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How much do you know about <a href="http://www.PandaExpress.com/orders" target="_blank">American Chinese food</a>? Is it (dim) sum? Or a (won) ton? Either way this quiz is gonna make you hungry.

How much do you know about American Chinese food? Is it (dim) sum? Or a (won) ton? Either way this quiz is gonna make you hungry.

Only Experts On American Chinese Takeout Can Ace This Quiz

The first Chinatown sprang up in [San Francisco](https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/chinese-food-history-how-american-chinese-cuisine-is-different-thrillist-nation) in the middle of the 19th century. Large populations of Chinese laborers immigrated to America during this period to build the transcontinental railroad.

California!

The difference between [authentic food](https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/chinese-food-history-how-american-chinese-cuisine-is-different-thrillist-nation) of the type eaten in China and “Americanized” dishes has existed since Chinese restaurants in America were founded. Over time, many restaurants phased out the authentic Chinese menu and began serving only the menu we now know.

That's true!

The dish is called [“dried citrus peel chicken”](http://www.foodwine.com/food/special/2000/chinese/#axzz13qMl2nJf) because it’s not always made with sweet orange peels. Chefs sometimes use other types of dried citrus like mandarins, satsumas, or pomelos which varies the taste of the dish dramatically.

Dried Citrus Peel Chicken. Seriously.

The [distinctive container](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/magazine/the-chinese-takeout-container-is-uniquely-american.html?_r=0) known across America as the delivery device for Chinese takeout is actually called an “oyster pail.” The container’s origami design mimics a type of paper box with a wire handle used to transport oysters in the early 20th century.

Oyster pail!

Actually, the number of Chinese food restaurants [dwarfs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eroxOnkLKs) the number of both burger joints AND pizza places in America. American Chinese food is, hands down, America’s most popular food!

True story.

The rest of [these ingredients](https://www.restaurants.com/blog/differences-between-authentic-vs-westernized-chinese-food/#.V46O1pMrKV4), though staples of American Chinese food, do not grow natively in China and therefore rarely show up in authentic Chinese food.

Green Onions do.

Three billion! There are a [truly staggering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eroxOnkLKs) number of fortune cookies produced and consumed on a yearly basis, and almost all of them are consumed in the USA. That’s an average of nine fortune cookies per year for every man, woman, and child in America!

We make _3 billion_ fortune cookies. Wow!

Yes, it does sound like this dish is American for “have a good time eating,” but it’s actually [a traditional Chinese dish](https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/chinese-food-history-how-american-chinese-cuisine-is-different-thrillist-nation) popular in Southern China! Chop suey, on the other hand, is an American invention whose name translates to “odds and ends.”

Chow fun? How fun!

[Tso Tsungtang](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Menuism/who-was-general-tso-and-w_b_5523847.html) was a famous general who fought in the Taiping Rebellion, and the dish is widely believed to be named after him — however, it’s highly unlikely he ever tried the dish himself. In fact, since the dish was not invented until the 1950s, the real General Tso probably never even knew it existed!

False!

So why is it called “duck sauce”? Well, no one’s really sure, but some people [theorize](http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/what-is-duck-sauce-180953993/?no-ist=) it’s an Americanized substitute for the Chinese sauce that was traditionally served with Peking duck. But that sauce was made from soybeans and wheat flour, so...apricots? Still kinda mysterious.

Apricot would be correct!

The only thing you know about American Chinese food is how to order and eat it, which is fine.

\*Meh\* Panda

You're no American Chinese takeout expert, but that's no sweat off your fur. Pass the egg rolls.

Chillaxing Panda

You don’t want to brag but you’re pret-ty much a takeout pro at this point. The recycling bin full of takeout boxes (or oyster pails!) speaks for itself. Get ready for your closeup.

Senior Portrait Panda

You possess the American Chinese takeout knowledge of two pandas. You are a master. You are one with the universe, and with this tree.

Two Adorable Tree Hugging Pandas

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Only Experts On American Chinese Takeout Can Ace This Quiz

How’d you do? Turns out American Chinese food is as uniquely American as, well, apple pie! Take part in the American Chinese food tradition by grabbing some Panda Express!

Only Experts On American Chinese Takeout Can Ace This Quiz

How’d you do? Turns out American Chinese food is as uniquely American as, well, apple pie! Take part in the American Chinese food tradition by grabbing some Panda Express!

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