kung pao

adjective

ˈkəŋ-ˈpau̇

ˈküŋ-,

ˈku̇ŋ-

: being stir-fried or sometimes deep-fried and served in a spicy hot sauce usually with peanuts

kung pao chicken

Examples of kung pao in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Brussels are dense vegetables, so the kick of kung pao sauce, char from the fire and crunch from the cashew furikake topping were welcomed — especially alongside the creamy pasta. —

Hannah Wise, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025 General Tso’s chicken wings, kung pao chicken and of course, Peking duck (during soft-opening until 2025, $45 for half, $88 whole), highlight the concise menu. —

Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 Popular with frugal consumers amid China’s slowing economy, the company’s Pin Hao Fan platform offers the option of participating in group orders of meals, such as kung pao chicken with rice for as little as 12 yuan ($1.70) a serving. —

Yue Wang, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Their kung pao cauliflower, using traditional Chinese kung pao sauces and preparation styles, is perfect for vegans. —

Kaila Yu, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kung pao

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Chinese (Beijing) gōng bǎo "palace guardian" in the name of such dishes (as gōng bǎo jī dīng "kung pao diced chicken")

Note: The dish allegedly received its name because it was frequently served to Dīng Bǎozhēn (1820-86), a Qing (Ching) dynasty offical who served as the governor of Sichuan province (1876-86); his unofficial title was gōng bǎo.

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of kung pao was in 1976

See more words from the same year