The Many Origin Stories of Chop Suey (2024)

FAQs

What is the origin of the chop suey? ›

Chop suey is widely believed to have been developed in the U.S. by Chinese Americans, but the anthropologist E. N. Anderson, traces the dish to tsap seui (杂碎, "miscellaneous leftovers"), common in Taishan (Toisan), a county in Guangdong province, the home of many early Chinese immigrants to the United States.

The name 'chop suey' comes from the Cantonese phrase tsap sui, which translates to odds and ends and the Mandarin term tsa sui, which means miscellaneous broken pieces. The origins of the name should give you a bit of a hint about what kind of ingredients you'll find in chop suey and how it's made!

Fun facts about Chop Suey: A whole variation of origin stories exist for chop suey. Some say it was created by Chinese Americans. Other say it was developed by Chinese immigrants working on the Transcontinental Railway during the 1800s. Others say it was created from scraps to serve to miners in San Francisco.

Anti-Chinese immigrant sentiment in the west led to the cross-country travel of many Chinese immigrants, who found their way to New York City, where many believe the origin of chop suey can be traced. It was embraced by the hipsters and artists of New York, which continued to add to its popularity.

The song was originally titled either "Suicide" (according to the bassist, Shavo Odadjian) or "Self-Righteous Suicide" (according to Rubin), but the name was changed in response to real or anticipated pushback from Columbia Records.

Cambodian: written ស្រី, from a Khmer word used in female personal names, meaning literally 'woman' and interpreted also as 'girl' or 'sister'.

This was, perhaps, an exaggeration; but chop suey was indeed of Chinese origin. Where exactly its roots lay has been debated; but it was probably first cooked in Taishan, in Guangdong, where most early immigrants had grown up.

Noun. suey (countable and uncountable, plural sueys) (slang) Suicide (act of self-killing). (uncountable, slang) Suicide (children's ball-throwing game).

Chop suey

Chop suey is another stir-fry dish made from meat, eggs, and thinly sliced vegetables in a light sauce. It's often made with pork, although some varieties may contain chicken, beef, or tofu. Like other stir-fries, it's a healthier choice because it's made from a protein source and vegetables.

American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce, found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States. Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.

What's the difference between chow suey and chop suey? ›

Chow mein vs chop suey are both popular Chinese dishes that are often confused with each other. Chow mein is a stir-fried noodle dish that typically includes vegetables and meat, while chop suey is a dish made up of meat, vegetables, and sometimes noodles that are cooked in a thick sauce.

Difference between American Chopsuey and Chinese Chopsuey

The American Chopsuey is sweet and sour with a bright orangish-red colour. It is like a one-pot macaroni pasta meal cooked with beef and vegetables in a sweet tomato sauce. Whereas the Chinese Chop Suey is savoury and spicy, served with rice or noodles.

While it has its roots in Chinese-American cuisine, Filipinos have so lovingly accepted Chop Suey into their cooking repertoire that it has since evolved into its own well-known Filipino recipe. It is a vegetable dish that you mix with a meat or two or three of choice.

Origin of the Title

Chop Suey is a dish that originated from China. It is a stew made from fish or meat with onions, bamboo sprouts and rice. But believe it or not, the song isn't about the dish! The song's title was supposed to be Suicide, but it was later changed by Columbia Records to make it more radio friendly.

The American Chopsuey is sweet and sour with a bright orangish-red colour. It is like a one-pot macaroni pasta meal cooked with beef and vegetables in a sweet tomato sauce. Whereas the Chinese Chop Suey is savoury and spicy, served with rice or noodles.