Missouri has a special claim to fame in the Chinese food world, and it goes by the name Springfield-style cashew chicken. Instead of the stir-fried version you might find elsewhere, this dish uses crispy battered chicken pieces topped with a brown gravy, green onions, and cashews.
It was invented right here in the Ozarks, and folks across the state have strong opinions about who does it best. If you grew up eating this comfort food, you know that certain restaurants just get it right.
Here are nine Missouri spots where the cashew chicken tastes like a plate from your childhood.
1. Leong’s Asian Diner, Springfield
The story of Springfield cashew chicken starts with the Leong family, so this stop belongs at the top of the list. David Leong is widely credited with creating the dish back in the 1960s, and the recipe became a Missouri legend…