It says that scallions are not a garnish - but you only seem to add them (as a garnish?) in the end?

The reason I wrote the recipe this way is because lots of people think a garnish is optional and while I add the green onion at the end that doesn’t mean they are a garnish. They are important to the dish.

This is just my opinion/experience: scallions have an almost delicate flavor that adds an extra special "something" to a dish. Chinese/Vietnamese cooks tend to add it at the end to showcase its flavor, rather than hide it with the other ingredients. I think in writing "not a garnish", @thirschfeld is instructing you to NOT omit it.

Side note: I have made a few of @thirschfeld's recipes; all have been fabulous, so I trust his recipes. I think you can trust this one too.