A recent exploration of British Chinese takeaway cuisine by two American sisters has sparked significant online conversation, highlighting the vast differences between the UK and US interpretations of such meals. Olivia Maher, a popular TikToker, and her sister Ilona Maher, an Olympic medallist rugby player, decided to experience the UK's version of Chinese food during their visit.
Upon receiving their takeaway order, the sisters expressed shock at both the quantity and variety of dishes included. They noted that British Chinese takeaways offer a selection that seems markedly different from the typical fare found in America, which is often served in iconic upright white boxes, usually accompanied by a fortune cookie. British favourites include salt and pepper chips, chicken balls, and sweet and sour sauce meals—items which are far less common in the US.
Filming their experience, Olivia commented: "Let's have a Chinese takeaway in England. At one point British Chinese takeaways were all over TikTok because people could not believe what that cuisine looks like, over here specifically and it was one of the things we had to come and get." Among the items they ordered were sweet and sour prawns, chicken in black bean sauce, crispy beef, special chow mein, and an assortment of curry and sweet and sour sauces. Notably, they were surprised to receive free prawn crackers with their meal—a customary addition in the UK that is less common in American Chinese eateries.
The sisters enjoyed the salt and pepper chips, with Olivia saying, "Oh that's quite yummy," later adding, "The chips, delish." Meanwhile, upon seeing the chicken in black bean sauce, she remarked, "That looks good, wow," with both concluding that it was "pretty nice." However, Olivia expressed disappointment regarding the crispy beef, remarking, "The crispy beef was severely lacking beef so less delicious." Reflecting on their prawn cracker experience, she described them as "deep fried and sweet, I mean arguably delicious but like..."
The clip of their British Chinese takeaway experience has garnered over a million views, eliciting a mix of amused and bewildered reactions from viewers. An American commented, "This almost looks better than American Chinese food, especially the ones in Los Angeles so gross and overpriced here." Others were surprised to learn that prawn crackers are not standard in American Chinese takeaways, with one individual baffled by the absence of this accompaniment, saying, "You don’t get prawn crackers in America?" A British viewer encouraged the sisters to explore American Chinese food, exclaiming, "Really need to try American Chinese food!"
The sisters' observations have resulted in lively discussions online about the regional variations in Chinese cuisine, with comments acknowledging that food styles evolve and adapt based on their cultural context. A viewer explained: "Chinese food outside of China is tailored to the country it's sold in, that's why American Chinese food will be different to UK Chinese food." The sisters have consequently added a unique chapter to the ongoing dialogue about culinary traditions and expectations across borders.
Source: Noah Wire Services