16 Famous American Chinese Foods

When it comes to the diverse culinary landscape of the United States, American-Chinese cuisine holds a special place in the hearts of food enthusiasts. This delightful fusion of traditional Chinese flavors with American preferences has given rise to a medley of mouthwatering dishes that have become staples in many households.

In this blog post, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through some of the most beloved American-Chinese foods, revealing how to make them and the reasons behind their popularity.

1. General Tso’s Chicken

A Tangy Twist on Tradition

One of the most iconic dishes, General Tso’s Chicken, offers a tantalizing balance of sweet and savory flavors. Tender pieces of chicken are coated in a crisp batter, then tossed in a rich, tangy sauce that’s both spicy and sweet.

To make this dish at home, start by frying bite-sized chicken pieces until golden brown, then stir-fry them with the signature General Tso’s sauce made from soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and chili flakes. Serve it with steamed rice for a delightful meal that perfectly captures the essence of American-Chinese cuisine.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Chicken breast, diced	1. Coat diced chicken in cornstarch and fry until crispy. 2. Sauté garlic and ginger. 3. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and red pepper flakes to make the sauce. 4. Toss the fried chicken in the sauce. 5. Garnish with green onions and serve.

2. Kung Pao Chicken

A Sizzling Sichuan Classic

Kung Pao Chicken is a spicy and aromatic dish that hails from the Sichuan province of China. In its American iteration, it combines diced chicken, peanuts, and dried red chilies, all stir-fried to perfection. The dish is known for its bold flavors and mouth-numbing heat, achieved by using Sichuan peppercorns. Create this culinary masterpiece by marinating chicken in soy sauce, cooking it with peanuts and chilies, and finishing it off with a tantalizing blend of ginger, garlic, and hoisin sauce.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Chicken, diced	1. Stir-fry chicken, peanuts, and dried chilies. 2. Add Sichuan peppercorns for heat. 3. Combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, and garlic to make the sauce. 4. Toss the chicken in the sauce and cook until coated. 5. Garnish with green onions and serve.

3. Orange Chicken

Citrusy Sweet Delight

Orange Chicken is a crowd-pleaser with its crispy battered chicken chunks coated in a zesty and sweet orange-flavored sauce. To recreate this dish, start by frying chicken until crispy, then toss it in a velvety orange sauce made from orange juice, zest, soy sauce, and brown sugar. This vibrant dish beautifully marries the citrusy freshness of oranges with the comfort of deep-fried goodness.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Chicken, cubed	1. Coat cubed chicken in cornstarch and fry until golden. 2. Combine orange juice, zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, and garlic for the sauce. 3. Toss the fried chicken in the sauce. 4. Serve with steamed rice.

4. Crab Rangoon

A Creamy Seafood Indulgence

Crab Rangoon, an American-Chinese invention, is a delectable treat that features creamy crab and cream cheese filling enclosed in crispy wonton wrappers. These delightful pockets of flavor are deep-fried to perfection. Create them by mixing crab meat, cream cheese, green onions, and Worcestershire sauce, then wrapping the mixture in wonton skins before frying. Serve these addictive bites as appetizers or party snacks.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Imitation crab meat	1. Mix crab meat, cream cheese, green onions, and Worcestershire sauce for the filling. 2. Place filling on wonton wrappers and fold into triangles. 3. Deep-fry until golden brown. 4. Serve as appetizers.

5. Chop Suey

A Comforting Stir-Fry Classic

Chop Suey is a comforting stir-fry that showcases a medley of vegetables, meats, and a savory sauce. While its origins are debated, it has become an American-Chinese staple. To prepare this dish, stir-fry a variety of vegetables and your choice of protein with a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Serve this versatile dish over steamed rice for a heartwarming meal.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Chicken or pork, sliced	1. Stir-fry sliced meat and vegetables. 2. Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch for the sauce. 3. Pour the sauce over the stir-fried mixture and cook until thickened. 4. Serve over steamed rice.

6. Egg Foo Young

A Wholesome Egg-based Dish

Egg Foo Young is a delightful omelet-like dish made with beaten eggs, vegetables, and sometimes meat, bound together in a flavorful gravy. To make it, mix beaten eggs with chopped vegetables and protein, then pan-fry them into fluffy patties. Top them with a savory gravy made from chicken or vegetable broth, soy sauce, and cornstarch for a comforting and satisfying dish.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Eggs	1. Beat eggs and mix with vegetables and cooked meat. 2. Pan-fry egg mixture into patties. 3. Combine soy sauce, broth, and cornstarch to make the gravy. 4. Serve the egg patties with the gravy.

7. Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry

A Nutrient-Rich Classic

Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry is a beloved dish that combines tender slices of beef with vibrant broccoli florets in a savory brown sauce. To recreate this wholesome meal, stir-fry marinated beef slices until browned, then add blanched broccoli and a savory sauce made from oyster sauce, soy sauce, and garlic. This dish not only boasts a harmonious flavor profile but also a balanced combination of protein and vegetables.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Beef slices	1. Marinate beef slices in soy sauce and cornstarch. 2. Stir-fry beef until browned and set aside. 3. Stir-fry broccoli and garlic. 4. Combine beef and broccoli, then add oyster sauce for flavor. 5. Serve with rice.

8. Egg Rolls

A Crispy Delight

Egg Rolls are a crispy and savory treat that encapsulate a flavorful mixture of vegetables, meat, and sometimes shrimp. To make these golden-brown delights, prepare a filling by stir-frying vegetables and protein, then roll it in thin wrappers and deep-fry until crispy. Serve these crunchy delights with a side of soy sauce for dipping.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Ground pork or chicken	1. Stir-fry meat, cabbage, and carrots in soy sauce and sesame oil. 2. Place filling on wonton wrappers and roll into cylinders. 3. Deep-fry until golden brown. 4. Serve with soy sauce for dipping.

9. “Chinese” Salads

A Fresh Take on Greens

“Chinese” salads are vibrant and refreshing creations that incorporate a variety of fresh vegetables and proteins, often topped with crunchy wonton strips and a flavorful dressing. Whip up your own version by combining crisp lettuce, colorful bell peppers, protein of your choice, and a zesty ginger-soy dressing. These salads offer a burst of textures and flavors that make them an appealing choice for health-conscious eaters.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Assorted fresh vegetables	1. Combine crisp lettuce, bell peppers, and your choice of protein. 2. Drizzle with ginger-soy dressing for flavor. 3. Top with crunchy wonton strips for texture. 4. Enjoy a refreshing and healthy salad.

10. Sweet and Sour Pork

A Classic Combo of Flavors

Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic dish that combines succulent pieces of pork with a tangy and sweet sauce. To prepare this dish, coat pork pieces in batter and deep-fry until crispy, then toss them in a vibrant sauce made from vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and soy sauce. The result is a harmony of flavors that’s both familiar and exciting.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Pork pieces, battered and fried	1. Fry battered pork pieces until crispy. 2. Mix vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and soy sauce to make the sauce. 3. Stir-fry pineapple, bell peppers, and onion. 4. Toss pork in the sauce and add stir-fried vegetables. 5. Serve over rice.

11. Fried Wontons

Bite-Sized Crispy Goodness

Fried Wontons are addictive appetizers featuring a flavorful filling enclosed in crispy wonton wrappers. Create these bite-sized delights by filling wonton skins with a mixture of seasoned ground meat and vegetables, then deep-frying them until golden brown. Serve them as a party snack or as part of a larger Chinese-American feast.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Ground meat (pork, chicken, or shrimp)	1. Mix ground meat, chopped vegetables, soy sauce, and sesame oil for the filling. 2. Place filling on wonton wrappers and fold into desired shapes. 3. Deep-fry until golden brown. 4. Serve as appetizers.

12. Mongolian Beef

A Bold Flavor Extravaganza

Mongolian Beef is a bold and savory dish that features tender strips of beef stir-fried with scallions in a rich soy-based sauce. Capture the essence of this dish by marinating beef slices, stir-frying them with scallions, and tossing them in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and brown sugar. The result is a flavor-packed dish that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Beef slices	1. Marinate beef slices in soy sauce and hoisin sauce. 2. Stir-fry beef and scallions until cooked. 3. Add brown sugar and garlic for flavor. 4. Serve with rice.

13. Fortune Cookie

A Sweet Conclusion

No American-Chinese meal is complete without a fortune cookie. These crisp and delicate cookies often come with a hidden message of wisdom or prophecy inside. While their origin is debated, they have become synonymous with the end of a Chinese meal in the United States. Enjoy the surprise of cracking open a fortune cookie after a delicious meal.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Fortune cookie dough (store-bought or homemade)	1. Follow instructions to bake fortune cookies until golden and crisp. 2. Insert a message or fortune into each cookie. 3. Crack open the cookie and enjoy the surprise message!

