As the author of “The Cuisine of California” and “The California Cook,” I researched the history of what we know as Chinese chicken salad. It turns out the first sighting of this now-American classic was whipped up at the famous Santa Monica, California, restaurant Madame Wu’s.
Legend has it Cary Grant, the beloved movie star, suggested the salad to Madame Wu. From there, the salad became an instant classic. Her Chinese chicken salad may not be authentic, but it has been imitated throughout the world. It really is Asian California cuisine.
