Ordering curry/chips/chickenballs at the Chinese: missing the point?

The King of Moo · 11-10-2011 12:16PM #1

I've noticed in my local Chinese and from talking to friends that the above seem to be the most popular Chinese takeaway dishes.

Now everyone's entitled to get what they want, but I have to confess to being a little perplexed by this.

They seem to be the least "Chinese" foods you can get there, and the closest to what you can get at your local chipper or make quickly at home.

Now I know that the curry is generally nicer than your chipper one, but you can get chips anywhere and chicken balls seem no different from Birds Eye crispy chicken fillets.
Except they're in ball form.

Not to criticise people who order these things, especially if they order other dishes as well, but it just seems like a bit of a waste when you can get lovely things that the cooks are probably much better at making (though probably not as well as the proper chefs back in China) instead of getting stuff that you can buy in the frozen food aisle or get at your chipper.

What do you think?

Does it say something about our reluctance to experiment with food, or can you convince me that Chinese curry, chickenballs and chips is the food of the gods?

Oranage2 · 11-10-2011 12:18PM

I got a curry in China and it came with potatoes - true story

Edit: Also in china they just call it food.

krudler · 11-10-2011 12:20PM

General Tso's chicken ftmfw

The King of Moo · 11-10-2011 12:21PM

Oranage2 wrote: »

I got a curry in China and it came with potatoes - true story

I had a Thai curry once with potatoes: it seems like a really weird mixture but it was really nice and the textures go well together.

MagicSean · 11-10-2011 12:22PM

I have a mate who used to order a dry breast of chicken and chips. Then he would smother it in ketchup. Not very oriental.

But if you want to talk about missing the point. I used to work in a Wimpy Burger. The amount of people that would order massive meals and then look for a diet coke was mental. Like the diet drink would somehow make it a healthy meal.

Wolflikeme · 11-10-2011 12:22PM

Chinese food is fcukin' rank (here and China!)

Indian ftw!

Lord Trollington · 11-10-2011 12:23PM

No one can do an Omelette and chips quite like the chinese.

smurgen · 11-10-2011 12:23PM

so you're telling me they don't eat 3 in 1's or chicken balls in Shanghai? Pull the other one!

The King of Moo · 11-10-2011 12:25PM

smurgen wrote: »

so you're telling me they don't eat 3 in 1's or chicken balls in Shanghai? Pull the other one!

They usually have a number 34 (coddle) with either a 47 (stew) or a 53 (bacon and cabbage), with a side order of a 12 (boiled shpuds).

Joey32 · 11-10-2011 12:26PM

era sure, ya cant bait the old bodice.

jimthemental · 11-10-2011 12:26PM

MagicSean wrote: »

I have a mate who used to order a dry breast of chicken and chips. Then he would smother it in ketchup. Not very oriental.

But if you want to talk about missing the point. I used to work in a Wimpy Burger. The amount of people that would order massive meals and then look for a diet coke was mental. Like the diet drink would somehow make it a healthy meal.

Used to serve this weirdo in the local who didn't drink (not the reason I consider him weird by the way!). About 17 stone weight and he got two bags of tayto and a can of diet coke, then a snack bar for the road. No point to it unless it tastes nicer. Which it doesn't.

getz · 11-10-2011 12:27PM

Wolflikeme wrote: »

Chinese food is fcukin' rank (here and China!)

Indian ftw!

funny thing is,that curry was first invented by the portuguese,and as far as chips

Wertz · 11-10-2011 12:27PM

Chicken balls...there's a f*ckin' misnomer. Batter balls more like.
Personally I don't eat takeaways here but on the very odd occasion I'd go to a Chinese restuarant it's some proper beef in black bean sauce, those sezchuan pork spare ribs or something...if you want a feckin' curry go to an Indian.

Jaxxy · 11-10-2011 12:29PM

MagicSean wrote: »

I have a mate who used to order a dry breast of chicken and chips. Then he would smother it in ketchup. Not very oriental.

But if you want to talk about missing the point. I used to work in a Wimpy Burger. The amount of people that would order massive meals and then look for a diet coke was mental. Like the diet drink would somehow make it a healthy meal.

Some people prefer the taste of diet coke. I know I do!

But back OT, sometimes if you're ordering in a group from one particular establishment (for convenience) there might be one or two individuals who aren't big Chinese food fans, so they'll probably order the least exotic options.

Lord Trollington · 11-10-2011 12:29PM

jimthemental wrote: »

Used to serve this weirdo in the local who didn't drink (not the reason I consider him weird by the way!). About 17 stone weight and he got two bags of tayto and a can of diet coke, then a snack bar for the road. No point to it unless it tastes nicer. Which it doesn't.

