
You may also like: Tips and guides on kitchenzad Chop Suey Vs. It is a dish loved by all and is now cooked in a number of different ways. No matter what the origin, it is safe to say that chop suey is a staple in most Chinese, continental, and Thai menus. Another origin story claims that the dish originated in New York, where the Chinese ambassador Li Hung-Chang’s chef put together a bland dish for his patron because the ambassador suffered from indigestion.This was back in the 1800s and these cooks basically put together scraps of meat and vegetables from some leftover food and called it chop suey Another story dictates that chop suey was actually whipped up by immigrant Chinese cooks that were given the responsibility to feed laborers on the Pacific Railroad in California.The joke was on him because the patrons loved the dish and kept coming back for more According to lore, a Chinese cook is angry at his San Francisco patrons put together a dish with the day’s garbage cooked in a bit of broth.

HONG KONG CHOP SUEY HOW TO
Read on to learn how to make Hong Kong chop suey. Chop Suey Originsīefore jumping into the recipe, let’s take a look at all the controversy surrounding the origins of this amazing dish. Hong Kong Chop Suey is one of these renditions the dish, like Hong Kong itself, combines authentic Chinese flavors with some western ingredients to present a concoction that is the best of both worlds. One of the oldest restaurants in Chinatown, it reopened in October 2015 in a new space featuring a menu of homestyle Chinese-American dishes – including chop suey.However, modern day chop suey has come a far way since then and is now infused with a number of ingredients and flavors to suit the demands of each market. You’re better off looking in the US for an authentic plate of the Chinese-American special – like San Francisco’s Sam Wo Restaurant. A dash of sesame oil lends a rich, nutty flavour to the broth, poured over a bowl of steaming rice.īecause Li was from Anhui, chop suey is sometimes considered to be from the eastern Chinese province – but in reality, it’s rarely found in China. Vegetables like celery, cabbage, onion, bamboo shoots, jicama, straw mushrooms, black mushrooms, snow peas and carrots complement the meat. Generally, it features lighter proteins like chicken, pork, shrimp and fish, enriched by condiments like soy sauce, cooking wine and sugar, which give the dish its balanced sweet and salty flavour.

It’s easy to understand its popularity: a dish for all seasons, chop suey can be made from whatever ingredients you want, as long as they work together.

Chop suey soon became a staple on the menus of Chinese restaurants from New York to San Francisco. When they asked what had been served, Li’s response was ‘chop suey’ – ‘many things put together’. Li was a powerful figure in the Qing dynasty, in charge of military, economic and foreign affairs.Īs the story goes, in 1896 Li made a visit to the United States, where he hosted a Chinese dinner for American officials.
HONG KONG CHOP SUEY FULL
The full name for chop suey is actually Li Hongzhang chop suey – named after the man many believe was responsible for its creation.
