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Sunday, January 20, 2013

DAILY NEWS NYDailyNews.com

Best General Tsos Chicken

BY JACOB E. OSTERHOUT

Brooklyn Wok Shop

182 North 10th St., Williamsburg; (347) 889-7992, BrooklynWokShop.com

ood food is a labor of love and the married owners of the Brooklyn Wok Shop, Edrik and Melissa Har, built their restaurant on love. Their General Tsos chicken reects not only the Hars passion for each other but for the tradition of Chinese-American food. (Edrik was previously a chef in high-end restaurants like Le Bernardin and Veritas, and Melissas family owns Chinese restaurants in Florida.) The General Tsos is elegantly battered and layered in a sweet and tangy sauce thats been two years in the making. Most importantly, despite packing an intense amount of avor, the Brooklyn Wok Shops version of General Tsos ($11.50) contains no MSG. Plus, the broccoli served alongside the chicken is roasted, not steamed, giving it an awesome texture that nicely complements the tender morsels of chicken. Overall, the dish is a tastier, healthier version of a ChineseAmerican classic.

B E S T Ne
2013
PHOTOS BY JACOB E. OSTERHOUT

w York of

#1
RECOMMENDED
CHOP STIX 3790 Nostrand Ave., Sheepshead Bay; (718) 891-0391, ChopStixofNYC.com

YOUR TWO CENTS

China Fun (1221 Second Ave., at E. 64th St.) has very juicy, tender General Tsos chicken that can be spiced according to your taste. The outer crust is soft and just melts in your mouth. Nancy P. My submission is for a vegetarian version of General Tsos. The restaurant is a completely veggie Chinese restaurant in Flushing called New Bodhai (59-08 Main St.). I am vegetarian but I have brought many a carnivore to this place and they have all become hooked immediately. I am condent that despite it not really being chicken, this dish could win. You can also order the dish to your preference (spice level, half sugar). Their roast pork is also unbelievably addictive. Thanks and enjoy! Dorit S. I used to love the General Tsos chicken at Chinatown Brasserie, but they have closed, which is a shame. Now I order from Szechuan Garden in Park Slope. Its good but not as good as Chinatown Brasseries. Charles W. I believe that Shun Lee (43 W. 65th St.) invented General Tsos chicken, but the last time I went, it wasnt on the menu. Did they rename it? I would imagine it would be the best when made by its creator. Daryn D.

Trust me, you want a man like George Wong cooking your General Tsos chicken. The chef and owner of two Chop Stix restaurants, in Sheepshead Bay and Bay Ridge, takes pride in all of his dishes, but especially the General Tsos ($12). According to Wong, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, the secret is the fresh snow peas, peppers, broccoli, baby corn and watercress he uses to accompany the dish. But its the sauce that is the most impressive. Wong wont reveal whats in it but admits that he lets it ferment for at least a week so the ingredients mix in harmony. Indeed, the General Tsos chicken is a perfect combo of crispy and saucy with just the right amount of kick, so you dont eat too fast.

YOU SUGGEST IT, WELL TEST IT

Were in search of the best of the city, but we need your help. Send your picks for the following, and well try them!

CHINA GOURMET 877 Eighth Ave., at W. 52nd St.,; (212) 246-8181, ChinaGourmetNYC.com

RECOMMENDED

Jan. 27: The Best Mashed Potatoes Feb. 3: The Best Gnocchi (deadline 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25) Feb. 10: The Best Chocolatier (deadline 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 1) Feb. 17: The Best Burrito (deadline 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8)

Send your submissions with the address and why your candidate is worthy of such an award to BestOfNewYork@ NYDailyNews.com or to either of the options below.

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EATS

Sure, you can nd fancy places that serve General Tsos chicken, but most people just order it from their local Chinese restaurant. For a restaurant that focuses predominantly on delivery and takeout, China Gourmet does General Tsos chicken right. The sauce isnt overly sugared or spicy and the chicken is tender but not chewy. Plus, at $6.15 for a lunch portion, it is exactly what General Tsos chicken should be cheap! Just dont expect luxurious surroundings. With neon lights ringing the ceiling, back-lit pictures of food on the walls and 12 sweaty cooks in the kitchen, its not exactly a hot date spot. But listen for the phone constantly ringing and youll get an idea of its popularity.