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Pushpesh Pant
Ever since India and China have engaged in a clash on the icy heights of the cold desert in Ladakh, the rising tide of patriotism has decreed that all things Chinese should be boycotted. Surely though, this ban doesn’t apply to delicacies that are Chinese only in name.
To be honest, most of what we relish in this land under the garb of Chinese is, in reality, Indian interpretation of a cuisine that is non-existent in China be it gobhi manchurian or chilli paneer. There are different regional variations also Gujju, Punju and Madrasi. The Bengalis claim that Kolkata China Town has more ‘authentic’ fare. However, we think that while this might have been true once upon a time, it can’t be true today. The Chinese can’t stay without their pork, beef and other exotic meats, but most Indians eschew these.