I miss ekiben soooo much. Not only was the hampden location a block from me, I had the honor of working there. If your ever in baltimore get yo ass to Ekiben!!!!!
Went to the same college as this guy, incredibly proud. In their early days, they showed up at campus events to sell their crazy good sandwiches. And now, years later, I live in Baltimore proper and hit Ekiben up frequently. They're just that good. Happy he's getting attention, this looks like some fantastic General Tso's.
fr where do they find these people? Dude is just some random chef and I'd watch him over 90% of food network hosts honestly though shoutout to the munchies production crew for making the hosts feel so comfortable, because these vids always have the right energy
This dish is at the crossroads of American and Chinese culture. The coke + the oyster and dark and light soy sauces perfectly exemplifies that. Can't wait to make it at home
@@chrish4439 I think we can assume two things: the version of this dish popular in the USA has been adapted to more closely suit the tastes of this country, and this recipe shown here has been further adapted by the chef cooking it. The original General Tso's chicken from 200 years ago was likely different in a number of ways. The dish popular here in the USA, is not popular or really known in China as a big deal. It's not Chop Suey, but it's more "American" than Chinese.
@@chrish4439 Lol it was invented in Taiwan in 1950 but really the modern version we all eat today was invented in New York in 1970 , most people in China probably have never heard of it.
Steve is legit the best chef munchies has on rotation. Chinese American cuisine never gets the respect it deserves. What Chinese immigrants managed to accomplish with such limited ingredients, and then proceeded to Tailor them to the tastes of European-Americans succeeding wildly. I’m white af but potstickers, beef and broccoli, and sesame chicken when done correctly is absolutely the best soul food. Ironically these days I love the spicier dishes. But as a little kid those three dishes are what bring me back most. Good Chinese 100% of the time reminds me of my dad. Chinese takeout from down the block was our gourmet meal, it’s how we celebrated a lot of times. But yeah thank you for sharing your recipes man.
Steve is already a legend in Baltimore. Ekiben is good enough that it could succeed in any city in America, but they are now working on their 3rd Baltimore location rather than expanding out to the counties or DC. True hometown heroes.
can't help but smile all throughout this vid, Steve's smile and laughter are so infectious and his approach to food is just warm and wholesome. he truly deserves the world
I made this last night and his instructions are great! Never made General Tso's before but it was a huge hit with my family! Thanks for giving me the courage to try something new!
When I seen the coke and ketchup, I became a laser-focused drooling puppy on a couch to see how you make your version of General Tso chicken. Your confidence, demeanour and carefree attitude with the swearing is your game and like no other chef on youtube. Keep up the good work and don't change your style. I laughed and cried, cried because I can't taste it! God bless you and your loved ones Chef Steve. I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023.
Chicken is such a great gateway drug to Chinese food for the American palate. Crispy crunchy chicken. Sauce laden with a bunch of sugar.... That is so awesome and the bit at the end about the blunt. Priceless. He's awesome.
I made this dish this evening for dinner and paired it with some homemade fried rice. Let me tell you! It was very very delicious. Any time I eat Chinese food out I always order General's Chicken. It's so nice to be able to make it at home now. Sending Chef Steve Chu a big Thank You from Sacramento, California
I cheated a bit and bought a jar of General Tso’s sauce from the store, but I used your method to make the chicken and it came out absolutely perfect! Thanks, Steve!
I tried this. It was incredible. I switched the ketchup for hoisin sauce and the apple cider vinegar with rice wine vinegar. Kept everything else, including the Coke, as is. Phenomenal and very great way of explaining. Delicious.!
CHEF STEVE CHU!!! He is so fantastic and so is everyone else at Ekiben!!! I have lived in Baltimore for nearly a decade and absolutely love what great vibes and positivity they bring to community and the city!! Love you, ekiben!!
Shout out from Hunan Changsha! I haven't had General Tso chicken in years, and I've been telling my wife how good it is. We saw ur video and made it tonight, it was awesome! Thank u!
"The Search for General Tso" is a great documentary from 2014 that explains the history of this dish. General Tso's chicken (zuo zong ji) is practically unheard of in China. Chef Peng Chang-kuei claims to have invented the dish in Taiwan, and it subsequently became popular in the U.S.
So it's not even Chinese? The Taiwanese should be taking much more credit for this dish. Then again, Taiwan already numba one, and they have such a lead that it may not matter.
@@jumpinjohnnyruss lol, Taiwan is not a country, it is a province of China which is currently run by the expelled former government of Republic of China. Do some research man.
@@MarkusSchober He is one of the thousands of thousands soldiers, merchants, intellectuals and ROC (Republic of China) officials who fled to Taiwan after losing the civil war.
