You are correct. General Tso's chicken was created in New York City.
Although based on Chinese-style cooking, the main American contribution to General Tso's chicken is using fried chicken. I laughed out loud when I read the Oberlin student's claim that the cafeteria's General Tso's chicken was not authentic because it wasn't fried. Frying the chicken is the uniquely American aspect of the dish!
There’s a Chinese restaurant near me that has a Sunday buffet, but once a month, they serve a “traditional” Chinese buffet, with only a couple of Americanized dishes. I thought I’d be adventurous, and decided to give it a try.
I thought “why not?” After all, Chinese food is a part of the American-Jewish experience (especially on Christmas!)
I was the only white person in the restaurant, and it was packed, with a 20 minute wait to get in.
Let me just say that what we consider Chinese food, really isn’t. “Real” Chinese food has VERY different tastes and textures, and quite frankly, I was unable to eat most of it. I tried a little bit of everything, but I wound up with a plate of uneaten food.
As I was leaving, the owner said, “I told you you wouldn’t like!” I said he was correct, and that I’d be back the following Sunday for the “regular” buffet!
Mark