As a Chinese American one of the many privileges I’ve had to enjoy from both cultures is their food. I can get into a bowl of noodles just as easily as I can churn through a helping of mash potatoes any day. But it pains me to know that the bridge between the two cultures themselves isn’t nearly so complete. Because when Americans typically think about Chinese food they’re trapped in the box of the image above.
Having had real home-made and formal dining Chinese food the image above does not qualify in any way beyond appearance. It’s a box of salt, sauce, and oil turned out of a fryer is what it basically is. Chinese takeout gives real Chinese food a bad name, allowing Americans to forget about the authentic version they could have if they took the time to look. A well-seasoned, evenly balanced, and thought out meal with a variety of different textures and flavors that can sing more then one note and can actually be good for you.
3 responses so far ↓
Vivian // Oct 15th 2012 at 9:50 pm
I have to admit I love Chinese take-out, but I also love how you explain the obvious gap that exists between American Chinese food and the real home made Chinese food. My favorite part of your write up is the imagery and warm feelings you provoke when you say “flavors that can sing more than one note.” I think that with this one sentence, you sum up how essentially different both types of Chinese food are. Although I really liked your post, I wish you would have used that same language and carried that theme out throughout the whole post.
elizabeth griffin // Oct 15th 2012 at 10:07 pm
Well, I think part of the reason–with anything that has to do with money– you have to think of the consumer. Some people don’t like exotic tastes. So it is the choice of the individual to seek out that authentic and organic Chinese flavor.
Brooklyn Brit // Oct 15th 2012 at 10:09 pm
Errr am I the only once who has noticed the picture above is of cake made to look like Chinese food? I mean as far as the cake goes thats darn good baking I mean it really looks like Chinese take out!
Otherwise interesting post, I would have loved to read more about your food experiences.
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