Chop Suey Day

Chop Suey Day is celebrated on August 29 by all lovers of Chinese cuisine with an American touch! Chop suey is a diverse set of perfectly combined ingredients (meat, eggs, vegetables). It is traditionally served with noodles or rice. Many people in the United States fell in love with this tasty, nutritious and inexpensive dish in childhood and kept their love for it into adulthood. Globalization has led to the popularity of this simple, but distinguished by a bright taste of the dish all over the world.

History

It is not known who realized the idea to celebrate Chop Suey Day on August 29, but by this time the dish had managed to confuse culinary historians about its origin! According to E.N. Anderson, a historian of Chinese cuisine, chop sui may have originated in Taishan County in China’s Guangdong Province. In the US, he could get along with the first immigrants from China.

When the discovery of gold in California set off the Gold Rush in 1848, many immigrants, including Chinese, poured into America in search of fortune and prosperity. After the hard work associated with the search for gold veins, the Chinese satisfied their hunger with the help of chop sui, cheap and satisfying. But Americans and other foreigners worked alongside them – that’s how they learned about him.

The second version is related to the diner on the transcontinental railroad. Its owner and part-time cook was already preparing to close the establishment when a group of sailors burst into it. Very drunk and very hungry! They demanded to be fed. The chef did not want to quarrel with the violent company, so that they would not be beaten, but the entire menu had already been eaten by previous visitors. The cook gathered all the leftovers – vegetables, meat, shrimp, added eggs and hastily cooked this mixture over high heat. The dish did not just satisfy the customers – they liked it! And literally the next day it became a hit of the institution.

Interesting facts

In August 2001, System of a Down released their first single to earn a Grammy nomination. It was called Chop Suey!

How to celebrate

Celebrate Chop Suey Day:

• ordering this dish in a Chinese restaurant;
• cooking it yourself!

When is Chop Suey Day celebrated in 2022?

Chop Suey Day is observed on August 29 each year.

Observations