[Photo/VCG]

By 1980, Chinese food had become the country's most popular ethnic cuisine. The spread of Chinese restaurants started a quiet but revolutionary change to America's palate while transforming the nation's dining experience.

"The extraordinary impact of Chinese food on American culture can be measured in a couple of ways. First, this is reflected in its ubiquitous presence throughout the United States since the turn of the 20th century," Chen said. "Second, Chinese food’s spread played a significant role in the transformation of American culture and lifestyle: Chinese food was the first cuisine to be available for mass consumption across the nation. As such, it democratized the dining-out experience, making it possible for almost everyone in the US."