It’s a bit of a culinary week at My Filmviews. After yesterday’s documentary Spinning Plates, today I take a look at this documentary which recently appeared on Netflix. The title didn’t ring any bells with me, since I’m from The Netherlands, but in America General Cho’s chicken is a dish that is present on the menu of every Chinese restaurant. The chicken dish of fried chicken with some spring onions, peppers and a sweet sauce has made a name for itself. But who was this general? Has he invented this dish or is there another source? These questions are central to this film.
A film about a single dish may sound like overkill, but director Ian Cheney manages to keep the film short and also to pay considerable attention to the history of Chinese people in America, their restaurants and cuisine. It results in an informative and light documentary, which makes clear that the dishes are adapted to the environment in which they are made. Hence the dishes that you see on a Chinese menu in the US or the Netherlands are not one you will be able to order in China.
This is something I’d probably watch. General Cho’s chicken is all over the place in flavor. Some places are really good, others it’s the worst shit ever. I’d like to see its origins. lol
Well, they actually manage to get further than you’d imagine in finding out about its origins.