20 Chinese Restaurant Orders That Aren’t Worth It

Not every dish at a Chinese restaurant is worth your money. Some are overpriced, inauthentic, or just plain disappointing—here’s what to skip!

1. Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken may be a takeout favorite, but it’s often just fried batter in sugar-heavy sauce. The chicken inside is frequently overshadowed by the thick batter, providing little real meat. Instead, you get an overwhelming flavor of sweetness, lacking in authenticity.

If you want a better alternative, try steamed chicken with vegetables. It’s lighter, healthier, and lets you enjoy the natural taste of the ingredients. Plus, you avoid the artificial coloring and excessive sugar.

Opt for dishes that highlight the quality of the meat without drowning in sauce. This way, you enjoy a more authentic and satisfying meal.

2. General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is more American than Chinese. It’s a dish drenched in syrupy sauce, which masks any real flavor the chicken might have had. The coating is often soggy, lacking the crispness you’d expect.

For a dish with real depth, try Kung Pao Chicken. It offers a medley of flavors with its spicy, tangy sauce and crunchy peanuts. It’s a true Chinese classic.

This choice gives you a more authentic experience and a satisfying texture contrast. Skip the sugary glaze and embrace the spice.

3. Crab Rangoon

Crab Rangoon: A cream cheese-filled lie. Most versions don’t even contain real crab, just imitation. The filling is usually heavy on cream cheese, lacking any genuine seafood flavor.

Instead, savor some shrimp dumplings. They provide a real taste of the ocean, with a delightful texture and authentic ingredients. Plus, they pair perfectly with soy sauce.

Choose dishes that celebrate real seafood instead of pretending. It’s the fresher, more delicious choice.

4. Egg Foo Young

Egg Foo Young can be a greasy affair. Often drowned in a thick brown gravy, the dish becomes heavy and overly rich. The eggs lose their delicate texture amidst the sauce.

Consider trying a simple egg drop soup. It’s lighter, with a delicate flavor that doesn’t overwhelm. Plus, it’s a great starter to whet your appetite.

Seek dishes that enhance, not hide, the main ingredients. Your palate will thank you for the cleaner, more defined flavors.

5. Orange Beef

Orange Beef often falls flat, with meat that is chewy and sauce overly sweet. The citrus element is usually lost in the sugary glaze, making the dish unbalanced.

Try Mongolian Beef for a savory alternative. It offers a rich, umami flavor with tender slices of beef and no unnecessary sweetness.

Opt for dishes where the natural taste of the meat shines through without being masked by sugar. Your dining experience will be richer.

6. Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken is frequently a letdown, with its overly tangy sauce and breaded, fried exterior. The lemon flavor tends to be artificial, reducing the appeal of the dish.

Instead, go for Szechuan Chicken. It’s spicy, savory, and offers real complexity with its mix of peppers and authentic spices.

Choose meals that deliver genuine flavor without relying on artificial enhancements. You’ll enjoy a more satisfying, authentic taste adventure.

7. Chop Suey

Chop Suey is often a mismatched mix of vegetables and meats, lacking cohesion. The sauce can be bland, leaving the dish uninspiring and monotonous.

A better option would be to order a stir-fry with your choice of protein. It’s vibrant, flavorful, and showcases the ingredients beautifully.

Look for dishes that offer harmony in flavors and textures. Your meal should be a delightful, cohesive experience.

8. Beef with Broccoli

Beef with Broccoli can often be less than exciting, with overcooked broccoli and chewy beef. The sauce is sometimes too salty, overpowering the natural flavors.

Consider trying a pepper steak stir-fry. It brings out the best in the beef and peppers without drowning them in sauce.

Opt for dishes where the freshness of ingredients are the star. This choice ensures a more satisfying and flavorful dining experience.

9. Sesame Chicken

Sesame Chicken is another sugar-laden entrée. The sauce can be overwhelmingly sweet, masking the chicken’s natural taste and leaving it unappealing.

For a truly flavorful meal, try Hunan Chicken. It’s filled with spicy and savory goodness, offering an authentic experience of Chinese flavors.

Choose dishes that balance sweetness and spice for a more authentic taste of Chinese cuisine. Your palate deserves the complexity of real flavors.

