Indo-Chinese cuisine is a mix of Indian and Chinese food that is becoming really popular in the United States. People love dishes like cauliflower manchurian because they have a unique combination of flavors and spices. It’s made with ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and lots of chili. Indian and Nepali restaurants often have Indo-Chinese dishes on their menus, and other places are starting to add them too because people really want to try them.

Indo-Chinese food started over 100 years ago in Kolkata, India. Chinese people who came to Kolkata for work brought their food with them. The first Chinese restaurant in Kolkata opened in the 1850s and mostly served the Chinese community. But as Indians started to like Chinese food, they added more spices to make it taste better for them. That’s how Indo-Chinese cuisine started. By the 1960s, Chinese food became more popular and affordable, and you could find it in street stalls.

Indo-Chinese food got even more popular when Chinese immigrants opened restaurants in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. Indian people who moved to these countries really liked Indo-Chinese food because it reminded them of their childhood and the flavors they grew up with. Even Americans and Chinese people are curious to try it because it’s something new and different.

You won’t find Indo-Chinese food in most Chinese restaurants in the US, but it’s a big part of Indian restaurant menus. Families with kids especially like it because there are lots of different dishes to choose from. Indo-Chinese food is so popular that almost every Indian restaurant in the US has it on their menu. It’s not just tasty, but it also makes the restaurants more money.

In conclusion, Indo-Chinese cuisine is a big hit in the US. People love the mix of Indian and Chinese flavors, and it’s become really popular in restaurants all over the country.

Original news source: Indo-Chinese cuisine makes a splash in US dining (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g. Indo-Chinese cuisine, cauliflower manchurian, spices, flavors, etc.). One person from each group will choose a word and draw a picture representing that word, while the others in the group try to guess the word. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article individually or in pairs. Then, ask them to write a summary of the article in their own words. They should include the main points and key details. Afterward, have a class discussion to compare and discuss their summaries.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of questions related to the article, such as “Have you ever tried Indo-Chinese cuisine?” or “Do you think Indo-Chinese food will continue to grow in popularity?” Have the students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates the questions, recording their responses. Afterward, have a class discussion to share and analyze the results.

– Keyword Taboo
Instructions: Write a list of keywords or important terms from the article on the board. Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a keyword. One person from each group will try to explain the keyword to their group without using the actual word or any related words. The group must guess the keyword within a specified time limit. Rotate the roles until all the keywords have been guessed.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have the students work in pairs or small groups. Ask them to discuss and make predictions about the future of Indo-Chinese cuisine. They should consider factors such as its current popularity, potential challenges, and possible changes in the food industry. Afterward, have each group share their predictions with the class and facilitate a discussion about the different perspectives.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What are some of the ingredients used in cauliflower manchurian?
2. How did Indo-Chinese cuisine start in Kolkata, India?
3. When did Chinese food become more popular and affordable in Kolkata?
4. Why did Indian people who moved to countries like the US, UK, and Canada like Indo-Chinese food?
5. Why is Indo-Chinese food popular among families with kids?
6. Where can you usually find Indo-Chinese food in the US?
7. Why do Indian restaurants in the US have Indo-Chinese food on their menus?
8. What is the conclusion about Indo-Chinese cuisine in the US?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Indo-Chinese cuisine is a mix of Indian and Chinese food that is becoming really (1)______ in the United States. People love dishes like cauliflower manchurian because they have a (2)______ combination of flavors and spices. It’s made with ingredients like soy sauce, (3)______, (4)______, ginger, and lots of chili. Indian and Nepali restaurants often have Indo-Chinese dishes on their menus, and other places are starting to add them too because people really want to try them.

Indo-(5)______ food started over 100 years ago in Kolkata, (6)______. Chinese people who came to Kolkata for work brought their food with them. The first Chinese restaurant in Kolkata (7)______ in the 1850s and mostly (8)______ the Chinese community. But as Indians started to like Chinese food, they added more spices to make it taste better for them. That’s how Indo-Chinese cuisine started. By the 1960s, Chinese food became more popular and affordable, and you could find it in street stalls.

Indo-Chinese food got even more popular when Chinese immigrants opened restaurants in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. Indian (9)______ who (10)______ to these countries really liked Indo-Chinese food because it reminded them of their (11)______ and the flavors they grew up with. Even (12)______ and Chinese people are curious to try it because it’s something new and different.

You won’t find Indo-Chinese food in most Chinese restaurants in the US, but it’s a big part of Indian (13)______ menus. Families with kids especially like it because there are lots of different (14)______ to choose from. Indo-Chinese food is so popular that almost every Indian restaurant in the US has it on their menu. It’s not just tasty, but it also makes the restaurants more money.

