The story of cashew chicken is a Missouri origin tale, born in Springfield in the 1960s when a Chinese immigrant named David Leong created a dish that would define the region’s culinary identity.
Eight hidden gems across the state serve versions of that original crispy cashew chicken that locals still swear by, each one putting its own spin on a classic that has stood the test of time.
The dish is simple, chunks of battered and fried chicken tossed in a savory brown sauce with cashews and green onions. The chicken stays crisp even after the sauce hits it, and the sauce balances salty, sweet, and umami without overwhelming the other elements…