11 Store-Bought Frozen Chinese Meals Customers Like More Than Takeout

Whipping up Chinese food from scratch can be too much work — especially if you aren't used to it — and getting takeout often can be expensive. Luckily, there's a middle ground to satisfy your cravings: frozen Chinese food. It got popular in the United States in the mid 20th century, and today it's become a staple, which is why you can find so many options at every grocery store. Naturally, some of them are utter flops, whereas others are so good that people say they like them more than takeout.

Trying to figure out which options belong in the latter category could waste your money, so we did some homework. We combed through the internet and found 11 frozen Chinese meals that customers swear by. We've also explained why they stand out, so that you'd know what to expect from each one. Even though these meals will taste different from authentic Chinese food as they are made for Americans, they will definitely hit the spot.

Prices are accurate as of the publication date and may vary by region.

If you've ever been to a P.F. Chang's restaurant, you'd know that it makes a decent shrimp lo mein. Turns out, you can enjoy the same flavor when you get the frozen counterpart of that dish, as a customer wrote on the Safeway website, "This shrimp lo mein is just as good as the version served in the restaurant & is less expensive."

This frozen meal is made with lo mein noodles, shrimp, a medley of vegetables, and an umami-rich sauce, which is the star of the show. "Their sauce, redolent of plums, soy, and fish, makes the mundane taste like 2 star Michelin quality. At the end of the meal, your only regret is that that sauce and this meal is only so filling," a reviewer wrote on the Walmart website.

Fans also like this dish because it is packed with plump shrimp, and the portion is good enough for two. There's only one problem — it can sometimes be hard to find at grocery stores. So, you might want to grab a pack whenever you see one.

Purchase P.F. Chang's Shrimp Lo Mein for $7.47 from Walmart.

Want to enjoy delicious take-out style orange chicken at home? Then Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken is meant for you. Customers call it the G.O.A.T. and say they like it more than original orange chicken from Panda Express. One wrote on Reddit, "My husband said it was really good. He thought I made it from scratch."

This frozen dish has pieces of dark chicken meat that are battered and fried, along with a rich sweet, savory, and citrusy sauce. People claim the chicken is delicious enough to be eaten as-is. The sauce shines too, with one reviewer pointing out, "It has a sweet sour taste to it. I taste the citrus," on YouTube.

One thing worth noting is that the chicken pieces aren't uniform in size. So, many reviewers recommend cooking them in the air fryer rather than the stovetop before tossing them in the sauce, because it increases the chances of everything cooking evenly, and also enhances their texture.

Purchase Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken for $5.49 from Trader Joe's.

InnovAsian's frozen chicken fried rice is made with white chicken meat, eggs, rice, red peppers, carrots, edamame, and a savory sauce. It might seem too simple, but it's still a major hit among customers, with many of them praising its flavor and texture. "The flavor was good, and the rice didn't stick together at all. This is excellent," wrote one happy shopper on the Walmart website. Another said it's, "So good I wouldn't have believed it came from a microwave if I didn't cook it myself."

This fried rice also stands out because it's packed with a good amount of chicken and veggies, and is generally a super filling meal, sometimes enough for two. Additionally, reviewers have pointed out that it pairs well with other Chinese meals like orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken, and it can be customized easily, even with certain underrated ingredients, to amp it up further.

Purchase InnovAsian Chicken Fried Rice for $6.78 from Walmart.

The frozen vegetable spring rolls by Trader Joe's are such a hit that some people say they're a staple in their home. A customer even described them as "so much better th[a]n they have the right to be," on Reddit.

One of the main reasons they shine is that they taste really fresh. That checks out, given that they are packed with cabbage, onions, carrots, kale, mushrooms, and edamame, and aromatics like ginger and garlic.

Reviewers have also mentioned that these spring rolls can be cooked in different ways, like in the oven or on the stove top. Some specifically recommend microwaving them for a few seconds and then air frying because, as one fan pointed out on Reddit, "It takes like half the time and still crispy." Another suggested heating them in the air fryer on the bake setting as they turn out less greasy.

Purchase Trader Joe's Vegetable Spring Rolls for $4.49 from Trader Joe's.

InnovAsian's General Tso's Chicken is a winner among customers because the chicken is tender, tasty, and crisps up well. In addition, the sauce is so delicious that many wish they could buy it separately. All this explains why someone wrote on the Sam's Club website, "Quality pieces of chicken + slightly spicy sauce = never order take-out again. My only complaint about this product is that we want twice as much!"

A Reddit user pointed out one more great quality about this frozen meal, writing, "The other thing is that it's pretty cheap for what you're getting. I feel like a shill but if you've tried other asian frozen meals the quality is all over the place, mostly breading, or weird small pieces, weird flavors. Not the case with this one. Big chicken pieces, plenty of sauce." Another plus is that it pairs well with a variety of veggies and rice, so you can easily turn it into a wholesome meal.

Purchase InnovAsian General Tso's Chicken for $6.78 from Walmart.

You generally wouldn't expect frozen soup dumplings to taste good. But Trader Joe's Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings are here to prove you wrong, because they're so amazing that customers can't get enough of them. One wrote on Reddit, "Honestly it's kind of embarrassing how obsessed I am with these things ... I drove out of state to a Trader Joe's to pick up 3 more of these bad boys."

