Here is an interesting article on the evolution of Hunan Cuisine in general, and the dish “General Tso’s” in particular. Regarding the latter, the article’s author says the following, thus answering somewhat the question which I posed in the title:
Despite its international reputation… the dish is virtually unknown in the Chinese province of Hunan itself.
The dish apparently rose to prominence in the USA because its inventor was affiliated with the defeated Chinese Nationalist Party, created the dish in the 50s while exiled in Taiwan, and ultimately popularized the dish in America in the 70s in his New York restaurant. It is now, much to the embarrassment of the Chinese, the most popular dish associated with Hunan Cuisine, even though the dish has no actual roots in the Hunan province of China.
Something to think about next time you come down with that MSG headache.
I’m addicted to the sugar in that sauce!
I was surprised to see mentions of Chinese Take-Away food in old New York books from 1890 where the people in the diary go to get Chop Suey.
Comment by Evan — December 11, 2007 @ 3:58 am
of course they do.
Comment by ryan darcy — May 23, 2008 @ 5:00 am
of corse they do
Comment by ryan darcy — May 23, 2008 @ 5:00 am