The Fortune Cookie Chronicles
by Jennifer 8. Lee · first published 2008
71% recommend29% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Engaging, investigative look at Chinese-American food and the origins of everyday dishes and the fortune cookie; recommended for readers curious about food culture who want an in-depth, entertaining read.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
If you think McDonald's is the most ubiquitous restaurant experience in America, consider that there are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. New York Times reporter and Chinese-American (or American-born Chinese). In her search, Jennifer 8 Lee traces the history of Chinese-American experience through the lens of the food. In a compelling blend of sociology and history, Jenny Lee exposes the indentured servitude Chinese restaurants expect from illegal immigrant chefs, investigates the relationship between Jews and Chinese food, and weaves a per
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It's likely this one https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_8_lee_looks_for_general_t... If you are interested, this was a very good read (by same person): https://www.amazon.com/Fortune-Cookie-Chronicles-Adventures-...
on “Inventor of General Tso's Chicken dies in Taipei at age 98” ↗The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, by the same person, is a fun book too, even if it does wander a little.
on “Who was General Tso? and other mysteries of American Chinese food [TED Talk]” ↗Anyone who's interested in a more in-depth look should check out Fortune Cookie Chronicles. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446698970 It really explains why the food at 99.9% of the "Szchewan" and "Peking" etc. places all tastes the same.
on “The Kitchen Network: America’s Underground Chinese Restaurant Workers” ↗If you are interested in more on the subject, there's a pretty good book, the Fortune Cookie Chronicles. http://www.amazon.com/The-Fortune-Cookie-Chronicles-Adventur...
on “The History of Chinese Restaurants in America” ↗I would definitely second a recommendation for The Fortune Cookie Chronicles. Fascinating read about a cultural phenomenon we all know so well, yet don't know.
on “Who was General Tso? and other mysteries of American Chinese food [TED Talk]” ↗…and meat are being served together. Pasta and meat together are common in Italy. https://www.google.it/search?q=ricetta+pasta+carne&source=ln... > In China, explains Jennifer 8. Lee, author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, rice is served after the main and before the soup Never heard of this. I'm Chinese. Spent lots of time in China. Never once had this experience. > shokupan, a Japanese white bread that’s even sweeter…
on “Food Grammar: Unspoken rules of cuisine” ↗Although her TED talk is linked, there is no mention of Jennifer8. Lee's book, "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles." The point of the book is that American-Chinese food and Chinese food in China are different. (The book was published the same year as her talk, 2008; which is six years before this article originally…
on “China Doesn't Understand the Concept of American Chinese Food (2014)” ↗