Chinese Foo Yong
A refreshing Chinese-inspired salad featuring crisp lettuce, crunchy bean sprouts, water chestnuts, bacon, and eggs, dressed with a tangy sweet and savory sauce perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 head bibb or leaf lettuce ⓘ
- 1 can bean sprouts, drained ⓘ
- 1 (5 oz.) can water chestnuts, chopped ⓘ
- 5 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
- 2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1/3 cup catsup ⓘ
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 tablespoons grated onion ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine lettuce, bean sprouts, chopped water chestnuts, crumbled bacon, and sliced hard-boiled eggs in a salad bowl.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the dressing by mixing sugar, catsup, vinegar, grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, and salad oil.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Chinese Foo Yong, consider adding chopped scallions or cilantro for freshness. If you're looking for a healthier option, you can substitute turkey bacon for the pork bacon. For a kick, add a splash of hot sauce to the dressing. This salad can also be made vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using tofu instead.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chinese Foo Yong as a refreshing appetizer or a light main dish. It's excellent alongside dishes like Stir-Fry Pork or Fried Rice Omelette for a complete meal. For added texture, consider pairing it with crispy wontons or spring rolls. Garnish with sesame seeds or additional crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain the crispness of the lettuce, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. When reheating, if using warmed ingredients, gently reheat them in a pan, but avoid reheating the salad itself as it can wilt.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Foo Yong contains roughly 722 calories, with 10g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (45% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2130mg per serving (93% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients in advance, but it's best to add the dressing just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting. You can store the dressing separately in the fridge for up to a week.
What can I substitute for water chestnuts?
If you can't find water chestnuts, you can use diced jicama or even chopped celery for a similar crunch. While the flavor will differ slightly, these substitutes will maintain the salad's texture.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, this Chinese Foo Yong salad can be gluten-free if you use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. Always check labels on all ingredients to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).