It’s hard to decide which Chinese food restaurant to go to for an authentic food experience, especially if you're not a local. And food delivery services have brought many of us a more convenient life.
I watched videos testing at so-called Chinese food express restaurants in the U.S. But eventually I realized that they create fusion styles between Western & Eastern cuisine. Although it loses the authenticity of Chinese food, but that’s still interesting as it shows the cultural versatility.
In this guide, I’ll try my best to get you covered about Chinese food & China Express restaurants in the U.S. To make sure you come up with the best idea when craving Chinese cuisine, read on~
4 Most Prominent Styles of Chinese Food
China has two main carbs, wheat & rice, as the main dish for the people. The southern part of China gets more rain, so it is dominated by rice on the table. While in the north, wheat is often used to make buns & noodles.
China can be simply divided into 4 parts: north, south, east, and west. Each of them is located in a different landscape, resulting in specialized food styles.
- Food in the north: meat & buns (because of the cold weather)
- Food in the southern seacoast: rich with seafood
- Food in the Yangzi River Delta in the east: fish & crustaceans
- Food in the southwest: vegetation & spicy food (because of the timid & hot climate)
I made a table below to show you the 4 most prominent styles of Chinese food.
Food Styles | Features |
Sichuan Cuisine | Southwest of China - Timid weather - Spicy herbs & fresh greens - e.g., Sichuan Hot Pot, Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken |
Guangdong Cuisine (Cantonese Cuisine) | South seacoast of China - The weather is warm & hot - Salty & sweet flavor - e.g., Dim Sum, White Cut Chicken, Wonton Noodles |
Jiangsu Cuisine | East of China (close to waterways) - Mild weather - Sweetest - e.g., Yangzhou Fried Rice, Braised Lion’s Head Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish |
Shandong Cuisine | North of China - Cold & dry climate - Beef & lamb dominant - Sweet & Sour Carp, Braised Intestines in Brown Sauce, Sea Cucumber with Scallions |
✨ Get a Chance to Hang Around China Town in the U.S. to Find Authentic Restaurants Off-Line!
What App Can You Order China Express Food From?
After knowing so many types of Chinese food, how can you order your China Express food in America? Well, Door Dash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats are top of the apps you can use~
Some of you might also just visit the website of Chinese food restaurants and place an order. In some cases, you’d also rather save the delivery fees and drive yourself to get the food.
Credit: uwgb.edu | Grubhub
I’ve made a table for you to help you better decide on which app to use when ordering China Express food.
App | Pros | Cons |
Door Dash | Larger selection for Chinese restaurants~ | Can not find some small but authentic spots… |
Grubhub | Best for local & family-run restaurants~ | Fewer options in rural areas… |
Uber Eats | Good for quick delivery~ | American-Chinese food tastes… |
Pro tip:
- It’s a sign of authenticity if they have a Chinese menu!
- Search for specific types of Chinese food like “Sichuan Cuisine” or “Cantonese Cuisine” to filter your options!
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Top China Express Restaurants for US Citizens
Scan through your app and check the food menu. Pay attention to the location and delivery fees. You’ll find a bunch of Chinese restaurants. But you do not know if it is good unless you try it. That’s confusing, cause sometimes you can not tell just from the reviews (which are quite personal).
Let’s read about some of the hot China Express Restaurants, for which one of my American friends told me to try!
Features | China Express | Panda Express | Tiger Bowl |
Location | Local/regional Chains (common in strip malls, e.g., Texas & Ohio) | National chains (almost all states, airports & malls) | Smaller chains (found in 10 + states like Florida & Illinois)
|
Cost | $7-$15 for cheaper plates | $8-$12 for combo meals | $10-$16 for upscale |
Authenticity | Semi-authentic | American-Chinese (e.g., Orange Chicken) | Offer regional dishes (e.g., Mapo Tofu, Sichuan Cuisine) |
Best for… | Budget | Quick & cheap | Bold flavour~ |
Delivery Options | Usually Door Dash & Grubhub | Door Dash, Grubhub, & Uber Eats | Uber Eats & Door Dash |
The information above may vary from time to time. Make sure that you stay tuned to each China Express Restaurant.
To find the most genuine Chinese food, if you have time, I recommend that you explore more of your surrounding districts. Some food carts may surprise you with their great authenticity. Or find the supermarket counter that offers yummy Chinese food, like Raley’s.
How to Use the China Express Menu for Delivery?
Many of you may feel frustrated when looking at a menu in Chinese. And although it has an English version, it still makes it hard to quickly figure out the taste & texture…
Don’t worry. I'll hold your back here to give you some ideas. Believe me, you’re going to be a Chinese food pro then.
- Always check the photo menu, where you can see the pictures of the dishes (visual charms)
- Use dish labels as “spicy” or “vegetarian”
- Try Google Translate (screenshot the Chinese menu & tap “camera” to translate into English)
- Check reviews before you make an order.
- Use the “special instructions” box to add extra needs like “less spicy” or “no coriander”.
If you’re unsure about making a choice, Soup Dumplings (juicy & chewy) are so good! For bolder flavor lovers, try the Century Old Egg (jelly-like egg & crunchy pepper with all types of sauces).
Tips for Delivered Food After Ordering from China Express
The taste & texture of food might be rustled & tussled after delivery… so, what are you going to do with that? Here are some tips for you to make your delivered food recover from the weird texture~
- Use Air Fryer or Oven to re-crisp the fried items like egg rolls and wontons.
- Toss your noodles in a pan with a splash of water to bring them back to life…
- Try a themsteamer when having Fried or White Rice
- Always request “Sauce Separate”
- Reheat your food as soon as possible~ and do not let it stay in the container for too long!
If you can’t finish your China Express food all at once, just leave it tomorrow and make them another dish! That’s totally ok. Maybe you’ll love a bowl of congee topped with leftover meats…
FAQs about China Express Restaurants
Why is Chinese food so satisfying?
Unlike American food, Chinese food has more diverse cooking methods to make the dish outstanding, like stir-frying, dry-frying, explosive-frying, oil-splashing, etc.What is the lowest calorie Chinese food to order?
Steamed dishes like steamed chicken & broccoli with light sauce on the side.Is there Panda Express in China?
No, Panda Express is an American-Chinese Style of food not basically found in China.Can I order food off-line in China Express restaurants?
Yes, you can either order most of the China Express restaurants off-line & on-line in the U.S.