Chinese Food Menu: Popular Dishes, Explained
By The Chowmi Test Kitchen · Updated June 12, 2026
A typical Chinese (especially American-Chinese takeout) menu is organized into a few predictable sections: appetizers (spring rolls, egg rolls, crab rangoon, dumplings), soups (hot and sour, egg drop, wonton), and then mains grouped by protein — chicken, beef, pork, seafood, plus tofu and vegetable dishes — followed by rice and noodle dishes. The names tell you a lot once you know the code: "kung pao" means a Sichuan-style stir-fry with peanuts and dried chilies; "lo mein" is soft tossed noodles while "chow mein" is stir-fried (often crispier); "General Tso's," "orange," and "sesame" chicken are all crispy-fried in a sweet glaze, varying mainly by sauce; "Szechuan" or "Hunan" in a dish name signals spice. This guide walks through each section and explains the most popular dishes — what's in them, how spicy they are, and what to order — with a tested recipe for nearly every one so you can make your favorites at home.
Appetizers & soups
The start of almost every Chinese menu. Appetizers are mostly fried and crispy or steamed dumplings; soups are light and brothy. These are easy to make at home and great for sharing.
Chicken dishes
The biggest section on most takeout menus. The crispy-fried, sweet-glazed dishes (General Tso's, orange, sesame) are American-Chinese classics that differ mainly by sauce; kung pao and cashew chicken are stir-fries with more savory depth. Here's what each one is.
Beef & pork dishes
Beef dishes lean savory and saucy; pork ranges from sweet-and-sour to glazed barbecue. These are the hearty mains, usually served over rice.
Seafood, tofu & vegetables
Shrimp dishes are popular menu splurges; tofu and vegetable dishes are the lighter, often vegetarian options. Plenty here is naturally meat-free or easily made so.
Rice & noodles
The carbs that anchor the meal. Fried rice and lo mein are the takeout staples; knowing the noodle types helps you order exactly what you want.
Decoding the menu: what the names mean
Once you know the code, a Chinese menu is easy to read. "Kung pao" = Sichuan stir-fry with peanuts and dried chilies. "Lo mein" = soft tossed noodles; "chow mein" = stir-fried (drier/crispier). "General Tso's / orange / sesame" chicken = crispy-fried in a sweet glaze, differing by sauce. "Szechuan" or "Hunan" in a name signals spice; "with garlic sauce" means a savory-spicy brown sauce; "moo shu" comes with pancakes. When in doubt, our explainer guides break down the most-asked menu questions.
Chinese Food Menu: Popular Dishes, Explained FAQ
What are the most popular Chinese takeout dishes?
The most-ordered American-Chinese dishes include General Tso's chicken, orange chicken, sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, lo mein, fried rice, kung pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, and dumplings or egg rolls to start. Crispy-fried, sweet-glazed chicken dishes are usually the menu's biggest sellers.
What's the difference between General Tso's, orange, and sesame chicken?
All three are crispy battered chicken in a sweet, glossy sauce — they differ mainly by the sauce. General Tso's is sweet-savory with chili heat; orange chicken is bright and citrusy from orange juice and zest; sesame chicken is sweeter and nuttier with toasted sesame. If you like one, you'll likely like the others.
What does 'kung pao' mean on a menu?
Kung pao (or gong bao) is a Sichuan-style stir-fry with diced protein, peanuts, dried red chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns, in a savory, lightly sweet, tangy sauce. It has a numbing-spicy 'málà' character that sets it apart from the sweeter fried dishes. You'll see kung pao chicken and kung pao shrimp most often.
What should I order at a Chinese restaurant?
For a balanced meal, pick one appetizer (dumplings or spring rolls), a soup (hot and sour or egg drop), a crispy chicken or beef dish, a lighter vegetable or tofu dish, and a rice or noodle to share. If you want it lighter, choose steamed dishes and non-battered stir-fries; if you want spice, look for 'Szechuan,' 'Hunan,' or 'kung pao.'
Which Chinese menu dishes are vegetarian?
Tofu and vegetable dishes like mapo tofu (ask for the meat-free version), eggplant in garlic sauce, garlic bok choy, and vegetable fried rice or lo mein are the usual vegetarian options. Watch for oyster sauce and chicken stock, which aren't vegetarian — many dishes can be made meat-free with a simple swap.
Recipes to try this with
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