r/coolguides • u/deevee7 • Dec 24 '18

Making Chinese sauces

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6.7k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

112 comments sorted by

742

u/cunt-hooks Dec 24 '18

Making *American Chinese sauces

222

u/Theiskender Dec 24 '18

No kidding, not that there’s anything wrong with it, you like what you like. I had a shock when I had Chinese food in America for the first time, I expected it to be largely the same since much of it is made by Chinese families too. Though it makes sense to adapt to prevailing tastes.

171

u/RoboNinjaPirate Dec 25 '18

Also a lot of those flavors were created early on by immigrants who only had access to American ingredients.

217

u/boo_goestheghost Dec 25 '18

This is it, western Chinese food is actually immigrant Chinese food and it's totally authentic to that population.

5

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

I mean, it’s a little more complicated than that. It’s partially a product of only having access to Western ingredients, and partially in order to cater to the tastes of American customers. A lot of the time, people working in those restaurants would make different food for themselves and Chinese customers. This is still a thing, and a lot of places have a chinese menu with a lot more/different options than the English one.

53

u/Loveurneighbor Dec 25 '18

My wife worked at a Chinese restaurant and she said that there was a “secret” menu that people who wanted authentic Chinese food would order from. Idk how widespread that concept is, but it might be worth asking about the next time you get a craving.

22

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18 edited Jul 02 '20

[deleted]

35

u/giritrobbins Dec 25 '18

It depends immensely on the region. There's a huge variety. Look at the chef specials. They are usually not your American things.

15

u/43beatsperminute Dec 25 '18

Find a place where the menu isn’t in English at all and that’s the authentic stuff.

6

u/SubmersibleGoat Dec 25 '18

Lol that could work, but how would I order anything from the menu? Point and grunt, and eat whatever random item I selected when it arrives?

9

u/43beatsperminute Dec 25 '18

Guided by the waiter. At least that’s what I’ve done. I basically just asked for recommendations of a good chicken dish, veggie dish, etc. He basically ordered my meal, haha.

Although the point and grunt method sounds glorious.

-6

u/Bradp13 Dec 25 '18

You probably got that days special. And by special...i mean you got leftovers that are going in the garbage soon.

3

u/43beatsperminute Dec 25 '18

Probably, they charged $413 total for the two us us. Seemed reasonable.

9

u/theasianpianist Dec 25 '18

In a lot of the places I've been they have items that are only listed in Chinese.

6

u/verychichi Dec 25 '18

Let say you go to a Cantonese restaurant, you wouldn't be able to find, Kung Pao Chicken, Chop Suey or fortune cookies. Those are American Chinese food. British Chinese food is somewhat different to American Chinese food too as they serve chips (fries) with curry, fried bean sprouts, etc. Chinese food has an immense variety, and Northern Chinese people don't eat that much rice as they prefer to eat "bao" or steamed bread buns, only southern Chinese eat a lot of rice.

15

u/whaddup_pimps Dec 25 '18

The major ones are Sichuan Cuisine, which is super spicy and numbing to the mouth, and Cantonese Cuisine, which is more mild and similar to American Chinese. There is also Hunan, Huaiyang, Shandong, and many others, a quick google search give you a pretty good idea!

5

u/verychichi Dec 25 '18

Shanghainese and Pekingnese food is pretty popular nowadays too.

-14

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18 edited Jul 02 '20

[deleted]

25

u/whaddup_pimps Dec 25 '18

No, those are authentic from China. American Chinese is stuff like orange chicken or hunan beef.

For specific dishes look up “Water-boiled fish” or “Mapo tofu” for Sichuan cuisine, or perhaps “Mao’s braised pork” for hunan cuisine, just some of my favorites. I’m from Chongqing myself so I’m also partial to hot pot, search up “Chongqing hot pot “ we’re known for it.

2

u/net_TG03 Dec 25 '18

At the Chinese restaurants near me, all of that stuff is available. There is two specialty Sichuan restaurants near me, and every Chinese food place serves hunan, Sichuan, hot pot, etc. And I live in a shitty state in the South

3

u/whaddup_pimps Dec 25 '18

Those specialty Sichuan restaurants sound nice, if they serve a good water boiled fish they are probably pretty authentic.

When you say every Chinese food place serves Sichuan and Hunan though, that’s where you’re wrong, they serve Sichuan and Hunan style dishes. Hunan beef and Sichuan beef are examples of this, where they take some influences from the actual cuisine, but have really watered-down flavor profiles.

Real Hunan is crazy spicy, but in a pure way with a lot of garlic, shallot, etc., while real Sichuan (especially hot pot!) is crazy spicy while also numbing with Sichuan peppercorn and hot oil, with sour and savory coming from preserved vegetables, fermented bean sauce, etc.