I've made this many times before but your version is the best I've had, even from my local restaurants( no joke). I never give reviews and I had to give this one! It's a huge hit. I made a big batch and it was gone. Thanks!
The only Chinese takeout dish I ever buy. you make it look completely freaking delicious man. I dig the way you simplified the brown sauce with soda water too. Keep on making the world a better place brother.
Steve you got me in tears😂 man I know you keep everyone rolling..hell of a guy and a great great chef...had to subscribe to your channel..will be watching every time you drop one
Thank you Chef Chu. I love the detailed instructions given so viewers could actually make this themselves. Appreciate you taking the time to make the video and hope you return with many more videos (especially of recipes YOU like to eat)
I was a cooked 18 years hearing you talk your shyt made me feel like I was back on the line I love your kitchen humor lol. Keep up the good work brother
He didn’t explain it, so I will: “velveting” tenderises meat because egg whites and sodium bicarbonate are alkaline, which changes the structure of the proteins and gives the characteristic bouncy-yet-tender texture of Chinese food. It’s similar to ramen noodles, and Mexican corn masa.
To all the readers; I wish you, your loved ones and your parents a very beautiful, happy, loving, healthy and wealthy future. Stay Blessed Stephanie from London
Totally agree about the broccoli! My friends and I found a wild broccoli plant near to where we were camping years ago. Free broccoli, hell yeah! We all chowed down.
This dudes personality is great! Like i wanna chill with the guy lol.. Definitely positive vibes.. I enjoyed the vid & will try making this.. PS Blue Cola (Pepsi) is killer!
That looks like the best General Tso's ever! I like the idea of using Coca Cola in it. I gotta get to Baltimore again. He's also super awesome, give him a show!
I like your take on General Tso's chicken.. I'm gonna try the coke when I make my sauce.. All these years cooking Chinese and I never deviated off my recipe.. I guess it's because it's such a good one! But I love Coca-Cola so, thanks for the tip!
I love making General Tso's at home, but after my first time, I decided it was far easier and just as good to buy frozen breaded chicken to just throw in the air fryer.
This dish was delicious. I followed step by step and my husband couldn't believe how close to NY chinese food it was. The cursing is hilarious. I'm following😂
I’m a picky eater so every time my family went to Chinese I’d eat rice and a little bit of kung pow chicken. I wish I had learned that general tso’s chicken was so good I’d have been eating it literally 25 years ago. I only learned I love it a few years ago.
Dude....you need your show. Inflation is forcing many of us to start cooking everything home ,include Chinese food. I use to buy Chinese food 3 times/week. Now, they charge double while cutting the portion to half.so I have to start cooking home for all family. Most old Chinese chefs already retired and there is no replacement ... Thank you...great video
Another reason in favor of broccoli if that you're not serving just fried meat covered in sweet sauce but also vegetables and you can take some of the guilt off the dish
This guy is amazing - he drove over six hours just to cook a dish for a dying customer. Incredible man and fantastic chef.
I miss ekiben soooo much. Not only was the hampden location a block from me, I had the honor of working there. If your ever in baltimore get yo ass to Ekiben!!!!!
Just looked up the story from the Washington Post - did everything in my power to keep from tearing up.
The owners of Eikben are decent human beings with an incredible product… officially Bmore co-signed .
all ❤🙌 baby
Where is the story? How did you hear about it?
Went to the same college as this guy, incredibly proud. In their early days, they showed up at campus events to sell their crazy good sandwiches. And now, years later, I live in Baltimore proper and hit Ekiben up frequently. They're just that good. Happy he's getting attention, this looks like some fantastic General Tso's.
Which college was it can you please tell?
@@shettydhruvnitin5872 Sure. It's called UMBC and it's right outside of Baltimore. The other co-founders of Ekiben are also alumni.
@@davidc7450 thank you so much brother
You were on the very few people that I believe that went to school with a famous person from the internet. That is awesome! 😸
Graduated there too in 2016! BFA in graphic design.
This dude needs his own show.
yall say this literally about everyone who comes on here with a likeable personality lmao
@@mezzafinook gotta put people on
Surely he does
fr where do they find these people? Dude is just some random chef and I'd watch him over 90% of food network hosts
honestly though shoutout to the munchies production crew for making the hosts feel so comfortable, because these vids always have the right energy
@@mezzafinook they just want seconds.
