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.
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.