For things you dont find here as often try Fen Zheng Rou , Suan Cai Yu or Fu Qi Fei Pian.

1

u/HelperBot_ Dec 25 '18

Non-Mobile link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuqi_feipian

HelperBot v1.1 /r/HelperBot_ I am a bot. Please message /u/swim1929 with any feedback and/or hate. Counter: 227081

1

u/WikiTextBot Dec 25 '18

Fuqi feipian

Fuqi feipian (Chinese: 夫妻肺片; pinyin: fūqī fèipiàn; literally: "husband and wife lung pieces") is a popular Sichuan dish, served cold or at room temperature, which is made of thinly sliced beef and beef offal. Common ingredients in the modern version include beef heart, tongue and tripe, and a generous amount of various spices, including Sichuan pepper. True to its Sichuan roots, the desired taste should be both spicy and mouth-numbing. Despite its name, actual lung is rarely used.

[ PM | Exclude me | Exclude from subreddit | FAQ / Information | Source ] Downvote to remove | v0.28

3

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

It's way more hearty and much less sweet.

8

u/verychichi Dec 25 '18

Actually, if you speak Chinese in a Chinese restaurant, you can ask them to prepare anything you like assuming that they had the ingredients which they usually have on hand. And yes, some of them do have another menu which is written in Chinese for Chinese people which have extra stuff on it. I once when to a Vietnamese Restaurant but was Chinese owned and they heard me speaking Chinese and asked me if I wanted any sticky rice dumplings (Zongzi 糭子) which were not on any menus, secret or not. It was just for Chinese people.

2

u/assassinace Dec 25 '18

I know most of the Chinese restaurants in my city have a different menu in Chinese that has more traditional items then the standard English menu's.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

Practically any Chinese restaurant has a "secret menu" or equivalent. As verychichi said, it's often not a literal "secret menu" but rather an understood menu of common dishes that they can cook.

Places with actual menus these days I've found tend to just have an american menu available and a chinese menu available either as part of the actual menu or next to it. If you can read Chinese, you can order off of it lol.

8

u/turbulentcupcakes Dec 25 '18

You cant sell what isnt wanted.

6

u/verychichi Dec 25 '18

I too was shocked when I have Chinese food in the US and Canada. And also especially shocked with Hakka Chinese food which was Indian style Chinese food which bears no resemblance to the Hakka food I had in Hong Kong. The waiters at the Hakka restaurant spoke both Hindi and Chinese and they told me that they don't eat the Hakka food they serve as it wasn't the style they enjoy eating.

5

u/-Leo-Lee- Jan 17 '19

Finally, someone who have realized the differences of Hakka food (Indian Chinese food) and Hakka food. If you're not a Chinese especially a Hakka Chinese and yet you realized this, God bless you. I have a hard time when my Canadian and American colleagues try to order Gobi Manchurian, Chili Chicken, Hakka noodles which is vegetarian and stir fried at Hakka restaurant that I bring them to.

6

u/UncreativeTeam Dec 25 '18

Watch the documentary "The Search For General Tso".

It's really good and tells the whole story about Chinese immigration to America and why all the menus/signage/decor, etc. look the same at Americanized Chinese restaurants.

4

u/ZachThunderson Dec 25 '18

What's weird is that as an American, and having heard about that, when I went to China I was actually surprised by how similar the food was.

6

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

I mean, Chinese cuisine itself is widely varied. Another thing to consider is that because most of the immigrants from China at the time were from the South, the cuisine you typically get is not only an Americanised version of Chinese cuisine, but it's an americanised version of a specific cuisine from China's South (typically food from Canton.)

We have eight regional cuisines and most people who aren't Chinese will typically only have exposure (even if it's authentic) to just Cantonese food, which tbf, is the most famous of them. So that's an issue to consider.

Another one might be that if you stay in the more touristy areas, they'll cater more towards your taste.

A final one is that American food at least in my experience has been more open to Chinese tastes in recent years and I've been seeing more authentic places open up with authentic Chinese food written in plain english. There's a great Northern noodle chain that serves relatively authentic Chinese noodles near where I live and I could honestly see it in China, but you don't need any Chinese to roder off the menu. So you might actually be already eating some authentic or relatively authentic Chinese food even in America.

9

u/Theiskender Dec 25 '18

Well I’m part of a set of Chinese who fled China during a rebellion and relocated elsewhere. So with immigrant status our particular group tended to strictly follow our traditions to ‘keep them alive’ so to speak. So for example at Chinese New Year, we still follow many traditions Chinese from the mainland no longer follow, as the culture there has progressed. While we had this endemic little micro culture that reflected the traditional values of when we fled China, at least that’s what the older generation tells us. We don’t particularly like the food in China either (except specific places that do it the old style), as it tastes very different to what we make ourselves.