This dish is at the crossroads of American and Chinese culture. The coke + the oyster and dark and light soy sauces perfectly exemplifies that. Can't wait to make it at home
Ya except it's a 200 year old dish that wasn't made from Coca Cola so that doesn't really make sense lol
@@chrish4439 I think we can assume two things: the version of this dish popular in the USA has been adapted to more closely suit the tastes of this country, and this recipe shown here has been further adapted by the chef cooking it. The original General Tso's chicken from 200 years ago was likely different in a number of ways. The dish popular here in the USA, is not popular or really known in China as a big deal. It's not Chop Suey, but it's more "American" than Chinese.
@@chrish4439
Lol it was invented in Taiwan in 1950 but really the modern version we all eat today was invented in New York in 1970 , most people in China probably have never heard of it.
Was it good?
Steve is legit the best chef munchies has on rotation. Chinese American cuisine never gets the respect it deserves. What Chinese immigrants managed to accomplish with such limited ingredients, and then proceeded to Tailor them to the tastes of European-Americans succeeding wildly. I’m white af but potstickers, beef and broccoli, and sesame chicken when done correctly is absolutely the best soul food. Ironically these days I love the spicier dishes. But as a little kid those three dishes are what bring me back most. Good Chinese 100% of the time reminds me of my dad. Chinese takeout from down the block was our gourmet meal, it’s how we celebrated a lot of times. But yeah thank you for sharing your recipes man.
Steve is already a legend in Baltimore.
Ekiben is good enough that it could succeed in any city in America, but they are now working on their 3rd Baltimore location rather than expanding out to the counties or DC. True hometown heroes.
Come to Houston, TX
can't help but smile all throughout this vid, Steve's smile and laughter are so infectious and his approach to food is just warm and wholesome. he truly deserves the world
I made this last night and his instructions are great! Never made General Tso's before but it was a huge hit with my family! Thanks for giving me the courage to try something new!
I was thinking of making it while watching this video.
But keep in mind if you aren't using a really hot flame (I only have an electric stove), reducing the sauce will take *forever*.
@@GammaPunk Try several times, I used electric range before and there were times that soup got burnt. 😅
I boil the chicken shortly first so its cooked and all I have to do is crisp the coating until golden brown
Did you make it with the coke or with sugar? And how'd it turn out?
When I seen the coke and ketchup, I became a laser-focused drooling puppy on a couch to see how you make your version of General Tso chicken. Your confidence, demeanour and carefree attitude with the swearing is your game and like no other chef on youtube. Keep up the good work and don't change your style. I laughed and cried, cried because I can't taste it! God bless you and your loved ones Chef Steve. I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023.
Chicken is such a great gateway drug to Chinese food for the American palate. Crispy crunchy chicken. Sauce laden with a bunch of sugar.... That is so awesome and the bit at the end about the blunt. Priceless. He's awesome.
I made this dish this evening for dinner and paired it with some homemade fried rice. Let me tell you! It was very very delicious.
Any time I eat Chinese food out I always order General's Chicken. It's so nice to be able to make it at home now.
Sending Chef Steve Chu a big Thank You from Sacramento, California
I cheated a bit and bought a jar of General Tso’s sauce from the store, but I used your method to make the chicken and it came out absolutely perfect! Thanks, Steve!
Steve Chu is the GOAT, the fried chicken and catfish from Ekiben are unbeatable
the chicken meatballs are the real Eki-GOAT
The tofu nuggets (w extra sauce) are randomly one of the best things ive ever eaten
Their tempura broccoli is one of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten. Everything is fantastic though
Great start to a new series guys! Can’t wait for more installments and hopefully more of chef Steve Chu!
He’s a really good teacher. I’m either nodding or laughing every time he says something.
I tried this. It was incredible. I switched the ketchup for hoisin sauce and the apple cider vinegar with rice wine vinegar. Kept everything else, including the Coke, as is. Phenomenal and very great way of explaining. Delicious.!
I have been making General Tso's for my family for 20+ years....and this recipe is SO different that I got to give it a try. Looks amazing.
what’s your recipe ?!? 20 years must be good
Yeah. Drop that recipe!
Yes drop it pla
Don’t hoard that recipe bro!
Well
He made it seem like I could actually cook this by myself
This guy is hilarious - he should have his own show
How’s he going to move around on camera if his balls are in your mouth?
@@danceyrselfkleen LOL
@@danceyrselfkleen 🤣🤣🤣
Called bad jokes
@@danceyrselfkleen why would he want to move around the area with his balls in my mouth?
CHEF STEVE CHU!!! He is so fantastic and so is everyone else at Ekiben!!! I have lived in Baltimore for nearly a decade and absolutely love what great vibes and positivity they bring to community and the city!! Love you, ekiben!!
Dude needs his own show
Shout out from Hunan Changsha! I haven't had General Tso chicken in years, and I've been telling my wife how good it is. We saw ur video and made it tonight, it was awesome! Thank u!
