Chinese-American Food: A Cultural and Social Crossing
by Shannon Li
Introduction to Chinese-American Cuisine
This type of cuisine was developed by Chinese immigrants living in the United States. Most, including dishes like General Tso's Chicken, Lo Mein, and Crab Rangoon, are the fatty, deep-fried versions of popular traditional Chinese dishes. The adaptation of this food to cater to American tastes was imperative for Chinese immigrants to better assimilate into American society. This cuisine represents the building of bridges culturally and socially, emphasizing the perserverence of Chinese immigrants. My family has a personal connection to this type of food since my uncle opened a Chinese takeout restaurant, and have contributed to its growth.
Click the dishes for more information!
Personal Story Context
Click on the speakers for an audible story!
Fu Zhou, China (rural area)
Brooklyn, New York
Airplane
Historical Context
My father’s family moved in the year 1981, a time where an influx of Chinese immigrants was flooding into the United States. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, most Chinese immigrants came to America as cheap laborers. However, from the late 20th century to today, employment and education opportunities are what attract more foreign migrants. Leading up to the modern day, Chinese people were allowed to participate in higher education jobs and lead better lives.
Click the picture for further information!
Development of Chinese-American Cuisine
Click from left to right!
Chinese immigrants learning to live in the United States in the 19th century struggled with both finances and cultural assimilation. Many were being subjected to targeted racism and attacks for being “Chinese aliens.” They were a racial minority visibly hated by the white American public.
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Eventually, they adapted a new style of cooking—one that encompassed sugars, colorful sauces, and deep-fried, battered items. These were the dishes that appealed to the Americans the most and became the “Chinese” food popular in the United States. Clearly, there were both cultural and financial barriers that pushed Chinese immigrants to breaking into the restaurant industry.
Menu of a Chinese-American Restaurant in 1913
It was at this time that many Chinese immigrants began to open Chinese restaurants. Since these immigrants mainly traveled from poor provinces in China, there was a financial motivator in opening restaurants as well. At first, they served foods like traditional Chinese cuisine which wasn’t received well by Americans.
Building of Chinatown
Effects of Chinese-American Cuisine
While Chinese immigrants crossed physical borders to create Chinese American food, they also traversed cultural borders, attempting to assimilate themselves into American society.
Click the pictures for more information!
On Chinese Immigrants
Collectively
On Americans
Final Remarks
Relation to Personal Story
Click the pictures for more information!
Why Does This Matter?
Sources
- “America Moves to the City: Urban Growth in the Late Nineteenth Century.” Brewminate, 5 Aug. 2020, brewminate.com/america-moves-to-the-city-urban-growth-in-the-late-nineteenth-century/.
- “As Found Houses: Experiments from Self-builders in Rural China (Photo).” ArchDaily, www.archdaily.com/964400/as-found-houses-experiments-from-self-builders-in-rural-china/60dec72ff91c810328000084-as-found-houses-experiments-from-self-builders-in-rural-china-photo. Accessed 23 Sept. 2025.
- Burns, Ric, and Li-Shin Yu, directors. The Chinese Exclusion Act. American Experience, Twin Cities Public Television, 29 May 2018, www.tpt.org/the-chinese-exclusion-act-american-experience/
- Chen, Yong. “The Rise of Chinese Food in the United States.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History, Oxford University Press, 28 June 2017, doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.013.273.
- “Chinese Americans.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Americans. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.
- “Chinese Cooks.” KTOO, 2016, media.ktoo.org/2016/02/chinesecooks_enl-8ce5b3cc75d190173269d137068a14cbad996224.jpg.\
- “Chinese Exclusion Act: 1882.” History, History.com Staff, 24 Aug. 2018, www.history.com/articles/chinese-exclusion-act-1882. Accessed 23 Sept. 2025.
