3 days ago
British couple reveal MAJOR menu item missing in Chinese takeaways in America
A couple have revealed the one major difference between Chinese takeaways in the UK and the US.
Brits James and Siana are currently embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, exploring the United States in a van.
Riding in an RV called Cruise America, the pair have shared glimpses of their travels on social media, filming multiple videos in which they draw comparisons between the nations.
The duo, who have sampled a range of cuisines during their road trip, recently shared a clip of themselves munching on Chinese takeaway - and shared how it contrasts with the offering back home in a TikTok video.
Peeling open the lid of the first container, Sianna revealed the contents of their first dish, a broccoli beef main - with her initial impression being that it looked 'stunning'.
Both catching a whiff of the dish, the pair agreed that it smelt 'really good' before eying up the next item on their order.
A portion of orange chicken was next, Sianna telling viewers she'd heard it was a 'big thing' across the pond, despite never having heard of it at home.
'We had to order it,' James remarked, tearing off the lid to show the camera a generous portion of bright orange meat pieces, which they conceded smelt 'amazing'.
Siana enthusiastically added: 'Ooh yum, that smells like sweet and sour chicken.'
Third on their order was a portion of chicken fried rice.
For appetisers, the couple had also picked up a box of 'egg rolls', believing them to be the US equivalent of spring rolls.
Spying the similar looking fried rolls, James asked, 'Is that just the same thing with a different name?'
Though several of the items of the menu seemed similar to those available at British takeaway shops, James and Sianna were disappointed by the absence of one tasty side dish - prawn crackers.
'The one thing that we're missing is prawn crackers,' Sianna complained, with James offering his theory for the absence.
'They usually just put them in for free but it seems like they've just added some white rice for free,' he suggested. 'Maybe that's something they do here instead.'
After introducing the contents of their order, the couple they proceeded to sink their teeth in, starting off strong with the egg - or spring - rolls.
@jamesandsiana
Commenters from both sides of the pond were quick to share their thoughts on the video, many pointing out that restaurant quality varies across the States, urging them to sample other dishes
Taking a bit, Sianna's first reaction was that the roll was similar to spring rolls available in takeaway shops back home, but that the pastry casing was 'thicker'.
Next, they moved onto trying the main dishes, each spearing a piece of orange chicken.
Impressed by the food, Sianna said it was reminiscent of a classic British-Chinese meal.
'That's really good but it tastes like sweet and sour chicken, right?', she said, with James agreeing that it didn't taste 'orangey'.
Neither were impressed with the broccoli dish, which they called 'average' and 'overpowering'.
The fried rice won them over again, as Sianna let out a series of contented 'mm's to show her approval.
Describing it, she said it was 'just your typical fried rice' and 'very similar to the UK'.
Overall, both were pleased with their meal, ranking it highly among those in the UK.
'It's good, it's like your typical Chinese takeaway,' said James, to which Sianna said it was 'very similar'.
Commenters from both sides of the pond were quick to share their thoughts on the video, many pointing out that restaurant quality varies across the States, urging them to sample other dishes.
One viewer wrote: 'Not all Chinese restaurants in the US are equal. Some are poor, some in the middle and some are fantastic. And sometimes it isn't their entire menu but just the dish. They may have great fried rice but average chicken and broccoli. So try multiple places.'
Viewers also explained the difference between egg and spring rolls, confirming that that the former typically contains meat or fish in addition to the vegetables inside.
'Spring rolls are just vegetable rolls with a smooth wrapper whereas egg rolls have pork and shrimp and veggies and a bumpy wrapper,' one explained.
'No curry sauce,' one horrified Brit wrote, adding that it 'the norm in UK' to enjoy alongside a Chinese takeaway.
Another confirmed what the TikTokers had thought, that US-based Chinese takeaway shops don't typically sell prawn crackers.
'No prawn chips in the US unfortunately,' they remarked.
'I have to admit, I am not a fan of British Chinese. It surprised me how different it was from American,' another chimed.
