Restaurant Resource
Copyable Chinese Takeout Menu Descriptions
Takeout descriptions should be direct. They should tell diners sauce style, preparation method, protein, and whether the dish is fried or spicy.
Copyable descriptions
| Dish | Menu description |
|---|---|
| General Tso's Chicken | Crispy chicken in a sweet, savory, mildly spicy sauce. |
| Sesame Chicken | Crispy chicken in a sweet sesame-accented sauce. |
| Beef with Broccoli | Beef and broccoli in a savory brown sauce. |
| Kung Pao Chicken | Chicken stir-fried with chile, peanuts, vegetables, and savory sauce. |
| Lo Mein | Soft wheat noodles stir-fried with vegetables and choice of protein. |
| Fried Rice | Rice stir-fried with egg, vegetables, and choice of protein. |
| Egg Drop Soup | Mild broth with ribbons of egg. |
| Hot and Sour Soup | Peppery, sour soup with tofu, mushrooms, egg, and broth. |
| Spring Rolls | Crisp fried rolls with vegetable or meat filling. |
| Mixed Vegetables | Assorted vegetables stir-fried in light or brown sauce. |
Description rules
- State the preparation method when it changes diner expectations.
- Mention common hidden ingredients such as pork, shellfish, wheat, sesame, soy, egg, peanuts, and cooking wine.
- Keep most descriptions to one sentence.
- Use Chinese names and pinyin when they preserve dish identity.
- Avoid vague labels such as house special without explanation.