The global popularity of Chinese food has exponentially increased over time. In the United States, Chinese cuisine has become a staple and a go-to option for millions. One of the well-known dishes that the American society claims to be of Chinese origin is Chow Mein. However, it is not entirely accurate to consider it Chinese.

Chow Mein, in its basic form, is made with wheat flour noodles, vegetables, and a protein such as chicken, pork, or shrimp. This dish is found in restaurants and takeout establishments across America, and it’s often served alongside other Chinese cuisine favorites like fried rice, lo mein, and egg rolls.

According to my young Chinese friend, Milton Liu, Chow Mein is not a traditionally Chinese dish. He explains that the dish was created in the United States as a result of the fusion of Chinese and American cultures. In the early 1900s, Chinese immigrants came to America and opened up their own restaurants. These restaurants modified their traditional dishes to suit the local population’s tastes.

The adaptation of the dish was made easier, as the United States did not have the same ingredients that were readily available in China. For example, wheat flour noodles were used instead of egg noodles. The Chinese word for fried noodles with meat, chāu-mèing, became chan-mian or chow mein to make it easier for Americans to pronounce.

Today, Chow Mein has become an integral part of American Chinese cuisine. The dish has been modified in so many ways by different restaurant establishments, too. Some offer it with crispy noodles, soft noodles, with vegetables only, or beef and vegetables, among other variations.

For the best Chow Mein in the area, you might consider Peking restaurant on Broadway at 94th St. Their Chow Mein dish is an excellent representation of what Chinese-American cuisine is all about. The dish is a delicious and flavorful combination of stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and proteins like chicken or pork. It is served both crispy and soft for variety.

In conclusion, Chow Mein is not a traditional Chinese dish but rather an American Chinese adaptation. It shows how the immigration of cultures and cross-cultural interaction can contribute to new creations. Whether served crispy or soft, flat or round noodles, Chow Mein has become an iconic dish in American culture that continues to evolve and delight diners.