Are you getting a little bored of the same old popular Chinese takeaway dishes and are looking to expand your horizons a little? Then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss the 10 most underrated British Chinese takeaway dishes for you to try and hopefully love.
1. Yuk Sung
Simplicity at its finest, this Chinese appetiser is simply seasoned pork mince and stir-fried veg in a sweet soy sauce, served in a crispy lettuce leaf. One of the healthier options on a UK Chinese takeaway menu and a great alternative to the usual starters.
2. Crispy Wonton
If you have never ordered Crispy Wontons then you are seriously missing out, these addictive dumplings are certainly one to try and we guarantee you will not be disappointed. The Wonton pastry has plenty of bite and is the perfect wrapper for the juicy filling which usually consists of pork or prawn, sometimes mixed with a number of finely chopped vegetables.
3. Egg Foo Yung
Egg Foo Yung is the equivalent of a Chinese omelette and is an underrated option in UK takeaways, as most people tend to skip to their usual sections of the menu avoiding the egg-based dishes. The name is of Cantonese origin and the dish is related to the Fu Yung egg slices you can usually find in the Guangdong province of China.
The eggs are cooked till brown and the ingredients can vary, with prawn, chicken, and beef the most common options. Some fancier Chinese takeaways also make Egg Foo Yung with lobster.
Egg Foo Yung could be a great side dish to add to your next order.
4. Salt and Chilli Prawns
The savoury and spicy Chinese takeaway dish, salt and chilli prawns are bizarrely overlooked. Perfect as a starter, a side, or as a main when combined with fried rice or noodles. Fried just enough so the prawns remain tender and have absorbed the rich flavour of the seasoning, the resulting taste is hard to beat.
5. Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings
A personal favourite, salt and pepper seasoning is so simple, yet effective and really transforms the humble chicken wing into something even more delicious, with a taste of the Oriental. Once you’ve tried these wings, you’ll forget all about KFC, ordering them time and time again.
Related: Most popular Indian takeaway dishes
6. Singapore Fried Rice
A spicier version of special fried rice, this slightly mysterious dish does not actually originate from Singapore. Instead it is an Indo-Chinese fusion and gets its name because it mixes flavours from a range of countries, similar to the ethnic makeup of the island city-state.
This rice dish is flavoured with ginger, garlic, red chilli paste, and a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise. Give this one a try instead of opting for boring, old egg fried rice.
7. Kung Pao Chicken
A classic Sichuan dish that has been a little Americanised over the years and deserves more attention, this is a great mix of spice, sweetness and savoury flavours. The sauce is heavily soy based, and the core of the dish is cubes of chicken, Sichuan peppers, vegetables, and most importantly peanuts which really gives the dish its character.
The Sichuan peppers also leave a distinctive tingling sensation on your tongue, adding to one of the most unique dishes on a British Chinese takeaway menu and certainly belongs in the underrated category.
8. Hot and Sour Soup
Everyone enjoys a good soup and Chinese Hot and Sour Soup is a cauldron of flavour and spice, not only is it delicious, but it is also very healthy, with plenty of vegetables and very little starch.
This soup is so good that there is a heated dispute over where it originally came from with Beijing making a strong claim, although this is contested by the Hunan and Sichuan provinces. The heat is provided by spicy pepper oil, while red rice vinegar brings the sourness.
Hot and Sour soup contains a vast array of ingredients and you are likely to find prawn, Char Siu pork, Wood Ear mushrooms, beansprouts, carrots, and more. Be sure to give this one a try if you are feeling a little adventurous and want an alternative to the standard chicken and sweetcorn soup.
9. Vermicelli Noodles
You can often find a range of noodle options at your local Chinese takeaway but one of the least ordered tends to be Vermicelli noodles, a very, very thin noodle made from rice flour.
Generally a healthier option when compared to egg noodles, and offering a much different consistency if you are looking to change up your usual takeaway order.
10. Ma Po Tofu
Great when combined with steamed rice, this Sichuan vegan option is growing in popularity as people have looked to reduce the amount of meat they consume in recent years. It is spicy, with a very strong aroma, and has an addictive saltiness thanks to the chilli bean paste.
If you are craving a Chinese takeaway but don’t fancy eating meat, then this Tofu alternative could be the dish for you.
