The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food
by: Jennifer 8. Lee
Published by: Twelve Books
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Joyce Sparrow
Chinese food will have a whole new taste for readers of this thoughtful, entertaining and historical look at American’s appreciation for Chinese restaurants. How does that sweet, sour, spicy, salty cuisine make it into that Fold-Pak take home container?
Lee, a New York Times metro reporter, spent three years traveling six continents, twenty-three countries, and forty-two states to investigate the evolution of Chinese-American food. Lee’s curiosity began when 110 separate Powerball tickets in twenty-nine states were winners of a $100 million jackpot. The winners all played the numbers they found in their fortune cookies.
Lee traced the many of the ticket holders to the restaurants where they received their lucky numbers and then follows with the history of the fortune cookie—which is an American creation, as is chop suey. And just what is the proper recipe for soy sauce? The book explains the difference between brewed soy sauce made from water, soy beans, wheat, and salt, in comparison with the Americanized version made from water, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, caramel coloring, and corn syrup.
Lee’s long search for General Tso’s chicken on the menu in restaurants in China clearly shows how Americanized Chinese food is. Lee explains the popularity of Chinese food among Jewish people. The chapter, “The Mystery of the Missing Chinese Deliveryman,” reveals the plight of the clandestine immigrants who work at the American restaurants and the violence they experience when delivering food. These nomadic workers move from state to state and restaurant to restaurant.
Thanksgiving Day is probably one of the only days these restaurants consistently close because most Americans will eat a tradition turkey dinner. The workers flood into New York’s Chinatown on the fourth Thursday in November for weddings and celebrations.
Lee concludes her work with a search outside of China for the greatest Chinese restaurant in the world. Readers will have to spend time with Lee’s remarkable book to learn the results of that quest.
Armchair Interviews says: Most interesting look at Chinese food and those who make and eat it.
Author’s Web site: http://www.FortuneCookieChronicles.com
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