Book Log 2009 #11: The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee
I'll admit to never really considering where fortune cookies came from, but it's just that question that gets Lee started down a path to find out how Chinese food became such a hit in the US and around the world. Along the way she visits the hometown of General Tso/Gao, documents New York's menu wars and DC's kosher duck scandal, and tries to find the best Chinese restaurant (outside of China) in the world.
There's a lot to like about this book, from the historical research into Chinese food origins (including a discovery about the genesis of the fortune cookie that I imagine would rankle the Chinese) to Lee's personal reflections about balancing American and Chinese cultures. The chapters dealing with the struggles to run restaurants and the shadow work force that travels the country to staff them are eye-opening, and provide thoughtful contrast to the less serious stuff. Definitely recommended.
24 April 2009
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