Guess the Dish: Which Food is “Authentic” Chinese?

General Tso's Chicken was invented in New York in the 1970s. What's in the name? The General is none other than Tso Tsung-t'ang- a military leader and statesman during the Qing Dynasty. He's famous for promoting cotton instead of opium production. He also invented a modern printing press for Confucian novels and texts about farming. A regular renaissance man. 

Named after the capital of China, Peking is the old school name for Beijing. The dish was a royalty favorite during the Ming and Yuan dynasties. 

Broccoli isn't traditionally grown in China, so Broccoli Beef is DEFINITELY not authentic. However, in recent years, China has become the largest producer of broccoli. So, while it's not 'authentic', you will definitely find it on Chinese menus.  

Orange Chicken is actually a take on the 'sweet and sour' style of cuisine in China. Chinese-American fast-food chain, Panda Express, invented and popularized the dish. It is still on their menu to this day. 

Ever hated someone so much you named a dish after them and then ate it every year to commemorate that hate? 

Sounds petty, huh. Well, wontons (huntun) earned their name from two military leaders, "Hun" and "Tun," of the nomadic Xiong Nu tribe in Northern China. 

The Han locals ate the dish every year to show their hate for Hun and Tun. 

The dish was later spread around the world as 'wontons'. 

Unlike the name suggests, Hainanese Chicken Rice is not from Hainan, China. Instead, it is South East Asian! The origin theory: Chinese immigrants in South East Asian concocted the dish.

It's not even Chinese! The theory:  fortune Cookies were adapted by Japanese immigrants in the U.S. 

The fortune slips ( or Omikuji) are handed out in Japanese shrines for good luck.