14. Scallion Pancakes

Scallion pancakes are a savory pancake that is popular in Chinese-American cuisine. The pancake is made with flour, water, and scallions, and is typically pan-fried until crispy.

The pancake is often served as an appetizer or snack and is sometimes paired with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil. Scallion pancakes are a crispy and flavorful dish that is a favorite among Chinese food lovers in New York City.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– All-purpose flour	1. Mix flour, water, and salt to make the dough. 2. Roll out the dough, brush with oil, and sprinkle with chopped scallions. 3. Roll up the dough and flatten into a pancake. 4. Pan-fry until golden and crispy on both sides. 5. Serve as a savory snack or side dish.

15. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is a popular soup in Chinese cuisine that has been adapted to suit the tastes of New York City residents. The soup is made with chicken or pork broth, along with a variety of ingredients such as tofu, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, and scallions.

The soup is typically seasoned with vinegar, soy sauce, and chili paste, giving it a tangy and spicy flavor. Hot and sour soup is a popular appetizer or side dish in Chinese-American restaurants.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Chicken or vegetable broth	1. Bring broth to a simmer and add tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and wood ear mushrooms. 2. Season with soy sauce, vinegar, and white pepper for flavor. 3. Whisk in beaten eggs to create ribbons. 4. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve.

16. Ma Po Tofu

Ma Po Tofu is a spicy and flavorful dish that originated in the Sichuan province of China and has become popular in New York City. The dish consists of soft tofu that is cooked in a spicy sauce made from fermented black beans, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili oil.

The dish is often garnished with minced pork and scallions and is served with steamed rice. Ma Po Tofu is a spicy and satisfying dish that is popular among lovers of Sichuanese cuisine.

Key Ingredients	Instructions
– Soft tofu, cubed	1. Sauté ground pork with Sichuan peppercorns and chili bean paste for spice. 2. Add minced garlic and ginger. 3. Stir-fry the tofu and combine with the pork mixture. 4. Add soy sauce and chicken broth for flavor. 5. Thicken with cornstarch-water mixture.<br>6. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve over rice.

How the American Chinese Foods evolute

Amidst the proliferation of Chinese restaurants, a plethora of “Chinese-inspired” dishes emerged on American soil. A prime example is the modern egg roll, which likely debuted in 1930s New York City eateries. Distinguishing itself from Chinese spring rolls, American egg rolls feature a thicker exterior and larger size.

Beef and broccoli’s inception showcased ingenuity. While a stir-fry of beef and vegetables resonates with Cantonese cuisine, the American rendition reflects local availability. Inauthentic to Chinese cuisine, the dish swaps Chinese broccoli (gai lan) with a locally accessible leafy vegetable.

Kung pao chicken, a Chinese-American creation, traces its roots to adaptation. Originating in China’s Sichuan province, gong bao ji ding incorporates Sichuan peppercorns, bestowing the dish with a unique numbing sensation called “málà.”

During the Sichuan peppercorn ban (1968-2005) due to citrus canker concerns, the U.S. witnessed a pivotal event in 1972: Richard Nixon’s visit to China. This sparked a renewed interest in Chinese culture, expanding the American palate beyond familiar Cantonese fare. Sichuan cuisine rose in prominence, making kung pao chicken a staple on American Chinese menus.

The evolution of American Chinese cuisine resulted from diverse chefs borrowing and refining dishes. This led to the introduction of dishes like crab rangoon, a Trader Vic’s creation—a tiki bar chain in the 1940s—combining fried wontons, crab or imitation crab meat, and cream cheese.

Innovation often led to confusion; crab rangoon, a hit, transcended its origin, adorning Chinese restaurant menus across the nation. While the culinary landscape has evolved, modern Chinese-American restaurateurs now enjoy increased access to ingredients, enriching the American Chinese dining experience.

In Conclusion

American-Chinese cuisine beautifully blends traditional Chinese flavors with American tastes, giving rise to a delectable array of dishes that have earned a special place on dining tables across the nation.

From the iconic General Tso’s Chicken to the crispy delight of Egg Rolls and the zesty goodness of Orange Chicken, each dish reflects the creativity and culinary fusion that makes American-Chinese cuisine truly unique. Whether you’re enjoying a casual dinner or celebrating a special occasion, these dishes offer a burst of flavors that cater to a wide range of palates. So why not embark on your own American-Chinese culinary adventure and savor the delightful harmony of flavors that this fusion cuisine has to offer?

FAQ: about American Chinese foods