Is it an authentic Chinese cuisine experience? Maybe not. Are the gloppy sauces loaded with MSG? Probably so. But there’s no denying the appeal of one of the most American of family dinners: Chinese takeout.
Those origami-like containers are instantly recognizable. The contents are easy to share across several plates. Add in the challenge of using chopsticks properly and going around the table afterward to read everyone’s fortune, and you’ve got a family activity plus a comforting meal all in one.
Sure, Asian cuisine has become a more serious and authentic culinary experience locally in recent years. Just look to places like Nine Dragon Noodle House, Omi, Hunan and Soji to find true sit-down Chinese meals, whether traditional or forward-thinking. But sometimes, we just need a hole-in-the-wall Chinese takeout shop.
