JJ wrote:

Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?


Way back when I rented a room from a man who spoke almost no English. I
don't what part of mainland China he came from, but I do know he was an
MD there, and was now working at the Columbia med school threading iv's
in to the tiny veins of rabbits ears and dissecting the minute cochlea
of mice. He was a deft cook, and he did lots of things with lettuce,
including stir fry and wraps.
blacksalt
of note, his big dream was to bring his 2 children over and have them go
to City College in New York...close and cheap.

Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.

"JJ" wrote in message
...
Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.

Lettuce Wrap is usually associated with Korean BBQ.
Don't know if they are "chinese" at all.
I've seen them at PF Changs as well.
Didn't look too appealing with the chunk of iceburg lettuce.
And I've never seen them in any other chinese restaurant.
BTW never ever order the Duck at PF Changs unless you specifically
want a dried out steamed bird. One of the places I doubt I'll ever go to
again if I had any choice.
On the good side though, none of the food has that "old wok" smell.

"FreddieN" wrote in message
news:c1wUc.5498$zO3.4634@trndny05...
Lettuce Wrap is usually associated with Korean BBQ.
Don't know if they are "chinese" at all.
I've seen them at PF Changs as well.
Didn't look too appealing with the chunk of iceburg lettuce.
And I've never seen them in any other chinese restaurant.
BTW never ever order the Duck at PF Changs unless you specifically
want a dried out steamed bird. One of the places I doubt I'll ever
go to
again if I had any choice.
On the good side though, none of the food has that "old wok" smell.


I've seen them in "Chinese" restaurants in France tho' that may not
prove too much since such restaurants are often Indo-Chinese or
Vietnamese influenced.


--
James V. Silverton
Potomac, Maryland, USA

"JJ" wrote in message
...
| Hi all....
| Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
| restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
| cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?
| I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
| but never in a neighborhood restaurant...
| Thanks for any info.....
| S.


I'm definitely not an expert in Chinese cuisine, but I believe this is
Cantonese in origin. I see this being served at so-called upscale Chinese
restaurants that offer "Dim Sum" on carts during lunch time (at popular
business meeting type places).

On the other hand, Dim Sum itself is relatively new in terms of Chinese
culinary history, so without a doubt, there will be cultural influence to
attract Western palates.

~Jayde

"JJ" wrote in message
...
| Hi all....
| Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
| restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
| cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?
| I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
| but never in a neighborhood restaurant...
| Thanks for any info.....
| S.


I'm definitely not an expert in Chinese cuisine, but I believe this is
Cantonese in origin. I see this being served at so-called upscale Chinese
restaurants that offer "Dim Sum" on carts during lunch time (at popular
business meeting type places).

On the other hand, Dim Sum itself is relatively new in terms of Chinese
culinary history, so without a doubt, there will be cultural influence to
attract Western palates.

~Jayde

JJ wrote:

Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.



Yan-Kit's 'Classic Chinese Cook Book' has a recipe for Lettuce Wrapped
Chicken, and says its a 'Southern dish'. It looks quite like the PF
Chang dish, though I have yet to try making it.

[Thanks to whoever it was here who recommended the book - its really good.]

Ian

JJ wrote:

Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.



Yan-Kit's 'Classic Chinese Cook Book' has a recipe for Lettuce Wrapped
Chicken, and says its a 'Southern dish'. It looks quite like the PF
Chang dish, though I have yet to try making it.

[Thanks to whoever it was here who recommended the book - its really good.]

Ian

It's popular enough in Cantonese restaurants as Cantonese cuisine is the
most popular/common Chinese cuisine outside mainland China. From my
experience, you'll find this dish in slightly more expensive restaurants &
often as a starter & as described, as a wrap for various food like cooked
seafood, or maybe as a vegetarian option with a veg. filling. My guess is
that it is a relatively new dish (last 30yrs or so) as Chinese people in
general don't eat raw veg. at most times. They prefer to have it blanched or
just lightly cooked through. There are a few exceptions like in mainland
China where you'll find 'summer dishes' with cooked meat mixed in with raw
sliced vegs & a sauce poured over & mixed in. Or sometimes you'll come
across raw veg. as decorative but edible garnishes when you go to a banquet.

Chinese cuisine in general like all other cuisines have evolved over time &
you'll find traditional dishes, regional dishes as well as newer dishes
sitting side by side in restaurant menus as well as at home, so it's
difficult at times to say what is 'authentic'. I guess the definitive answer
to your question might be to find out if lettuce/iceberg lettuce is native
to China or SE Asia. From what know, it's not traditionally grown in China
or SE Asia but maybe someone with a keen interest in veg. & gardening can
answer that question.

