Wonton King Chinese Restaurant offers authentic Chinese cuisine and is ranked as one of the best restaurants in the St. Louis region.
(AsianFoodSTL) Many dishes that have become iconic Chinese cuisine don’t fit the traditional definition of authentic Chinese cuisine, such as Kung Pao Chicken, Egg Foo Young, and Orange Chicken—dishes created by Chinese people living outside China themselves and not considered authentic by linguistic authorities in their home countries.
An obsession with authenticity often overrides any creative approaches to food traditions in different cultures, which is regrettable because every dish can tell a fascinating tale.
Authenticity of Chinese Cuisine
Though authenticity can be abstract, Merriam-Webster provides a straightforward definition: something is authentic when it is real or genuine. This applies to everything from food to art. Some Chinese chefs adhere strictly to traditional mainland styles of cooking, while others adapt recipes for Western audiences.
American-Chinese cuisine was created by Chinese immigrants living outside their mother country during the gold rush era of the 1800s, without access to many traditional ingredients found in some traditional recipes from back home. Fried rice and sweet and sour pork became American-Chinese classics thanks to this legacy.
Americanized Chinese dishes tend to contain more meat than their authentic counterparts, such as crab rangoon – a fried pastry filled with cream cheese that isn’t commonly found in China – or certain restaurants using MSG and other chemicals that aren’t typically part of Chinese cooking.
American-Chinese cuisine may be popular with Americans, but many Chinese people view these dishes as inauthentic. Furthermore, Chinese people typically oppose American-Chinese restaurants that open in their cities; however, recently, several restaurants owned by Chinese Americans have opened up across China and provided a glimpse of American culture to local populations.
The atmosphere of a Chinese restaurant
When visiting a Chinese restaurant, its atmosphere can give a good indication of its authenticity. For instance, fluorescently lit food courts overlooking mall parking lots are unlikely to serve authentic Chinese fare; therefore, for best results, look for places with cozy interiors and attentive service staff.
A practical starting point when visiting Chinese restaurants is carefully perusing their menus. Authentic restaurants often serve dishes like jianbing (a savory crepe) and Peking duck, along with spring rolls, kung pao chicken, chicken fried rice, and wonton soup—all popular offerings in Chinese culture.
Authentic Chinese cuisine differs depending on which region in China one visits; Sichuan dishes tend to be spicy, while Shangdong and Cantonese dishes tend towards sweeter flavors. The climate also plays a factor here—for instance, in humid regions like southwestern China, people often consume spicy foods to help ease internal dampness and cold.
Authentic Chinese cuisine was first introduced to the Western world through immigrant communities opening Chinese restaurants across Canada and other cities, adapting traditional recipes to fit local palates and ingredients, and creating iconic fusion dishes that have since become staples. As generations of Chinese Canadians migrate and establish themselves, their palates have also changed, and many are seeking more regionally specific authentic Chinese cuisines.
Tea
At any authentic Chinese restaurant, the first thing customers see when entering is tea—an essential staple usually included with every meal. Tea is produced from Camellia Sinensis plants and has been consumed there for nearly five millennia; different varieties include white, green, yellow, oolong, and black.
Chinese cuisine is full of bold flavors—salty, spicy, sour, and sweet. A dish lacking depth of flavors is likely authentic Chinese. Many Americanized Chinese restaurants serve versions adapted from or invented entirely by immigrants themselves to fit American palates; chop suey is one example.
Authentic Chinese foods incorporate more vegetables and ingredients than North American-style Chinese cuisine, such as bok choy or Chinese water spinach, which may be difficult to find in North America. Furthermore, authentic Chinese meals often use meats such as chicken feet or duck tongue, which may not be commonly consumed here in North America.
Authentic Chinese foods can be prepared using multiple cooking techniques, the most common ones being steaming or stir-frying. Conversely, North American-style Chinese food tends to be deep fried using either a wok or deep fryer, leading to less healthy meals than its authentic counterparts.
Chinese Cuisine—Family-style dining embodies more than a culinary trend; it symbolizes humankind’s need to connect and celebrate through food. This form of eating allows guests to sample various cuisines in one sitting, increasing taste and pleasure while expanding culinary horizons. Further, this style will enable chefs to showcase their signature dishes.
Authentic Chinese dishes typically incorporate ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise into their recipes; however, North American-style Chinese food has modified these to appeal to American palates more familiar with salty and sweet tastes. Additionally, more dairy items (such as crab rangoon) that would not typically be featured in Chinese cuisine have been introduced.
One key distinction between authentic Chinese cuisine and North American-style Chinese food lies in their respective uses of fresh vegetables. Traditional dishes often include fresh greens such as bok choy or water spinach, which may not be readily available here; alternatively, restaurants may substitute these dishes with broccoli.
Attributed to American Chinese communities living outside China, these popular dishes have come to symbolize Chinese cuisine in America. Some examples are Kung Pao C cken, Egg Foo Young, and Orange Chicken, which don’t reflect authentic Chinese culinary tradition but were created by these communities for consumption outside their homelands.