Some people prefer the taste of Diet Coke. With some it genuinely has nothing to do with it being "healthier".

candy-gal1 · 11-10-2011 12:29PM

id have to agree there op, most of my friends would get the non chinese sounding menu items.
im not extremely experimentitive with my chinese orders myself, but il at least get a chicken curry or sweet and sour.

stephen_k · 11-10-2011 12:31PM

Feed of beer.... followed by a 3in1 with chicken balls.... Guaranteed heartburn for the night.... And still I do it!!! The pot noodle of the take away world.... So wrong but so very very right

old hippy · 11-10-2011 12:31PM

My mother in law takes us to the local curry house every time we go back to Japan.

megaten · 11-10-2011 12:32PM

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Some people prefer the taste of Diet Coke. With some it genuinely has nothing to do with it being "healthier".

This basically. Also I get a 4 in 1 from the Chinese because the chippers to far away from my house. What's the point of fast food if you have to put effort into getting it?

Wolflikeme · 11-10-2011 12:32PM

getz wrote: »

funny thing is,that curry was first invented by the portuguese,and as far as chips

Yeah we were hell bent on conquering the world at one stage. Probably robbed that idea!

Duckworth_Luas · 11-10-2011 12:32PM

MagicSean wrote: »

But if you want to talk about missing the point. I used to work in a Wimpy Burger. The amount of people that would order massive meals and then look for a diet coke was mental. Like the diet drink would somehow make it a healthy meal.

It's based on the idea that regular Coke is much worse for your teeth than Diet Coke.

Even though Diet Coke contains less sugar it also contains loads of acids that are damaging to your teeth. However, the food getting caught between your teeth actually does more damage than the fizzy drinks.

The King of Moo · 11-10-2011 12:33PM

smurgen wrote: »

so you're telling me they don't eat 3 in 1's or chicken balls in Shanghai? Pull the other one!

stephen_k wrote: »

Feed of beer.... followed by a 3in1 with chicken balls.... Guaranteed heartburn for the night.... And still I do it!!! The pot noodle of the take away world.... So wrong but so very very right

Out of curiosity, what exactly is a 3 in 1?

My usual Chinese doesn't list it, but I hear people talk about it a lot.

Lord Trollington · 11-10-2011 12:34PM

Siam Thai in Dundrum was the nicest restaurant I've been in for Asian cuisine food.

The thing with Chinese restaurants is that they lace the food with MSG.

Irish Slaves for Europe · 11-10-2011 12:36PM

The King of Moo wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what exactly is a 3 in 1?

My usual Chinese doesn't list it, but I hear people talk about it a lot.

Forget 3 in 1, its all about the 4 in 1, chips, curry sauce, fried rice and chicken balls. Nicest meal in the world.

frag420 · 11-10-2011 12:37PM

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Some people prefer the taste of Diet Coke. With some it genuinely has nothing to do with it being "healthier".

Why is it always fat people that prefer the taste of diet coke??

Anyways I always get noodles, shredded chilli chicken and curry sauce. Place the noodles on a plate, add the chicken, pour on the curry sauce and then............. cover in Heinz ketchup!!! Food of the gods!!

frAg

FortuneChip · 11-10-2011 12:38PM

Meh, I make a super curry myself, no need to order one from a Chinese.
But I do love the Salt & Chilli Chicken!

smash · 11-10-2011 12:38PM

The King of Moo wrote: »

and the closest to what you can get at your local chipper or make quickly at home.

I've never made chicken balls at home...

But I understand where you're coming from because people that go to an Italian and order a pasta dish might as well just throw their money away. What a waste!

My name is URL · 11-10-2011 12:38PM

A great bunch of ingredients

stephen_k · 11-10-2011 12:39PM

The King of Moo wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what exactly is a 3 in 1?

My usual Chinese doesn't list it, but I hear people talk about it a lot.

Irish Slaves for Europe wrote: »

Forget 3 in 1, its all about the 4 in 1, chips, curry sauce, fried rice and chicken balls. Nicest meal in the world.

What he said..... Chips, fried rice, curry sauce in a large tray, you have no business eating it if you are not píssed drunk....

The King of Moo · 11-10-2011 12:40PM

frag420 wrote: »

Why is it always fat people that prefer the taste of diet coke??

Anyways I always get noodles, shredded chilli chicken and curry sauce. Place the noodles on a plate, add the chicken, pour on the curry sauce and then............. cover in Heinz ketchup!!! Food of the gods!!

frAg

I was with you right up till you poured on the ketchup!

Jaxxy · 11-10-2011 12:41PM

frag420 wrote: »

Why is it always fat people that prefer the taste of diet coke??

Not always.

Ordering curry/chips/chickenballs at the Chinese: missing the point?

Comments