General Tso’s chicken and sesame chicken are two popular Chinese-American chicken dishes that are often confused for one another. At a glance, they may appear quite similar – both consist of fried, boneless chicken pieces with a sweet and savory sauce. However, there are some key differences between the two dishes in terms of ingredients, taste, preparation method, and origins.
Origin and History
General Tso’s chicken was invented by Chef Peng Chang-kuei in Taiwan in the 1950s. Chef Peng had fled China after the Communist revolution in 1949 and was hired to cook banquet meals for Nationalist Chinese officials in Taiwan. According to the story, Peng experimented with different dishes to suit the American palates of the officials and created General Tso’s chicken, naming it after Zuo Zongtang, a Qing dynasty statesman also known as General Tso. The dish eventually made its way to the United States by way of early Chinese immigrants.
Sesame chicken has a less clear history, but is believed to have originated in New York City sometime in the 1970s. Chinese restaurants in NYC began experimenting with adapting traditional Chinese dishes to appeal to American tastes. One such creation was sesame chicken, made by frying chicken pieces and tossing them in a sweet sesame sauce. The dish was popularised by the opening of sesame chicken fast food joints in NYC in the 1980s and 90s.
Ingredients
While both dishes contain fried chicken and a sweet sauce, the specific ingredients in each sauce differ significantly:
General Tso’s Chicken Sauce
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Chicken broth
- Sugar
- Chili garlic sauce
- Sesame oil
- Cornstarch
Sesame Chicken Sauce
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
General Tso’s sauce has a more savory, umami flavor from the soy sauce and chicken broth, while sesame chicken sauce is sweeter from the brown sugar. The chili garlic sauce also gives General Tso’s its signature spicy kick.
Preparation Methods
While the sauces differ, the preparation method for the chicken also differs between the two dishes:
General Tso’s Chicken
- Chicken is battered and fried until crispy
- Sauce ingredients are cooked together in a pan
- Fried chicken pieces are tossed in the sauce
Sesame Chicken
- Chicken pieces are floured or battered and fried
- Sauce ingredients are combined in a bowl
- Fried chicken pieces are tossed in the sauce
The main difference is that General Tso’s sauce is cooked, while sesame chicken sauce is cold. This also gives the dishes slightly different textures – General Tso’s chicken has a thick, clingy sauce while sesame chicken has a thinner, lacquer-like coating.
Flavors and Tastes
Due to the differences in ingredients and preparation, General Tso’s chicken and sesame chicken produce quite different flavor profiles:
General Tso’s Chicken
- Savory, salty flavor from soy sauce
- Sweet and slightly sour from sugar and rice vinegar
- Spicy kick from chili garlic sauce
- Umami flavor from chicken broth
Sesame Chicken
- Very sweet flavor from brown sugar
- Tangy and tart from rice vinegar
- Toasted, nutty sesame flavor
- Not spicy
General Tso’s chicken is known for its complex, bold flavors – the sweetness is balanced by salty, savory, and spicy notes. Sesame chicken is much sweeter overall, with a simpler flavor profile revolving around sugar and sesame.
Serving Styles
These two chicken dishes are plated and served differently as well:
General Tso’s Chicken
- Typically served with steamed rice
- Sometimes garnished with steamed broccoli or other veggies
- Often available as a main dish or entree
Sesame Chicken
- Usually served as an appetizer
- Typically plated with pieces of toast, fried wonton skins, or lettuce cups
- Frequently offered as finger food
So General Tso’s chicken is plated more like a meal, while sesame chicken is more of a starter or small plate.
Restaurant Availability
Diners can expect to find these dishes served at different types of restaurants:
| Restaurant Type | General Tso’s Chicken | Sesame Chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese takeout/delivery | Very common | Common |
| Dine-in Chinese restaurant | Common, especially Americanized menus | Less common |
| Chinese buffet | Nearly always available | Frequently available |
| Fine dining Chinese | Uncommon | Very rare |
Both dishes are menu staples at Chinese takeout restaurants and buffets in the United States. But General Tso’s is more prevalent at standard dine-in Chinese restaurants, while sesame chicken is unlikely to be found at upscale establishments.
