American Chopsuey

A delicious and flavorful blend of crispy noodles and vegetables encased in a yummy sweet and sour sauce, American Chopsuey is addictive and easy to make.

An Indo-Chinese recipe, this is a sure winner on the dinner table!

Indo-Chinese is the favorite cuisine in our household. From fried rice and noodles to all the different soups like Manchow Soup, we totally enjoy them.

And when we miss India and the food from there, Indo-Chinese tops the list! And Chinese Bhel is one of the favorites from there. Something that is so popular there but so hard to find here in the US.

Asian recipes are so popular in India in their own version that certain recipes are probably only found there. These recipes are often spiced with peppers, sweetened and seasoned with all the sauces. And American Chopsuey is one of them. Sweet and spicy dish, this is full of vegetables, sauces and has a base of fried noodles.

Jump to:

• What is American Chopsuey
• American style Chopsuey vs Indo Chinese Chopsuey
• Why this recipe works
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make this recipe
• Expert Tips and Notes
• Making Deep Fried Noodles
• Recipe FAQs
• More Indo-Chinese Recipes
• American Chopsuey

What is American Chopsuey

An Indo-Chinese recipe with fried noodles, vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce and topped with green scallions; American Chopsuey is a perfect meal for any day.

My fondest memories of this recipe is from a restaurant close to home that would place a heap of fried noodles, a mix of local vegetables and sauce with some orange food color and topped with scallions.

The vegetables in the dish were based on season and availability, but the overall taste from the sauce and noodles was unaltered.

A favorite recipe, it took me quite a few trials to get it right. And now, this recipe has a permanent spot on our weekly menu.

I often air fry a large batch of noodles and keep them ready. Then the vegetable mix comes together in under 20 minutes and we have a piping hot meal on the table!

American style Chopsuey vs Indo Chinese Chopsuey

The American style of chopsuey is a pasta casserole made with short pasta like macaroni, meat and a tomato based sauce. Popular in New England and other regions of United States; this casserole is often called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti.

On the other hand, the Indo Chinese variation is made with fried noodles, vegetables (sometimes even chicken) and a sweet and tangy sauce. The dish is very different from the American version and is popular throughout the country in this form.

Why this recipe works

• It is super easy to make.
• This dish is a colorful mix of delicious ingredients.
• The important ingredients include vegetables, corn starch slurry and some sauces that are easy to find.
• This recipe makes a flavorful dish for any meal.
• We can modify and customize the recipe based on availability and preferences.
• The recipe works with your favorite vegetable mix.
• We can easily make this with store bought chowmein, air fried noodles or deep fried noodles.
• It is great for a meal.
• Plus, it is amazing for any party or get together too.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Fried Noodles: The base for the recipe is fried noodles. We can use either store bought chowmein or make our own. I like to use air fryer noodles made using this recipe.
• Vegetables: The second ingredient here is mixed vegetables. Use your choice of colorful veggies or stick to the basics. I like to include peppers, onions, carrots, green beans, cabbage and baby corn. However broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas and asparagus are great to add in the recipe.
• Aromatics: We also use some green chili and garlic for spice here. Adjust the quantity based on how spicy you like the dish.
• Sauces: A mix of sauces make the American chopsuey flavorful. Tomato ketchup, vinegar and soy sauce are perfect to balance the flavors. However, add hot sauce if you like the chopsuey spicy. Tomato ketchup is something I would recommend not skipping in this recipe.
• Seasonings: As we have so many sauces and aromatics, we need only salt, sugar and black pepper to season the vegetables. And the end result is super amazing! You can add Sichuan peppers to the American Chopsuey too if you like.
• Sesame Oil: Like most Asian recipes, sesame oil is perfect for the recipe. Not only is it flavorful, it cooks everything really well.

See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.

How to make this recipe

1- In a pan or wok add sesame oil and heat it up.

2- Once hot, add garlic. Let it sauté till the raw flavor vanishes.

3- Add onions and peppers and mix well.

4- Then add all the vegetables except cabbage to the wok. Mix and sauté for 3-4 minutes.

5- Add water and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.

6- Add green chili (if using); salt, sugar and pepper powder. Mix well.

7- Then season with the sauces and let everything cook for a couple minutes.

8- Next, add the cabbage leaves and mix well.

9- In a cup mix water and corn starch.

10- Pour the slurry in the wok and mix it well.

11- Once the mix starts to get glossy and thick, add chopped scallions and turn down the flame.

12- Finally, in a plate place the fried noodles and top with the vegetable mix. Ensure that you serve it immediately.

Expert Tips and Notes

• Add vegetables of your choice for the recipe. Traditionally peppers, beans, carrots, onions, cauliflower and cabbage are common to use. However, asparagus, broccoli, snow peas and baby corn would work well in the recipe as well.
• Adding some tofu or paneer for protein is a great idea. Though it is not traditional, it would make a great addition to bring in some protein element.
• Swap air-fried noodles for store bought chowmein for making the recipe easier. Or simply use deep fried noodles if you like as well.
• This recipe does not stay well after being made. It tends to get soggy super quickly. Enjoy it while it is fresh and warm and prepare just before serving.
• If making for a party, keep the noodles and vegetable mix separate till ready to serve. Each guest can make their own too. They just need to pour the sauce and vegetables on a heap of noodles and enjoy.

Making Deep Fried Noodles

While I prefer to use air fried noodles for the recipe; deep fried ones work just as well.

To make this, simply cook the noodles as per the package instructions and let them cool down completely. Once they are cool and dry, coat them lightly in corn starch

Finally, fry these in hot oil till golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain all the excess oil. Break into parts and use to make American Chopsuey.

Recipe FAQs

More Indo-Chinese Recipes