- Chu, Hau. “American Chinese Food Is the Best American Comfort Food. These 10 Spots Prove Why.” The Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/restaurants/best-american-chinese-takeout-food-dc-md-va/2020/12/08/d9aff608-358c-11eb-b59c-adb7153d10c2_story.html
- Cismaru, Joanna. “Crab Rangoon.” Jo Cooks, 18 June 2020, www.jocooks.com/recipes/crab-rangoon/
- Eng, Corbo. “Brooklyn’s Great Unsung Chinatown: A Food Tour of Avenue U.” Vablonsky, originally published on Serious Eats, 7 May 2015, www.vablonsky.com/brooklyns-great-unsung-chinatown-a-food-tour-of-avenue-u/
- Flynn, Liz. “50 Poorest Neighborhoods in New York: A Comprehensive Analysis of Economic Disparity.” Money Inc., 17 Oct. 2024, moneyinc.com/50-poorest-neighborhoods-in-new-york/. Accessed 23 Sept. 2025.
- “Fuzhou Countryside.” China With Kevin, chinawithkevin.weebly.com/fuzhou/fuzhou-countryside. Accessed 23 Sept. 2025.
- Gallegos. Chinese Immigrants to America in the Late 19th Century. YouTube, uploaded by Gallegos, 2016, youtu.be/gdcVYcBZmU0.
- Hung Far Lo Co. / Mandarin Cafe / First-Class Chinese and American Restaurant. 1st ed., 1915, Danville, AbeBooks.
- Leung, Bill. “General Tso’s Chicken (Made the RIGHT Way!).” The Woks of Life, 14 Apr. 2021, thewoksoflife.com/takeout-places-general-tsos-chicken/.
- Leung, Bill. “Lo Mein: How to Cook It the Right Way.” The Woks of Life, 22 Apr. 2024, thewoksoflife.com/lo-mein-how-to-cook-it-the-right-way/.
- Li, Shannon. Personal Story Context 1. 24 Sept. 2025. MP3 file.
- Li, Shannon. Personal Story Context 2. 24 Sept. 2025. MP3 file.
- Li, Shannon. Personal Story Context 3. 24 Sept. 2025. MP3 file.
- Li, Shannon. Personal Story Video. 24 Sept. 2025. MP4 file.
- Liu, Haiming, and Lianlian Lin. “Food, Culinary Identity, and Transnational Culture: Chinese Restaurant Business in Southern California.” Journal of Asian American Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, May 2009, pp. 135-162. Johns Hopkins University Press / Project MUSE, https://doi.org/10.1353/jaas.0.0039
- Mohler, Linda D. “American Chinese Food Is the Best American Comfort Food. These 10 Spots Prove Why.” f-bar-berlin, 11 Dec. 2020, f-bar-berlin.com/american-chinese-food-is-the-best-american-comfort-food-these-10-spots-prove-why.html.
- “Origin of the Term ‘Asian American’ | AAPI Heritage Month.” Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/video/origin-of-the-term-asian-american-aapi-heritage-month/-304258. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.
- Rust, Owen. “The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: Racism on a Federal Level.” TheCollector, 3 Apr. 2024, thecollector.com/chinese-exclusion-act-1882/.
- Sietsema, Robert. “The Making of Manhattan’s Chinatown.” Eater, 18 Oct. 2016, www.eater.com/a/mofad-city-guides/chinatown-nyc-chinese-history
- Wang, Xinyue, Stephanie L. Haft, and Qing Zhou. “Reasons for Migration, Post-Migration Sociocultural Characteristics, and Parenting Styles of Chinese American Immigrant Families.” Children, vol. 10, no. 4, 24 Mar. 2023, Article 612, MDPI, https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040612
- Yiavue. “The Unerasing of Asian American Civil Rights History.” Medium, 6 Jun. 2024, yiavue.medium.com/the-unerasing-of-asian-american-civil-rights-history-3c13d4a33848.
