Strange Flavored Chicken

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Hey Davisters,

I've been having a workplace discussion about the now-famous dish Strange Flavored Chicken, and whether or not the dish originated at our own China Sun Restaurant (across from the Somerville Theater). I seem to recall hearing somewhere that it did, and that it came to be famous (and oft imitated) when the menu was shown on Letterman or some other late-night show. Wondering if anyone has the straight dope on this.

Also, how is it? I've never tried it.

Comments

[rxrfrx.livejournal.com]

Guai-wei Ji or however you want to spell it is a traditional Sichuan dish. Not from Somerville, sorry.

It's got vinegar, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns. It's sweet, sour, salty, and ma-la at the same time. I think it's a little gross, but if you like sour things it could be enjoyable.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

What flavor does "ma-la" mean? Never heard that term before.

[rxrfrx.livejournal.com]

"numbing and hot" ... the effect of Sichuan peppercorns and hot chiles

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

the only thing that sounds like "ma-la" to me that i've seen as a typical dish name is the character "sesame" and "spicy" (as in peppery spicy).
this is assuming that "ma-la" is manadarin.
i love 'ma-la' dishes. yum.