AMERICAN CHINESE FOOD & THE FORTUNE COOKIE

Aaron TasMandarin 2

Brief History of American Chinese Restaurants

Began with “chow-chows” in California in the mid 19th century

Used local ingredients Catered primarily to railroad workers and

other Chinese immigrant laborers Liberalization of Immigration laws in 1965

& President Nixon’s visit to China Created American desire for “ethnic food”

Chinese Food Today 3 times more Chinese restaurants in the

U.S. than McDonald's franchises Generally Cheap and fast Food served does not mimic “authentic”

Chinese Food Creation of new dishes for Western tastes “Authentic” food can be found in

Chinatowns Also, attempt to immigrate more Chinese

chefs

Examples of Western Chinese Food

The Fortune Cookie Several Myths surrounding the cookie Created in California Not brought to China until 1990 – then

called “Authentic American Fortune Cookie”

The Myths David Jung – 1916 Mokoto Hagiwara – 1914 Moon Cake myth