中華料理の海賊版 (Bootleg Chinese Food)
I always find myself trying to re-create the Americanized Chinese carry-out food I loved so much before I left DC.
I think a lot of Americans, when they think of Japan, think of karate, and samurais, and ninjas, and anime, and fetishized everything, and advanced electronics and all that shit. And they probably remember hearing stories about Japanese people who are like ultra dedicated to their craft, like the sushi chef who starts out at the bottom and works for a billion years before finally calling himself a real sushi chef. And even then, when he's asked whether he's the best, most perfect sushi chef in all the land, he'll reply with a, "Perfection is unattainable! That's why I will never stop trying to attain it!!!!" And you're all like wow...shit is deep, son. That's me when it comes to fried rice. Ever since I learned how to make it, I've been trying to recreate what to me was perfect fried rice: the shit I used to get from Peking Express down on U St. on my way home from work a couple of times a week. I haven't quite gotten there...but I think I've come close on a couple of occasions. This time around I tried making beef fried rice instead of my usual pork fried rice. It came out well enough, just different. Still working on how to get the flavor combination just right...I totally know what those sushi chefs go through now.
Now I hate to toot my own horn but....TOOT TOOT THIS SHIT IS DELICIOUS! It's my interpretation of General Tso's/Orange Chicken. The sauce is easy as hell to make...just throw some water, soy sauce, and sugar together and boil it for a bit until its all thick and...saucy. I like to put plenty of chilli powder in there as well. Why? Because I'm a maniac with a death wish.
My gyoza tastes and looks a lot more like emapandas than gyoza...but it tastes surprisingly good. I like to put chili power, spring onions, pepper, salt, and group beef inside. Mmmmm...empandagyozaaaaa...
If you want to learn how to make real gyoza that looks amazing (and probably tastes amazing) then peep Eating Okinawa.