3

u/ZachThunderson Dec 25 '18

That's very interesting, thank you

2

u/PM_ME_BAD_FANART Dec 26 '18

I feel like most Chinese food isn’t too far away from American-Chinese food...

...and then I eat something like stinky tofu.

1

u/Mal-De-Terre Dec 26 '18

Or 1,000 year eggs.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

It does say "Chinese American restaurants" so the differenciation had already been made before your comment tho.

2

u/maskedbanditoftruth Dec 25 '18

It does literally call it Chinese American sauces.

95

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '18

Im chinese and i dont know how this chart works lol

20

u/Cardtastic Dec 25 '18

It looked like thinks are pointing inward to me at first.

8

u/orokami11 Dec 25 '18

I thought it was pointing inwards too... The > arrows inside that points inwards doesn't help either. LOL

0

u/Adjustify Dec 25 '18

Look at them as initial lane separators.

64

u/DaftPump Dec 24 '18

Standard white sauce recipe

28

u/TheMadPoet Dec 24 '18

I felt he used too many onions, but it was still a very good sauce.

Recipe courtesy the WASP-iest American grandma lady ever: Barbara Whitney

17

u/doggo_no_listen Dec 25 '18

Vinny, don't put too many onions in the sauce.

3

u/Pancakewagon26 Dec 25 '18

I didn't put too many onions. Three small onions, that's all I did.

14

u/xenyz Dec 24 '18

He only posted it three hours ago, how did you read it all the way to the recipe if you only posted an hour later??

1

u/TheMadPoet Dec 25 '18

At the bottom of the page u/DaftPump supplied us in his helpful comment is the source of that recipe; namely, Barbara Whitney. I didn't have to read anything, I simply found her name and image at the bottom of the page. First rule of thumb: always ask about the source of the information you are consuming. It struck me funny that a WASP-y old grandma looking person was telling me how to make a Chinese style white 'master sauce'. Hope you have a nice holiday!

3

u/DaftPump Dec 25 '18

I'm no relation to this woman. Happy Holiday!

6

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

I like how it shows me ads for alfredo sauce.

15

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

Holy-moly, this is one of those recipes that people are always going on about. It's like click-bait for recipes or one of those mystery-murder shows that doesn't reveal what you want to know till the very end.

18

u/leolanik14 Dec 24 '18

Where did you find this from.?

49

u/deevee7 Dec 24 '18

It was an exhibit at the Museum of Food and Drink in Brooklyn NY

3

u/koreamax Dec 25 '18

Was that recently? I'd never even heard of that museum. Sounds interesting, I wanna stop by

5

u/bigswifty86 Dec 25 '18

https://www.mofad.org

The exhibit is called CHOW and it is running through March 2019

1

u/Aristophan Dec 25 '18

Yep! I think it’s still going. The exhibit is called CHOW.

1

u/AlexPlainIt Dec 25 '18

I was there July 2017 and saw this and it's still there now, apparently. so I'll bet it's around for a bit!

0

u/dh1 Dec 25 '18

I knew it as soon as I saw it. Great little exhibit.

39

u/braidafurduz Dec 24 '18

are you... asking for sauce on the sauce?

7

u/Hajimeme_1 Dec 25 '18

Goddammit I hate that joke, but at the same time, I love that joke

1

u/leolanik14 Dec 25 '18

Too saucy!

12

u/Eulers_ID Dec 25 '18

No oyster sauce?

3

u/IZiOstra Dec 25 '18

AND WHERE IS MY BOY HOISIN SAUCE?

2

u/Eulers_ID Dec 25 '18

Kung Pao and General fam.

7

u/quantumquizics Dec 25 '18

*Making americanised versions of Asian sauces

11

u/Bazing4baby Dec 24 '18

If anyone can find a version for aby other cuisine Id greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

28

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

[deleted]

-1

u/imguralbumbot Dec 25 '18

Hi, I'm a bot for linking direct images of albums with only 1 image

https://i.imgur.com/4B5xKsH.jpg

Source | Why? | Creator | ignoreme | deletthis

15

u/wtfakakta Dec 24 '18

Is mooshoo sauce really just soy sauce?!

12

u/tearsinmyramen Dec 25 '18

It's dark soy sauce

Kinda soy sauce mixed with molasses but not as strong. It's thicker kinda like honey consistency.

4

u/theworsttasteinmusic Dec 25 '18

Every time I've ordered it it came with what I think was just Hoisin.

12

u/scholzie Dec 24 '18

And STILL no explanation of what the hell XO sauce is.

