Chinese takeout craving guide
I want something spicy
Spicy Chinese takeout can mean sweet heat, dry chile heat, garlicky sauce, or numbing mala. The safest move is to pick based on the kind of heat you want instead of only asking for extra spicy.
How to choose
- For sweet heat, start with General Tso style dishes.
- For savory chile heat, look at kung pao, cumin beef, or mapo tofu.
- Ask for sauce on the side if you want heat without making the whole order heavy.
Dishes that fit this craving
Cumin Beef
A bold dry stir-fry of beef with cumin and chili, aromatic and more spice-forward than saucy beef dishes.
medium spice - medium - stir fry
Dry-Fried Green Beans
Green beans blistered in the wok with garlic and savory aromatics, more snackable and intense than plain vegetable sides.
medium spice - light - stir fry
General Tso's Chicken
Crispy chicken coated in a sweet, savory, slightly spicy sauce, richer and bolder than orange chicken.
medium spice - heavy - fried item
Hot and Sour Soup
A bold takeout soup with peppery heat, vinegar tang, and silky texture from egg and tofu.
medium spice - light - soup
Kung Pao Chicken
A stir-fried chicken dish with chilies and peanuts, balancing savory, mild sweetness, and heat.
medium spice - medium - stir fry
Singapore Mei Fun
Thin rice vermicelli stir-fried with curry seasoning, vegetables, and mixed proteins in a lightly spicy takeout style.
medium spice - light - dry noodle
Use the game for a narrower pick
If this craving is close but not exact, start a round with "spicy Chinese takeout with real heat" and react to the options.
Play WhatToEatGame