American Chop Suey

From Kerala to Las Vegas: The Childhood Comfort Food that Landed in StarChefs

Adapted by StarChefs  |  March 2026  |  Photo: Will Blunt

I am beyond thrilled to share some exciting news: I was recently contacted by StarChefs to be featured in their celebration of the Rising Star Chefs in the Las Vegas culinary scene!

Being recognized by a premier hospitality magazine is an incredible honor, but it also posed a challenge: which recipe truly represents my journey? When they asked me to share a dish with their readers, I didn't choose a complex laboratory experiment or a trendy fusion plate. I chose American Chopsuey.

A Taste of 90s Kerala

For those who didn't grow up in South India in the 90s, our "international" food scene looked a little different. In Kerala, we didn't have a wide array of global cuisines, but we had Indo-Chinese, and we loved it.

To me, the ultimate weekend treat during my school days was a steaming plate of American Chopsuey. It is the definition of comfort: a nest of shredded crispy noodles drenched in a velvety, sweet-and-tangy tomato garlic sauce, loaded with stir-fried vegetables and chicken, and crowned with a perfect sunny-side-up egg. It’s crunchy, saucy, and nostalgic all at once.

The "American" Dish Born in India

You might wonder how a dish called "American Chopsuey" became the defining taste of an Indian childhood. The story is a fascinating blend of wartime necessity and culinary adaptation.

The dish’s roots trace back to Kolkata, in India. during World War II. Chinese immigrant chefs in the city were looking for ways to feed the American troops stationed there. They wanted to create something that felt like home for the soldiers but used the ingredients they had on hand.

By taking the traditional "Chop Suey" (meaning "odds and ends") and reinventing it with a sweet-and-tangy tomato-based gravy and a nest of crispy fried noodles, they created a dish that felt familiar to the Americans but was entirely unique to India. What started as a "home-away-from-home" meal for homesick soldiers eventually evolved into one of the most beloved pillars of Indo-Chinese cuisine.

I am so proud to see this humble childhood favorite recognized by the pros at StarChefs. It’s a reminder that the best food always comes from the heart

Check out my full feature and the recipe over at StarChefs here!