Got this one in a fortune cookie today:
Except fortune cookies are American
Since you already opened up that can of worms, so are General Tso’s chicken, beef and broccoli, egg drop soup, crab Rangoon, orange chicken, Pei Wei, Panda Express, P.F. Chang’s and almost everything most Americans will find on their favorite corner store take out Chinese restaurant menu.
Yep. I don’t eat at any of those places nor eat those dishes. Real Chinese food is way better.
Isn’t real Chinese honey glazed insects and fried rat? My uncle was telling me about some of the local cuisine after one of his trips over there.
General Tso’s is the bomb.
Damn… that’s better than MY last fortune cookie… :eek:
China is such a big place that there are a whole lot of things that can be called “real” Chinese food.
That’s pretty good.
On a note about Chinese Food. I believe Chinese restaurants out number any other fast food joint in the country, and even if it isn’t “Chinese” food, lets me honest, if it tastes good does anyone care? Have had a number of Americanized dishes that I do like and enjoy, also have had ones that sucked pretty bad, same can be said for the traditional dishes I had at a little hole in the wall with a friend. Though that place was neat, only time I ever saw Beef and Broccoli ordered and seen it come out with the beef, broccoli, carrots, and scallops. But generally most ethnic food most of us partake in on a regular basis has been adapted to our tastes. All this food talk reminds me that I have plans to try a little sushi place this week.
Well there are certainly exotic and even bizarre items that are consumed in China, as well as things consumed by people namely because they are extremely poor, but for starters, authentic Chinese food in the States is certainly not off-putting, bizarre, or that much different from other cultures’ authentic cuisines.
It’s a rough example that’s not entirely an exact comparison, but a good way to understand the difference is eating at the Olive Garden and calling it Italian cuisine, or eating at On the Border for Mexican. Some of you may have heard of a practice where some small business Chinese restaurants actually hand out different menus depending on the patrons. This is in fact true, but due to the Food Network and the so called “foodie” revolution, many are sharing the more authentic cuisine with all customers by having English descriptions of the Chinese dishes.
Here are a few examples on the differences. Firstly, authentic Chinese food is served family style, as family is hugely important to the culture. The common practice of everyone ordering an entrée does not occur when sitting down for an authentic Chinese meal. The dishes are ordered and all placed at the center of the table, the only thing the diner has individually is your plate/bowl of rice.
Not unlike many other ethnic foods all over the world, Chinese cuisine puts an importance on using the whole animal and not wasting any parts that are edible. If you order fish, you will get the entire fish prepared and served on the plate, heads, eyes, and all. Also due to this, there are dishes, appetizers, and snacks that consist entirely of parts we generally discard such as the organs. Both of these practices may be squeamish to many people, hence why you won’t see it on the American-Chinese menu.
Vegetables are of very high importance in Chinese cuisine and is often ordered and served on its own, rather than as garnish. Conversely, meats, unless seafood, are used more as seasoning and garnish rather than the main dish. Cooking methods also tend to be cleaner and healthier. There isn’t much emphasis on deep frying, and unlike the common stereotype of drenching everything in MSG, that is really only done in the American-Chinese style dishes.
Well, I don’t want to derail the thread any further, I just want for those of you not in the know to go out and try it. Your taste buds and bellies will be grateful! This topic is important to me, I always believe the best way to know the world is with your stomach and your pee-pee haha.
What he said above is 120% true for all of Asian culture. Well said friend.
You can keep eating fish eyeballs and livers, I prefer the latter method ;). BTDT in Yap. Dude straight up speared a fish, cut a “V” in its head to kill it and then sliced it down its gut and ate its organs right there in the water and everything. One of the grossest things I’ve ever witnessed.
But I’m sure many here would say short time for 1,000 Baht is equally disgusting. 
And that’s my favorite!
Northern China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have some of the best Chinese cuisine.
i love general tso’s chicken, its all i eat at “chinese” places. That and fried rice. I know what im having for lunch today 
Call it what you will… but I’m calling it DELICIOUS!!!