MISSOURI, USA — A bill introduced to the Missouri House of Representatives is attempting to establish an official state dish popularized in one of the state's most populous cities.
Rep. Jamie Gragg, who represents Christian County outside of Springfield, is pushing the state's legislature to name Springfield Cashew Chicken as Missouri's state dish officially. It's the second bill this legislative session attempting to formally recognize a state food.
"Cashew chicken is selected for and shall be known as the official dish for the state of Missouri," the text of HB 1624 reads. "Deep-fried cashew chicken is now served in more than seventy restaurants in the Springfield area."
The dish was invented sometime around 1963 by David Leong, a Chinese immigrant and U.S. Army veteran who fought on D-Day in World War II, according to Congressional records. After the war, Leong moved to Springfield with his wife and three children when they opened Leong’s Tea House and eventually invented Springfield Cashew Chicken as a way to entice Americans who didn't have any experience eating traditional Chinese cuisine.
Leong died in 2020 at the age of 99, but his legacy lives on both through his still running family-owned businesses of Leong's Asian Diner and Leong's Asian Foods and through the ~70 restaurants throughout the state now service Springfield Cashew Chicken.
Leong's son, Wing Leong, shared the dish's recipe with Feast magazine. Click here to see what makes Springfield Cashew Chicken unique.
The state House held a public meeting on the bill at the end of January, and participants were divided on whether they supported the dish being forever enshrined as a state symbol.
"I believe cashew chicken rises to the level of character required to be a symbol of Missouri based on both its origins and impact," resident Garret Schmidt said. "While at first glance cashew chicken may appear to be just a simple matter, it is in fact the embodiment of the spirit of creation, tenacity, and community. Traits I believe a symbol of Missouri ought to exemplify."
"There are many other Dishes and Foods that have been Created in Missouri," resident Arnie Dienoff said. "This Bill is very unfair to Missourians and Our State as there NEEDS to be much research and discussion."
Top St. Louis headlines
Get the latest news and details throughout the St. Louis area from 5 On Your Side broadcasts here.
