People’s Daily Online: Foreigners, KFC and “Authentic” Chinese Food

Chinese restaurants can be found around the globe, and the cuisine has inspired dishes like General Tsao’s chicken. “The U.S. alone has around 40,000 Chinese restaurants, even more than the sum of McDonald's outlets and KFCs,” notes People’s Daily Online. “Now, business in China has become a main source of profit for KFC, which has started selling soy bean milk, Chinese-style breakfast donuts, rice and porridge.” Restaurants adapt to local clientele: Americans may be surprised by KFC selections in China just as Chinese are disappointed by Chinese menus overseas. Authenticity is not a static concept, the essay argues, pointing out that, despite Sichuan food's reputation for spiciness, peppers were not available in the region a century ago. KFC restaurants are popular in China because the company appeals to local tastes. Globalization spreads menus around the globe, but local chefs innovate, and local diners are the ultimate arbiters on whether the new dishes succeed. – YaleGlobal