If i were to place a bet, i'd say it might have started in HK or at least
with the Cantonese anyway since Cantonese cuisine has pretty much evolved &
recreated itself many times over after the war, often using new ingredients
brought in to suit western tastes. And with all the business, trading &
migration in HK over the years, it's not impossible that someone simply saw
how easy it is to put food into a lettuce leaf as it's naturally in a wrap
shape. Perhaps a look into other SE Asian cuisines might give you a further
insight as they have a tradition of using wraps in their traditional foods.
This might have influenced chefs in neighbouring HK or perhaps as you
stated, it might be something Chinese/Cantonese chefs in the West have
caught on to with the abundance of lettuce grown & eaten there. If you ever
find the answer... please tell us! LOL.

DC.


"JJ" wrote in message
...
Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.

It's popular enough in Cantonese restaurants as Cantonese cuisine is the
most popular/common Chinese cuisine outside mainland China. From my
experience, you'll find this dish in slightly more expensive restaurants &
often as a starter & as described, as a wrap for various food like cooked
seafood, or maybe as a vegetarian option with a veg. filling. My guess is
that it is a relatively new dish (last 30yrs or so) as Chinese people in
general don't eat raw veg. at most times. They prefer to have it blanched or
just lightly cooked through. There are a few exceptions like in mainland
China where you'll find 'summer dishes' with cooked meat mixed in with raw
sliced vegs & a sauce poured over & mixed in. Or sometimes you'll come
across raw veg. as decorative but edible garnishes when you go to a banquet.

Chinese cuisine in general like all other cuisines have evolved over time &
you'll find traditional dishes, regional dishes as well as newer dishes
sitting side by side in restaurant menus as well as at home, so it's
difficult at times to say what is 'authentic'. I guess the definitive answer
to your question might be to find out if lettuce/iceberg lettuce is native
to China or SE Asia. From what know, it's not traditionally grown in China
or SE Asia but maybe someone with a keen interest in veg. & gardening can
answer that question.

If i were to place a bet, i'd say it might have started in HK or at least
with the Cantonese anyway since Cantonese cuisine has pretty much evolved &
recreated itself many times over after the war, often using new ingredients
brought in to suit western tastes. And with all the business, trading &
migration in HK over the years, it's not impossible that someone simply saw
how easy it is to put food into a lettuce leaf as it's naturally in a wrap
shape. Perhaps a look into other SE Asian cuisines might give you a further
insight as they have a tradition of using wraps in their traditional foods.
This might have influenced chefs in neighbouring HK or perhaps as you
stated, it might be something Chinese/Cantonese chefs in the West have
caught on to with the abundance of lettuce grown & eaten there. If you ever
find the answer... please tell us! LOL.

DC.


"JJ" wrote in message
...
Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.

"JJ" wrote in message
...
Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.




it's also in my Chinese and Vietnamese cook books. once a Thai friend took
us to a very very fancy restaurant an hour or so by car from Krungthep,
where we had these lettuce 'cups' filled with thai mince [most likely pork]
as starters. it was nice. indeed i haven't seen it sold at
average/roadside restaurants/food stalls in south east Asia.

"JJ" wrote in message
...
Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.




it's also in my Chinese and Vietnamese cook books. once a Thai friend took
us to a very very fancy restaurant an hour or so by car from Krungthep,
where we had these lettuce 'cups' filled with thai mince [most likely pork]
as starters. it was nice. indeed i haven't seen it sold at
average/roadside restaurants/food stalls in south east Asia.

On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 22:36:39 GMT, "JJ" wrote:

Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.
I am familiar with "soong" dishes, even in smaller local restaurants.
Minced meat or poulty with pine nuts, served with a pile of lettuce
leaves for each diner to make a wrap.

Remove "No Spam" from e-mail address before replying

"JJ" wrote in message
...
Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.

I don't know the Chinese tradition, but it is very traditional in Korea
going back all the way to Three Kingdom times. In Korea it's called Ssam.
John

"JJ" wrote in message
...
Hi all....

Quick question.... The lettuce wraps that are being found in new chinese
restaurants.....Does anyone know if these are in any way authentic
chinese
cuisine, or are they an american (western) creation?

I've seen them at PF changs, and some other 'up scale' chinese
restaurants,
but never in a neighborhood restaurant...

Thanks for any info.....

S.


In Japan if you talk about lettuce wrap you are talking about Korean food.

Musashi