What’s the Difference Between General Tso’s Chicken and Sesame Chicken? The Ultimate Showdown

Have you ever found yourself staring at a Chinese restaurant menu, completely stuck between ordering General Tso’s chicken or sesame chicken? Trust me, you’re not alone in this delicious dilemma. These two Chinese-American classics might look similar on your plate, but they’ve got some fascinating differences that might just help you make up your mind next time.

As someone who’s spent way too much money on Chinese takeout over the years, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about these popular dishes. Let’s dive into the tasty world of crispy chicken coated in delicious sauces!

A Brief History: Where Did These Dishes Come From?

Let’s talk about where these dishes came from first, because it’s interesting, before we get into the specific differences.

General Tso’s Chicken Origin

General Tso’s chicken has a fascinating backstory. It was actually created in the 1950s by a Chinese chef named Peng Chang-kuei. Peng was a renowned chef from the Hunan province in China who later fled to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War. The original dish was called “Zuo Zongtang ji” and was named after General Zuo Zongtang, a Qing dynasty military leader from Peng’s hometown.

Interestingly, General Tso’s chicken as we know it today isn’t really consumed in China! It was introduced to the United States by Chinese chefs who immigrated from Taiwan and gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. The American version is sweeter and milder than the original Hunanese creation.

Sesame Chicken Origin

Sesame chicken, on the other hand, is believed to have originated in the southern province of Guangdong, China. The original recipe was known as “ji zi ji” in Chinese and consisted of deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a mixture of sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sugar.

This dish was popularized in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s by Chinese restaurants in New York City’s Chinatown. Like many Chinese-American dishes, the American version is sweeter and crispier than its Chinese counterpart.

The 5 Key Differences Between General Tso’s and Sesame Chicken

Now that we know a bit about their origins, let’s get into the real differences between these two popular dishes:

1. Spice Level: Heat vs Sweet

The most noticeable difference between these two dishes is definitely the spice level

• General Tso’s Chicken: This dish is typically spicier and includes chili peppers or chili paste as a key ingredient. The heat level can vary from restaurant to restaurant, but it generally has a nice kick to it.

• Most of the time, sesame chicken is a milder option that doesn’t have much spice. It has mostly sweet tastes, with a hint of nuttiness from the oil and sesame seeds.

A safer choice would be sesame chicken if you don’t like spicy food. But if you like your food a little spicy, General Tso’s might be a better choice.

2. Flavor Profile: Complex vs Sweet-Nutty

The overall flavor profiles of these dishes are quite distinct:

• General Tso’s Chicken: Offers a more complex flavor with a balance of sweet, spicy, and savory elements. It typically includes garlic and ginger which adds depth and aromatics. The sauce often has hoisin sauce which gives it a deeper, more complex taste.

• Sesame Chicken: Has a predominantly sweet and nutty flavor profile. The sweetness from the honey or sugar is paired with the nutty taste of the sesame oil and seeds.

3. Ingredients: Similar Base, Different Additions

While both dishes start with similar bases, they diverge in their key ingredients:

Base Ingredients (Shared):

• Chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
• Cornstarch/flour for coating
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar

General Tso’s Distinct Ingredients:

• Chili peppers or chili paste
• Garlic (more prominent)
• Ginger (more prominent)
• Hoisin sauce
• Often served with broccoli and carrots

Sesame Chicken Distinct Ingredients:

• Sesame oil (more prominent)
• Sesame seeds (as garnish)
• Often has more sugar or honey
• Sometimes includes eggs in the batter

4. Appearance: Color and Garnish

You can often tell these dishes apart just by looking at them:

• General Tso’s Chicken: The sauce typically has a reddish-brown color due to the chili components. It’s usually served with visible broccoli and sometimes carrots.

• Sesame Chicken: Has a darker brown sauce and is immediately recognizable by the sesame seeds sprinkled on top. The sauce also tends to be more glossy and sticky in appearance.

5. Popularity and Availability

While both dishes are staples in Chinese-American restaurants, there’s a slight difference in their popularity:

• Sesame Chicken: Is often considered a “safer” choice and tends to be more widely available. It’s a great introduction to Chinese-American cuisine for those who might be trying it for the first time.

• General Tso’s Chicken: According to the National Restaurant Association, it’s one of the top 10 most popular Chinese-American dishes in the United States, slightly edging out sesame chicken in overall popularity.

Are They Really That Different? The Restaurant Reality

Here’s a little insider info that might surprise you: in many Chinese takeout restaurants, these dishes might not be as different as they’re supposed to be!

Some restaurants (not all!) might use the same base for both dishes and just modify the sauce slightly. I’ve personally witnessed a restaurant employee simply sprinkling sesame seeds on what appeared to be General Tso’s chicken when a sesame chicken order came in. This doesn’t mean the restaurant was being dishonest – it’s just that in fast-paced kitchen environments, starting with a common base for multiple recipes can be time and cost-effective.

As one chef on Stack Exchange noted, “Chinese restaurants tend to believe quantity on the menu trumps quality. In that spirit, they will likely offer many similar-tasting things under vastly different names.”

But don’t get me wrong – good Chinese restaurants will definitely prepare these as distinct dishes with their own unique characteristics!

The Cooking Process: More Similarities Than Differences

The preparation method for both dishes follows a similar pattern:

1. Marinating: Both dishes benefit from marinating the chicken before cooking, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat.

2. Coating: The chicken pieces are coated in a mixture that usually includes cornstarch or flour.

3. Double-frying technique: For extra crispiness, many restaurants use a double-frying technique where the chicken is fried once, rested, and then fried again.

4. Sauce preparation: The sauce ingredients are combined and cooked until thickened.

5. Final tossing: The crispy fried chicken is tossed in the sauce just before serving to maintain the crispy texture while coating it with flavor.

Making These Dishes at Home

If you’re feeling inspired to try making these dishes yourself, here are some quick tips:

For General Tso’s Chicken:

• Don’t skimp on the garlic and ginger
• Use dried red chili peppers for authentic flavor
• Balance the heat with enough sugar
• Add a little hoisin sauce for depth
• Serve with steamed broccoli

For Sesame Chicken:

• Toast your sesame seeds before using them for more flavor
• Use plenty of sesame oil for that distinctive nutty taste
• Make sure your sauce is sweet enough
• Try the double-frying technique for extra crispy chicken
• Don’t forget to garnish generously with sesame seeds

Which One Should You Order?

At the end of the day, choosing between General Tso’s chicken and sesame chicken comes down to personal preference:

• Choose General Tso’s if: You enjoy spicier food with complex flavors and don’t mind a bit of heat.

• Choose Sesame Chicken if: You prefer sweeter dishes with nutty flavors and want to avoid spice.

But honestly? You can’t really go wrong with either one. They’re both delicious examples of Chinese-American cuisine that have earned their place as menu favorites for good reason.

The Verdict

While these two dishes might look similar at first glance, they do have distinct differences in flavor, spice level, and ingredients. General Tso’s brings the heat with its spicy, complex sauce, while sesame chicken offers a sweeter, milder experience with its signature nutty flavor from sesame oil and seeds.

But hey, why choose? Next time you’re ordering Chinese takeout, maybe get both and have your own taste test at home. After all, leftover Chinese food is practically a breakfast food category of its own!

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P.S. If you enjoyed this deep dive into Chinese-American cuisine, check out our other articles comparing popular takeout favorites like orange chicken vs. sweet and sour chicken, or our guide to the best dumplings across different Asian cuisines!