General Tso's Chicken
This dish is compromised of pieces of fried chicken smothered in a thick, sugary sauce. Most of the time, it's served in a white plastic container next to a small helping of broccoli.
on americans
Diet, Economy, & Culture
Although Chinese-American cuisine was a way for Chinese immigrants to assimilate into American society, it also affected the communities it infiltrated. There was a diet change, in which many Americans relied on the cheap, delicious food that Chinese immigrants were producing. However, there was also an economic impact as concentrated, growing communities allowed for the facilitation of more jobs and opportunities. Culturally, Chinese immigrants also brought their home values that may have affected some Americans in neighboring communities.
Bigger Picture
The process of Chinese immigrants coming to America, being discriminated against, and still being able to confidently bring their cultures and values through food shows how resilient people are. With how far Chinese Americans have come today, I'm confident in when I say that people, no matter who they are or where they come from, can make change anywhere. It could take a hundred years, but adapting and fighting for one's culture is what ultimately helped Chinese immigrants survive in American society.
Crab Rangoon
This dish is very similar to a fried dumpling, where it has both a wrapper and a filling. Each piece is a wonton wrapper with an imitation crab and cream cheese filling folded and deep-fried.
Reasons for Immigration
The three main reasons immigrants came to the U.S. became familial relations, employment, and political refuge. It was shown in a study done by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that more than 60,000 Chinese immigrants were admitted rather than staying as temporary workers. Also, education levels of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. have skyrocketed, allowing them to have greater social mobility. All these driving factors are what prompted Chinese immigrants to cross borders and move into American society. Although education was an important factor, money was still required. Many poor immigrants looking for opportunities searched for ways to provide for their families in this foreign land.
Informational Video
Collectively
Creation
The mixing of communities, values, and cuisines developed a new identity within the United States. Chinese-American cuisine allowed the differing sides to come together in respect for food. It aided in the creation of a translational culture, a blend between traditional Chinese and American lifestyles. Essentially, the melding of both Chinese and American cuisines facilitated the growth of new communities. Representatively, it shows how vulnerable vastly different groups of people are to change and assimilation.
Lo Mein
This dish is made of Chinese egg noodles stir-fried together with various vegetables and a savory sauce. The sauce's main ingredients are soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, shaoxing wine, and cornstarch.
My Uncle's Chinese Takeout Restaurant
On Chinese Immigrants
Assimilation & Addition
Chinese-American food was a path for Chinese immigrants to bring their culture and values into a foreign land. Although it did help them appeal to the American public, it also allowed them to enrich and add to American culinary culture. The flavors and textures in their food reflected how culturally different they are from Americans, yet the uniqueness of it also led them to break into the market. From this, many Chinese communities sprouted and became locations of cultural celebration. These places really reveal the perserverence and resillience of Chinese immigrants after they faced so much adversity.
English 1102- Chinese American Food: A Cultural and Social Crossing
Li, Shannon J
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Transcript
Chinese-American Food: A Cultural and Social Crossing
by Shannon Li
Introduction to Chinese-American Cuisine
This type of cuisine was developed by Chinese immigrants living in the United States. Most, including dishes like General Tso's Chicken, Lo Mein, and Crab Rangoon, are the fatty, deep-fried versions of popular traditional Chinese dishes. The adaptation of this food to cater to American tastes was imperative for Chinese immigrants to better assimilate into American society. This cuisine represents the building of bridges culturally and socially, emphasizing the perserverence of Chinese immigrants. My family has a personal connection to this type of food since my uncle opened a Chinese takeout restaurant, and have contributed to its growth.
Click the dishes for more information!
Personal Story Context
Click on the speakers for an audible story!
Fu Zhou, China (rural area)
Brooklyn, New York
Airplane
Historical Context
My father’s family moved in the year 1981, a time where an influx of Chinese immigrants was flooding into the United States. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, most Chinese immigrants came to America as cheap laborers. However, from the late 20th century to today, employment and education opportunities are what attract more foreign migrants. Leading up to the modern day, Chinese people were allowed to participate in higher education jobs and lead better lives.
Click the picture for further information!
Development of Chinese-American Cuisine
Click from left to right!
