![]() Our goal with each article is to continue to broaden your culinary world by enriching your culinary expertise. However, they have different origins and often use different ingredients. Final Thoughts on the Difference Between Chop Suey and Chow Meinīoth chow mein and chop suey are stir-fried dishes with vegetables popular on Chinese takeout menus. On the other hand, chop suey recipes often differ widely depending on who is cooking and what ingredients are available. Many chefs also only use vegetables in their chow mein. Chop suey is usually served over rice, but you can serve it over noodles as well. People in northern China have been eating dishes of stir-fried noodles called “ch’ao mien” going back many centuries.Ĭhow mein has to be served with noodles, otherwise it is a completely different dish. ![]() The roots of chow mein go back far longer. Chop suey is a relatively new dish that was invented by Chinese chefs in the United States. While sometimes they can be very similar, there are some general differences between chop suey and chow mein.Ī big difference between the two types of stir fry is how they originated. How Chop Suey and Chow Mein are Different Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock The noodles can be left slightly soft or fried until crispy. Once the noodles are almost done, the chef adds them to the stir-fry and finishes cooking them along with the vegetables and the sauce. They are cooked down in a chow mein sauce, usually made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil. The vegetables (sometimes with pieces of meat and tofu) are finely chopped and stir-fried in a wok. What is Chow Mein? Brian Yarvin / ShutterstockĬhow mein is a dish of stir-fried vegetables and noodles. Whatever the true origin story, we know for sure that chop suey was invented in the United States and is a symbol of the innovation and fusion cooking that characterizes Chinese restaurants in America. In 1896, during a visit to the United States, the diplomat asked his chef to prepare a dish for his American visitors that showed off Chinese cooking techniques but still catered to American palates. Other versions credit Chinese diplomat Li Hongzhang with the invention. One story says that chop suey was invented by a tired Chinese cook in San Francisco during the 1849 gold rush, who put together a dish made of leftovers to feed his hungry patrons. There are a few different people that claim to have invented it. Like many dishes, chop suey doesn’t have a clear story of origin. ![]() History of Chop Suey Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock While not as widely seen on menus as it once was, you can still find chop suey in plenty of Chinese restaurants across the country and around the world. It does not have one clear cut list of ingredients making it a great solution for leftovers. ![]() The chop suey is finished in a sauce, then served over rice or noodles. It is a quick cooking method, perfect for a busy household or a bustling restaurant. When stir-frying, ingredients are cooked in oils in a wok over high heat, stirring constantly. How Chop Suey and Chow Mein are DifferentĬhop suey is a type of stir fry dish containing a variety of sprouts, vegetables, eggs and meats. ![]()
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