Shrimp chow mein or chop suey, no noodles
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A light, savory stir-fry of shrimp and vegetables (like bean sprouts, celery, and cabbage) served without noodles, offering a tender-crisp texture and a savory, umami-rich sauce. At only 69 kcal per 100g, it's a remarkably lean, high-protein option, with nearly 9g of protein per serving. The absence of noodles keeps the carbohydrate count low, making it a focused, protein-forward dish.
Calorie split: 52% protein · 25% carbs · 23% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its satisfying combination of savory sauce, tender shrimp, and crisp vegetables, offering a comforting yet light meal. It's a classic takeout staple that's easily customized, making it a go-to for a flavorful, protein-rich dinner without the carb load of noodles.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium from soy sauce and other seasonings, which may be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract this, opt for low-sodium soy sauce, rinse canned ingredients, and pair with a potassium-rich side like steamed broccoli. Additionally, shrimp is a common allergen, so those with shellfish allergies should avoid it.
Key benefits
- High in protein for muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Very low in calories and fat, suitable for weight management.
- Low in carbohydrates, especially without noodles.
- Provides fiber from mixed vegetables.
- A quick, versatile meal that can be adapted with various veggies.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Chop suey, often considered a Chinese-American invention, was likely created by Chinese immigrants in the U.S. in the 19th century, using a mix of leftover vegetables and meat to create a new dish.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 83.6 g |
| Energy | 69.0 kcal |
| Protein | 8.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 4.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 48.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.38 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 126 mg |
| Potassium, K | 148 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 263 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.69 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 4.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Folate, total | 34.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 34.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 34.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 57.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.58 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 40.0 ug |
| Retinol | 31.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 97.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 18.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 116 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 12.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.37 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 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.11 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.39 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.34 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.81 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.05 g |
| Cholesterol | 73.0 mg |
FAQ
Is shrimp chow mein or chop suey without noodles low in carbs?
Yes, without noodles, the dish is low in carbohydrates, with only about 4.27g per 100g, making it suitable for low-carb diets.
Can I make this dish at home to control sodium?
Absolutely. Use low-sodium soy sauce, fresh vegetables, and control the amount of added salt to reduce sodium content significantly.
Is this dish suitable for people with shellfish allergies?
No, shrimp is a common allergen. Those with shellfish allergies should avoid this dish or substitute shrimp with a non-allergenic protein like chicken or tofu.
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 0.69 kcal/g · 51% calories from protein · 0.8 g fiber · 1.7 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: 1.78 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.