These dumplings shine because the soup has a rich and umami flavor, and the chicken tastes fantastic. Some fans recommend topping them with chili oil, soy sauce, and black, red, or white vinegar as these condiments further elevate their flavor.

One thing worth keeping in mind is that even though they can be microwaved, many reviewers say you're better off steaming the dumplings. That's because the tops might not get soft enough. However, the results might vary, so you can give both methods a go and figure out what works better.

Purchase Trader Joe's Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings for $3.49 from Trader Joe's.

When customers leave reviews like, "These are quite possibly, THE BEST Egg Rolls ever" and, "These are better than any restaurant I've been to" on the Sam's Club website, it's evident that you shouldn't miss out on Minh Pork Egg Rolls. They stand out for their texture and well-balanced flavor. "It's got such a good harmony of the crispiness of the shell, followed by the softness, the flavor, the juices of the cabbage, and the pork when you bite in," a reviewer said on YouTube.

These egg rolls are also a favorite because they taste good with a range of dipping sauces and they are affordable. Plus, they can be heated up in several ways. That said, most folks recommend air frying them, as they turn out very crispy, and the filling doesn't get soggy. Do preheat the appliance before popping them in, as that'll ensure your frozen egg rolls cook perfectly.

Purchase Minh Pork Egg Rolls for $9.88 from Sam's Club.

If convenience is a priority for you, you should try the shrimp fried rice by Tai Pei. Unlike many other frozen meals, this one is specifically meant for the microwave, so you can heat it up effortlessly (only for three minutes) without worrying about the rice drying up. Best of all, it comes in a microwave-friendly container, and you can eat it straight from that, which means there's no extra cleanup needed. Needless to say, customers love all these aspects of this frozen Chinese meal.

Beyond that, it's praised for being packed with the right amount of shrimp and veggies, as well as for its flavor and texture. "The shrimp and rice dinner is very tasty. The shrimp is tender. It's not overcooked. The rice is cooked perfectly and they have [peas] and carrots in with it and it compliments the meal," one fan wrote on the Walmart website. Lastly, people also like its low sodium and trans fat content, which makes this meal a winner all the way.

Purchase Tai Pei Shrimp Fried Rice for $3.28 from Walmart.

Don't sleep on Trader Joe's Kung Pao Chicken if you're into healthy eating and still want an easy and affordable Chinese meal, as it only has 240 calories per serving. Customers love this aspect too, with one writing on Reddit, "It's nice to be able to satisfy a craving for Kung Pao chicken for $5.99 and a reasonable amount of calories."

What's more is that this meal tastes great, with many pointing out that it's all because of the sauce. Some love it so much that they wish Trader Joe's sold it separately. A few recommend adding soy sauce or chili flakes to it, as they take its flavor up another notch.

The amount of chicken in this dish is decent as well. However, it could use more veggies, according to some customers. That isn't a major problem, though, as fans have noted that you can add in extra vegetables to bulk up the meal without compromising its flavor.

Purchase Trader Joe's Kung Pao Chicken for $6.49 from Trader Joe's.

One common issue with frozen vegetable fried rice is that it is often made with chicken or other meat-based broth, which is why many vegetarians avoid it. Luckily though, that isn't the case with InnovAsian's version. Customers appreciate this too, with one writing on the Walmart website, "I am a vegetarian and have to read the ingredients list as most fried rice have chicken broth or chicken fat in them. This does not have either so I was excited to try it. I thought it was really good." That said, it does contain eggs. As long as you're okay with that, don't sleep on this frozen meal.

A few other great aspects of this fried rice are that it isn't greasy like many other frozen or takeout options and the eggs don't turn chewy even if you heat it in the microwave. A reviewer also pointed out on the InnovAsian website, "It didn't have the overly salty or fake taste that some flavored rices usually have. The vegetables were plentiful in the rice and there were even chunks of eggs that held up great. I was also surprised with the ingredient list as it wasn't overly processed." The portion size is hefty too, so you're going to get a decent amount for your money, and it can be customized.

Purchase InnovAsian Vegetable Fried Rice for $4.44 from Walmart.

Finding a vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free Chinese meal in the frozen aisle can be a tough task. Fortunately, Amy's Chinese Noodles & Veggies in a Cashew Cream Sauce is here to the rescue, as it ticks all three boxes. Best of all, the flavor or texture isn't compromised. It's no wonder a person wrote on the Target website, "Even if you're not vegan, or gluten/dairy intolerant, give it a try."

The noodles are thick and cooked well, and the veggies have a nice crispy bite to them. The cashew cream sauce is the real hero — it's creamy (as advertised), and gels perfectly with everything else. Along with tofu, it makes the meal protein-rich as well.

Customers also appreciate that this dish is easy to heat up in the microwave, and it gets ready in no time. All these factors explain why a fan wrote, "Amy's meals EXCEED any expectations I could've ever held for a frozen meal," on the Walmart website.

Purchase Amy's Chinese Noodles & Veggies in a Cashew Cream Sauce for $6.22 from Walmart.