Dishing on Chinese, the great American comfort food

by cynthia yoo | March 9, 2008 at 08:01 pm

1261 views | 0 Recommendations | 13 comments

First of all, love the name--Jennifer 8. Lee--8 is a lucky number for the Chinese. Not to mention, there's the factoid about the rise of 'American'-Chinese food joints in Baghdad following the U.S. occupation.

I love food, and ideas on cross-cultural fertilization; both ingredients found in this debut concoction by Ms. 8 Lee--"The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food."

Chinese restaurants are more American than apple pie, says Jennifer 8. Lee in “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food.” There are twice as many of these restaurants as there are McDonald’s franchises, and the food they serve is every bit as predictable. “What Chinese restaurant menu doesn’t offer beef with broccoli, sesame chicken, roast pork lo mein, fried wontons, egg rolls and egg drop soup?” asks the author, an “American-born Chinese” who cheerfully admits to an obsession with Chinese restaurants.

Oh, and for a time during final year at college, I had a huge addiction to General Tsao Chicken from this particular Chinese joint on Dundas, TO. So it was with great relish (okay, must stop this cheesiness, full stop) I read that for her book, Ms. 8 Lee dug deep to detail the origins of this most delectable dish.

Lee travels to Hunan to see if the actual General Tso had anything to do with the chicken dish that bears his name, only to discover it most likely began as General Ching’s chicken, named after General Tso’s mentor. She also reveals that the white cardboard Fold-Pak cartons for takeout food, originally used to hold shucked oysters, are unknown in China, where Chinese takeout food is virtually nonexistent. But there’s a demand for them elsewhere — because European and African television viewers want the product they see on “Seinfeld” and “Friends.”

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kanalydesign

at 20:41 on March 9th, 2008

This image was taken at the EDGE ART NOW show at the IAO Gallery in Oklahoma City. The group show was nothing short of awesome. An 8.5 x 11 auction took place, which was unique in the way they structured it. Great crowd, captivating content and one hell of a good time.

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hellofortune

at 22:46 on March 9th, 2008

Fortune cookies used here for cupcake decoration... what says farewell and goodluck better than good fortunes?

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robotson

at 23:29 on March 9th, 2008

somebody asked me if they could use a fortune cookie picture i took. it has little to do with the fortune i guess, it says, "get away from home a while to restore your energy" i think.

i implore you to live out your days as a technomad superhero

cynthia yoo

at 15:58 on March 10th, 2008

thanks, I'll try my best to dispel that fembot rumour~

nilly2008

at 08:46 on March 10th, 2008

It's all abouth hopes and belives isent it!
Facinates me so much this little cookie.

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thinklia

at 13:13 on March 10th, 2008

Yes, a fortune cookie covered in white chocolate and sprinkles. How Chinese is that?

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fiftyacorns

at 14:19 on March 10th, 2008

I make these little fortune cookies out of yarn. The little message is removable. What's better than a re-usable fortune cookie?

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cynthia yoo

at 14:38 on March 10th, 2008

These are great. And I didn't realize that there were so many knitting communities out there! Great stuff! What other things do you knit?

SilirShots

at 19:34 on March 12th, 2008

I was just got home from school and saw some fortune cookies on the counter and decided I'd eat one. Popped it open, and out came this message, I thought it was rather cool so I grabbed my camera and took this picture.

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Two Cheese Please

at 18:54 on March 18th, 2008

Fortune cookies aren't as big down here (Australia) but they still have that awesome cult feeling about them. However, they just don't last forever and sometimes the sayings in them are somewhat lame. So I thought... why not make my own?! So I did!

These are made out of felt with a hand-embroidered ribbon as the saying - fully customisable, will last forever, and have zero calories!

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