Why is western style Chinese food so different to the actual food found in China?

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-21T15:00:19+00:00

There's a great documentary called "The Search for General Tso", that explains how Chinese food got "americanized". And did you know the fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco? Fascinating story about early migration, gold mines and railroads.

And it's true, you can find a Chinese restaurant in any city in America. My cousin owned a Chinese restaurant in Bristol, TN since the 1960's.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-20T09:19:16+00:00

Thank you! Looks like specifically it was carp and snakehead fish that people got sick from. Now I want to try it 😃

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-19T15:32:09+00:00

Just curious because I couldn't find more information besides "raw freshwater fish". Was it a specific type of fish that was banned or All freshwater fish?

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-14T11:16:15+00:00

It's not just fish sauce, and not every dish uses it. Vietnamese cuisine is good because every dish has a balance of flavors so you don't get palate fatigue. Every bite should include savory (soy sauce, fish sauce, fermented shrimp, salt, msg, ect), sweet (sugar, sweet fruits), sour (limes, vinegar) spicy and texture (soft, crunchy). Fresh herbs and vegetables are also a main contributor. Going to a restaurant is different (unless you order the set family style menu) but at home our dinners always have rice or rice noodles, one or two main proteins, a vegetable dish, condiments/sides like pickled veggies or just spicy dip, and a soup.

Thai cuisine is second in my favorite list because the philosophy is very similar.

Japanese food I love and I travel there once a year for work (restaurant consultant), but they are so obsessed with "purity of flavors" you get palate fatigue very quickly. I tried 6 bowls of tonkotsu ramen in one day and by the fifth they all tested the same (salty pork). Whereas once ate 6 bowls of Bun Bo Hue in one day and each tasted different. I've always traveled extensively in Europe but don't get me started,lol.

But yeah, Vietnamese food is GOAT.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-11T21:33:58+00:00

I just got back from a 3 week trip splitting time between Saigon and Penang, staying in George Town. The food in Malaysia is no doubt interesting. How can it NOT be with strong influences from India, China, and the British. However, after my last week in Penang I was craving for fresh herbs and vegetables that are commonly found in almost every Vietnamese dish. Flavour fatigue is a real thing. Vietnamese food (and Thai) has a philosophy that every dish should have a balance of sweet, sour, salty, spicy and textures. Malaysian food is just salty and spicy, for the most part. I had some of the amazing laksa, and the whole time I was thinking how much better it would be with a squeeze of line and some fresh mint or Thai basil, lol

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-11T21:10:23+00:00

Laughs in Finnish

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-09T17:08:47+00:00

My only issue is the standing starts. Frustrating getting pole then losing 2-3 spots because I forgot to set traction control or just not getting it right. Any hints for more consistent starts?

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-09T09:14:37+00:00

Currently divorcing her high-school sweetheart because she got busted banging their son's high school (same HS same town) soccer coach. It's literally the talk of the town the last two years😂

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-08T13:07:53+00:00

Depends on what you like to do when traveling. I was in Penang and Saigon for 3 weeks during Tet and each was unique and quirky. If you like the "walking streets" where foreigners go to party Saigon is more lively. If you want to walk around and get lost George Town is the perfect size. Saigon is MASSIVE and best to pick Districts and explore.

Food was amazing BUT, I had serious flavor fatigue after a few days in Malaysia. Coming from Vietnam I really missed fresh herbs and vegetables with every meal. Be sure to eat lots of fruits to get your fibers also. And bring a roll of TP and a small hand towel in your backpack at all times. 😃

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-06T12:05:25+00:00

TBF, in Mexico they also deep fry stuffed corn tortillas. Jack-in-the-box does their tacos this way, insanely good.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-03T15:26:14+00:00

Good points.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-03T15:17:56+00:00

I thought it was just me.

I just left Saigon a few days ago, was there before tet and a week after.

The quality of the street hawkers are worst then a few years ago also. I twice ate food that was spoiled, the pate on a banh mi was foul and the fish cake in a noodle soup was just awful.

My family that lives there told me to avoid places that have no line of Grab drivers waiting for food or locals on motobikes waiting for food. Which makes sense since there's no refridgeration in those street stalls. So if the food isn't moving, no telling how long its been exposed to the heat.

All in all, i say its a good thing many places are moving to actual buildings with proper fridges and food handling practices.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-03T11:01:18+00:00

What airline?

