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I've discovered "Chinese" food varies in every country I have ever visited. It is reconfigured for local tastes.
Chinese food in India is quite good ... but it is much spicier than the version we have here. For example many restaurants in India that serve Indian food will have something called "Chinese Soup" on the menu. It's really delicious but it's hot and has a peppery taste.
One year ago I played host to former colleagues of mine when I was in the Royal Merchant Navy of the UK who visited me here in Philly. We wanted to have lunch in the famous Reading Terminal Market, but it was too crowded so we ended up in Chinatown (Philly has the 3rd oldest and largest Chinatown in the US after San Franscisco and NYC). One was from England and the other was from Australia ... and honestly they did not recognize any of the dishes on the menu so I ended up ordering for the three of us. I decide to mix some safe dishes like General Tso's Chicken and Barbecue spare ribs with a few more adventurous ones like garlic Bok Choi, Dim Sum pork steamed buns, and dumplings in red out chili oil. My friends devoured the food ... they thought it was an unforgetable banquet!
BTW old fashioned American-Chinese dishes like Shrimp In Lobster Sauce, Egg Foo Young, Chicken Chow Mein is often called "Cantonese" ... but that is nonsense. Nothing Cantonese about those dishes.
I've discovered "Chinese" food varies in every country I have ever visited. It is reconfigured for local tastes.
Chinese food in India is quite good ... but it is much spicier than the version we have here. For example many restaurants in India that serve Indian food will have something called "Chinese Soup" on the menu. It's really delicious but it's hot and has a peppery taste.
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BTW old fashioned American-Chinese dishes like Shrimp In Lobster Sauce, Egg Foo Young, Chicken Chow Mein is often called "Cantonese" ... but that is nonsense. Nothing Cantonese about those dishes.
I've had the "Chinese" food in India and I agree with you totally.
I think American-Chinese is a cuisine of its own which shouldn't be criticized for being un-authentic, but rather praised for being a distinct cuisine that if made well is delicious!
I've discovered "Chinese" food varies in every country I have ever visited. It is reconfigured for local tastes.
Chinese food in India is quite good ... but it is much spicier than the version we have here. For example many restaurants in India that serve Indian food will have something called "Chinese Soup" on the menu. It's really delicious but it's hot and has a peppery taste.
I agree, Chinese food in India is very good, almost addicting. I found myself eating Chinese there more than anything else, never got tired from the taste it was so good.
I don't think I've ever clapped eyes on an egg foo young before outside the google image search.
I've been eating my home cooked Chinese food with basmati rice and black rice. But that's just me. At least I haven't been churned "raw" Chinese food yet. I don't think you can even call it Chinese food at that point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WoodstockSchool1980
I think American-Chinese is a cuisine of its own which shouldn't be criticized for being un-authentic, but rather praised for being a distinct cuisine that if made well is delicious!
I don't know... let's just say that American Chinese is more suited for the (non ethnic Chinese) American palate.
What I find more intriguing is that the "Americanization" of Chinese food makes it much more unhealthy. The greater emphasis on salt and sugar laden spices, fried ingredients, and fatty meats has not enhanced Chinese food in any way. That is even true of japanese food as well. American style sushi add more fried, fatty and salty elements.
What I find more intriguing is that the "Americanization" of Chinese food makes it much more unhealthy. The greater emphasis on salt and sugar laden spices, fried ingredients, and fatty meats has not enhanced Chinese food in any way. That is even true of japanese food as well. American style sushi add more fried, fatty and salty elements.
That is American food in general; over salted, sugared, and butter/oil; it is cheaper that way and makes things last longer, basically costs drive the product.
Luckily, there are more options now to avoid this stuff than even ten years ago, maybe American food is shifting in what it is.
Oh goodness. Real Chinese food is so much different than what you find in the food courts at malls. lol. Most big cities have a few authentic restaurants though.
Most Americans aren't thrilled at the idea of eating sauteed chicken feet though. lol. Even though they are DELICIOUS!
And I am sorry but I have to say this. PF Changs needs to straight up take their "Sichuan Beef" off the menu. It isn't Sichuan in even the slightest sense of the word. They need to call it what it is which is beef with sweet bell peppers. I have never found a piece of Chinese food so butchered by American chefs as the sichuan beef at PF Changs.
The same goes for nearly every "ethnic" food sold in the US.
What I don't understand is why people would have a problem with this.
What does it matter if Happy Wok or wherever "isn't authentic," as long as the food it serves is good? I have a hard time believing anybody would expect it to be authentic.
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