#CHOP SUEY CHINESE FOOD MAC#

#CHOP SUEY CHINESE FOOD MAC#

“Thus, chop suey – the epitome of America’s Chinese food for decades – was the Big Mac of the pre-McDonald’s era.” This “inexpensive, fast and tasty food was irresistible to many bohemians, rebellious youth, African Americans and middle-class tourists,” Chen said. By 1980, it had become the country’s most popular ethnic cuisine. diners began flocking to Chinese restaurants more than a century ago, making it the first mass-consumed food in the nation. “This book fills important gaps in the literature of ethnic and food studies, while incorporating an appealing personal memoir into the narrative,” said Jeffrey Pilcher, professor of food history at the University of Toronto. “They preferred the quick and simple dishes of China while shunning its haute cuisine.”Ĭhop Suey, USA, published by Columbia University Press, sheds light on the critical yet overlooked role that Chinese fare has played in developing the American way of life and expanding access to it. “Americans fell in love with Chinese food not because of its gastronomic excellence, but because of its affordability and convenience,” Chen said. The new book opens with a question: Why is Chinese food so popular in the United States?

The influence of Chinese cuisine throughout the 20th century and beyond is told in Chop Suey, USA: The Story of Chinese Food in America, by UC Irvine history professor Yong Chen. American Chinese food was a precursor to ubiquitous chain restaurants, democratizing the once-exclusive dining-out experience for working-class whites, African Americans and Jews. 4, 2014 – Before fast food and home delivery, there was chop suey and red leather booths.

Chop suey chinese food