The Fortune Cookie Chronicles

Chinese Takeout Boxes are All-American

Jennifer 8. Lee — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:12:10 +0000

The New York Times Magazine has a piece by Hilary Greenbaum and Dana Rubenstein on how Chinese takeout boxes are uniquely American (Chinese takeout boxes are all but unknown in China) My favorite fact that they dug up:

On Nov. 13, 1894, in Chicago, the inventor Frederick Weeks Wilcox patented a version of what he called a “paper pail,” which was a single piece of paper, creased into segments and folded into a (more or less) leakproof container secured with a dainty wire handle on top.

Impressed that they dug that up. In my research, I did not stumble across that fun, fun fact.

My research is now part of the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.

Jennifer 8. Lee — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:58:13 +0000

I stopped by the American history museum of the Smithsonian and was superexcited to see three objects that I have encountered in my research were now on exhibit and part of the museum’s permanent collection

The kata grills from Gary Ono, which were used to make superearly fortune cookies in the Japanese Tea Garden in the San Francisco Golden Gate Park.

What could be the oldest American fortune cookies still in existence (50 years old!), an unopened can of “fortune tea cakes” from Hong Kong Noodle in Los Angeles, donated by Merlin Lowe, and a hat to go with it.

Here is the little museumy write up that went below it, that makes it superreal.

Smithsonian

Spoke at the National Archives on Oct. 26

Jennifer 8. Lee — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:31:42 +0000

I spoke at the National Archives today. That’s right, the same building as Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence! It was part of the “What’s Cooking? Uncle Sam” exhibit, which examines the federal government’s impact on the American diet.

The building:

And the little sign for the talk.

Update: The chief of research offered to pull up the Chinese Exclusion Act next time I’m in town. How cool is that?

Speaking at the National Archives on October 26

Jennifer 8. Lee — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:23:00 +0000

I’m speaking at the National Archives on October 26 in the William G. McGowan Theater as part of their ongoing series looking at food.

General Tso’s Nachos

Jennifer 8. Lee — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:03:53 +0000

This is amazing. General Tso’s nachos. He’s gone south of the border.

Lijiacai restaurant in Beijing. Imperial recipes in a Hutong

Jennifer 8. Lee — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:06:53 +0000

These are dishes from the famed Li Jia Cai restaurant in Beijing, which serves imperial Beijing food but out of a Hutong. It has a interesting and fascinating history, and has spawned sister restaurants in Tokyo and Melbourne (of all places). I visited both of those in my hunt for the greatest Chinese restaurant in the world.

Certificates from California Senate, Assembly + San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Jennifer 8. Lee — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:56:14 +0000

I got these certificates in the mail yesterday. Superfun.

Star Trek Meets Chinese Food: Make it Tso

Jennifer 8. Lee — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 04:46:01 +0000

Sent to me by David Lefer.

From a UCLA Asian American studies professor

Jennifer 8. Lee — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:19:29 +0000

I got a lovely note from an Asian American studies professor at UCLA. It’s exciting to think of the book as a “staple.”

I am writing to say how much my students and I enjoy your wonderful book. It has become a staple reading in a seminar I teach on Asian American history through foodways. From your fortune-cookie detective work to the mysteries of General Tso’s chicken, to the plight of Chinese restaurant families and deliverymen, your book helps readers to think more deeply about things we take for granted. Your interwoven exploration of second-generation issues particularly resonates for many students who are the children of immigrants and refugees.

Hope your writing and food adventures are going well! Looking forward to your next project.

Chinatown Street Food Tour on Saturday, April 2 and 3 for $88

Jennifer 8. Lee — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:16:05 +0000

More update. To sign up for announcements of future food tours, sign up below

Update! I’m adding an additional tour on April 3, at 2 p.m. Meet at 215 Centre Street inside the lobby of the Museum of Chinese in America. Donate $88 to the workshop at aaww.org/donate and forward the receipt to jenny[at]jennifer8lee[dot]com with a note if you are vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions.

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I’m doing a walking tour of New York City Chinatown street food as part of the Kickstarter fundraiser for the Asian American Writers Workshop last fall. It’s a ~2.5 hour tour that includes (depending on availability) Xi’an Famous Foods, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Xinjiang skewers, banh mi, pulled noodles and more. It’s an $88 donation to the workshop.

Must be willing to share portions. Please wear comfortable shoes. Meet Saturday, April 2 at 2 p.m. in front of the Chinatown’s Museum of Chinese in America at 215 Centre Street. There is also possibility of adding April 3 if there is enough demand. Food costs included in the tour.

Donate $88 to the workshop at aaww.org/donate and forward the receipt to jenny[at]jennifer8lee[dot]com witha note if you are vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions. Also say if you prefer April 2 or 3 (We’re not sure about April 3 yet)