Have you ever stood in line at a Chinese restaurant, staring at the menu, and suddenly felt a wave of anxiety about how to pronounce “General Tso’s Chicken”? Trust me, you’re not alone! I’ve been there too, mumbling something that sounds like “General So” or “General Tao” and hoping the server doesn’t judge me too harshly.
Well, I’m here to finally clear up this culinary confusion once and for all. Let’s dive into the real deal on how to say this popular American-Chinese dish correctly!
The Fascinating History Behind General Tso’s Chicken
Before we jump into pronunciation, let’s take a quick detour into some interesting backstory. Surprisingly, General Tso’s chicken isn’t actually authentic Chinese cuisine! It was invented right here in the United States, despite being named after a real Chinese military leader called Zuo Zongtang (which was romanized as Tso Tsung-t’ang).
The funny thing is, the actual General Tso never even tasted the dish named after him! The exact origins are a bit murky, but most food historians agree it’s probably a very distant adaptation of a Hunan chicken dish that was transformed for American palates.
The Pronunciation Dilemma
So here’s where things get tricky In American Chinese restaurants, you’ll hear people pronouncing “Tso” several different ways
- Tao (like “dow”)
- So (like… well, “so”)
- Gao (like “gow”)
- Tso (pronouncing it phonetically as written, like “t-so”)
But guess what? If we’re being technically correct about the original Chinese name all of these common pronunciations are actually incorrect!
The Technically Correct Way to Say “Tso”
According to language experts, the most accurate pronunciation of “Tso” based on the original Chinese name would be something like:
“tsah-oo”
This includes a “ts” sound at the beginning (like in “cats”) followed by “ah” and then an elongated “oo” sound. It’s definitely not what most Americans are used to saying!
What Should You Actually Say When Ordering?
Here’s my practical advice: When you’re at an American Chinese restaurant, it’s probably best to stick with one of the more common pronunciations like “Tao,” “So,” or the phonetic “Tso.” Why? Because these are the pronunciations most servers will recognize immediately.
I’ve tried using the technically correct pronunciation before, and I just got confused looks! In the American context of this dish, the common pronunciations have basically become correct through widespread usage.
Regional Pronunciation Variations
What’s even more interesting is that the pronunciation varies across different regions in the US:
- In the Northeast, “General So’s Chicken” is pretty common
- In the Midwest, many people say “General Tao’s Chicken”
- On the West Coast, you’ll often hear “General Tso’s” pronounced with a “T” sound
My friend from California always argues with me about this, insisting that his pronunciation is the right one. I just smile and nod… while knowing the truth!
A Quick Guide to Pronouncing Other Chinese Food Items
While we’re at it, let’s look at some other commonly mispronounced Chinese food terms:
| Food Item | Common Pronunciation | More Accurate Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Kung Pao | Kung POW | Gong Bao (gong bow) |
| Lo Mein | Low Main | Lao Mian (lao mee-en) |
| Chow Mein | Chow Main | Chao Mian (chow mee-en) |
| Dim Sum | Dim Sum | Dian Xin (dee-en shin) |
Why This Matters (Or Does It?)
Look, I’m not trying to be the pronunciation police here. Language evolves, and American-Chinese food has developed its own cultural context and terminology. The dish itself isn’t even traditional Chinese food, so maybe being super strict about the pronunciation isn’t necessary.
What’s important is being respectful and making an effort. Most restaurant staff in American Chinese restaurants are completely used to hearing various pronunciations and won’t think twice about it.
My Personal Experience
I remember the first time I tried to order this dish using the “correct” pronunciation. The server looked at me like I was speaking alien language! After an awkward moment, I switched to saying “General Tao’s chicken” and immediately got a nod of recognition.
We’ve been going to the same restaurant for years now, and the owner always gives me a little smirk when I order it. I think he appreciates that I tried the proper pronunciation once, even if we now have a running joke about it.
What About Other Similar Dishes?
General Tso’s chicken is just one of many American-Chinese dishes that have tricky pronunciations. Others include:
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Moo Goo Gai Pan
- Chow Fun
- Ma Po Tofu
Each of these has its own pronunciation challenges, but that’s a topic for another blog post!
The Recipe Connection
If you’re curious about making General Tso’s chicken at home (however you choose to pronounce it!), the basic components include:
- Bite-sized chicken pieces (usually thighs)
- A coating of cornstarch and egg
- Deep frying until crispy
- A sauce made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and dried chilis
- Broccoli or other vegetables on the side
It’s actually not that difficult to make at home, and you can adjust the spiciness to your preference!
The Final Verdict
So how do you say “Tso chicken” correctly? Here’s my take:
- The technically accurate Chinese pronunciation is “tsah-oo”
- The most widely recognized pronunciations in American restaurants are “Tao,” “So,” or “Tso” (said phonetically)
- Use whichever version makes you comfortable, but know that the common American pronunciations are actually adaptations
When I’m with friends who know their Chinese food, I might try to use the more accurate pronunciation. But when I’m just grabbing takeout, I usually default to “General Tao’s chicken” because it’s simpler and gets the job done.
Language is funny, and food terms that cross cultural boundaries often develop their own unique pronunciations. Whether you say “Tso,” “Tao,” or “So,” the important thing is that you get to enjoy this delicious, sticky, slightly spicy chicken dish!
