Eggrolls and chopsticks

[BrainGlutton]

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_cuisine:

Chopsticks are the primary eating utensil in Chinese culture for solid foods, while soups and other liquids are enjoyed [1] with a wide, flat-bottomed spoon (traditionally made of ceramic). . . .

In most dishes in Chinese cuisine, food is prepared in bite-sized pieces (e.g. vegetable, meat, doufu), ready for direct picking up and eating. Traditionally, Chinese culture considered using knives and forks at the table “barbaric” due to fact that these implements are regarded as weapons. It was also considered ungracious have guests work at cutting their own food.

So what about eggrolls? I’ve never seen one small enough to eat without cutting it up first.

[Least_Original_User_Name_Ever]

You cut em up? I just grab it and gnaw on the end.

Mmmmm…eggrolls…I might hafta go get some.
Damn you, BrainGlutton. Stick to Great Debates.

[Otto]

Any reason why you can’t pick up the eggroll with chopsticks, take a bite off the end and then put the remainder back down again?

[BrainGlutton]

@Otto

Any reason why you can’t pick up the eggroll with chopsticks, take a bite off the end and then put the remainder back down again?

I find a whole eggroll a bit to heavy and unwieldy to be comfortably manipulated with chopsticks. YMMV.

[DanBlather]

@BrainGlutton

I find a whole eggroll a bit to heavy and unwieldy to be comfortably manipulated with chopsticks. YMMV.

Eggrolls (which are really spring rolls) are smaller in China. Kind of like American vs Mexican tacos and burritos,

[BrainGlutton]

@DanBlather

Eggrolls (which are really spring rolls) are smaller in China. Kind of like American vs Mexican tacos and burritos,

Do they really eat tacos and burritos in Mexico? I always thought those things were Tex-Mex, invented north of the border – like chili.

[DanBlather]

@BrainGlutton

Do they really eat tacos and burritos in Mexico? I always thought those things were Tex-Mex, invented north of the border – like chili.

Tacos are widely eaten in Mexico, but are very different from the hard shell monstrosities. They are one or two soft corn tortillas, lightly fried, and folded over a small amount of meat, onions, and other goodies.

The origin of burritos is more controversial,

[Least_Original_User_Name_Ever]

Dammit, I saw this thread early today and wanted egg rolls. Here it is, almost one in the morning…and I still want some egg rolls.
I’m SO getting egg rolls tomorrow.

[Dr.Rieux]

@DanBlather

Eggrolls (which are really spring rolls)…

Then why does Panda Express have Egg Rolls *and * Spring Rolls?

[China_Guy]

For Dim Sum spring rolls, these come already cut into 2-3 pieces, and are easy to pick up with chopsticks.

One’s that aren’t cut, and generally smaller and also easy to pick up and take a bite with chopsticks

[DanBlather]

@Dr. Rieux

Then why does Panda Express have Egg Rolls *and * Spring Rolls?

Why are you bringing up Panda Express, I thought we were discussing Chinese food

The spring rolls at Panda are closer to what you would seen in China. In China there is also a dough made with eggs that us used to wrap things, but that heavy, burrito sized egg roll you see in some Chinese restaurants is not something you’d find in China.

[Chronos]

Huh, I can pick up even American-sized (whatever)rolls with chopsticks. But then again, I’ve never seen one as big as a burrito… Was that meant as an exaggeration, or do you guys just have really small burritoes?

[John_Mace]

@Otto

Any reason why you can’t pick up the eggroll with chopsticks, take a bite off the end and then put the remainder back down again?

But then you run the risk of being called a double dipper if you go for some sauce.