Is there really a legal drug in Chinese food to enhance the flavour?

A lot of chinese food prepared in take aways etc has monosodium glutamate (not sure of the spelling!) added to enhance its flavour. it's the reason why you're so thirsty after a chinese takeaway, and why some people get headaches too. If you eat in an expensive chinese restaurant or at a chinese person's house, however, you won't be eating MSG.

Monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, and like normal sea salt, has one ion of sodium (Na+), but paired with a negatively charged glutamate ion instead of chloride. Glutamatic acid is a naturally occurring amino acid and free glutamate stimulates "umami" receptors, imparting a meaty or savoury flavour to your food, which is why it is used in savoury dishes.

There is some debate as to whether the elevated quantities of MSG used in cooking are generally bad for you, or if they only affect some hypersensitive individuals.

By the way I think Ajinomoto actually means "the source of flavour", not "more flavour".

Drug? No idea. Herbs, Yes, and in a great variety and amount.

As for MSG. Japanese began using MSG in Asia well about 80 years ago or earlier. They thought it's some kind of newly invented/fashioned ingredient. The Great War broke the consumption of such a luxury, yet they kept using it after the War. Well, as you know, the highest average age of human is in Japan. I don't think MSG is really that bad to human health. We don't use it in Taiwan however, not because it's unhealthy, but because, as someone has pointed out, people feel thirsty after consuming it. It's not tasty.

MSG, often marketed under the Japanese name Aji no moto, which simply means 'more taste' is said to be carcinogenic.

Instead of using this in mild flavoured Chinese dishes add a pinch of sugar. Works just as well.

mono-sodium glutamate is a chemical developed in a laboratory by the Ajinomoto corporation in Japan!

It can have adverse reactions in susceptible people, and can cause head aches and skin rashes this is commonly called Chinese restaurant syndrome that is why it is not used by most Chinese family's in their home cooking!

I do not have any adverse reactions to it and it does really improve the taste of foods especially bland foods!

the chinese use mono sodium glutamate MSG to enhance flavour dont know if it is illegal but it certainly in large quantites bad for you

A lot of Chinese and Asian cooking includes something now

defined as 'MSG'/"MonoSodiumGlutamate".

It really does make a difference to taste, but it has all sorts of (supposed) bad effects, too.

So far, no country has declared it illegal, as far as I know - but it would prob not be allowed if just 'discovered' today - like alcohol or nicotine!

monosodiumglutomate is what you are referring to, it is not a drug, it is a flavour enhancer. It's definitely not good for you.

MSG, monosodium glutimate. Its in loads of foods mate, not just chinese. Everything from sweet and sour chicken to a bag of wotsits

no its not a drug its something called mono sodium glutamate,thats the flavour enhancer thats in it.