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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/02/world/asia/general-tso-chicken-peng-chang-kuei.html?_r=0

The Taiwanese chef who invented one of the most recognizable American Chinese foods has just passed away.

Man, 2016 is a mean drunk.

I hadn't heard that story about how the original genera tso's was spicier. I'd like to try that.

Well, nobody wants a plate of General Charlie's chicken.

--Patrick

blotsfan said:

I hadn't heard that story about how the original genera tso's was spicier. I'd like to try that.

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It was spicy when I was younger. 20ish years ago. I want to bribe my local buffet into serving Kung Pow.

It... wasn't invented by General Tso?

If you can't trust that, what can you trust?

I'm so betrayed. Disgraceful.

DISGRACE

ful

I'll remember enjoying his work, and then not enjoying it as it is really hard to reheat properly, especially after 2 days.

My go to Chinese joint dish. Guaranteed to satisfy - for an hour at least!

The General Tso documentary is on Netflix right now. It's worth a watch to see the rise, fall, and rise again of Chinese food in the US.

They haven't buried him yet, because no one can agree on how to spell his tombstone.

Dave said:

The General Tso documentary is on Netflix right now. It's worth a watch to see the rise, fall, and rise again of Chinese food in the US.

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There was a fall?

Mathias said:

There was a fall?

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It's in the documentary!

The Search for General Tso was alright, but it didn't feel focused. Like it was three smaller documentaries mashed together.

Mathias said:

There was a fall?

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There certainly has been around here - though to be fair, that may have more to do with the fact that, back in the 1800's when the Chinese were heavily immigrating to the US, we (Tacoma) chased all of our Chinese population out of town using a mob and a train. Seattle did the same, but their Chinese population returned, largely. Seattle has a very nice International District featuring all kinds of international food, including both traditional and Americanized Chinese food. Tacoma's Chinese population didn't come back, so we have a Korean District, with a little bit of Vietnamese thrown in for good measure, and a really really crummy "authentic" Szechuan restaurant.

Mathias said:

There was a fall?

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There was the swift rise of the Lo Mein that got over-saturated and then political shit happened that caused anti-Chinese backlash. Then more Westernized Chinese cuisine - of which General Tso's chicken was a part - came along, and Chinese food again became a mainstay.

Dave said:

There was the swift rise of the Lo Mein that got over-saturated and then political shit happened that caused anti-Chinese backlash. Then more Westernized Chinese cuisine - of which General Tso's chicken was a part - came along, and Chinese food again became a mainstay.

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Was this pre-Nixon era and then the shift occurred after he thawed US/Chinese relations?

Pretty much. That's when the thaw started, but it wasn't until Carter that it was fully restored. We really fucked over American citizens of Chinese descent during the Red Scare days, which is what caused the fall of Lo Mein as a staple.

Dude, watch the documentary. It's much more interesting than it has a right to be.