Discover the real story behind chop suey

Chop suey is a well-known dish in Chinese-American cuisine, although its origin and the history behind it are quite interesting and somewhat controversial. This dish consists of stir-fried vegetables (such as cabbage, carrots, onions, and bamboo shoots) along with meat (usually chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp) and a thick sauce. It is usually served with white rice or noodles and is very tasty, with a mix of sweetness and saltiness, as well as a touch of umami from the soy sauce.

Although chop suey has all the signs of being a Chinese dish, its real origin is in the United States, and dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century, in the context of Chinese immigration to America. The name “chop suey” literally means “mixed pieces” in Cantonese (“chop” is cut, “suey” is mixed or pieces). There are several theories about its creation.

Some maintain that it was created by Chinese immigrants in the United States to adapt to American tastes with local ingredients, since they could not obtain traditional ingredients for Chinese cuisine.

Another popular story tells that the dish was invented by a Chinese chef in New York, who prepared it for an important American official in the late 19th century. This version suggests that the official asked for something “exotic”, and the chef improvised a dish with the available ingredients.

Finally, others claim that chop suey was created in San Francisco, in a Chinese restaurant, as an improvised meal with leftover ingredients from other dishes. In any case, chop suey is not a traditional dish of Chinese cuisine, but rather an American creation adapted to the Western palate.

How is chop suey served?

This meal is usually served on a large plate, accompanied by steamed white rice or noodles. Soy sauce is often added to taste, and some restaurants offer it with hot sauce for those who prefer a more intense kick. It is commonly served as a main dish at a family meal or at a Chinese-American restaurant.

Like other Chinese dishes, chop suey is eaten with chopsticks. Portions of the stir-fry are taken with rice or noodles and enjoyed as a mix of textures: the vegetables are crunchy and the meats are usually tender. It is common to accompany it with a little more soy sauce or hot sauce, if desired.

How to prepare chop suey at home

• 1 onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 carrot (in thin strips)
• 200 g bamboo shoots (can be canned or fresh)
• 100 g mushrooms (mushrooms or shiitake, sliced)
• 1 red pepper (in strips)
• 100 g Chinese cabbage (or cabbage, cut into thin strips)
• 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated or chopped)
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or vegetable oil)

For the sauce:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for a deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Accompaniment:

• Cooked white rice or Chinese noodles (to taste)

1. The ingredients: Wash and cut all vegetables and proteins. If using chicken or pork, cut it into thin strips; If you use shrimp, peel them and remove the vein.
2. The sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sugar, and chicken broth. Dissolve the cornstarch in cold water and add it to the sauce mixture. Stir well and let it rest.
3. Skip the proteins: In a wok or large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or vegetable oil) over medium-high heat. Add meat (chicken, pork, beef or shrimp) and sauté until cooked through and browned. Remove the meat and reserve.
4. The vegetables: In the same wok, add the other tablespoon of sesame oil. Add the onion, carrot, red pepper, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, Chinese cabbage and garlic. Sauté everything over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
5. Add the sauce: Add the cooked meat back to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce you prepared and mix everything well. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients well, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Adjust seasoning: If necessary, adjust the flavor with a little more soy sauce, salt or pepper to taste.
7. Serve: Serve the chop suey hot, accompanied by cooked white rice or Chinese noodles.

Tips:

• You can add other ingredients such as bean sprouts, peas or chives, depending on your preference.
• If you prefer a spicier version, you can add a little chili or chilli sauce.
• The recipe is very flexible, so you can experiment with different combinations of vegetables and proteins.