A good spot to get General Tso's Chicken?
Sean emails:
General Tso's Chicken is a huuuuuge guilty pleasure of mine. It was a staple of my college diet. Trouble is, since moving out here to Albany, I've had a heck of a time finding somewhere that can give me a decent version, let alone a GREAT version. I was wondering if any of your readers shared my guilty pleasure and could point me in the direction of their favorite spot. I live in Albany and work in Latham so anywhere near either place is fair game.
General Tso's chicken has an interesting history (or histories), as illustrated by this short profile of the dish by Fuschia Dunlop. Its roots can be traced back to the Hunan province of China, but like a lot of Chinese food in the United States it went through some interpretation and change before becoming popular here. In this specific case, the thread runs through Taiwan, New York City, Henry Kissinger (really), and back to China. (OK, culinary history tangent over.)
Aside from Ala Shanghai and Hong Kong Bakery & Bistro, we don't hear much about individual Chinese food restaurants around the Capital Region. That is undoubtedly our fault -- we're probably not listening in the right places. So, this question is a good opportunity to maybe learn a little bit more.
Got a suggestion for Sean about a good place for General Tso's chicken -- or good Chinese restaurants in general? Please share!
photo: Evan Joshua Swigart (TheCulinaryGeek) on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
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Comments
Asian Place on Madison Ave is great. Like really good. And I have heard wonderful things about Plum Blossom in Troy as well.
... said Tam on Mar 26, 2015 at 1:56 PM | link
Did anyone mention Buffalo Wagon yet?
... said Mike on Mar 26, 2015 at 1:56 PM | link
Although not in the geographic of Latham or Albany, Plum Blossom on Hoosick St. in Troy has my favorite rendition of the dish, probably ever. Instead of an overly sweet red-ish brown sauce, theirs is very dark brown and has elements of sweet and a little sour. And the best part for me: instead of the tiny flavorless red peppers that usually spice the dish (which is fine for average takeout), they use thin sliced jalapeno peppers.
... said derryX on Mar 26, 2015 at 1:58 PM | link
Try Rain on Lark St: http://rainalbany.com/
... said Ashley Campbell on Mar 26, 2015 at 1:59 PM | link
Phila Fusion's "General Tao's Chicken" is pretty good IMO, if you're in the Saratoga area.
http://www.philafusion.com/
... said chief on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:13 PM | link
Rain Modern Chinese on Lark Street, all white meat, great sauce. I like to ask for it extra spicy!
... said jen on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:13 PM | link
As a vegetarian, the best info I can give you is that Ocean Palace (68 Central Ave, Albany) makes a superb General Tso Tofu and you can extrapolate that they'd do a mean chicken version. In fact, they are the only place for General Tso Tofu. I tried many places in the Capital District in the dark period between Chef Peter's ownership of CCK's and his new venture at Ocean Palace. Peter hits just the right note of sweet and spicy (plenty of hot red peppers), al dente treatment of the broccoli. and crisply fried tofu glazed with the sauce. So try the chicken.
... said chrisck on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:16 PM | link
Buffalo Wagon is my local favorite.
Usually crisp and good sized pieces of chicken, instead of tiny or monstrous, and encased in gelatinous goo. At least, when you eat in. :) YMMV if you take out, but I think it survives relatively well.
Also, good flavor, and a decent amount of spice. Not to mention that their Broccoli that is garnish/accompaniment is crisp! (ok, most people don't eat GTC for the broccoli, but it's nice when it's good, right? =D )
... said Andy on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:47 PM | link
Another vote for Rain on Lark. And thank you for the tip, Jen! It would be great to finally taste some heat with this dish!
... said JayK on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:48 PM | link
Nishiki in East Greenbush. They don't serve General Tso's but that's okay because you never should order it. Try the sushi rolls - they're always good.
... said Brian on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:50 PM | link
I second Plum Blossom on Hoosick Street. Best Chinese food in the area.
... said Victoria on Mar 26, 2015 at 3:14 PM | link
Completely stepping away from the above suggestions - try DP's version. I think you might like it...
... said Lola on Mar 26, 2015 at 3:21 PM | link
if in North Greenbush Zenbu's version is pretty decent, in latham the only place ive found worthwhile is Golden House on RT 2 between latham/watervliet
in albany, ichiban's general tso is passable.
... said Tom on Mar 26, 2015 at 3:23 PM | link
Bamboo on Carmen Rd. in Guilderland has great General Tso chicken and really tasty food in general. They also have great Thai dishes especially their pad thai.
... said Colleen on Mar 26, 2015 at 3:56 PM | link
I second Ocean Palace. nomnomnomnom
... said Alisa on Mar 26, 2015 at 4:05 PM | link
Sake Cafe on New Scotland Ave has great General Tso's. Eating it fresh in the restaurant is always best as any delivery tends lose some of its crispyness, but honestly either way it's delicious and my go-to spot.
... said anthony on Mar 26, 2015 at 4:06 PM | link
Another vote for Plum Blossom in Troy!
... said Jessica R W on Mar 26, 2015 at 4:12 PM | link
Ocean Palace on Central. -White meat chicken, and fried rice that actually hits a wok!
... said Ron on Mar 26, 2015 at 4:21 PM | link
I always hesitate to tell people, lest they steal the limited table space from me, but seriously Ocean's Palace is the best Chinese food ever. Buffalo Wagon is next on my list for General Tso's
... said Jenna on Mar 26, 2015 at 4:23 PM | link
Ocean Palace can't be beat for superb food at a very fair price. Their food is always freshly prepared to order and the vegetables are very fresh.
