What the Heck Is Duck Sauce?

The evolution of Chinese food in America is explored, highlighting its divergence from traditional Chinese cuisine and its adaptation to American tastes. Dishes like General Tso's chicken and duck sauce, absent in China, exemplify this transformation. The prevalence of Chinese restaurants in the U.S., exceeding major fast-food chains combined, underscores its significance. Jennifer 8. Lee, author of "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles," discusses how early Chinese immigrants, facing labor backlash and discriminatory laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act, turned to laundry and restaurant businesses. This act, initially excluding Chinese immigrants, later included restaurants as a means for business owners to bring in workers, further fueling the growth of American Chinese food. The discussion also touches on the concept of "wok hei" and the adaptation of wok design for American stoves.