Similar Chinese food and Chinese American food?

Question

Honestly, I am Chinese myself, but for those who know, is that real chinese food and Chinese American food differ so much; I can even hardly think of a Chinese American food that resembles a real Chinese dish. Please help as this is for my history project.

Answer 1

Ethnic foods served in the West are generally changed to suit the Western palate. I have visited many Thai restaurants in England and have now lived in Thailand for around 12 years. The restaurant food may have the same name but if it were to be made with the same ingredients that it is made with here the restaurant would close quite quickly.

Answer 2

I spent a month in China, and the food was totally different there, than in the US.   Probably the closest to the American version would be Peking Duck, although I doubt they hang it out here:) ...  I remember eating ALOT of plain watermelon though! .....Oh!  I think I once had a tofu dish, stir-fried in a hot chili sauce, that you can find in the US occasionally......

Answer 3

Chinese American food is NOTHING close to what I ate in China (1989).....The food that we're used to seeing in "Chinese" restaurants is as close to real, authentic Chinese food as I am to being George Clooney......

Even the words have been bastardized, what we call Chop Suey came from a VERY rough translation of "Tsap Tsui"........

Although there is nothing "ethnically correct" about Chinese Americanized food, I feel that it's definately NOT what I remember eating in Bejing......Although I do remember that when we were in the Schewzan province, I had a cold coming on......we had this fantastic soup, spiced pork soup/stew, that was REALLY spiced.....Next day, No sign of a cold at all....hmmmmm better than Pseudafed!!!

Christopher

Answer 4

They are similar, but often, American Chinese food takes after Northern or Southern China.

For instance, when I want good won ton soup, I know I'm not going to get it if it's not Hong Kong won ton soup.

Also, dim sum is not considered mainstream Chinese in America, but it's pretty authentic.

So, I think you need to be more specific when you say Chinese food-- which part of China?

Answer 5

most of the Chinese that first came to America where Cantonese.  The food I have  had in what was called Canton and in Hong Kong is the closest to Chinese American.  There are dishes that are pretty similar - sweet and sour pork comes to mind.  And Dim Sum as someone else said.