In conclusion, Indo-Chinese (15)______ is a big hit in the US. People love the mix of Indian and Chinese flavors, and it’s become really popular in restaurants all over the (16)______.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is Indo-Chinese cuisine and why is it becoming popular in the United States?
2. Have you ever tried any Indo-Chinese dishes? If so, which ones and did you like them? Why or why not?
3. How do you think the combination of Indian and Chinese flavors in Indo-Chinese cuisine creates a unique taste experience?
4. Do you think it’s important for restaurants to offer a variety of dishes to cater to different tastes and preferences? Why or why not?
5. How would you feel if you tried Indo-Chinese cuisine for the first time and it reminded you of your childhood and the flavors you grew up with?
6. Do you think it’s exciting to try new and different types of food? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think Indo-Chinese food is particularly popular with families and kids?
8. If you had the opportunity to open a restaurant, would you consider adding Indo-Chinese dishes to the menu? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the popularity of Indo-Chinese cuisine has impacted Indian restaurants in the US?
10. Do you think the fusion of different cuisines, like Indo-Chinese, helps to promote cultural diversity? Why or why not?
11. How do you think the addition of spices to Chinese food in India created a new and unique cuisine?
12. Why do you think Chinese immigrants who opened restaurants in other countries chose to include Indo-Chinese dishes on their menus?
13. What other types of fusion cuisine have you heard of or tried? Did you enjoy them? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the popularity of Indo-Chinese cuisine contributes to the overall food culture in the United States?
15. If you were to recommend Indo-Chinese cuisine to a friend, what would you say to convince them to try it?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Indo-Chinese
2. cuisine
3. popular
4. flavors
5. spices
6. affordable
7. menus
8. restaurants

Meanings:
(a) Not expensive, can be bought by many people
(b) Lists of food available to order
(c) The style of cooking and preparing food
(d) Liked by many people
(e) A type of food that combines Indian and Chinese flavors
(f) Different tastes in food
(g) Ingredients that add taste to food
(h) Places where food is prepared and served
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is Indo-Chinese cuisine?
(a) A mix of Indian and Chinese food
(b) A type of Italian cuisine
(c) A combination of Mexican and Japanese food
(d) A popular American fast food chain

2. What is a popular Indo-Chinese dish?
(a) Spaghetti carbonara
(b) Sushi rolls
(c) Cauliflower manchurian
(d) Chicken tikka masala

3. Where did Indo-Chinese cuisine originate?
(a) Kolkata, India
(b) Beijing, China
(c) London, England
(d) New York City, USA

4. Why did Indo-Chinese cuisine become popular in the US?
(a) Chinese immigrants opened restaurants in the US
(b) Indian people who moved to the US liked the flavors they grew up with
(c) Americans and Chinese people were curious to try something new
(d) All of the above

5. Where can you typically find Indo-Chinese food in the US?
(a) Chinese restaurants
(b) Fast food chains
(c) Indian restaurants
(d) Grocery stores

6. Why do families with kids especially like Indo-Chinese food?
(a) It is healthier than other types of cuisine
(b) It is cheaper than other types of cuisine
(c) It is easier to cook at home
(d) There are lots of different dishes to choose from

7. Why do Indian restaurants in the US often have Indo-Chinese food on their menus?
(a) It is a traditional Indian dish
(b) It is a big hit with customers and makes them more money
(c) It is easier to prepare than other types of cuisine
(d) It is a requirement by the government

8. What is the overall popularity of Indo-Chinese cuisine in the US?
(a) It is not very popular and rarely found in restaurants
(b) It is only popular among Chinese immigrants
(c) It is only popular in certain regions of the US
(d) It is a big hit and loved by many people

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Dishes like cauliflower manchurian are disliked for their unique combination of flavors and spices.
2. Indo-Chinese cuisine is a blend of Indian and Chinese food that is gaining popularity in the United States.
3. Indo-Chinese food is disliked by families, especially those with children, and it is an unprofitable addition to Indian restaurants’ menus.
4. Indian people started removing more spices from Chinese food to make it more appealing to their taste.
5. Indo-Chinese food originated in Kolkata, India less than 100 years ago when Chinese immigrants brought their food with them.
6. Chinese immigrants opening restaurants in countries like the US, UK, and Canada further popularized Indo-Chinese food.
7. Indo-Chinese cuisine is not commonly found in Chinese restaurants in the US, but it is a significant part of Indian restaurant menus.
8. Indo-Chinese cuisine became more popular and affordable in the 1960s, and it started being sold in street stalls.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is Indo-Chinese cuisine?
2. How did Indo-Chinese cuisine start?
3. Why did Indo-Chinese food become popular in countries like the US, UK, and Canada?
4. Where can you find Indo-Chinese food in the US?
5. Why do Indian restaurants in the US have Indo-Chinese food on their menus?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are some of the ingredients used in cauliflower manchurian?
Cauliflower manchurian is made with ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and lots of chili.

