Chinese food in Scotland really isn't chinese

There's plenty of good Chinese restaurants in Scotland.  As a general rule, I think if a lot of Chinese people frequent a Chinese restaurant then it must be good AND authentic.  That rule can be applied to pretty much any cuisine imho.

Interestingly, Chinese food in America really isn't Chinese either, but is a separately developed cuisine in its own right.  There is an interesting article about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chinese_cuisine

A well-travelled Australian Chinese friend says he can taste the difference between the local version of Chinese food everywhere he goes, and it has distinctive characteristics.

Interestingly, Chinese food in America really isn't Chinese either, but is a separately developed cuisine in its own right.  There is an interesting article about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chinese_cuisine

A well-travelled Australian Chinese friend says he can taste the difference between the local version of Chinese food everywhere he goes, and it has distinctive characteristics.

Thanks for confirming that, I was thinking that was probably the case. I think it's the same with most cuisines, it's going to vary according to local ingredients and tastes.

I am not Chinese, but as a Jew from New York, I am almost Chinese.

I find that Chinese food in the UK is much more authentic than Chinese food in the states. If you go somewhere like Hong Kong, the food is very very similar to the Chinese food in the UK (probably because most of the UK chefs are HK born) I much prefer UK Chinese food to US because it has more flavour and just tastes better to me. Although...NOT ENOUGH BROCCOLI!

The Tai Pan in Manchester has the BEST Chinese food outside of HK imo. Thank goodness I live near by it!!!

Maybe it's because I was visiting just outside of Glasgow but the Chinese food in the restaurants are not even close to authentic.  I ordered orange chicken, well I got flat pieces of fried chicken, sort of with orange slices on top.  Ordered egg foo young at a sit in type place and got what appeared to be scrambled eggs.  Only thing decent was the fried rice.  Man how I'm going to miss America.  Oh and the silly non mixer tap is also buggin the hell out of me.

So, are you looking for Chinese food, or the American version of Chinese food??

As a general rule, I think if a lot of Chinese people frequent a Chinese restaurant then it must be good AND authentic. 

http://redchillirestaurant.co.uk/

Seriously, if you live somewhere that they have a location (Manchester, Leeds, Bacup-Lancashire, Atherton-Manchester area, and apparently coming soon to York, Nottingham and London) -- go & give Red Chilli a try.  The Leeds one was FULL of Chinese people.  They have lots of spicy food there too.

Personally, I usually prefer American Chinese food to British Chinese food -- probably just a matter of the taste I am used to.  But I harbor no illusions about its authenticity.

I do prefer American-style Chinese food, although I know it's not at all authentic. In fact, my Chinese friend in New York would often take me to a place which he deemed the most authentic Chinese food in the city, and I never liked it as much. As Mrs. Robinson said--probably just a matter of what I am used to.

I do like to have Chinese over here every once in a while, but generally when we go out, it's for Indian. And that I definitely prefer over here. No question. 

I prefer American Chinese food too, so does DB and he's grown up with English Chinese food. I would agree that it's more the dishes are adapted differently than having it not be authentic. Although, I do see how there might be some places that aren't, I'd say as a rule they have to fairly well match the other places in order to stay open. People expect certain things when they are at a restaurant and if it was too different they may not get as many people.

Seriously, if you live somewhere that they have a location (Manchester, Leeds, Bacup-Lancashire, Atherton-Manchester area, and apparently coming soon to York, Nottingham and London) -- go & give Red Chilli a try.  The Leeds one was FULL of Chinese people.  They have lots of spicy food there too.

Personally, I usually prefer American Chinese food to British Chinese food -- probably just a matter of the taste I am used to.  But I harbor no illusions about its authenticity.

I agree with all of the above (though it's Chinese Canadian for me!   )

Red Chilli's the only Chinese place I find I want to eat at here. And they do do dishes on request. 

Do do dishes?!

Do do dishes?!

Mind out of toilet, please! 

A lot of London Indian is Bangla too

Very true.  All the places in Brick lane are, obviously, and while I love Bangla curry, you can't beat a good India puri or dosa. 

Vicky

Do do dishes?!

It's just called a pu-pu platter, Mrs. R!

I'd like to see you tell all the CHINESE people in Loon Fung in Sauchiehall Street that their food isnt authentic Chinese!

I wouldn't be bothered at all.  I let it slipped out that when they said there is no jasmine tea I told them they weren't a real chinese restaurant.  My wife got pissed as usual whenever I comment on restaurants there.  I hope they didn't spit on my food or anything, not that I'd be able to tell the difference.

I hope they didn't spit on my food or anything

I'm sure they did.

Vicky