15 Chinese Restaurant Dishes You’re Better Off Skipping (And the Reasons Why)
We all love a good Chinese takeout night—but not every dish on the menu is worth your time, money, or health. Some are deep-fried calorie bombs, others are loaded with sugar or sodium, and a few are just plain disappointing when you compare them to what you could be ordering. Here are 15 popular Chinese restaurant dishes you might want to think twice about—and why they don’t live up to the hype.
1. General Tso’s Chicken
When you think of Chinese takeout, General Tso’s Chicken might be the first dish that pops into your head. However, this deep-fried delight is more dessert than dinner. Why? It’s drenched in a syrupy sauce that skyrockets its calorie count to over 1,000 per serving.
Imagine combining sweet, sticky, and fried in one dish—that’s General Tso’s for you. The crispy exterior is coated with sugar-laden glaze, overshadowing any natural flavors. If you’re watching your waistline, this dish is a diet buster.
Consider healthier alternatives like steamed chicken with vegetables for a more balanced meal.
2. Sweet and Sour Pork
Ah, Sweet and Sour Pork, that enticing dish with its bright red sauce. But beneath its colorful exterior lies a calorie trap. The sauce is more corn syrup than anything else, making it a sugary mess.
The pork, often breaded and fried, loses its natural taste, drowned in sweetness. It’s a dish that teeters more towards a candied experience than a savory meal.
For a less calorific option, try grilled or steamed pork with vegetables, allowing the meat’s natural flavors to shine without the sugary disguise.
3. Crab Rangoon
Crab Rangoon is a tempting appetizer with its crispy wonton exterior and creamy filling. Yet, it hardly qualifies as healthy or authentic Chinese cuisine. The filling is usually a mix of cream cheese and imitation crab, deep-fried to perfection.
While delicious, it’s a snack that offers little nutritional value, serving more as a guilty pleasure. Its Americanized roots make it a far cry from traditional Asian dishes.
If you’re craving seafood, consider opting for fresh spring rolls packed with shrimp and vegetables for a lighter, more authentic flavor.
4. Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken is a fan favorite for those who love their meals sweet and tangy. But it’s more of a sugar-coated treat than a nourishing dish. The chicken pieces are battered and fried before being slathered in a sugary, orange-flavored glaze.
While it might satisfy a sweet tooth, the dish is a calorie-laden indulgence. The sauce often overwhelms the chicken, leading to a lack of authentic taste and texture.
For a healthier option, choose steamed chicken with a light citrus sauce, allowing the natural flavors to shine without the sugar overload.
5. Fried Rice with Pork or Chicken
Fried Rice with Pork or Chicken is a staple on many Chinese menus, yet it’s not the healthiest choice. Typically made with day-old rice, it’s cooked in oil and includes minimal vegetables, resulting in a carb-heavy meal.
The dish often lacks the vibrant freshness of a balanced stir-fry, leaning more towards greasy than nutritious. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, but that simplicity can be misleading.
For a healthier rice dish, consider brown rice with plenty of mixed vegetables and lean protein to enhance nutrition without sacrificing taste.
6. Lo Mein with Beef
Lo Mein with Beef is a noodle lover’s dream, but it’s heavy on oil and sodium. The noodles, while tasty, often come drenched in sauce, masking any natural flavors.
What it lacks in nutrition, it makes up with the richness of fatty content. The sparse vegetables do little to counteract the caloric density and sodium overload.
For a lighter alternative, try noodles with a simple sesame sauce, lean beef, and a generous helping of fresh vegetables—balancing flavor without excessive grease.
7. Egg Rolls
Egg Rolls are a beloved appetizer, but they’re more calorie-dense than you might expect. Deep-fried with a filling of salty cabbage and mystery meats, these crunchy rolls quickly add up in calories.
The crispy exterior can deceive you into thinking of them as a light snack, but the truth is they’re packed with oils and fats. They are more about crunch than nutritional value.
Opt for fresh spring rolls filled with vibrant vegetables and lean protein for a healthier and equally satisfying appetizer option.
8. Lemon Chicken
Lemon Chicken sounds refreshing, yet it’s another dish that misleads with its name. The chicken is battered and fried, then coated in a sweet lemon sauce, making it calorie-heavy.
Despite the citrusy allure, the dish is more about the sugary glaze than the tangy freshness of lemon. Its richness overshadows the potential for a lighter, more authentic experience.
For a healthier option, try grilled chicken with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, offering the genuine zest without unnecessary sugars or fats.
9. Moo Shu Pork (with Pancakes)
Moo Shu Pork with Pancakes is a dining experience that leans towards indulgence. While not the worst offender, it often ends up overly greasy.
The pancakes turn the dish into a carb-filled wrap feast, overshadowing the savory pork and stir-fried vegetables. It’s more about the wrapping than the filling.
For a lighter meal, try a simple pork stir-fry without the pancakes, allowing the freshness of the ingredients to take center stage.
10. Chicken with Garlic Sauce
Chicken with Garlic Sauce promises a flavor punch, but it hides a salty secret. Loaded with sodium and sugar, the thick sauce clings to every bite of chicken, overshadowing its natural taste.
The dish offers a spicy yet sweet experience, often lacking the balance of fresh vegetables or lean textures.
For a more balanced meal, consider steamed chicken with a light garlic glaze and plenty of fresh vegetables to enhance flavor without the salt overload.
11. Beef and Broccoli (at Chain Buffets)
Beef and Broccoli is often considered a good choice, but at chain buffets, it can be disappointing. Overcooked broccoli and chewy beef are drenched in a syrupy brown sauce.
While it aims to be savory, the execution often results in a dish that’s unimpressive and lacks fresh flavor.
Instead, seek out freshly prepared versions with crisp vegetables and tender beef to experience the intended balance of this otherwise nutritious dish.
12. Chow Mein (Especially the Fried Noodle Kind)
Chow Mein appeals with its crisp noodles, but it’s a dish that’s heavy on oil. Whether crispy or soft, the noodles are often greasy and overshadowed by a lack of substantial ingredients.
The sparse use of vegetables and proteins leaves it lacking in nutrients, focusing more on carbohydrate-heavy content.
Opt for a version with plenty of vegetables and lean proteins to balance out the richness of the noodles, making it a healthier choice.
13. Szechuan Chicken
Szechuan Chicken should be known for its bold spice, but many takeout versions disappoint. They end up bland, oily, or drowning in sauce.
The dish loses its authentic fiery flair, instead offering a muted blend that lacks the intended heat and complexity.
For a true Szechuan experience, seek out authentic preparations that emphasize fresh spices and vibrant flavors, or consider making it at home with quality ingredients.
14. Kung Pao Chicken (Americanized Versions)
Kung Pao Chicken is a dish with potential, but Americanized versions often strip away its authentic spice. What remains is a pale imitation, loaded with sugary sauce.
The vibrant flavors of Sichuan peppercorns and fresh vegetables are lost behind a generic, sweet glaze.
To enjoy the real thing, look for restaurants that use genuine Sichuan spices or try making it at home, where you can control the flavors and retain its spicy allure.
15. Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken entices with its crispy texture and sweet sauce, but it’s not the healthiest choice. Deep-fried and sugar-coated, the chicken becomes more about the sauce than the meat itself.
The sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a hint of nuttiness, but it’s overshadowed by the sugar-heavy coating. It’s a dish that prioritizes flavor over nutrition.
For a healthier alternative, consider grilled chicken with a light sesame sauce, allowing the natural flavors to shine through without the deep-fried entourage.