10. Spring Rolls

Spring Rolls can sometimes be a disappointment, with more wrapper than filling. When poorly made, they’re greasy and lacking in flavor.

Go for fresh summer rolls instead. They’re light, filled with herbs, and offer a refreshing burst of flavor.

Seek out appetizers that delight with vibrant, fresh ingredients. It’s a healthier, more flavorful choice that sets the tone for an enjoyable meal.

11. Moo Shu Pork

Moo Shu Pork can be a hit or miss, often too oily and lacking in authentic spices. The pancakes can feel more like a filler than a complement.

Opt for a pork stir-fry with vegetables. It’s less greasy and highlights the meat’s natural flavors.

Favor dishes that emphasize fresh ingredients over heavy oils. Your taste buds will relish the cleaner, more vibrant flavors.

12. Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp is heavy on the mayo-based sauce, which can overwhelm the delicate shrimp. The sweetness from the sauce and candied walnuts often takes center stage, hiding the seafood.

For a lighter alternative, choose shrimp with garlic sauce. It enhances the shrimp without masking their flavor.

Select dishes that bring out the seafood’s natural taste rather than overshadowing it with sweetness. This ensures a more balanced and enjoyable meal.

13. Lobster Cantonese

Lobster Cantonese is often over-sauced, with the lobster flavor drowned out by ginger and garlic. The dish can be too rich, missing the natural sweetness of the lobster.

Try a simple steamed lobster. It preserves the lobster’s pure taste and is more satisfying.

Choose preparations that highlight the seafood’s natural goodness instead of hiding it. Your dining experience will be more authentic and enjoyable.

14. Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow Mein can be a greasy mess, with overcooked noodles and bland sauce. The vegetables tend to be soggy, losing their crispness and flavor.

Consider a vegetable stir-fry with lean chicken. It’s vibrant and full of natural flavors without the unnecessary oil.

Pick dishes that celebrate fresh, crisp ingredients for a truly satisfying meal.

15. Fried Rice

Fried Rice is often more rice than anything else, with sparse bits of vegetables or meat. It can also be oily, leaving you feeling heavy and unsatisfied.

Opt for steamed rice paired with a side of fresh vegetables. It’s lighter and highlights the meal’s main dishes.

Choose accompaniments that complement rather than detract from the main flavors. This ensures a balanced and enjoyable meal.

16. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and Sour Soup can be overly thick and salty, with a texture that’s more gelatinous than appetizing. The flavors can be muddled, lacking real zest.

Instead, try a clear broth soup with wontons. It offers a clean, savory taste that’s both light and satisfying.

Look for soups that refresh instead of overwhelm your palate, providing a delightful start to your meal.

17. Egg Rolls

Egg Rolls are often filled with cabbage and little else, leaving them bland. The thick, greasy wrappers can overwhelm the subtle flavors within.

Fresh spring rolls offer a healthier alternative. They’re packed with fresh herbs, shrimp, and lean meats.

Choose appetizers that excite your taste buds with fresh flavors. It sets the stage for a meal full of authentic Chinese delights.

18. Chinese BBQ Pork

Chinese BBQ Pork can be overly sweet, with the sauce masking the pork’s natural flavor. The meat is occasionally dry, losing its tenderness.

Instead, try a roasted pork belly dish. It highlights the meat’s natural juices and has a delightful crispy skin.

Seek dishes that offer the authentic taste of the meat, allowing the natural flavors to shine through. It’s a more satisfying choice.

19. Wonton Soup

Wonton Soup can sometimes disappoint, with bland broth and rubbery wontons. The flavors are often muted, lacking the depth a true soup should offer.

A better choice would be a spicy seafood soup. It’s vibrant, full of flavor, and invigorates your palate.

Opt for soups that deliver bold flavors and quality ingredients. Your dining experience will be more fulfilling.

20. Chicken Lo Mein

Chicken Lo Mein can be a greasy tangle of overcooked noodles and bland chicken. The dish often lacks the vibrant flavors that make Chinese cuisine special.

Try a dish of sautéed chicken with vegetables. It’s lighter and allows the natural flavors to shine.

Select meals that celebrate the freshness of the ingredients. It’s a choice that guarantees a more authentic and delightful dining experience.