Andrew Coe

I picked this up hoping for an in-depth comparison between Chinese cuisine and American Chinese cuisine over time - which isn't exactly what this book delivers. Instead, it traces the history of Chinese food in American experience, from the first traders who visited China through a resurgence in Chinese restaurants when Nixon made his famous visit. The book explores the peaks and valleys of American Chinese eating throughout that history, and brings in parts of the Chinese immigrant experience and the reactions of other parts of American culture to it. It's pretty comprehensive, given its scope, and, in my experience especially as the book goes on, is an interesting tale. I did leave with a bit of a better understanding of how Chinese immigrants adapted their food to the American palate - and why - but I would have loved a bit more of a close look at specific dishes. That said, I think it's a great read for anyone interested in the subject and interested in the Chinese experience in America - it provides a unique look at this topic.… (altro)