China Glatt

We all know of that strange cultural phenomenon, the Jewish American fascination with Chinese food. Wanting to understand it, seeking some clues, I decided to try Boro Park’s venerable China Glatt (4413 13th Avenue; Brooklyn, NY 11219-2017; Telephone: 718.438.2576) where I found moderately priced, good wholesome Chinese fare.

I started the evening with Sushi, the choices were raw or cooked fish. I opted for cooked, and I ordered the Garden Dragon and the New Thirteen.

Garden Dragon and New Thiteen Sushi

One comes with mango on the outside with apple and imitation crab, the other is made with a spicy, pan seared salmon with cucumbers and avocado. Both dishes were appealing to the eye, delicious to the taste.

I then had Shmulk’s Pan Fried Wontons, named for one of the restaurant’s frequent customer’s  whose original recipe this was.  The wontons were filled with sweet and spicy chicken. I liked these wontons!!!

I followed with Empress Chicken, a less spicy version of General Tso’s Chicken.

Empress Chicken

Then I segued with the Singapore Chicken. This very good dish consists of grilled chicken sauteed with vegetables, bamboo shoots, mushroom, onion and pepper.

Afterwards I had the Beijing Beef with onion carrots and snow pea pods.

Beijing Beef

like everything else I’d eaten here, it was delectable! I finished the meal with a pareve cheese cake that tasted surprisingly good.

China Glatt has been at this same location – in the heart of Boro Park – for 15 years, considering the quality of the food I’m not at all surprised. As for my original motivation to try Chinese food, my search for clues as to the Jewish longing for it, I can only surmise that it must be the similarity between kreplach and wontons, lokshen and lo-mein.

I once heard a joke that perfectly encapsulates the Jewish love affair with Chinese food, considering the current Jewish year is 5770 and the Chinese just started their 5730th year, what did the Jews eat for 40 years?

CS