Craving Chinese? You’re not alone. Chinese takeout is a go-to comfort food for millions, offering convenience and a dazzling array of flavors to satisfy almost any palate.
But staring at a “Top China” menu can sometimes feel overwhelming. With pages of options, where do you even begin?
This article is your comprehensive guide to navigating the world of Chinese takeout. We’ll break down the common categories you’ll find on most menus, helping you understand the dishes, ingredients, and variations available so you can make the perfect choice.
Expect to see sections covering appetizers (think egg rolls and dumplings), soul-warming soups, delicious fried rice and noodle dishes, and an exploration of poultry, beef, seafood, and vegetarian options. Many menus also feature chef’s specials, combination platters for easy ordering, and even some diet-friendly selections.
Appetizers: Starting Your Meal the Right Way
No Chinese meal is complete without a few carefully chosen appetizers. Here are some of the most popular ways to start your meal.
Classic Appetizers
You can’t go wrong with these traditional favorites.
Spring Rolls and Shrimp Rolls
These fried rolls are a mainstay of Chinese restaurants, typically filled with some combination of vegetables, meat, and seafood.
Dumplings: Fried or Steamed?
Another popular choice, dumplings can be prepared in a variety of ways, but fried and steamed are probably the most familiar. Regardless of the cooking method, they’re usually served with a savory dipping sauce.
Other Popular Choices
For something a little different, try these options.
Fried Wonton and Cheese Wonton
Fried wontons are crispy and often served with a sweet dipping sauce. Cheese wontons offer a creamy, savory filling.
Ribs and Chicken
Spare rib tips are often marinated and cooked until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender. Teriyaki chicken skewers offer a sweet and savory option if you’re looking for something a little lighter.
Soups: Warm and Comforting Beginnings
Let’s be honest, sometimes you just need a good soup. Here are some of the most popular at Chinese restaurants:
Egg Drop Soup
This is a simple, light soup with ribbons of egg in a flavorful broth. You can usually get a small for $3.54 or a large for $5.94.
Wonton Soup
Wonton soup features delicate dumplings filled with meat or shrimp. They’re simmered in a clear broth. Small bowls are usually around $3.54, and large ones cost about $5.94.
Hot and Sour Soup
For something with a bit more kick, try hot and sour soup. It’s got a balance of spicy and sour tastes, and it often has tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. A small will probably cost you $4.74, and a large will be around $7.14.
Fried Rice: A Customizable Staple
No Chinese menu is complete without fried rice, and the menu we’re looking at has a wealth of options.
Base Options: Plain, Pork, Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp
The foundation of any good fried rice dish is, of course, rice. To that, you add soy sauce and maybe an egg or two. The prices at this restaurant start at $5.70 for a small and $6.90 for a large.
You can also add meat or seafood to the mix. The most popular choices are pork, chicken, beef, and shrimp, and those variations go for $9.42 for a small and $11.82 for a large.
Special Fried Rice Variations
If you want a little of everything, you can order combination fried rice, which includes a mix of meats and vegetables for $9.42 (small) and $11.82 (large).
Vegetarians will want to order the vegetable fried rice (also $9.42 and $11.82), while seafood lovers might be drawn to the seafood fried rice, which is a bit pricier at $13.74.
Lo Mein and Chow Mei Fun: Noodle Dishes Explained
If you’re a noodle lover, you’ll find a lot to like at Hong Kong One. Here’s a quick guide to two popular dishes: Lo Mein and Chow Mei Fun.
Understanding the Difference
The main difference comes down to the type of noodle used.
- Lo Mein: Soft Egg Noodles. Lo Mein features soft egg noodles that are tossed in a savory sauce along with vegetables and your choice of protein. At Hong Kong One, you can get beef, shrimp, chicken, or pork Lo Mein for $13.86.
- Chow Mei Fun: Thin Rice Noodles. Chow Mei Fun uses thin rice noodles that are stir-fried, giving them a slightly drier texture. Like the Lo Mein, you can choose beef, shrimp, chicken, or pork, and the price is $13.86.
Popular Variations
Beyond the basic protein options, there are a few other variations to consider.
- Combination and Vegetable Options. Both Lo Mein and Chow Mei Fun can be ordered as “combination,” which means they include a mix of meats and vegetables. Vegetable versions are also available for vegetarians.
- Singapore Chow Mei Fun. If you like a little heat, try the Singapore Chow Mei Fun, a spicier option made with curry powder, shrimp, pork, and vegetables. It’s listed at $15.06.
Egg Foo Young: The Chinese Omelet – $11.46
Egg Foo Young is basically a Chinese-style omelet. It’s made with eggs, vegetables, and your choice of protein.