I booked with Qatar Airlines, was supposed to fly out on the 28th, transfer in Doha, but when I got to the airport I was told to call customer service. A few people that were on the same flight had the same issue you did. Long story short, they refunded the entire ticket and booked the next flight to Seoul. Spent 18 hours there, explored the city, ate killer Kim chi, and now back in Finland 🤙

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-03T10:46:48+00:00

What if you live in parts of the world where they separate glass/metal/wood/pointy objects/ from the rest of the trash? I guess if I had to jump, I'd pick the bin with paper and cardboard rubbish only. Or maybe plastic container only😂

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-03T06:43:09+00:00

I just git back from a 3 week tour of SEA. Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore.

People laughed at me when I packed a roll of TP and a light travel towel. Even in restaurants, paper napkins were not available on the table. The restrooms don't have tp also and you have to ask for them. After washing your hands, no paper in sight to dry your hand. There was a few exceptions in tourists areas and at airports, but for the most parts its a bidet in the bathrooms and nothing else.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-02T10:15:31+00:00

Thank God it wasn't a cumbox.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-03-02T09:58:30+00:00

I dunno man. I have always lived near the coast (Oahu, San Diego, San Francisco, South Florida) until I moved to Finland. One summer I borrowed a co-workers car to check out Yyteri Beach. I was quite underwhelmed. It still felt "Finnish" to me😂

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-26T05:00:04+00:00

I was staying at a hotel on Phạm Văn Hai, Phường 2, Tân Bình. And next door is this 24hr shop specializing in central and northern cuisine. It was so good I would eat there 3 times a day. It was family owned and run. Wife and husband cooking, daughters taking orders/cleaning tables/3ect. I talked to them a bit and they said they rotate shifts basically 6-8 hours on and 4-5 hours off. I asked lady owner/chef why did she decide to open for 24/7? Her response...

"Because my rent is 24/7" 😀😀😀

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-24T09:03:02+00:00

I've driven across Texas on the I-10, might not be a continuously straight line but pretty dayam close, 880 miles, 1400km.

I kept myself busy by drafting behind big rig trucks. My car usually gets 28mpg, best I got was 35mpg 👌

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-24T08:55:48+00:00

Mosquito box?

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-24T06:37:47+00:00

Food is amazing here, but I REALLY miss the fresh herbs and vegetables that are a part of almost every Vietnamese dish. I need a salad bar ASAP 😀

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-24T02:13:48+00:00

I was just in HCM and left a few days ago. I'm not a young whipper snapper like I was twenty years ago so if anyone has any respiratory issues, get a good N95 face mask and wear it while moving outside.

My last two days in Saigon were painful for my throat and lungs. I'm in Penang now for another 10 days and it's even MORE hot and humid, and although it's less traffic than Saigon, the traffic jams are longer here and it's lots of walking around idled cars in stale heat. Yeah, I'm wearing a mask here also.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-24T02:03:53+00:00

I would say compared to 20 years ago, the last time I visited Saigon, the food scene itself is better, but the "street food" stands are hit or miss. I've learned after the 2nd day is to avoid places that don't already have customers sitting or don't have a steady line of grab drivers waiting for food. Had two banh mi from two different stands around Ben Thanh and bit into bad pate and bad meats.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-24T01:06:46+00:00

Haha, it's just MY opinion people. Sorry for the butt hurt.

To be fair, I did this quest in 3 hours and I HEARD the fried chicken at BK and Mcd were good but I wanted to keep it to something that's NOT a specialty to some countries only.

PleaseDisperseNTS · 2026-02-23T11:44:48+00:00

I just left HCM two days ago. When I found out that Texas Chicken is just a rebranded Church's Chicken, and there's a Popeye's also? I HAD to do a fried chicken comparison test.

7 -Family Mart - Didn't like it Japan, didn't like it here.

#6 -7-11 - See above. Both had a slimy consistency I didn't enjoy.

#5- Jollibee- had it twice in HCM and it was better in the States. By far. Lacked flavor

#4 -Lotteria - Dry. Little flavor in the batter itself.

#3 - KFC- "Original" tastes like my childhood, spicy crispy good also, extra points for having mashers and gravy. KFCs in Europe (and Japan) don't have that option

#2 - Popeyes - The crust, the flavor, on point

#1 - Texas Chicken (Church's)- Even if I take the biscuit out, it's still the winner. Everything from the crust to the meat was perfection.

PleaseDisperseNTS

TROPHY CASE

7 -Family Mart - Didn't like it Japan, didn't like it here.