Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Total: 30 minutes | Serves: 4–6
Best For: Family dinners, Sunday to’ona’i, Pacific-style meals

A Simple Samoan Classic Made the Way Our Families Cook It

This version of Chop Suey is the true homestyle recipe many Samoan families grew up with — simple ingredients, tender meat, savoury soy sauce, and soft vermicelli noodles that absorb all the flavour. No fancy sauces. No complicated steps. Just good food made with love and tradition.

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. It brings together generous, comforting flavours without overcomplicating the dish — a reminder of how our parents cooked: humble, flavourful, and from the heart.

Ingredients for Chop Suey (Samoan Style)

• 500g meat of choice (beef, chicken, lamb, or mince)

• 1 onion, sliced

• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

• 2–4 tbsp dark mushroom soy sauce (to taste)

• 1 packet vermicelli noodles (soaked in warm water)

• 1–2 cups water (enough to simmer and create sauce)

• Salt, to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

• Fresh ginger, grated

• Frozen mixed vegetables (optional but often teased about in our community)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the meat. Heat a pot or wide pan, add meat, and cook until browned and tender. Season lightly with salt.

2. Add aromatics. Stir in onion and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant.

3. Add soy sauce. Pour in dark mushroom soy sauce and mix well to coat the meat.

4. Add water. Pour in enough water to create a light sauce base.

5. Add noodles immediately. Add the softened vermicelli noodles straight after adding the water.

6. Simmer. Let everything cook together for a few minutes so the noodles absorb the sauce and flavour.

7. Adjust colour and taste. Add more soy sauce and salt as needed to reach your preferred flavour and the classic deep-brown chop suey colour.

8. Rest. Turn off heat and allow the noodles to continue soaking — this helps them soften and absorb more flavour.

9. Serve. Taste again and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Helpful Tips

• Use dark mushroom soy sauce for the best authentic flavour.

• Noodles soften quickly — don’t overcook them.

• Add a splash more water if the noodles absorb too much liquid.

• Resting the dish after cooking deepens the flavour.

Why This Recipe Works

• Truly authentic to Samoan home cooking.

• Simple, budget-friendly ingredients.

• Flexible — works with any meat you have.

• No complicated sauces, just bold, comforting flavour.

Explore More Family-Friendly Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love:

• Samoan Chicken Curry

• Fa’alifu Fa’i (Green Banana in Coconut Cream)

• Alaisa Fa’apopo (Coconut Rice)