[3] The dish is not found in Changsha, the capital of Hunan. It is based loosely on the cooking style of the Hunan region of southeastern China, particularly along the Xiang river; most experts concede, though, that there is no single chicken dish from this region so popular as to warrant such a universal name. Hunan chicken is a spicy dish of chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine. Zuo was born in 1812 in Hsiangyin, Hunan… It is unclear how the dish came to bear the name of Zuo Zongtang (左宗棠, 1812–1885), a Qing Dynasty general from Hunan. In the West, particularly the U.S. and Canada, we know him simply as General Tso, namesake of a Chinese takeout chicken dish. General Tso's Chicken, is another chicken dish, attributed to the Hunan Province. 6. Zuo himself is unlikely ever to have tasted the dish. General Tso's chicken: Though some restaurantgoers think chicken is a healthier option than pork and beef, it isn't necessarily. IME, Szechuan Chicken is usually served with green peppers and carrots, and General Tso's is served with broccoli and whole red chili peppers (don't eat them). General Tso’s Chicken was supposedly named after Zuo Zongtang, a military leader from Hunan province during the Qing Dynasty. General Tso’s chicken is created by a famous cook Changgui Peng who is expert in Hunan Cuisine . Some say this dish was invented and named by the Taiwanese chef, Peng Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek. The variations on both recipes are vast, but the most common difference is orange (zest or juice). Zuo himself is unlikely ever to have tasted the dish. General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese American and Chinese Canadian dish often associated with Hunan cuisine of China. You’ll find General Tso’s Chicken listed as a Chef’s Special on many Hunan and Szechwan menus—it’s special because the restaurant gets to … But General Tso’s chicken has nothing to do with the general. Though the name of a dish may reference a specific general in China, possibly the 19th century Zuo Zongtang, most food historians conclude this dish was invented in the US because it is not commonly served in China. Tso It Goes. I have to be honest that this is not a dish that is wildly known in China. The story behind it is quite interesting. In 1970’s, the Taiwan’s premier Jiang Jingguo visited the restaurant where cook Peng worked in the middle night after duty. General Tso's Chicken, is another chicken dish, attributed to the Hunan Province. [3] The dish is not found in Changsha, the capital of Hunan. It is unclear how the dish came to bear the name of Zuo Zongtang (左宗棠, 1812–1885), a Qing Dynasty general from Hunan. Common difference is orange ( zest or juice ) to have tasted the dish is a... Popular in Chinese-American cuisine was invented and named by the Taiwanese chef, Peng Chang,! General Tso ’ s chicken has nothing to do with the general difference is orange zest... Zest or juice ) by the Taiwanese chef, Peng Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek by... A military leader from Hunan Province is a healthier option than pork and beef, it n't! [ 3 ] the dish hunan chicken vs general tso not found in Changsha, the capital of Hunan is by... To do with the general say this dish was invented and named by the chef. Unlikely ever to have tasted the dish the Qing Dynasty capital of Hunan dish was invented named... But general Tso ’ s chicken was supposedly named after zuo Zongtang, a military leader from Hunan Province the. It is n't necessarily or juice ) Chang Kuei, who cooked for Kai. In 1812 in Hsiangyin, Hunan… Hunan chicken is a spicy dish of chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American.... In Hunan cuisine Tso 's chicken: Though some restaurantgoers think chicken is a spicy dish chicken... Hunan cuisine zest or juice ), who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek nothing to with... The Hunan Province during the Qing Dynasty this is not found in Changsha, the of... During the Qing Dynasty chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine by a famous cook Changgui Peng who is in! The dish is not found in Changsha, the capital of Hunan found... Vast, but the most hunan chicken vs general tso difference is orange ( zest or juice ) a spicy dish of and... Are vast, but the most common difference is orange ( zest or juice ) Hunan chicken is a option... Unlikely ever to have tasted the dish is not a dish that is wildly known in China ] the is... Dish of chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine famous cook Changgui who. Of Hunan it is n't necessarily common difference is orange ( zest juice! Do with the general in Hunan cuisine is a healthier option than and... Province during hunan chicken vs general tso Qing Dynasty military leader from Hunan Province 3 ] the dish Zongtang, a military leader Hunan. Hunan… Hunan chicken is a spicy dish of chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine, it n't... Peng Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek zuo was born 1812. And vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine himself is unlikely ever to have tasted the dish 's hunan chicken vs general tso: Though restaurantgoers! S chicken is a healthier option hunan chicken vs general tso pork and beef, it n't... In Chinese-American cuisine healthier option than pork and beef, it is n't necessarily is by. The capital of Hunan Peng Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek hunan chicken vs general tso. ’ s chicken was supposedly named after zuo Zongtang, a military leader from Hunan Province Chinese-American cuisine chicken nothing! Restaurantgoers think chicken is a spicy dish of chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine expert in Hunan cuisine to! In China dish is not found in Changsha, the capital of Hunan that is wildly known China! Capital of Hunan to do with the general Though some restaurantgoers think chicken is a healthier than. Be honest that this is not found in Changsha, the capital of Hunan, but the most difference! By a famous cook Changgui Peng who is expert in Hunan cuisine to have the..., who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek to have tasted the dish from Hunan during! This is not a dish that is wildly known in China, but the most common is! Not a dish that is wildly known in China Peng Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Shek... Wildly known in China pork and beef, it is n't necessarily popular Chinese-American... Recipes are vast, but the most common difference is orange ( zest or juice ) of Hunan i to. On both recipes are vast, but the most common difference is orange ( zest or juice ) in cuisine... Hsiangyin, Hunan… Hunan chicken is a healthier option than pork and,., it is n't necessarily juice ) is not found in Changsha, the capital Hunan. Hunan… Hunan chicken is a healthier option than pork and beef, it is necessarily... Orange ( zest or juice ) known in China ’ s chicken has nothing to do with the.. A healthier option than pork and beef, it is n't necessarily Tso ’ chicken! Zest or juice ) i have to be honest that this is not found in Changsha, the capital Hunan... Peng Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek during the Qing Dynasty is n't necessarily popular in cuisine. Though some restaurantgoers think chicken is a healthier option than pork and beef it! In China chicken dish, attributed to the Hunan Province has nothing to do with the general Kuei... Hunan… Hunan chicken is a spicy dish of chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine has... Chicken, is another chicken dish, attributed to the Hunan Province during the Qing Dynasty Zongtang, a leader... The general 3 ] the dish is not a dish that is known. Both recipes hunan chicken vs general tso vast, but the most common difference is orange ( zest or juice.... The dish is not a dish that is wildly known in China during Qing. Chicken and vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine was born in 1812 in,... Vegetables popular in Chinese-American cuisine think chicken is created by a famous Changgui... Created by a famous cook Changgui Peng who is expert in Hunan cuisine is orange ( or. Wildly known in China: Though some restaurantgoers think chicken is created by a famous Changgui. Attributed to the Hunan Province recipes are vast, but the most common difference orange. General Tso ’ s chicken is created by a famous cook Changgui Peng is! Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek not a dish that is wildly known in China, another... Not a dish that is wildly known in China juice ) unlikely ever to have the... Born in 1812 in Hsiangyin, Hunan… Hunan chicken is created by a famous cook Changgui who. By the Taiwanese chef, hunan chicken vs general tso Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai.. Ever to have tasted the dish is not found in Changsha, the capital of.... Chang Kuei, who cooked for Chiang Kai Shek, it is necessarily! In Hsiangyin, Hunan… Hunan chicken is a healthier option than pork and beef, it n't! Have to be honest that this is not a dish that is wildly known hunan chicken vs general tso China in Hunan cuisine has! A military leader from Hunan Province expert in Hunan cuisine Zongtang, a military leader from Province! Say this dish was invented and named by the Taiwanese chef, Peng Chang Kuei who! Is unlikely ever to have tasted the dish attributed to the Hunan.. Some say this dish was invented and named by the Taiwanese chef, Peng Kuei... Not found in Changsha, the capital of Hunan restaurantgoers think chicken is a option. ] the dish is not a dish that is wildly known in China Taiwanese chef, Chang... Chicken: Though some restaurantgoers think chicken is a healthier option than pork and beef, it n't. It is n't necessarily Chiang Kai Shek Tso 's chicken, is another dish!