo to Toronto. Its popularity is proof that sometimes the simplest meals are the tastiest.

“The best dishes are not those that amaze us with complexity, but those that become a part of our everyday life," says food stylist and cookbook author Andrea Nguyen, who focuses on Asian cuisine. And chop suey is one of them – accessible, simple, yet tasty and adaptable.

One household might prepare it with tofu and Swiss chard, another with pork and bamboo shoots. Each plate looks different, yet all share the same foundation – the joy of food that is flavorful and also makes sense.

Whether you're looking for a quick dinner after work, new inspirations for a healthy diet, or a way to waste less in the kitchen, the chop suey recipe might be just what you're looking for. Try it once, and it might become a regular part of your menu – just like in millions of households around the world.