Customer Reviews

Henry Chung's Hunan Style Chinese Cookbook

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those who love to eat or cook Chinese food, this book is a must-have. It details about 50 tasty recipes from Hunan province in China, and is totally authentic. The author has avoided "spicing down" recipes for American readers -- garlic, hot chiles and other Hunan staples are used boldly and creatively, and your taste buds will be crying out for more after trying these gems. In fact, my wife, who is herself Chinese, relies on Henry Chung's book more than the Chinese-language cookbooks she brought from Taiwan. It really is that good.

cheers, Henry, Cheers... From Marty's Special BBQ Pork, to the overstuffed steamed dumplings this book has it all including an amazing recepie for Velvet Chicken. A must purchase.

It is a shame that this cookbook is out of print. My copy (bought at the original Hunan in 1990) is sadly stained and dog-eared. I begged at my last visit (7/98) for another copy -- no luck, but they were kind enough to give me an even more aged brochure which includes just a few recipes, but it does have the recipe for their wonderful hot chile sauce (not included in the book). As for me, I'm headed on my first visit to China next week. Don't think I'll find another copy of Henry's great book, but I might find the source of his inspiration.

By the way, the restaurant now serves a "more reasonably low fat" version of Double-Cooked pork. My advice is to go back to the original recipe, with the flour drenching and wok-frying -- it is a knockout you will always remember (pork fat rules!)

I have searched for a copy of this wonderful book for over 5 years and have recently found it,it is my most treasured of many cookbooks! I have been a customer of this wonderful actually fabulous restaurant in San Francisco for over 20 years, it just seems to be just as wonderful as before!This book has allowed me to duplicate my favorite hot and sour chicken many times over. what a shame it is out of print, Henry is very much alive and the place still a success. what a wonderful, simple and accurate book,hopefully this book will someday be back in print and I may share it with my friends.

I've never eaten at the restaurant (but think I saw it when I visited San Fran years ago). The book is written in simple sturdy english. The recipes are authentic. Best of all, I like the fantastic fables and hearsay of not-so-old China (and personal anecdotes)as related by Chung. Enjoyable to read, even if you never intend to try out any of the recipes.

The recipes are excellent. The directions very clear and easy to follow. This is my favorite cookbook. I'm hoping it comes back into print so i can buy it for my friends.

Having lived near his restaurant(s) in San Francisco for a decade, I was compelled to pick up this cookbook, now that I've moved away. In contrast to many restaurants that rely on MSG and rude service to attract customers, Henry's food was very spicy and very delicious.

Some of my favorites were the cold chicken sesame salad (surprisingly) and the Onion Cake appetizer. The chicken salad recipe is here and completely rocks, and the Onion cake is here also (really delicious, if you can tolerate wheat). Sadly missing was info on making his delicious "fish balls" dish. I'm currently trying to reverse-engineer this dish.

Icing on the cake... the occasional 1-2 page essays on marriage, death, Feng Shui, gender issues, etc., according to Hunan culture.

Well done, Henry (burp).

Henry has done it again. The book contains excellent insight into the art of preparing Hunan food. Currently, there are four Henry Hunan locations in San Francisco. They produce the best Hunan food in the world. Amazingly, the recipe's allow one replicate the restaraunt's menu.

I tracked down this book as a gift and bought one for myself. My friend and I have been going to this restaurant every Tuesday for over 6yrs. When I found out there was a book of recipes out, I had to get it. It's great when you can find something from a local business. Nice book, fun recipes.

Last century, I was waiting outside a little book kiosk in the middle of a mall. I saw a chinese cookbook about a style of cooking that I hadn't heard much about before. Hunan. I started cooking out of the book for my family and all the recipes were fantastic! Of course, I cut the amount of cayenne pepper in 1/4 for my wife, but it was still great. The twice-cooked pork (not recipe name in book) and the cabbage are some of my all time favorites. Once you try the carrots recipe, you'll want to make it for all your special occasions.

We ate at the restaurant in Chinatown and they tasted the same as the recipes in the book. My wife was able to order 3 new copies of the paperback version at the checkout. I don't think they do that anymore. I saved them to give to special friends.

My book is really beat up, but even with the spine gone, it lays great on the counter.

Get it while you can.