Christmas 2020 has come and gone, but it once again raises a culinary conundrun. Yes, many American Jews really do eat Chinese food on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — it’s not just some wacky urban myth. What explains the allure of egg drop soup and sesame chicken for people more used to fressing on matzo ball soup and pastrami-on-rye sandwiches? Click on the links below to find out the real skinny.
Quote: “To many turn-of-the-century Eastern European newcomers, Chinese cuisine was somewhat familiar to their own. As the Yiddish Book Center points out, both culinary styles favor ‘chicken broth, lots of garlic and onions, vegetables cooked to a melting softness, and sweet-and-sour flavors reminiscent of those of Ashkenazic cooking.’ Plus, there was a Kosher appeal of sorts. Since Chinese cuisine is light on dairy ingredients, there was little threat of mixing milk and meat.”
Sources: boweryboogie.com
Read “Why Do Jews Eat Chinese Food on Christmas?” >>
Read “Tradition of Jews Eating Chinese Food on Christmas Began on the Lower East Side” >>
Watch “Why Do Jewish People Eat Chinese Food on Christmas? | NBC Left Field” [3:30]. >>
Photo: independent.co.uk