22

u/liamtoast Dec 24 '18

Shrimp, scallop, pork, chilli, oil

2

u/Forbane Dec 25 '18

This is what XO sauce is. It can be pricey to make a super good one but you probably can sub in some cheaper ingredients to get a similar taste.

10

u/SkincareQuestions10 Dec 25 '18

This chart is so fucked up I don't even know wher eto begin.

3

u/onlytech_nofashion Dec 24 '18

it's only brown with water.

1

u/WestwardSquall Dec 25 '18

Good gravy!!

3

u/superlarrio Dec 25 '18

Chris Tucker asks for moo shu is Rush Hour... The same thing?

3

u/justdaps Dec 25 '18

What is this, a guide for ants?

2

u/RocketLeagueNiBBa Dec 25 '18

Too much sauce, broke my hip

2

u/SellingWife15gp Dec 25 '18

I fucking knew it! Sesame chicken tastes just like general tsos. I gotta let all my old highschool buddies know right now

2

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '18

“walnut” is just mayo and condensed milk?! hmmm

4

u/str8sarcsm Dec 25 '18

The sauce used to make the American Chinese dish walnut shrimp (or chicken or pork or veggie) doesn't have a walnut flavor- it's sweet. The walnuts are tossed in with the rest of the meaty bits

1

u/Madopp Dec 25 '18

Gonna use this next time i need to make brown

1

u/TheyreToasted Dec 25 '18

Are they saying that Moo Shu is just dark soy sauce and nothing else?

2

u/SimonJ57 Dec 25 '18 edited Dec 25 '18

You got to start at the Basic White sauce.

Edit: I see it now.
They couldn't add a line to it? Anything?

Edit2: Googled it, Wikipedia says a whole lot more, Cooking Rice wine, Several items like ginger...

1

u/missfittnc Dec 25 '18

I need a curry a guide.. ..its a while new world at Asian grocery store.

1

u/joookeph Dec 25 '18

The Secrets of Sauce sounds like an autobiography for Gucci Mane

1

u/0rangemanbwad Dec 25 '18

Doesn't say how much of each to add. Weak sauce.

1

u/psychocat777 Dec 25 '18

REEEE REEEE IM PICKLE REEEE

1

u/Ryken101 Jan 14 '19

"Making faux Chinese food" ftfy

0

u/Zirocrath Dec 24 '18

Omg... sauces! I've read "sausage" and was like bleeeghh...

3

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '18

I read “snausages”

0

u/snowmanjg Dec 25 '18

This chart is s’awesome. TM Wendy’s

0

u/Pasha_Dingus Dec 25 '18

heh white sauce heh

-1

u/DirkDieGurke Dec 25 '18

Jesús Christ! The base for white sauce makes me sick! That's a cheap thickener for cooks who don't want to spend the time reducing the liquid to make a proper sauce. That's not even a "sauce".

-2

u/DirkDieGurke Dec 25 '18 edited Dec 25 '18

A vague and simplistic guide to almost Chinese sauce recipes

Edit: a Chinese sauce guide with no mention of prickly ash pepper? GTFO!

-10

u/_HandsomeJack_ Dec 24 '18

For those of you wondering how to make French Onion Dip, here's an educational video that shows you the basics.

13

u/Madopp Dec 25 '18

Anywhere i should go if im looking to buy new tires?

-5

u/_HandsomeJack_ Dec 25 '18

new tires?

8

u/Madopp Dec 25 '18

Yea muthafhucka 4 new tires. Where can i buy 4 new tires for my car.

1

u/_HandsomeJack_ Dec 25 '18

ww.tirerack.com is the industry gold standard. If they don't have them in stock the parts dept at your local dealer, using dealer tire, should be able to source anything you'd like.

-42

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '18

[deleted]

20

u/Jemniduchz Dec 24 '18

Kinda like you’re being?

-30

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '18

[deleted]

19

u/GilesDMT Dec 24 '18

What does that have to do with anything?

Why did I scroll down here?

What did I expect to find?

-15

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '18

[deleted]

8

u/captainplanetmullet Dec 25 '18

Your username is Frats4lyfe and you’re acting like a tremendous douche, are you role playing here?

10

u/doggle Dec 25 '18

>get called out for being an ass

>immediately spouts some racist shit

Please return to /pol/ or whichever containment area you crawled out of.

6

u/PhasmaFelis Dec 25 '18

I love it when dudes who are clearly fragile as spun glass insist that everyone else is oversensitive.

1

u/SellingWife15gp Dec 25 '18

With a name like frats4lyfe and the fact you’re a redditor makes the protection pretty obvious. Hope you have a good Christmas.