... said Joseph on Mar 26, 2015 at 4:40 PM | link
The best General Tso's used to be at Emperor's on Wolf Road.
So depressed they closed as their food rocked and the staff were so nice. Does anyone have any back story on what happened?
... said Jay on Mar 26, 2015 at 4:48 PM | link
The best Cantonese food around, by far, is at Rain in Albany. (Hong Kong Bakery, btw, is totally overrated, only so-so with subpar dim sum. It's definitely worth driving to Lark Street to get the good stuff.)
... said KB @ Home-Baked Happiness on Mar 26, 2015 at 5:19 PM | link
Oh, man, I'm so suggestible that I had to drive over to Ocean Palace for an order of General Tso Tofu and a veg lo mein. Shoveling in now.
... said chrisck on Mar 26, 2015 at 5:48 PM | link
Asian Delight in Gloversville...exceptional food, great value and service.
... said Paul on Mar 26, 2015 at 6:24 PM | link
I hate to rain on the parade, but because you said this was a good opportunity to learn about Chinese restaurants in general, I have to point out General Tso's Chicken is not a Chinese dish.
It is fine if you like it, but General Tso's is a made up dish for American tastes. Jennifer 8 Lee (really), a reporter for the New York Times, has a fun Ted Talk (easy to find) where she asks many Chinese natives what they think of General Tso's and they don't know what she is talking about.
I've been to several places mentioned but it's hard to go anywhere else but Ala Shanghai if you want real Chinese food as Chinese people might eat it. It's so good that whenever I eat somewhere else I find myself thinking, I wish I was at Ala Shanghai.
... said Burnt My Fingers on Mar 26, 2015 at 7:53 PM | link
A Dragon on Madison is my choice, the office orders from them all the time.
... said Shawn on Mar 26, 2015 at 8:28 PM | link
@Burnt My Fingers if you read the article, you would see that fact already addressed. Always foodie truthers...
Anyways, the version at DP is pretty fantastic, I can also vouch for Sake Cafe.
... said Guy on Mar 26, 2015 at 9:18 PM | link
Ala Shanghai's is quite good, with a much lighter hand with the sauce so it's not as sickly sweet as many others.
... said enough already! on Mar 26, 2015 at 10:18 PM | link
I'll add another vote for Rain on Lark St.
... said GJ on Mar 27, 2015 at 9:03 AM | link
Another vote for Plum Blossom
... said WCF on Mar 27, 2015 at 9:24 AM | link
All others must bow down before Ocean Palace.
Hands down.
No contest.
Next question please...
Every other place mentioned is fly-by-night, over-priced for what you get, or Americanized with way too much sugar (and yes, I know General Tso is essentially an American dish).
Ocean Palace might not be pretty but the food there is flawless.
... said Hmmmm.... on Mar 27, 2015 at 10:04 AM | link
Ocean Palace on Central ave
... said Jay on Mar 27, 2015 at 10:29 AM | link
Ocean's Palace is the best. Ala Shanghai, Plum Blossom, and Buffalo Wagon are also good, but much more expensive. Rain is more expensive, but not good.
... said Jackers on Mar 27, 2015 at 3:45 PM | link
SHINING RAINBOW ON CENTRAL AVE does an AMAZING job! Highly, highly recommend!!!
... said MK on Mar 27, 2015 at 3:52 PM | link
Yangs in Loudonville..Delicious!
... said jeff B on Mar 29, 2015 at 9:32 AM | link
Although I go to Tomo Bistro in Slingerlands primarily for the sushi, their General Tso's is REALLY good.
... said mel on Mar 31, 2015 at 9:47 AM | link
Thanks everyone for the great recommendations! I'm used to having Ichiban, but the quality can vary drastically from day to day.
Plum Blossom - I've had it in the past and it was delicious. However, it's a very unique taste unlike anything I've had before, so it can catch you off-guard if you're looking for "classic" General Tso.
Ocean Palace - Just tried it and it was delicious. The owners seem very kind, and all of the food was extremely high quality. There were also some regulars that came in who sang its praises to me.
Buffalo Wagon - Just tried this as well and also very good. High quality all around, but I give Ocean Palace the edge (slightly more flavor, much better rice).
I look forward to working my way down the list and trying many of these other places. Thank you!
... said Sean on Apr 1, 2015 at 11:27 AM | link
Shining Rainbow. Perfectly crispy, high quality white meat chicken, and spicy
... said Josh K. on Apr 6, 2015 at 4:19 PM | link
Lee Lin's most popular dish has been its General Tso chicken, with a recipe my supertaster father has been using/refining for decades for American Chinese food lovers. It's made with dark meat, which tastes better than the white meat version, but you can try both versions, as well as other meats, tofu, and/or veg in GT sauce. You must specify whether you want it mild, medium, hot, or extra hot and you may ask for the chicken to be soft, extra crispy, more/less saucy, or with the sauce on the side.
https://www.facebook.com/LeeLinTroy
... said Nina Lee on Apr 11, 2015 at 10:47 AM | link
After a year of dedicated research, I'm happy to report that Ocean Palace and Buffalo Wagon are still atop my list as my two favorite spots to grab some great General Tso chicken. Ocean Palace gets bonus points for their supporting case of amazing fried rice and delicious incorporated vegetables. I can order from Ocean Palace and actually feel good about the fact that I'm eating American Chinese food before, during and after the meal. My wife is a more adventurous eater than I am when it comes to Chinese food and she loves sampling interesting new things she finds on the Ocean Palace menu.
... said Sean on Jun 13, 2016 at 10:58 AM | link