The Search for General Tso

The Search for General Tso follows journalist Jennifer 8. Lee's quest to trace the origins of Chinese-American cuisine, with a focus on the ubiquitous dish General Tso's chicken. Her investigation spans multiple continents as she works to uncover how Chinese food became a dominant force in American culture. Through interviews with restaurant owners, chefs, and food historians, Lee examines the Chinese immigrant experience in America and how their culinary traditions evolved to create a distinct Chinese-American cuisine. The narrative moves between the past and present, exploring the historical context of Chinese immigration alongside contemporary restaurant culture. Lee documents visits to small towns and major cities across America to understand regional variations in Chinese-American food, while also traveling to China to investigate the roots of these adapted dishes. She tracks down key figures in the development of Chinese-American restaurants and examines how certain dishes gained popularity. The book illuminates broader themes about cultural authenticity, adaptation, and the role of food in shaping identity and community. Through the lens of a single dish, Lee presents a larger story about immigration, entrepreneurship, and the ongoing evolution of American culture.

Readers describe this as a breezy, accessible exploration of Chinese-American food history that goes beyond just General Tso's chicken. Many noted the book reads like connected magazine articles rather than a linear narrative. Readers appreciated: - Engaging storytelling and humor - Research into Chinese immigrant experiences - Historical context about American Chinese restaurants - Personal anecdotes woven into reporting Common criticisms: - Lack of cohesive structure - Tangential stories that stray from main topic - Some repetitive sections - Not enough depth on General Tso himself Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (100+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Fascinating rabbit holes but loses focus" - Goodreads reviewer "More about Chinese food in America than promised by title" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect mix of history, culture and food writing" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🥡 General Tso's Chicken was virtually unknown in the actual Chinese city of Peng (now Xiangyin), where General Tso himself was from, until Jennifer 8. Lee's film crew arrived to shoot footage for the documentary version of the book. 🔍 The author's middle name "8" was chosen by her parents because the number is considered lucky in Chinese culture, and the Chinese word for "eight" sounds similar to the word for "prosper." 🍗 The dish was likely created by Chef Peng Chang-kuei in Taiwan in the 1950s, but the sweet version Americans know today was adapted by New York City chef T.T. Wang in the 1970s. 🌏 During her research, Lee discovered that there are more Chinese restaurants in the United States than McDonald's, Burger King, and KFC combined. 📚 The book grew out of Lee's 2008 TED Talk, "The Hunt for General Tso," which explored the fascinating relationship between Chinese-American cuisine and American culture.