Chinese Dishes Built For Americans
Many Americans across the country absolutely love Chinese cuisine for its varied, tasty dishes. The truth is, many favorites have been westernized to better fit American palates and are by no means authentic. These meals often feature familiar proteins, mild seasonings, crispy textures, and sweet or savory sauces that make them approachable for a wide range of diners. Here are just 20 Chinese dishes that are obviously catered to Americans.
1. Beef And Broccoli
Beef and broccoli features a simple combination that Americans can get behind without turning too boring. The beef is always tender, and it's cooked with the broccoli in a savory brown sauce that's made with soy sauce, garlic, and other seasonings. It's the kind of Chinese dish you order when you want some veggies on the table.
2. Crab Rangoon
With cream cheese a major ingredient in this dish, it's not surprising that crab rangoon has become a popular hit with Americans. This creamy appetizer is deep-fried and packed full of cream cheese, imitation crab, and mild seasonings. It's a standard item often ordered at many Chinese American restaurants.
3. Orange Chicken
Orange chicken seriously delivers on the citrus flavor with crispy fried chicken tossed in a glossy, sweet orange-flavored sauce. If you're expecting a milder flavor, you might find the overly sweet taste a tad much, but when eaten alongside white rice, fried rice, or steamed vegetables, it's a favorite for many Americans.
4. Moo Shu Pork
Often served with thin pancakes, moo shu park is made of pork, cabbage, mushroom, eggs, and a lightly seasoned sauce that feel familiar to Americans. Adding a bit of hoisin sauce to your wrap gives it a bit of sweetness that makes it addictive, which explains why so many have fallen in love with this approachable dish.
5. Chicken Fried Rice
What's more beloved and familiar than fried rice? A must-order for many Americans at any Chinese restaurant, this dependable dish completes any big feast. It's the kind of dish you know everyone will be okay with ordering, even if it's a simple, homestyle one you could easily make yourself at home.
6. Honey Walnut Shrimp
Blending sweet, creamy, and crunchy elements into one dish, Americans have fallen for honey walnut shrimp. This incredibly rich dish features fried shrimp coated in a mayo-based sauce served with candied walnuts. For American palettes who enjoy sweet flavors, this is a favorite at most American Chinese spots.
7. General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso’s chicken is one of the most recognizable Chinese American dishes on takeout menus, likely also thanks to its memorable name. It features battered pieces of chicken coated in a thick sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy. The crispy texture and bold flavor make it an easy choice for American diners.
8. Pepper Steak
Veering away from the sweet for a moment to appreciate the savory, pepper steak is a classic order for most Americans because it features familiar ingredients like steak, bell peppers, and onions, and also a simple, peppery sauce that goes so well with rice.
9. Pork Egg Rolls
Pork egg rolls are a familiar appetizer at Chinese American restaurants. Their crispy and crunchy wrappers are filled with seasoned pork, cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables that make them approachable to enjoy. Dipping them in sweet and sour sauce is a must!
10. Mongolian Beef
It's easy to fall in love with a dish if it's made of thin slices of tender beef cooked with soft onions in a rich and slightly sweet sauce. It's often served with some steamed rice, turning it into a filling and satisfying meal. Despite its name, the dish is strongly associated with Chinese American restaurants.
Craig Dugas from Bozeman, Montana, USA on Wikimedia
11. Lemon Chicken
Just like orange chicken, lemon chicken is another addictive chicken dish served at many Chinese American restaurants. This one offers a lighter citrus taste, but still features breaded chicken served with a sweet and tangy lemon sauce that’s usually mild enough for most diners.
Alpha from Melbourne, Australia on Wikimedia
12. Sweet And Sour Pork
A classic favorite known for its bright sauce and crispy meat, sweet and sour pork is a must-order for many American diners. It features pineapple (yes, pineapple!), onions, and bell peppers to create a mixture of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The dish is especially approachable for those who enjoy fruit-based sauces.
Lusheeta~commonswiki on Wikimedia
13. Chicken Lo Mein
Not a rice kind of guy? Don't worry, there are plenty of fantastic noodle dishes in Chinese cuisine such as chicken lo mein! This dish features soft noodles tossed with chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce that's comforting and filling. Since the seasoning is generally mild, it works well for people who are new to Chinese food.
14. Shrimp With Lobster Sauce
For fans of seafood, shrimp with lobster sauce is a mild seafood dish featuring shrimp in a thick, savory sauce that's approachable for first-time triers. The sauce often includes egg, garlic, and ground pork, though recipes vary between restaurants. Also, despite the name, lobster usually isn’t included in the dish!
15. Sesame Chicken
Sesame chicken is similar to orange chicken, but its sauce usually has a deeper savory quality rather than completely sweet. The battered chicken pieces are coated in a sweet, savory glaze and topped with sesame seeds, which is a perfect dish to order if you're trying appeal to a large group.
16. Boneless Spare Ribs
Not to be confused with American ribs, Chinese boneless spare ribs are coated in a sweet and savory barbecue-style sauce, with the pork roasted until tender so that the edges become lightly caramelized edges. It's an easy option that most don't walk away disappointed from.
17. Cashew Chicken
There certainly are a ton of chicken dishes to go around! Cashew chicken mixes tender pieces of chicken with vegetables and roasted cashews. The nuts provide a pleasant crunch, while the brown sauce adds a delightful savory flavor. It's a much more balanced dish compared to some of the other sweet options we've mentioned!
Simon Law from Montréal, QC, Canada on Wikimedia
18. Chicken Chow Mein
Another great noodle option that's approachable for Americans, chicken chow mein is a classic that combines chicken and vegetables with noodles that may be soft, crispy, or somewhere in between. The sauce is usually light and savory rather than sweet, and its uncomplicated nature makes it easy for everyone to enjoy.
19. Kung Pao Chicken
If you appreciate a bit of heat, kung pao chicken is a good starting point for diners who want to explore spicier Chinese dishes. It combines chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and dried chili peppers in a savory sauce that carries a touch of sweetness.
Steven G. Johnson on Wikimedia
20. Fortune Cookies
Last but obviously not least, fortune cookies are a fun and tasty way to close out any Chinese meal. These aren't traditional by any means, but they remain closely tied to the Chinese American dining experience. The lightly sweet and crisp cookie is good, but it's reading the message inside that's the most exciting!
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