And honestly, isn’t that what matters most? The food tastes the same regardless of how you pronounce it!
Next time you’re ordering, maybe try out a different pronunciation just for fun. The server might give you a knowing smile, or you might learn something new about regional variations.
But whatever you do, don’t stress about it too much. Life’s too short to worry about perfectly pronouncing your takeout order!
What’s your experience with ordering General Tso’s chicken? Do you have a specific way you pronounce it? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Until next time, happy eating!
How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken
Most Chinese takeout places serve General Tso’s chicken with broccoli, but I really love it with the ramen noodles here. Truth be told, I love any noodle any time, but you could swap the ramen for broccoli, another vegetable, or even a combination of both. You could also serve it over rice. This is one of those chicken recipes that goes well with just about anything. I think a mix of stir fry veggies would be delicious with this and super easy when you grab a bag from the produce section or one from the freezer section.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – While my observation is that most General Tso’s chicken is made with chicken thighs, I’m not a huge fan of thighs, so I use chicken breast. I feel like the flavor is a bit cleaner and it allows this super delicious sauce to be the star. That said, you can 100% use thigh meat if that’s your preference.
Cornstarch – In this recipe, we coat the chicken with cornstarch. This not only allows the chicken to get crazy golden brown and crispy, but the cornstarch also helps to thicken the sauce a bit. I even often add a little cornstarch to my dredge when I’m making good ol’ Southern fried chicken.
Hoisin Sauce – While I realize there’s a chance you don’t have hoisin sauce in the pantry right now, it’s totally worth the purchase because it’s a big part of the flavor profile of this dish. Once I started using it in recipes, we almost always have it on hand now. It’s a great dip for things like chicken fingers and nuggets, is a superb glaze for meat, and adds some great flavor to nearly any Asian dish. One thing that I’ve found though is that hoisin sauce flavor can vary wildly between brands. I typically use Kikkoman or Lee Kum Kee. It’s pretty easy to find in your local grocery store these days, but definitely in your area’s Asian market.
Rice Vinegar – Rice Vinegar is also known as rice wine vinegar. I’ll admit, I used to get confused by this all the time. Rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar are the same thing – just different names on the packaging. But “seasoned” rice wine vinegar has added sugar and salt, so it’s a little different. It will work in a pinch, but will change the flavor a bit. Then there’s rice wine. Which, while also made from fermented rice like rice vinegar, is something entirely different. It can’t be used interchangeably in this recipe.
Ground Ginger – I opted to use ground ginger in this recipe because it’s something most folks always have on hand, but I love to use fresh ginger when I have it. I replace the 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger with 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger when I do. Hot tip: Fresh ginger stores incredibly well wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer zip-top bag and grates really well when frozen.
How to Pronounce General Tso? (CORRECTLY) Chinese Dish Pronunciation
FAQ
How do you pronounce General Tso?
The pronunciation of General Tso varies greatly in the United States, with many pronouncing Tso as Tao, Gao, So, or phonetically, as Tso. Based on how you would pronounce the actual general’s name, Zuo (or Tso), all three of these pronunciations are incorrect.
Where did TSO chicken come from?
The dish originated in China. How to say general tso chicken in English? Pronunciation of general tso chicken with 24 audio pronunciations, 1 meaning, 27 translations, 1 sentence and more for general tso chicken.
What is Tso chicken?
Tso chicken is a remarkable dish that was originally created for General Tso during the Ching Dynasty. It consists of chunks of chicken sautéed in a hot and spicy tangy sauce.
Is General Tso’s chicken Chinese?
General Tso’s Chicken is considered American Chinese cuisine, adapted to suit Western palates. While inspired by Hunanese flavors, it’s significantly different from traditional Chinese dishes. 8. How did General Tso’s Chicken become so popular in America?
Who invented General Tso’s chicken?
It is unclear who invented General Tso’s chicken, but it is probable that it is distantly based on a Hunan chicken dish. The pronunciation of General Tso varies greatly in the United States, with many pronouncing Tso as Tao, Gao, So, or phonetically, as Tso.
Is General Tso chicken the same as Sesame chicken?
One of the most common misconceptions about General TSO’s chicken is that it is no different than sesame chicken. While both dishes are extremely popular, delicious, and share many similarities, there are some crucial differences. They certainly do appear to be similar and, to some people, the taste may be similar as well.
How do you pronounce tso in General Tso’s chicken?
What does tso stand for in chicken?
The dish was retroactively named after Zuo Zongtang (Tso Tsung-t’ang) (1812–1885), a Qing dynasty statesman and military leader from Hunan Province.
What is Chinese tso chicken?
4.8. (1,446) 1,075 Reviews. 423 Photos. General Tso’s chicken is crispy, twice-fried breaded chicken pieces in a deliciously sweet and sticky glaze.
Why do they call it General Tso’s chicken?
General Tso’s chicken is called that because its creator, chef Peng Chang-kuei, named it after General Tso Tsung-t’ang (Zuo Zongtang), a real 19th-century Hunanese military leader. Peng, a native of Hunan, created the dish in Taiwan in the 1950s to honor the celebrated general from his home province, though the general himself never ate the chicken.