Popular fillings include:
- Shrimp
- Beef
- Chicken
- Pork
- Veggies
- Lobster
The omelet is served with a savory gravy, which really makes the dish. The gravy adds a ton of flavor and keeps the omelet nice and moist.
Poultry Dishes: Chicken in countless forms
Chicken is a menu mainstay, so you’ll find it prepared in countless ways. Here are some of the most popular:
Classic Chicken Dishes
- Chicken with Broccoli: This simple dish of chicken and broccoli florets in a light sauce is a crowd-pleaser.
- Moo Goo Gai Pan: Sliced chicken with mushrooms and other veggies in a light-colored sauce.
- Sweet and Sour Chicken: Crispy fried chicken in a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce.
Spicy and Savory Chicken Dishes
- Kung Pao Chicken: Diced chicken stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers in a spicy sauce.
- Chicken with Garlic Sauce: Chicken stir-fried with vegetables in a rich garlic sauce.
- General Tso’s Chicken: Deep-fried chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce, often served with broccoli.
Other Chicken Variations
- Chicken with Cashew Nuts: Chicken stir-fried with cashew nuts and vegetables in a light sauce.
- Chicken Hunan Style and Chicken Szechuan Style: Both dishes offer spicy flavors, with slight regional variations.
If you are looking for poultry that isn’t chicken, you may find duck on the menu. Duck is often served roasted, or it may be prepared with a sweet and savory sauce.
Beef Dishes: From Pepper Steak to Mongolian Beef
If you’re in the mood for beef, you’ve got some great choices on the menu.
- Pepper Steak: At $15.59, this dish features sliced beef stir-fried with green bell peppers and onions, all coated in a savory sauce.
- Beef with Broccoli: Similar to the chicken version, you get tender slices of beef and broccoli in a light sauce for $15.59.
- Mongolian Beef: For $15.59, you can get crispy, fried beef tossed in a sweet and savory brown sauce, often served with scallions. It’s a popular choice!
Other beef options include beef with mixed vegetables, beef with garlic sauce, and beef Szechuan style. Ask your server for more details and pricing on these selections.
Seafood Dishes: Shrimp, Scallops, and More
No “Top China Menu” would be complete without seafood options. Here are some favorites:
Shrimp with Lobster Sauce
Plump shrimp swimming in a creamy, rich lobster-flavored sauce. You can usually find this dish for around $15.59.
Shrimp with Broccoli and Other Vegetables
If you like the beef or chicken with broccoli, consider trying the shrimp version for a lighter take on the classic. Shrimp with broccoli usually costs $15.59.
Scallop Dishes
Scallops are another popular choice, and you’ll often see them prepared with broccoli, mixed vegetables, or a savory garlic sauce. Scallops with Broccoli and Mixed Vegetables tends to go for around $16.80.
Vegetable Dishes: Vegetarian Delights
If you’re looking for something meat-free, here are a few of our top-rated vegetable dishes:
- Broccoli with Garlic Sauce ($11.82): A simple, flavorful dish that really lets the taste of broccoli and garlic shine.
- Mixed Vegetables ($11.82): A stir-fry of all kinds of fresh vegetables in a light sauce.
- Bean Curd Dishes ($11.82): We can prepare bean curd (tofu) in all kinds of ways! Try it with mushrooms, Hunan style, or General Tso’s style. Our Bean Curd with Mushrooms is a particular favorite.
Chef’s Specials: Unique and Flavorful Combinations
If you’re looking for something beyond the usual suspects, consider these specials:
Triple Delight and Happy Family
Both dishes are loaded with different meats and seafood, stir-fried with vegetables in a flavorful sauce. The Happy Family is listed at $15.60.
Orange Chicken and Orange Beef
Crispy fried chicken or beef, covered in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. The Orange Beef is listed at $16.80.
General Tso’s Chicken and Sesame Chicken
These popular dishes are known for their sweet and savory flavors. General Tso’s Chicken is listed at $14.94.
Special Diet Menu: Healthier Options
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try one of the steamed dishes. These are healthier than fried dishes and usually include vegetables, chicken, shrimp, or scallops.
Here are some common combinations:
- Steamed mixed vegetables
- Steamed chicken with broccoli
- Steamed shrimp with mixed vegetables
For example, you can get steamed mixed vegetables for $11.22.
In Summary
We’ve covered a lot of ground in this guide to a “Top China” menu. From the ever-popular General Tso’s chicken to the comforting simplicity of egg drop soup, you should now have a better understanding of the most common—and delicious—offerings.
Don’t forget that most Chinese restaurants are happy to customize dishes to your liking. So, if you prefer extra vegetables, less spice, or a different sauce altogether, don’t hesitate to ask! They want you to enjoy your meal.
With this knowledge in hand, you can confidently explore the menu and order dishes that perfectly match your taste. Now, go forth and enjoy the delicious world of Chinese cuisine!