Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
New York Times reporter Jennifer 8. Lee traveled the world to crack the case of the fortune cookie's cryptic origins, hunt for the infamous General Tso, and track chop suey back to its creator. Turned out, many of the answers were closer to home than she'd ever imagined.
The author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food served up her favorite Chinese food facts, myths and mysteries to AOL Food, and now she's ready for your red-hot questions. Submit them in the comments by 10 p.m. on Monday, March 31st, and Jennifer 8. Lee will answer them soon in a follow-up post.
AOL Food: Chinese Food Myths Busted
PHOTOS: President Obama's Kissing Technique
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
New Clues, Details Emerge In Powell Case
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
PHOTOS: Remembering The People's Ballerina
20 Of Elizabeth Olsen's Versatile Looks
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
LOOK: The Last Of The Cave People
Style Icon Dies After Collapsing At Fashion Show
Best In Show Winner Declared
WATCH: Saint VaLINtine Hits Game-Winning Shot
Most Eligible Post 50 Celebs
PHOTOS: Kate Spends Valentine's Day Solo!
10 Celebs Who Refuse To 'Fix' Their Teeth
Prosecutors Appeal Overturned Murder Convictions
3-24-2008 @1:59PM Kitty G. said... Ms. Lee, a few questions:
1. What makes you pick a particular Chinese restaurant from all the ones around it?
2. What do you always order and never ever order?
3. Do you ever use the duck sauce or mustard packets?
Reply
3-25-2008 @8:13AM Adam said... Hey Jennifer
I read somewhere not too long ago that fortune cookies were actually adopted in Japan, from a Japanese cracker. Sound right to you? If not, then what's the fortune cookie story?
Reply
3-25-2008 @12:21PM Chris said... Fortune cookies were invented in California around the 1920's or so. If you to to order them in China most places won't know what your talking about.
Reply
3-25-2008 @1:31PM halvasnack said... Are there any Americanized Chinese dishes that are popular or even eaten back in China?
Reply
3-25-2008 @2:48PM Virginia said... Jennifer,
What are your favorite Chinese junk food and high-end dishes? Are there any Chinese standards that you just can't bring yourself to eat?
Reply
3-25-2008 @10:09PM Adam said... Boy do I feel dumb...
If you go look at the AOL food page linked in the post, the origins of the fortune cookie are revealed (and the origin is indeed a Japanese cracker!).
Reply
3-26-2008 @5:13PM sarah said... where does chinese chicken salad come from?
Reply
3-28-2008 @2:35PM Teresa said... Jennifer,
You say there is no soy in American soy sauce packets, but you list "hydrolized vegetable protein", which is (more often than not) soy protein. I am allergic to soy, so I am very careful about this. Your information may be harmful to someone who is allergic to soy.
Reply
3-28-2008 @3:14PM MadamXXX said... Kikkoman isn't the only soy sauce with real soy. That's misleading. There are many American brands, even one "in house" label for A&P, which is "America's Choice." It has no additives and no artificial coloring. Also one of the best is Eden Organic Shoyu.
Reply
3-28-2008 @3:48PM chuck blaauw said... I had Broccolli dishes in Beijing in 1994
All though it was at a Holiday Inn.
Reply
3-28-2008 @7:01PM barry blitzstein said... There is soy in REAL soy sauce, especially organic ,not the commercial junk or the junk packets one gets with a take out order
Reply
3-30-2008 @3:38PM momma bear said... What does your middle "initial" stand for? Do you have a favorite Chinese place in Northern NJ? Come on, you know you've been over the bridge! :)
Reply
3-30-2008 @5:16PM cooljazzy54 said... Jennifer, does the Chinese use meats that are not
traditionally eated by Americans. I have heard some
cat/rat stories and the foods does look different.
What's the scoop.
Reply
3-30-2008 @6:36PM jim said... Kikkoman soy sauce is produced in Walworth Wisconsin for must US markets, not Japan
Reply
4-10-2008 @11:22AM Kareena B. said... When people on TV are about to eat with chopsticks, they always tap them together several times. What do they do this and what does it mean? It almost looks like they are sharpening them, which does not make sense since they are wood!
KB
thanks!
Reply
4-01-2008 @8:42PM Marisa McClellan said... Once, in the late eighties, my dad was traveling for business and came across a "Chinese" restaurant that served Ketchup Shrimp. He determined then and there never to eat in a restaurant with that particular dish on the menu.
Do you have any dishes that serve as a harbinger for you and tell you immediately that you don't want to eat there?
Reply
4-02-2008 @12:06AM Emily Matchar said... What do you think about "MSG Syndrome?" Real allergy, or a psychocultural phenomenon?
Reply
4-01-2008 @9:59PM Stefani Pollack said... When and why did Chinese food get Americanized? Why do you think that the modified dishes hold more appeal to people in this country than the traditional Chinese fare?
Reply
4-22-2008 @4:28PM Meli said... I am from the NYC metro area, where duck sauce rules!!! Now that I live in Seattle, not one restaurant offers those yummy little packets. It is very, very sad. Last time I was in NYC, I asked a rather confused waiter to give me as many packets as possible. Why do you think places in the West Coast don't offer duck sauce?
Reply
4-25-2008 @3:51PM Tim said... Hi,
1. Many Chinese restaurants offer "almond cookies", which are usually just small, round, hard disks seemingly flavored with almond extract. What's the origin of this?
2. Quite a few Chinese restaurants have lychee fruit as an option on their menu although they hardly ever actually serve it. Why is it so rare, and why do so many restaurants offer something they don't have?
3. Are dishes such as Hawaiian Chicken and Mongolian Beef really connected to Hawaii and Mongolia?
4. Buddha's Delight... Really connected to the Buddha?
Reply