Do Chinese Restaurants Use Real Chicken?

Last Updated on October 5, 2022 by Lauren Beck

It’s a common misconception that Chinese restaurants use fake chicken. However, this is not the case. While there are some Chinese restaurants that do use imitation chicken, most of them use real chicken.

There are a few reasons why some Chinese restaurants might use imitation chicken. One reason is that it’s cheaper than real chicken. Another reason is that it’s easier to prepare. Imitation chicken is often pre-cooked, so all the restaurant has to do is heat it up.

So, next time you’re in a Chinese restaurant, you can rest assured that the chicken you’re eating is probably real. However, if you’re still not sure, you can always ask the waiter or chef. They should be able to tell you for sure.

Table of Contents

How Chinese Restaurants Tenderize Chickens

Here’s a look at how some Chinese restaurants prepare their chicken dishes:

Soaking the chicken in a marinade of baking soda and water for about an hour before cooking. This tenderizes the meat and makes it more moist.
Using a pressure cooker to cook the chicken, which also tenderizes the meat.
Deep frying the chicken, which gives it a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Stir frying the chicken, which is a quick cooking method that results in tender meat.

As you can see, there are a variety of ways that Chinese restaurants can tenderize their chicken dishes. While some methods may be more authentic than others, all of them will result in tender and delicious chicken.

What kind of meat does chinese restaurants use?

There are many different types of meat used in Chinese restaurants, including chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. While some restaurants may use real chicken, others may use a variety of meats that are imitation or processed. It is important to ask your server about the ingredients in your dish before ordering, to be sure you know what you’re getting.

Why does chicken from chinese restaurants taste different?

There are a few reasons why chicken from Chinese restaurants may taste different than the chicken you’re used to eating. First of all, the chickens used in Chinese cuisine are often free-range or organic, which means they have a different diet than most commercially raised chickens. This can result in a more robust flavor. Additionally, Chinese chefs often use dark meat chicken, which has a richer flavor than white meat. Finally, the cooking methods used in Chinese cuisine tend to be more intense than those used in Western cuisine, resulting in chicken that is more flavorful and moist.

Is sesame chicken really chicken?

The answer to this question depends on the restaurant you’re ordering from. Some restaurants use real chicken in their sesame chicken dishes, while others use a variety of meats that are imitation or processed. It is important to ask your server about the ingredients in your dish before ordering, to be sure you know what you’re getting.

Do chinese restaurants use msg?

The use of MSG in Chinese restaurants is a controversial topic. Some people believe that MSG contributes to the “Chinese restaurant syndrome,” [1] which is a collection of symptoms that some people experience after eating Chinese food. These symptoms include headache, nausea, and heart palpitations. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. MSG is a common ingredient in many foods, not just Chinese cuisine, and it is unlikely that it is the cause of the “Chinese restaurant syndrome.” If you are concerned about MSG, you can ask your server if the dish you’re ordering contains it.

How do Chinese restaurants get chicken so thin?

There are a few different ways that Chinese restaurants can get their chicken slices so thin. First of all, they may use a very sharp knife to thinly slice the meat. Additionally, they may pound the chicken flat with a rolling pin or mallet before slicing it. This tenderizes the meat and makes it easier to slice thinly. Finally, some restaurants may use a machine to thinly slice the chicken. This results in perfectly even and thin slices of meat that are perfect for stir frying.

Conclusion

Chinese restaurants use real chicken in some of their dishes, but not all of them. If you’re concerned about what’s in your food, be sure to ask your server about the ingredients before ordering. Additionally, Chinese cuisine often uses dark meat chicken, which has a richer flavor than white meat. Finally, the cooking methods used in Chinese cuisine tend to be more intense than those used in Western cuisine, resulting in chicken that is more flavorful and moist.

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5278591/

Author
Recent Posts

Lauren Beck

Lauren Beck is a Food Science & Technology graduate, born and raised in NYC, but lived in Japan for more than eight years. Her love forAmerican food and Japanese culture led her to create Kitsune Restaurant. She loves taking walks with her dog - an American Akita she aptly named Hachiko. Learn more about us here or you can email us contact@kitsunerestaurant.com.