National Chop Suey Day
Track National Chop Suey Day 🍜 inside the Obscure Holiday Calendar app using reminders, visual badges, and social-ready cards.
Overview
National Chop Suey Day, observed annually on August 29th, celebrates the iconic dish deeply intertwined with American Chinese cuisine. Often consisting of meat (such as chicken, pork, or beef), eggs, and a variety of vegetables like bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery, stir-fried in a savory sauce and typically served over rice or noodles, chop suey is a testament to culinary adaptation and innovation, encouraging people to enjoy or learn about its unique history.
Origin and story
Despite its common association with China, chop suey is widely believed to have originated in the United States as a creation of Chinese American cooks.
The name 'chop suey' (雜碎, zá suì) translates from Cantonese as 'miscellaneous pieces' or 'mixed bits,' referring to the diverse ingredients in the dish.
Quick facts
- DateAugust 29
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The popular legend that chop suey was invented for a visiting Chinese diplomat in 1896 turns out to have no historical evidence behind it — restaurant owners simply used his visit as convenient publicity for a dish they were already serving.
Have a plate
Celebrate by:
- Getting actual chop suey today, ideally from a restaurant that still serves the classic Chinese-American version.
- Making a version at home using whatever vegetables and protein you have on hand.
See the real, messier history
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
The name likely traces to "tsap seui," a Cantonese term for "miscellaneous leftovers" common in the Taishan region that many early Chinese immigrants came from — the dish wasn't so much invented as adopted by Chinese American restaurant owners who saw it as something American diners would embrace.
Fun facts
- Despite its common association with China, chop suey is widely believed to have originated in the United States as a creation of Chinese American cooks.
- The name 'chop suey' (雜碎, zá suì) translates from Cantonese as 'miscellaneous pieces' or 'mixed bits,' referring to the diverse ingredients in the dish.
- Chop suey played a significant role in popularizing Chinese food among the broader American public in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Sources and attribution
Chop Suey: An American Classic (Smithsonian Magazine)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
Continue your streak
Open one more holiday before you go to build daily momentum.
FAQ
- When is National Chop Suey Day?
- It is observed on August 29 each year.
- What is National Chop Suey Day?
- National Chop Suey Day, observed annually on August 29th, celebrates the iconic dish deeply intertwined with American Chinese cuisine. Often consisting of meat (such as chicken, pork, or beef), eggs, and a variety of vegetables like bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery, stir-fried in a savory sauce and typically served over rice or noodles, chop suey is a testament to culinary adaptation and innovation, encouraging people to enjoy or learn about its unique history.
- How do people celebrate National Chop Suey Day?
- Get actual chop suey from a restaurant that serves the classic version, or make it at home with what's on hand.
Get the app
Thousands of obscure holidays, daily widgets, reminders, and fun facts—free on iOS and Android.