American fried rice (ข้าวผัดอเมริกัน, Khao pad Amerigan, also Nasi Goreng John American) is a Thai/Malay fried rice dish with "American" side ingredients like fried chicken, ham, hot dogs, raisins, ketchup, and croutons.
Many Thais erroneously think it comes from America because of the name given to it by their own people, with many Americans completely bewildered as to what it is. Other ingredients like pineapple are optional. Since it's a Thai creation in Vietnam war era for USMC and USAF officers in Thailand, it previously could only be found in Thailand and not Thai restaurants in the West. With the recent proliferation of Thai restaurants, American fried rice is now appearing on Thai restaurant menus in the U.S. (see Fried Rice Restaurant link below).
In Malaysia, their counterpart of American fried rice, Nasi Goreng John American or USA fried rice, features roughly the same ingredients such as chicken ham, chicken hot dogs (never with pork as its Muslim) and often with choice of ketchup or chili sauce.
Many Thais erroneously think it comes from America because of the name given to it by their own people, with many Americans completely bewildered as to what it is. Other ingredients like pineapple are optional. Since it's a Thai creation in Vietnam war era for USMC and USAF officers in Thailand, it previously could only be found in Thailand and not Thai restaurants in the West. With the recent proliferation of Thai restaurants, American fried rice is now appearing on Thai restaurant menus in the U.S. (see Fried Rice Restaurant link below).
In Malaysia, their counterpart of American fried rice, Nasi Goreng John American or USA fried rice, features roughly the same ingredients such as chicken ham, chicken hot dogs (never with pork as its Muslim) and often with choice of ketchup or chili sauce.
Controversy
Recently a more diverse selection of ingredients have appeared on select restaurant menus throughout Thailand's metropolitan area so as to more accurately reflect the American palate. Some of these additions include ranch dressing, cheetos, fried green tomatoes, baked beans, black eyed peas, banana chips, turkey breast, coleslaw, and even Almond Joy or Mounds bars to eat with or on the side (although this is most likely due to Thailand's affinity for the two coconut bars more than the American heritage associated with them). This culinary expansion has led to an intense and sometimes vociferous backlash by so-called American Fried Rice 'traditionalists' who claim that the added ingredients cheapen and ruin the tried-and-true flavors of the original six (baked beans are often included in this list as well), and many top Thai restaurants such as the Bed Supperclub and Celadon have kept and staunchly defended their minimalist American Fried Rice selections to the press, who has thus far reported on the ongoing battle with amused curiosity[citation needed].
Restaurants that include this expanded selection include the renowned Baan Klang Nam and C'yan, although you must ask for the extra ingredient list while dining at the latter.
Recently a more diverse selection of ingredients have appeared on select restaurant menus throughout Thailand's metropolitan area so as to more accurately reflect the American palate. Some of these additions include ranch dressing, cheetos, fried green tomatoes, baked beans, black eyed peas, banana chips, turkey breast, coleslaw, and even Almond Joy or Mounds bars to eat with or on the side (although this is most likely due to Thailand's affinity for the two coconut bars more than the American heritage associated with them). This culinary expansion has led to an intense and sometimes vociferous backlash by so-called American Fried Rice 'traditionalists' who claim that the added ingredients cheapen and ruin the tried-and-true flavors of the original six (baked beans are often included in this list as well), and many top Thai restaurants such as the Bed Supperclub and Celadon have kept and staunchly defended their minimalist American Fried Rice selections to the press, who has thus far reported on the ongoing battle with amused curiosity[citation needed].
Restaurants that include this expanded selection include the renowned Baan Klang Nam and C'yan, although you must ask for the extra ingredient list while dining at the latter.
No comments:
Post a Comment