Zha Jiang Noodles with Wasabi

When we moved to the States and my dad started working in Chinese restaurants, my family discovered the beauty and horror of the Chinese takeout industry. These joints are never just one thing; they serve the classic kung pao chicken and beef and broccoli stir-fry, but also amp up their menu with fried chicken and fries, pad Thai, and California rolls. You have to hand it to them—it’s entrepreneurship at its finest.

My dad rolled with it.