Chinese immigrants learning to live in the United States in the 19th century struggled with both finances and cultural assimilation. Many were being subjected to targeted racism and attacks for being “Chinese aliens.” They were a racial minority visibly hated by the white American public.
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Eventually, they adapted a new style of cooking—one that encompassed sugars, colorful sauces, and deep-fried, battered items. These were the dishes that appealed to the Americans the most and became the “Chinese” food popular in the United States. Clearly, there were both cultural and financial barriers that pushed Chinese immigrants to breaking into the restaurant industry.
Menu of a Chinese-American Restaurant in 1913
It was at this time that many Chinese immigrants began to open Chinese restaurants. Since these immigrants mainly traveled from poor provinces in China, there was a financial motivator in opening restaurants as well. At first, they served foods like traditional Chinese cuisine which wasn’t received well by Americans.
Building of Chinatown
Effects of Chinese-American Cuisine
While Chinese immigrants crossed physical borders to create Chinese American food, they also traversed cultural borders, attempting to assimilate themselves into American society.
Click the pictures for more information!
On Chinese Immigrants
Collectively
On Americans
Final Remarks
Relation to Personal Story
Click the pictures for more information!
Why Does This Matter?
Sources
General Tso's Chicken
This dish is compromised of pieces of fried chicken smothered in a thick, sugary sauce. Most of the time, it's served in a white plastic container next to a small helping of broccoli.
on americans
Diet, Economy, & Culture
Although Chinese-American cuisine was a way for Chinese immigrants to assimilate into American society, it also affected the communities it infiltrated. There was a diet change, in which many Americans relied on the cheap, delicious food that Chinese immigrants were producing. However, there was also an economic impact as concentrated, growing communities allowed for the facilitation of more jobs and opportunities. Culturally, Chinese immigrants also brought their home values that may have affected some Americans in neighboring communities.
Bigger Picture
The process of Chinese immigrants coming to America, being discriminated against, and still being able to confidently bring their cultures and values through food shows how resilient people are. With how far Chinese Americans have come today, I'm confident in when I say that people, no matter who they are or where they come from, can make change anywhere. It could take a hundred years, but adapting and fighting for one's culture is what ultimately helped Chinese immigrants survive in American society.
Crab Rangoon
This dish is very similar to a fried dumpling, where it has both a wrapper and a filling. Each piece is a wonton wrapper with an imitation crab and cream cheese filling folded and deep-fried.
Reasons for Immigration
The three main reasons immigrants came to the U.S. became familial relations, employment, and political refuge. It was shown in a study done by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that more than 60,000 Chinese immigrants were admitted rather than staying as temporary workers. Also, education levels of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. have skyrocketed, allowing them to have greater social mobility. All these driving factors are what prompted Chinese immigrants to cross borders and move into American society. Although education was an important factor, money was still required. Many poor immigrants looking for opportunities searched for ways to provide for their families in this foreign land.
Informational Video
Collectively
Creation
The mixing of communities, values, and cuisines developed a new identity within the United States. Chinese-American cuisine allowed the differing sides to come together in respect for food. It aided in the creation of a translational culture, a blend between traditional Chinese and American lifestyles. Essentially, the melding of both Chinese and American cuisines facilitated the growth of new communities. Representatively, it shows how vulnerable vastly different groups of people are to change and assimilation.
Lo Mein
This dish is made of Chinese egg noodles stir-fried together with various vegetables and a savory sauce. The sauce's main ingredients are soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, shaoxing wine, and cornstarch.
My Uncle's Chinese Takeout Restaurant
On Chinese Immigrants
Assimilation & Addition
Chinese-American food was a path for Chinese immigrants to bring their culture and values into a foreign land. Although it did help them appeal to the American public, it also allowed them to enrich and add to American culinary culture. The flavors and textures in their food reflected how culturally different they are from Americans, yet the uniqueness of it also led them to break into the market. From this, many Chinese communities sprouted and became locations of cultural celebration. These places really reveal the perserverence and resillience of Chinese immigrants after they faced so much adversity.