Chicken tikka masala was supposedly only invented in the 1960s - 1970s. Butter chicken only in the 1950s. Now I’m scared to look up naan for fear of learning it was invented by Nestle in 1994 or whatever.
I find it preposterous to believe that nobody made these dishes before the 1960s. Surely people did. They just weren’t popular or have the branding associated.
But the reason who these two are so ubiquitous is simple.
General Tso’s chicken was featured on 60 minutes. The guy being interviewed showed how to make the dish with each ingredient. After that, it quickly showed up on every Chinese restaurant menu.
Orange chicken was specifically designed for American tastes by Panda Garden, which then spawned imitators.
Chicken tikka masala was supposedly only invented in the 1960s - 1970s. Butter chicken only in the 1950s. Now I’m scared to look up naan for fear of learning it was invented by Nestle in 1994 or whatever.
Naan is safe.
General Tso’s chicken on the other hand, is another 1960s invention.
Same with orange chicken.
In fact, most “Chinese” food that Americans or Brits eat was invented in the 60s or 70s.
I find it preposterous to believe that nobody made these dishes before the 1960s. Surely people did. They just weren’t popular or have the branding associated.
New dishes are invented all the time.
But the reason who these two are so ubiquitous is simple.
General Tso’s chicken was featured on 60 minutes. The guy being interviewed showed how to make the dish with each ingredient. After that, it quickly showed up on every Chinese restaurant menu.
Orange chicken was specifically designed for American tastes by Panda Garden, which then spawned imitators.