Chinese Cuisine Chains Key Terms

Learn some of the basic terms associated with Chinese cuisine franchises and chains
By Jason Wood Chinese restaurants are quite popular in America, and, like other popular types of cuisines, they have spawned many franchises and chains. The advantage to a franchise is that the customer is familiar with the brand before he or she walks in the door. But before you rush off to open a Chinese cuisine restaurant, there are a few terms you should learn regarding the food and the different chains. Knowing these terms will help you negotiate the best contract possible.

Dim sum

Dim sum in Chinese means "touch the heart." These small dishes of steamed food and dumplings are linked to the Chinese tradition of tea drinking, and are very popular In Chinese cuisine chains.
Try:  Visit  The Global Gourmet for a great deal of information on dim sum. Sam Woo is a restaurant chain with a Hong Kong style, and the dim sum is a specialty.

Chinese buffet

Chinese buffet has seen an immense increase in popularity, and there is usually a wide range of food available in the buffet.
Try:  Pei Wei Asian Diner is a chain with a style known as "fast casual." The buffet is one option, where guests can choose from the food on counters.

Carry-out, take-out

Carry-out and take-out are terms applied to fast food, especially Chinese, which is purchased at the restaurant and eaten at home or elsewhere. Sometimes these chains don't even have an area for eating at the establishment, as all the food is packed "to-go."
Try:  See Little China Express for the way one chain delivers take out food. The United States Department of Agriculture has a fact sheet on the safe handling of take-out food.

Chinese wok

The wok is a cooking pan with a round bottom that can be used for frying as well as steaming, braising or smoking. It is usually made from cast-iron or carbon steel. In restaurants woks are placed on ranges made specifically to hold them.
Try:  Panda Express is one of the most prolific exponents of wok cooking, with more than 1200 restaurants throughout America. Visit Allstrong Restaurant Equipment for visuals and specifications of a wok range.

Fusion

Fusion is the mix or combinations of cultures and traditions in food. American/Chinese is one such fusion. Many Chinese food chains have taken the popularity of fusion to heart.
Try:  Read about Indian/Chinese fusion food at BNet. Tangra Masala is a chain of Chinese/Indian restaurants and is reviewed on TripAdvisor.

Stir fry

Stir frying in a Chinese restaurant happens when food is fast fried, usually at a high temperature, in a wok. A small amount of cooking oil is used, and ingredients are tossed quickly.
Try:  bd's Mongolian Grill is a "create your own stir fry" restaurant chain where guests choose their own ingredients to be cooked. Check out Chinese Food DIY for instructions on how to stir fry.