Craving Chinese now. Any specific recommendations at China Chalet? Have never been.
Our go-tos: The dan dan noodles (you may have heard of them on this thread), the ox tongue and tripe, and the razor clams (if available; they haven’t had them the last couple of times we’ve gone) for starters. For entrees, son and I like things a little hot, so we usually get the Sichuan lamb and the braised beef in chili oil sauce. For not spicy, my wife wanders all over the menu, depending on what she’s in the mood for. The ginger scallion lamb is a favorite.
I think we're in a dangerous place where we are trying to define what makes a "real" Chinese person. According to your definition, ml1, a person born here with two parents who were born and raised in China is not a "real" Chinese person.
A person born and raised here is an American, regardless of where their parents are born and raised.
A person born and raised here is an American, regardless of where their parents are born and raised.
Yes! I like the way you think.
But in the context of this discussion, is it okay if white Americans make a judgement that such a person is not culturally "real" Chinese (or Guatamalan, or Italian, or Kenyan etc etc).?
I think we're in a dangerous place where we are trying to define what makes a "real" Chinese person. According to your definition, ml1, a person born here with two parents who were born and raised in China is not a "real" Chinese person.
A person born and raised here is an American, regardless of where their parents are born and raised.
While that's "true" in the technical sense, it's not close to being true in the cultural sense, so what does your statement actually tell us?
A person born and raised here is an American, regardless of where their parents are born and raised.
Yes! I like the way you think.
But in the context of this discussion, is it okay if white Americans make a judgement that such a person is not culturally "real" Chinese (or Guatamalan, or Italian, or Kenyan etc etc).?
Is ok for those who identify as white to use the term "American Born Chinese" (AKA "ABC")?
Is ok for those who identify as white to use the term "American Born Chinese" (AKA "ABC")?
That's a question that I think comes at my argument from the other side. I believe we white American identifying folks (WAIFs) should be cautious about coming up with or using labels for other ethnic groups. Or laying out the rules for what makes someone "real".
But to answer your question I would probably avoid using that term because I don't have the first hand knowledge of how people feel about it. It's cumbersome but I try to stick to the "Americans of ________ ancestry" if I'm trying to identify a particular group.
This hasn't been mentioned as yet, so I presume it's below the standards of all the Asian food palates here on MOL, but my current "go to" Chinese is Peking House in West Orange. Used to be a Blue Ocean regular, but PH is closer to me now that I live in East Orange.
Love their fried cheese wontons -- that I used to get at JP Lee's when they were open in Milburn. They are my secret indulgence for when I've had "one of those days". The rest of the menu is pretty standard, but I'm not too fussy.
China Chalet is hands down our favorite restaurant in the area. They specialize in Sichuan cuisine, so it's no surprise that their General tso's is no good.
IF you love spicy food, get this: 3 pepper chicken, Braised Flounder and Napa Cabbage in Chilli oil sauce, and the Sichuan Lamb. We sometimes get the hot and sour, but always skip the appetizers because the food comes out in minutes. Never disappoints, and totally worth the drive there.
China Chalet is hands down our favorite restaurant in the area. They specialize in Sichuan cuisine, so it's no surprise that their General tso's is no good.
IF you love spicy food, get this: 3 pepper chicken, Braised Flounder and Napa Cabbage in Chilli oil sauce, and the Sichuan Lamb. We sometimes get the hot and sour, but always skip the appetizers because the food comes out in minutes. Never disappoints, and totally worth the drive there.
fair enough. I'll take that under advisement
Don't know why but I'm always skittish about ordering fish at a Chinese restaurant.
This hasn't been mentioned as yet, so I presume it's below the standards of all the Asian food palates here on MOL, but my current "go to" Chinese is Peking House in West Orange.
Far and away my fave of the local takeouts. I'm a VERY loyal customer. Food is not necessarily that different than many of the others, but the couple that owns Peking House is as nice as can be. We converse every time I'm there (which is often).
Of the larger sitdowns, I'm a big China Chalet guy (figuratively and literally!). Heavenly Chicken and Yibin spice f.r. are staples, and I love many of their more exotic dishes.
Further away, honorable mention to Qin Dynasty on 46 in Parsippany.
Side trivia note: In a prior life I drove a truck for a Manhattan wholesale meat company that supplied restaurants from PA to CT, about 95% of which were Chinese restaurants. Saw the inside of many kitchens, for better or worse. I didn't live in the area at the time, but as it happens Hunan Spring was on my Tuesday route!
We have loved Hunan Spring for many years. And we like Jade Lake. But I would say there's a huge difference in the experience off sitting in the restaurant vs takeout. My wife always gets a shrimp with lemon sauce at Hunan Spring which is delicious in the restaurant but it doesn't really travel very well.
What I've found is that things like beef with broccoli or Hunan chicken do pretty well as takeout, but most of the more interesting stuff is much better at the table fresh from their kitchen (either place).
I've wanted to try China Chalet for years based on recommendations here. We'll have to see if I can make that happen.
Hunan Spring is excellent. Its a bit pricier than most but the portions and pieces of meat/fish seem higher quality. I love love LOVE the Crispy Orange Chicken.
I didn't live in the area at the time, but as it happens Hunan Spring was on my Tuesday route!
Now I'm salivating for a bowl of dan dan mian. Could order delivery until 10:30 pm, but it won't be the same as China Chalet's version.