S/O: Chinese or Chinese Americans, can you tell us about American Chinese food?

[Anonymous]

American Chinese food = 3 donuts
My friend's family ran Chinese restaurant in Va Beach. Most of the dishes are deep fried and contains at least 1/4 cup of sugar. Yep, I saw it being made with my own eyes.

Authentic Chinese food on the other hand has less sugar. However, most Americans do not have the stomach to eat them. They make things like fried chicken feet, gizzards, and of course those exotic meats... COVID 19 anyone?

[Anonymous]

Is Hot Pot an American thing?

Or what about Mala Tang’s Shredded Chicken With Pickled Hot Peppers?

[Anonymous]

Pp here who posted about Henry Hunan restaurant in SF— Im Indian American (South Indian) too. I really wanted to come back and plug indo chinese food! It’s a thing! One of the dishes you can get is Gobi Manchurian. We had the best experience at Chinese restaurants in Bangalore. Just another type of cuisine you must experience!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Hot Pot an American thing?

Or what about Mala Tang’s Shredded Chicken With Pickled Hot Peppers?

You can find it here although I haven’t widely seen hot pot restaurants. Shabu shabu seems to be a lot more popular for some reason

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thus thread is reminding me if my favorite Chinese restaurant in San Francisco— Henry Hunan on Minna Street! Yum! I kived there more than 20 years ago and my mouth still waters. Such a variety. Im vegetarian, and I just dont see dishes like henrys here. For more authentic Chinese in dC, head to Rockville. Our typical DC American Chinese place is 14th street asian bistro. They’re super nice.

I had an old Chinese im american cookbook by joyce chen that i stupidly gave away. It was a classic from the early 1960s.

Never went to Henry Hunan, but I sure do miss Yank Sing. I’ll bet you could easily find your old cookbook on Ebay or Amazon resale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thus thread is reminding me if my favorite Chinese restaurant in San Francisco— Henry Hunan on Minna Street! Yum! I kived there more than 20 years ago and my mouth still waters. Such a variety. Im vegetarian, and I just dont see dishes like henrys here. For more authentic Chinese in dC, head to Rockville. Our typical DC American Chinese place is 14th street asian bistro. They’re super nice.

I had an old Chinese im american cookbook by joyce chen that i stupidly gave away. It was a classic from the early 1960s.

Never went to Henry Hunan, but I sure do miss Yank Sing. I’ll bet you could easily find your old cookbook on Ebay or Amazon resale.

Omg. I'm the PP who mentioned Henry;'s again. I went to Mama Chang's in Fairfax today. It blew me away! It's Sichuan cuisine. A must try -- get the soup dumplings (recommendation from my husband who's not vegetarian.) We also had the fried cauliflower, vegetable lomein (so fresh!), mapo tofu, kung pao chicken and wuhan sesame noodles. Also the large scallion puffed "pancake" which is exactly like a south indian poori, but much larger. YUM!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Hot Pot an American thing?

Or what about Mala Tang’s Shredded Chicken With Pickled Hot Peppers?

You can find it here although I haven’t widely seen hot pot restaurants. Shabu shabu seems to be a lot more popular for some reason

There are Korean hot pot restaurants in the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have traveled to Taiwan a number of times and the Chinese food you find here is nothing like the food you would find there. Food there is much fresher not so much heavily battered and deep fried.

Ha! That's because Taiwan is a separate country (no matter what China says!!)

Each region in China has a different spin on cooking. Sichuan food tends to be very spicy. Other places are known for their red braised pork (Shanghai) or roast duck (Beijing). In America, we typically just have "Chinese" food. It tends to be sweeter, doused in batter and fried, and generally speaking more basic, catering to American palates.

American Chinese food has its place, just like Korean Chinese food (noodles in black bean sauce, yum) and Indian Chinese food, which incorporates spices commonly found in India. It's part of the beauty of different cultures coming together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Hot Pot an American thing?

Or what about Mala Tang’s Shredded Chicken With Pickled Hot Peppers?

hotpot
mongolian is popular in northern china. sometimes served w sesame buns
https://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/dong-lai-shun

also shabu shabu is huge in japan & taiwan
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/best-shabu-shabu-hotpot-in-tokyo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in China for years. Chinese American food isn't the same food as Chinese food. It's a separate "cuisine" and shouldn't be compared or confused.

Like a PP said, many Chinese restaurants will have two menus. One for the American food and one of the more Chinese style food.

OP here. What I’m honestly asking is like, what is on that menu? Same dishes prepared differently, or entirely different dishes, etc. I’m looking for specific descriptions.

Go to A&Js in Rockville or Annandale. It’s like better versions of the food I grew up with.

- Taiwanese American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Hot Pot an American thing?

Or what about Mala Tang’s Shredded Chicken With Pickled Hot Peppers?

hotpot
mongolian is popular in northern china. sometimes served w sesame buns
https://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/dong-lai-shun

also shabu shabu is huge in japan & taiwan
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/best-shabu-shabu-hotpot-in-tokyo

Omg shabu shabu. Just seeing it makes me nostalgic for childhood.