Sapasui (Samoan Chop Suey)

About This Recipe

Sapasui is American Samoa's beloved take on chop suey, brought by Chinese immigrants and made local with generous portions served at every church and community event. This sapasui (samoan chop suey) is shaped by the home cooks who refined it across generations, balancing tradition with everyday practicality. Served at the table it fills the room — steam rising, deep savory notes, the kind of plate people lean over. Home cooks return to it because the technique is forgiving once the order of operations clicks: build aromatics first, season in layers, and let time do the heavy lifting. The result lands somewhere between everyday and special — humble enough for a weeknight, generous enough for company.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 200 gglass noodles (bean thread)(soaked in warm water 10 minutes)
• 300 gbeef strips
• 3 tbspsoy sauce
• 1 mediumonion(sliced)
• 2 cupscabbage(shredded)
• 2 clovesgarlic(minced)

Instructions

1. 1

   Marinate beef

   Toss beef strips with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and let sit 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Cook beef

   Heat oil in a large wok over high heat. Stir-fry beef 3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.

3. 3

   Cook vegetables

   In the same wok, stir-fry garlic and onion 2 minutes. Add cabbage and cook 2 minutes until slightly wilted.

4. 4

   Add noodles

   Drain noodles and add to wok along with beef and remaining soy sauce. Toss vigorously over high heat 3 minutes until noodles absorb all the sauce.

   Cut noodles with scissors before adding for easier eating.

Variations

• •

  Use chicken or pork instead of beef.

• •

  Add carrots and bell peppers for more color.

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

• •

  Spicier: add a finely chopped fresh chile or a teaspoon of crushed Aleppo/Urfa pepper to the aromatics for warm, layered heat instead of a single sharp hit.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 3 days. Add a splash of water when reheating to loosen the noodles.

Frequently Asked Questions