Chief Longwind Of The North
Certified/Certifiable
I once asked a local Chinese restaurant what the difference was between chow mein and chop suey and they told me it was that one had bigger pieces of vegetables than the other!
Chow mein refers to the fried noodles topping the chop suey. Lo mein refers to soft, cooked noodles serve with chop suey or other dishes.
Chop suey is simply the meat and veggie dish served without noodles. At least, this is what I have been told by two Chinese restaurant owners/chefs that I know. And at my favorite Chinese Restaurant, chop suey and chowmein are made with velvetized chicken, with bias sliced celery, chunks of onion, Bias sliced carrot, all stir-fried unti tender-crisp, and seasoned lightly with soy sauce, and garlic, swimming in a light, cornstarch thickened gravy made from chicken stock and chives. It is delescious, full of flavor with a subtle sweetness from the onion and celery. Again, without the fried noodles, it's chop suey. With the noodles, it's chow mein. And it's never bland. I make it at home every now and again. When I make it, I add just a hint of Chinese 5-spice powder to the mix as well, and sometimes, a bit of ginger.
Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North