2. How did Indo-Chinese cuisine start in Kolkata, India?
Indo-Chinese cuisine started in Kolkata when Chinese people who came to work there brought their food with them. Indians started to like Chinese food and added more spices to make it taste better for them, which led to the creation of Indo-Chinese cuisine.

3. When did Chinese food become more popular and affordable in Kolkata?
Chinese food became more popular and affordable in Kolkata by the 1960s.

4. Why did Indian people who moved to countries like the US, UK, and Canada like Indo-Chinese food?
Indian people who moved to countries like the US, UK, and Canada liked Indo-Chinese food because it reminded them of their childhood and the flavors they grew up with.

5. Why is Indo-Chinese food popular among families with kids?
Indo-Chinese food is popular among families with kids because there are lots of different dishes to choose from, which makes it more appealing to children.

6. Where can you usually find Indo-Chinese food in the US?
You can usually find Indo-Chinese food in Indian restaurants in the US.

7. Why do Indian restaurants in the US have Indo-Chinese food on their menus?
Indian restaurants in the US have Indo-Chinese food on their menus because it is popular among their customers and it helps them make more money.

8. What is the conclusion about Indo-Chinese cuisine in the US?
The conclusion is that Indo-Chinese cuisine is a big hit in the US, with its mix of Indian and Chinese flavors becoming popular in restaurants all over the country.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) popular
(2) unique
(3) vinegar
(4) garlic
(5) Chinese
(6) India
(7) opened
(8) served
(9) people
(10) moved
(11) childhood
(12) Americans
(13) restaurant
(14) dishes
(15) cuisine
(16) country
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Indo-Chinese
Answer: (e) A type of food that combines Indian and Chinese flavors

2. cuisine
Answer: (c) The style of cooking and preparing food

3. popular
Answer: (d) Liked by many people

4. flavors
Answer: (f) Different tastes in food

5. spices
Answer: (g) Ingredients that add taste to food

6. affordable
Answer: (a) Not expensive, can be bought by many people

7. menus
Answer: (b) Lists of food available to order

8. restaurants
Answer: (h) Places where food is prepared and served
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is Indo-Chinese cuisine?
Answer: (a) A mix of Indian and Chinese food

2. What is a popular Indo-Chinese dish?
Answer: (c) Cauliflower manchurian

3. Where did Indo-Chinese cuisine originate?
Answer: (a) Kolkata, India

4. Why did Indo-Chinese cuisine become popular in the US?
Answer: (b) Indian people who moved to the US liked the flavors they grew up with

5. Where can you typically find Indo-Chinese food in the US?
Answer: (c) Indian restaurants

6. Why do families with kids especially like Indo-Chinese food?
Answer: (d) There are lots of different dishes to choose from

7. Why do Indian restaurants in the US often have Indo-Chinese food on their menus?
Answer: (b) It is a big hit with customers and makes them more money

8. What is the overall popularity of Indo-Chinese cuisine in the US?
Answer: (d) It is a big hit and loved by many people
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Dishes like cauliflower manchurian are disliked for their unique combination of flavors and spices. (Answer: False)
2. Indo-Chinese cuisine is a blend of Indian and Chinese food that is gaining popularity in the United States. (Answer: True)
3. Indo-Chinese food is disliked by families, especially those with children, and it is an unprofitable addition to Indian restaurants’ menus. (Answer: False)
4. Indian people started removing more spices from Chinese food to make it more appealing to their taste. (Answer: False)
5. Indo-Chinese food originated in Kolkata, India less than 100 years ago when Chinese immigrants brought their food with them. (Answer: False)
6. Chinese immigrants opening restaurants in countries like the US, UK, and Canada further popularized Indo-Chinese food. (Answer: True)
7. Indo-Chinese cuisine is not commonly found in Chinese restaurants in the US, but it is a significant part of Indian restaurant menus. (Answer: True)
8. Indo-Chinese cuisine became more popular and affordable in the 1960s, and it started being sold in street stalls. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