Anyway, I gathered some criteria for finding "authentic" Chinese food as well as expanded on some points by Jennifer Lee (author of "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles").
Here are the ones she suggests:
The minimum criteria:
1. Chopsticks at the table.
2. Menus with Chinese writing.
3. Waiters who understand and speak Chinese.
Bonus points for:
1. Specialties listed on the wall in Chinese.
2. Fish tanks with live creatures that might end up on your plate before the end of your meal.
Minus points for:
1. Chinese zodiac place mats
2. Chop Suey listed anywhere on the menu
3. Charging for rice or tea
And here are my guidelines:
Good Signs:
1. Ducks. chicken, geese, pork, and other dead animals hanging in front window
2. Primarily Asian customer base
3. The kitchen staff is eating the food that they serve to customers
4. You can bring in your own fish, pig, chicken, etc and have them prepare/cook it to your liking. 5. You can order items not on the menu
Bad Signs:
1. Combo menu's that include a fried egg roll and fried rice or chow mein as default instead of steamed rice.
2. Buffets
3. Fish (and most other animal dishes) is served without the bones.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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