"The Search for General Tso" is a great documentary from 2014 that explains the history of this dish. General Tso's chicken (zuo zong ji) is practically unheard of in China. Chef Peng Chang-kuei claims to have invented the dish in Taiwan, and it subsequently became popular in the U.S.
So it's not even Chinese? The Taiwanese should be taking much more credit for this dish. Then again, Taiwan already numba one, and they have such a lead that it may not matter.
Chef Peng is from Hunan. He fled to Taiwan when he was 30.
@@jumpinjohnnyruss lol, Taiwan is not a country, it is a province of China which is currently run by the expelled former government of Republic of China. Do some research man.
@@MarkusSchober He is one of the thousands of thousands soldiers, merchants, intellectuals and ROC (Republic of China) officials who fled to Taiwan after losing the civil war.
@@miao4884 Taiwan is a country. 🇹🇼
Not sure why, but I really appreciated the profanity! I think it brings me back to my days of working in a restaurant kitchen.
I've made this many times before but your version is the best I've had, even from my local restaurants( no joke). I never give reviews and I had to give this one! It's a huge hit. I made a big batch and it was gone. Thanks!
He used both, coke and sugar. Did you too? Was it very super sweet? I'm aware this was 5 months ago so you might not remember.
@@GregSzarama it was not that sweet. The only part we didn't like was the vinegar. I will not use that next time
The only Chinese takeout dish I ever buy. you make it look completely freaking delicious man. I dig the way you simplified the brown sauce with soda water too. Keep on making the world a better place brother.
I'd love to see this guy again on this channel somehow. Very entertaining and fun to watch
Steve you are amazing..i love this food being a jamaican Chinese mix we made this to feed a family of 8...6 kids 2 parents..you inspire us
Steve you got me in tears😂 man I know you keep everyone rolling..hell of a guy and a great great chef...had to subscribe to your channel..will be watching every time you drop one
Ok, I'm now humbled how much goes into my favorite dish. I'll be sure to order it now with reverence in the future.
Thank you Chef Chu. I love the detailed instructions given so viewers could actually make this themselves. Appreciate you taking the time to make the video and hope you return with many more videos (especially of recipes YOU like to eat)
amazing personality and chef. the creativeness of the menu at ekiben is unmatched. i've tried everything on the menu at least once
Loveeeee love ekiben. There’s nothing like it out in the whole world. Just thinking about it makes me so hungry 🤤
100%! One of the rare places that I’ve found on social media that lived up to what I expected and then some. I stop by every time I’m in Baltimore.
I was a cooked 18 years hearing you talk your shyt made me feel like I was back on the line I love your kitchen humor lol. Keep up the good work brother
THE GOAT HAS RETURNED! Steve Chu is the best
He didn’t explain it, so I will: “velveting” tenderises meat because egg whites and sodium bicarbonate are alkaline, which changes the structure of the proteins and gives the characteristic bouncy-yet-tender texture of Chinese food. It’s similar to ramen noodles, and Mexican corn masa.
I thought the baking soda was alkaline, not the cornstarch?
Yes, thanks for the correction.
Cheers Gabriel
10:04 I'll bet your dad is very proud. You are talented yet chill and having fun while doing your job.
This dude is funny af. So glad he was thorough about the reducing process. I always think I'm not doing it enough but I get impatient.
I am definitely going to try his recipe! Chef seems pretty chill and down to earth. Wish him all the best!
Omg I love this guy. He's raw, unedited and good looking too.
I go to school in baltimore and ekiben was the first place i tried when i got there, and to this day it’s still my favorite. it’s incredible!
Cussing and fried chicken. My life
This dude has the best vibes... Loved every second of this vid!
This was awesome, please give Steve his own show
“We’re here for a good time. Not for a long time.” 😹💀💗
Anybody who cooks alongside DANGER DOOM beats is a good human.
ekiben is amazing, great video!! Dont ever close your restaurant we freaking love it.
This guy rocks, Pepsi sucks, Maryland is awesome. Facts. Merry Christmas!
Shh Merry Christmas
Forget the other recipes of this dish on youtube, i just made it and this one is the real deal. Thank you.
We need a Chef's Night Out with Steve and friends in Baltimore
Chefs night out in dundalk baby
Lotta personality in this little dude, I could watch a show with him as the host
Ekiben is so ridiculously good! My favorite takeout place in Baltimore!
Spot on! That's how New York/East Coast Chinese food is done!
