A Definitive Ranking of the Most Popular Chinese Takeout Dishes
There's so much to love about Chinese takeout. You always get the largest portion sizes for an affordable price. It's quick to pick up, like other fast food, and if you don't want to leave the house, it's one of the few places that delivers.
As people who don't shy away from ordering it (probably more than we should), we have strong opinions. Ahead, discover our definitive ranking of the most common dishes from American Chinese restaurants.
10. Kung Pao Chicken
We know most people love Kung Pao chicken. Sadly, we aren't fans of peanuts, especially when they're not in a dessert. The nutty tang overpowers everything, which is a shame because we like the other ingredients in Kung Pao chicken, like peppers and green onions.
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9. Wonton Soup
From here on out, know that we like all these dishes. Dumplings are one of our favorite foods, so you'd think we'd like wonton soup more than we do. We prefer a standalone dumpling because it often gets soggy in the soup. That doesn't eliminate the bursts of flavor in this dish, though.
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8. General Tso's Chicken
General Tso's chicken is another popular option for American Chinese restaurants. Most spots have multiple sauces to put on chicken, and General Tso's wouldn't be our one pick. It's like a spicy version of sweet and sour, which sounds good on paper but ends up underwhelming and confusing in practice.
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7. Beef and Broccoli
Beef seems underrated—there's usually double the number of choices for chicken. But that's okay because it means beef and broccoli receive their shining moments. It's one of the most tender meats in Chinese food, and the broccoli balances the sauce.
6. Chow Mein
It's impossible not to love noodles. Chow mein has a mouthwatering salty soy base, often seasoned with sautéed vegetables. The only reason it ranks low on our list is because it's inconsistent. Some restaurants may give you too much cabbage, which removes its appeal. But when it's good, it's delicious.
5. Egg Rolls
Egg rolls are one of the most versatile dishes. You can fill them exclusively with vegetables or add your favorite meats. Similarly, you can eat one that's huge or small. Because of the endless ways to spice them up, they're our favorite way to make any meal feel brand new.
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4. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a necessity in any Chinese takeout order. To us, it's like the french fries of Chinese food. It has a neutral (but salty-leaning) flavor that almost resets your palate. However, like chow mein, it can be unpredictable. If you receive a batch of dry rice, your meal may be ruined within seconds.
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3. Sweet and Sour Chicken
There are two sweet and sour chicken types: the one with the chicken tossed in the sauce and the kind you dip into the sauce. We mean the latter. We've never had chicken quite this texture—it reminds us of a tempura coating, which we surprisingly enjoy—and we could drink that tangy, sweet sauce all day.
2. Fried Dumplings
If you don't like dumplings, you are lying to yourself. There's something unbelievably comforting about warm dough and the filling never disappoints—it has a golden ratio of meat and vegetables. Don't get us started about the soy sauce they often give you to dip it in. It enhances every ingredient.
1. Orange Chicken
Say what you want. We don't care how basic it is, but orange chicken is the best thing you can order from a Chinese restaurant. The orange juice often used in it gives it a zesty twang. It's spicy without burning your mouth off. No place can get this wrong. We even love the orange chicken from Panda Express!
There's nothing like eating pie on Thanksgiving. If you're counting down the hours until dinner, pass the time by reading our definitive ranking of the most popular Bakers Square pie flavors HERE.