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National Chop Suey Day

Food · August 29

A day for chop suey, the Chinese American stir-fry of meat or tofu with bean sprouts, celery and onion in a glossy, savory sauce.

National Chop Suey Day falls on Sunday, August 29, 2027. That is 306 days away.

Chop suey is a stir-fry of sliced meat, seafood or tofu cooked quickly with vegetables and bound in a light, glossy sauce. Bean sprouts, celery, onion and cabbage are common, and it usually arrives over steamed rice. It is one of the best known dishes of Chinese American cooking.

The name is often translated as something close to "assorted pieces," which is a fair description. The dish is flexible by nature. One restaurant leans on pork and water chestnuts, another on chicken and bok choy, and a home cook might use whatever is in the crisper drawer. The sauce is usually thickened with cornstarch and seasoned with soy sauce, so it clings to everything without turning heavy.

People often confuse it with chow mein. The two share a lot of vegetables, but chow mein is built around noodles, while chop suey is built around the stir-fry itself and served with rice.

Marking the day can be as easy as ordering it from a neighborhood Chinese American restaurant, especially an older one where it has stayed on the menu for a long time. Cooking it at home is also quick. Everything gets cut into similar pieces so it cooks evenly, and the wok or skillet should be very hot before anything goes in. The vegetables are meant to keep some crunch, and the bean sprouts go in near the end for that reason.

Ways to celebrate

• Order chop suey from a longtime local Chinese American restaurant.
• Try making it at home with whatever vegetables you already have.
• Compare chop suey and chow mein side by side at dinner.
• Share a family version of the recipe with a friend.

Dates

All national days on August 29

Also on August 29

• National Lemon Juice Day
• More Herbs, Less Salt Day

Categories: Food days