Nutritional Value
As fried, sauced chicken dishes, neither General Tso’s chicken nor sesame chicken are particularly healthy options. However, sesame chicken may be slightly less unhealthy:
| Dish (1 cup serving) | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Tso’s chicken | 560 | 24 | 41 | 30 |
| Sesame chicken | 430 | 13 | 52 | 24 |
Sesame chicken has slightly fewer calories and less fat, but more carbs and less protein. The breading and frying method contribute a lot of calories, fat, and carbs to both dishes. However, General Tso’s has a bit more fat due to the higher oil content in its sauce.
Cost
Diners will generally pay a dollar or two more for General Tso’s chicken compared to sesame chicken when ordering takeout. A typical cost comparison:
| Dish | Typical Takeout Cost |
|---|---|
| General Tso’s Chicken | $12.50 |
| Sesame Chicken | $10.50 |
The reason for the cost difference primarily comes down to the amount of labor involved. General Tso’s sauce must be cooked on the stovetop, while sesame chicken sauce does not require cooking. The added time and effort to prepare General Tso’s chicken is passed along to the customer.
Popularity
Both dishes are beloved Chinese-American classics, but General Tso’s edges out sesame chicken in terms of popularity and fame:
- General Tso’s chicken is widely considered one of the most popular Americanized Chinese dishes of all time. It is a staple on Chinese restaurant menus across the United States.
- Sesame chicken is also very common but not quite as ubiquitous as General Tso’s. While nearly always available at takeout joints, it may not be found at every single Chinese restaurant.
- Many American home cooks are more likely to search for and try recipes for General Tso’s chicken over sesame chicken. General Tso’s recipe views dominate search engines and video platforms.
- General Tso’s chicken has been the subject of greater pop culture fascination and acknowledgement. The dish has been referenced in films, TV shows, and even a PBS documentary.
So while both dishes have a beloved status, General Tso’s chicken is arguably the more iconic and famous of the two.
Accompaniments
Diners will find different common pairings and side dishes with each order:
General Tso’s Chicken
- Steamed rice
- Vegetable fried rice
- Egg roll
- Wonton soup
- Crab rangoon
Sesame Chicken
- Fried wonton skins
- Toast points
- Fried rice
- Vegetable tempura
- Egg drop soup
Since General Tso’s is more often a main dish, it is paired with rice and other Chinese menu items. Sesame chicken as an appetizer is served with fried snacks and lighter soups.
Regional Differences
There are some regional variations in how each dish is prepared in different parts of the United States:
General Tso’s Chicken
- Northeast: sweeter, thicker, stickier sauce
- Midwest: moderate spice, more vegetables
- South: very spicy from extra chili
- West Coast: lighter sauce, less breading on chicken
Sesame Chicken
- Northeast: more sesame seeds, stronger sesame flavor
- Midwest: breading often has egg & milk, served with mashed potatoes
- South: heavier breading, thicker sauce
- West Coast: frequently served salad wraps instead of with toast points
So cooks in different regions tailor each dish to local tastes – General Tso’s sauce adjusting spice and thickness, sesame chicken breading and presentations changing.
Conclusion
While General Tso’s chicken and sesame chicken appear similar at first glance, they are quite distinct dishes in terms of history, ingredients, cooking method, flavors, and more. Some key differences include:
- General Tso’s has a savory, spicy sauce while sesame chicken is sweeter with a prominent sesame flavor
- General Tso’s chicken pieces are fried then sauced, sesame chicken is fried and sauced separately
- General Tso’s is more commonly a main dish, sesame chicken an appetizer
- General Tso’s chicken is more widely popular and beloved in American culture
So while both are classics of Chinese-American cuisine, General Tso’s and sesame chicken are unique dishes enjoyed in their own right.