Pork chow mein or chop suey with noodles
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Pork chow mein or chop suey with noodles is a savory stir-fry of tender pork, crisp vegetables, and soft noodles tossed in a rich, umami sauce. The dish offers a satisfying contrast between the chewy noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, and succulent meat. Nutritionally, it provides a balanced mix of protein and carbs with a moderate calorie count per 100 grams.
Calorie split: 29% protein · 31% carbs · 40% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the perfect harmony of savory, slightly sweet sauce coating every strand of noodle and piece of pork. It's a beloved comfort food that brings the bustling energy of a Chinese-American diner or a family kitchen to the table.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium from soy sauce and oyster sauce, which may concern those watching blood pressure. To counteract this, request sauce on the side or use low-sodium soy sauce, and balance the meal with a side of steamed greens. The refined noodles can cause a quicker blood sugar rise; pairing with extra vegetables or choosing whole-wheat noodles can help mitigate this.
Key benefits
- Good source of lean protein for muscle maintenance
- Provides energy from complex carbohydrates
- Contains fiber from vegetables like bean sprouts and cabbage
- Versatile dish that can incorporate various vegetables
- Quick to prepare, making it a convenient meal option
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'chop suey' is widely believed to be an Americanization of the Cantonese 'tsap seui,' which literally means 'miscellaneous leftovers,' reflecting the dish's original use of odds and ends.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 70.8 g |
| Energy | 143 kcal |
| Protein | 10.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 11.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 102 mg |
| Potassium, K | 216 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 325 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.94 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 13.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 4.4 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.38 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 2.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.22 mg |
| Folate, total | 39.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 11.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 28.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 47.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 38.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.21 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 8.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 87.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 16.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 106 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.45 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 11.8 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.47 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.83 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.40 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 23.0 mg |
FAQ
What's the difference between chow mein and chop suey?
Chow mein features noodles that are stir-fried with the other ingredients, often becoming crispy. Chop suey is a stir-fry of meat and vegetables served over steamed rice or with noodles on the side, with a thicker, gravy-like sauce.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Typically not, as the noodles are wheat-based and soy sauce contains wheat. Gluten-free versions can be made using rice noodles and tamari.
Can I make it healthier at home?
Absolutely. Use lean pork loin, load up on colorful vegetables, choose whole-grain noodles, and make a sauce with low-sodium broth, ginger, and garlic instead of heavy salt.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.43 kcal/g · 29% calories from protein · 1.5 g fiber · 1.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.50 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.