Results: General Tso

Zuo Zongtang - Also spelled Tso Tsung-t'ang, was a Chinese statesman and military leader during the Qing Dynasty. He's known for serving in a civil war, putting down rebellions, founding a modern arsenal and dockyard, getting Russians out of China, and serving in various positions in the national government. Did you know he was a real guy before now?

Exclusion Act- Major Chinese immigration to North America began during the California Gold Rush (1848–1855). This lead to Chinatown in San Francisco and growing anti-Chinese sentiment. The Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited all immigration of Chinese laborers for 10 years. One job it excluded with merchants, which gave rise to the opening of Chinese restaurants and laundry. Ever heard of this until now?

General Tso's Chicken - Tso had nothing to do with the chicken dish other than his name. Chef Peng Chang-kuei typically gets credit for a state banquet during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis in the mid 50's it was served at. Peng emigrated to New York City in 1973 and opened his own restaurant. A conflicting story comes from Michael Tong, who claims his restaurant was the first to serve it, and the dish was invented by a Chinese immigrant chef named T. T. Wang in 1972. The dish is sweet and spicy chicken typically served with rice and broccoli. Ever tried before?

Chinese restaurants - As of 2022, it's estimated more than 45,000 Chinese restaurants exist in the US. They had a rough time at first, folk not wanting them around, even destroying them. There was the question of what was in the dishes. Chinese chefs were quick to adapt to Americanized versions, Chop Suey an early one. Chinese restaurants became popular on Christmas for Jewish and others who didn't celebrate it and simply the fact they were open that day when most places weren't. Even eaten in a Chinese restaurant for a Christmas meal?