Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Chop suey

Chop suey is a stir-fried dish associated with Chinese-American cuisine, typically made with meat or seafood, vegetables, and a starch-thickened sauce served with rice or noodles.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Chop suey is a stir-fried dish associated with Chinese-American cuisine, typically made with meat or seafood, vegetables, and a starch-thickened sauce served with rice or noodles. Its name comes from Cantonese and means “mixed bits” or “miscellaneous scraps.” The dish is widely considered Chinese-American in its modern form, though some accounts trace its origins to southern China.

Description

Chop suey is a flexible stir-fry dish made from meat or seafood, vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, celery, onions, or mushrooms, and a sauce thickened with starch. It is usually served with rice and can also be served with noodles.

Origins and history

Reference sources differ on the dish’s origin. Some trace it to Guangdong in southern China, while others describe it as a Chinese-American creation developed in the United States to suit local tastes.

Cultural significance

Chop suey became popular in North American Chinese restaurants and is often treated as a symbol of Chinese-American cooking. Its history reflects adaptation, migration, and regional variation in Chinese diaspora cuisines.

Preparation and variations

There is no single fixed recipe for chop suey. Home and restaurant versions vary widely in protein, vegetables, sauce thickness, and whether the dish is served with rice or noodles.

Key facts

Chop suey is a stir-fried dish with meat or seafood, vegetables, and a thickened sauce, served with rice or noodles.
Its name comes from Cantonese words meaning “mixed bits” or “miscellaneous scraps.”
The dish is widely considered Chinese-American, though some sources trace its origins to southern China.
There is no single fixed recipe; variations in ingredients and preparation are common.
Chop suey is familiar on Canadian Chinese restaurant menus, reflecting the adaptation of Chinese diaspora cuisine in North America.

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Canadian context

Chop suey is familiar in Canadian Chinese restaurant menus and reflects the adaptation of Chinese diaspora cuisine in North America.

Frequently asked questions

What is chop suey?

Chop suey is a stir-fried dish made with meat or seafood, vegetables, and a thickened sauce, usually served with rice or sometimes noodles.

Is chop suey Chinese?

It is widely associated with Chinese-American cuisine. Some sources also trace its roots to southern China, so it is best described as a Chinese-style or Chinese-American dish.

How to make chop suey?

A typical version uses sliced meat or seafood, mixed vegetables, and a sauce thickened with starch. The ingredients are stir-fried quickly and served over rice; recipes vary by region and cook.

What is the difference between chop suey and chow mein?

Chop suey is usually served over rice and uses a looser mix of meat and vegetables in sauce, while chow mein is centered on stir-fried noodles.

Where did chop suey originate?

Its origin is disputed. Some sources say it began in Guangdong, southern China, while others say it was created in the United States by Chinese immigrants or Chinese-American cooks.

Is chop suey healthy?

It can be relatively healthy if made with plenty of vegetables and lean protein, but nutritional value depends on the recipe, portion size, and how much oil, sodium, and sauce are used.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/chop-suey
Supports: Describes chop suey as a Chinese-American dish, notes a possible origin in Guangdong, and summarizes ingredients and historical background.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chop_suey
Supports: Provides a general description of ingredients, serving style, and the association with overseas Chinese cuisine.
Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chop%20suey
Supports: Defines chop suey as a dish prepared chiefly from bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, onions, mushrooms, and meat or fish, served with rice and soy sauce.
Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/chop-suey
Supports: Defines chop suey as a Chinese dish made from small pieces of meat and vegetables cooked together.
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/chop-suey
Supports: Gives the Cantonese-derived meaning and describes the dish as Chinese-style meat fried with vegetables and served with rice.
Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/chop-suey
Supports: States that chop suey is a combination of vegetables and meat or fish served with rice and notes it was probably invented in the U.S. by Chinese immigrants.
The Spruce Eats — https://www.thespruceeats.com/chop-suey-and-chow-mein-4077054
Supports: Explains practical differences between chop suey and chow mein, including noodles versus rice and differing dish structures.
Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/chop-suey
Supports: Describes chop suey as a Chinese-style American dish and gives a U.S.-origin interpretation.