I just fell in love! The food looks amazing as well! 😍🤩
This is mediation! So therapeutic 😂😍 I love his personality! So funny and entertaining
To all the readers; I wish you, your loved ones and your parents a very beautiful, happy, loving, healthy and wealthy future. Stay Blessed
Stephanie from London
This guy is awesome! He needs his own show on TV! Can cook, funny, & great recipes!
Totally agree about the broccoli! My friends and I found a wild broccoli plant near to where we were camping years ago. Free broccoli, hell yeah! We all chowed down.
This guy needs his own show
Watching him cook is so comforting! 🥰 I'm a newbie fan! 💃🏽
Baltimore!!!!!!! Love this guy. We’ve been wanting to go to his place for months. Just hadn’t worked out.
This dudes personality is great! Like i wanna chill with the guy lol.. Definitely positive vibes.. I enjoyed the vid & will try making this.. PS Blue Cola (Pepsi) is killer!
That looks like the best General Tso's ever! I like the idea of using Coca Cola in it. I gotta get to Baltimore again. He's also super awesome, give him a show!
I like your take on General Tso's chicken.. I'm gonna try the coke when I make my sauce.. All these years cooking Chinese and I never deviated off my recipe.. I guess it's because it's such a good one! But I love Coca-Cola so, thanks for the tip!
from what I understand is that the double fry helps make it crisper and doesn't get mushy as fast in the sauce...
This chef is super cool and skilled. Can he do some more vids - pretty please?
‘We’re here for a good time, not a long time.’ Amen, brother.
This dude is funny as hell ..& I love Genral Tso's Chicken ..now I can try & make it at home.. thanks Chef Steve Chu..! !
best and easiest general t'sos recipe i have seen!!
I love making General Tso's at home, but after my first time, I decided it was far easier and just as good to buy frozen breaded chicken to just throw in the air fryer.
I call bullshit. No way does breaded frozen chicken done in an air fryer taste as good as homemade in deep fat.
@@NorthernSweetPea Aight, well, taste is subjective, so... you do you.
if youre using alot of sauce sure use frozen stuff but on their own homemade and fried is better
This is my Son's favorite Chinese recipe. Thank you for sharing with us. I am going to try making for sure yum.
Making this next week, thx for the recipe sir
When I was looking for a recipe and I saw the Maryland hat I knew this recipe would do me good. Love his energy! 🙌🏾
OMG! This chicken recioe looks amazing!
This dude rules. So chill.
Thank you for showing this dish, Merry X'mas and Happy New Year
My FAVORITE dish....the spicier, the better, but I am Definitely gonna make this version....YUM !!!!!!
"General Tso's chicken, that sent a lot of f****** kids to college"
Truth. My family owned a Chinese takeout restaurant and General Tso's Chicken helped to pay our home mortgage.
America's favorite fried chicken dish is RIGHT!
This guy is so great, funny and knows how to cook.
more of this guy please.
This dish was delicious. I followed step by step and my husband couldn't believe how close to NY chinese food it was. The cursing is hilarious. I'm following😂
I really enjoy watching this guy cook, he’s hilarious
Love the background music. Reminiscent of what NFL Films used for their NFL/AFL weekly highlights in the late-60's.
I appreciate the lack of bullshit in Mr Chu. No ancient wisdom, just pure "the market likes it and it's cheap as fuck!" Dig it.
This comment wins
Love this guy, he’s a natural 😊
He is funny, I like him. I didn't realize this dish was so easy to make. I must try this.
i love this kid personality he is owesome!
We need to see more of this young Cook!
Made it, and it was perfect. My children gave it 5 stars!
This dude is awesome.
I’m a picky eater so every time my family went to Chinese I’d eat rice and a little bit of kung pow chicken. I wish I had learned that general tso’s chicken was so good I’d have been eating it literally 25 years ago. I only learned I love it a few years ago.
I’m going to Ekiben tomorrow for lunch this guy rules
Dude....you need your show.
Inflation is forcing many of us to start cooking everything home ,include Chinese food.
I use to buy Chinese food 3 times/week.
Now, they charge double while cutting the portion to half.so I have to start cooking home for all family.
Most old Chinese chefs already retired and there is no replacement ...
Thank you...great video
Another reason in favor of broccoli if that you're not serving just fried meat covered in sweet sauce but also vegetables and you can take some of the guilt off the dish
I want to listen to him talk about cooking all day.
This guy couldn't be any cuter❤️
Huge hit! Everyone loves this recipe. I always get “I’m amazed you know how to make it from scratch!” Thanks so much!!!
Definitely going to try this. He makes it look so simple. And btw I like the blue cola but for this recipe I'll use the red lol.
Even when he swears it's charming. I'm in love with this dude!
Bro I’m never eating General Tso’s again unless it’s for dessert.