# There are no fortune cookies or takeaway boxes in China.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 7, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161 "2011-11-07T12:51:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hogfather65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Hogfather65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogfather65)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/21 "2011-11-07T16:28:43Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I’m curious, is a three-in-one common Chinese takeaway fare anywhere outside Ireland? > > Chips (ie fries), boiled or fried rice, and curry or other sauce on top, all in a tray. > I reckon there are some restaurants in Dublin that have 3-in-1s as 90% of their business. 🙂 In Glasgow - Scotland they do - I get Chip, Fried Rice and Curry Sauce all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/22 "2011-11-07T16:30:54Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I’m curious, is a three-in-one common Chinese takeaway fare anywhere outside Ireland? > > Chips (ie fries), boiled or fried rice, and curry or other sauce on top, all in a tray. > I reckon there are some restaurants in Dublin that have 3-in-1s as 90% of their business. 🙂 Not in the US. First of all, you generally can’t even order fries at a chinese takeout in the US unless it is an EXTREMELY cheap, nasty, shop as one would expect to find in a really crappy dangerous ghetto. The sort of place where you order through a bullet-proof-proof window. Second of all, Chinese restaurants in the US don’t serve curry. (on very, very rare occasion, you can get “singapore style” ie curried, stirfried noodles, but not in sauce). I think the US equivalent is the “combo meal” which is rice (fried with pork or white) plus an entree - stirfried meat+veg - and an eggroll or a small container of soup - and the options are ALWAYS eggdrop, wonton, and hot&sour. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/23 "2011-11-07T16:32:00Z")
Also, it’s not common for Chinese establishments in America to offer dishes whose names include the word “curry.” That’s pretty much found in Indian and Thai places. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/24 "2011-11-07T16:32:30Z")
[This link](http://j8.ly/popular-irish-chinese-dish-3-in-1-fried-rice)has a picture of a three-in-one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/25 "2011-11-07T16:35:54Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Also, it’s not common for Chinese establishments in America to offer dishes whose names include the word “curry.” That’s pretty much found in Indian and Thai places. It’s a somewhat generic flavour called “curry” that varies from a dark brown to a yellow colour. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/26 "2011-11-07T16:37:01Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Also, it’s not common for Chinese establishments in America to offer dishes whose names include the word “curry.” That’s pretty much found in Indian and Thai places. I often eat curry dishes in Chinese restaurants in China. Seems strange that American Chinese restaurants would not have curry. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/27 "2011-11-07T16:52:58Z")
Is there no American-style Chinese takeout in China? Obviously it’s not real “Chinese food”, but it’s still cheaper and tastier than McDonalds, and China has hundreds of those. ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/28 "2011-11-07T16:53:00Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > The white paper cartons are universal in NYC. Sometimes you get the cheap tupperware too. But by the way, the paper cartons don’t leak, at all, unless somehow they get turned upside down in the delivery bag. They’re clever as heck. Some of them are even made without any metal, to go in the microwave more easily. > > Also, if you need cheap gift packaging for candy or other Holiday treats, you can buy them about 10 for $1 at any Chinese take-out. This would be where I point out that NYC does not constitute the United States. I suspect that as with many things, film and tv makers use those containers because that is what they have seen used and thus it became a shorthand for takeout food that is now recognized in many places exposed to American media. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/29 "2011-11-07T16:53:17Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > [This link](http://j8.ly/popular-irish-chinese-dish-3-in-1-fried-rice)has a picture of a three-in-one. 🙂 Not only would that particular combination be seen in America, but I’m pretty sure that serving _anything_ on top of french fries is going to be some kind of specialty dish, like Montreal-style poutine or some kind of regional specialty. At fast food, mass-market, carry-out type places, they don’t serve anything on top of the fries. And generally you’d get a choice of rice _or_ bread _or_ fries in that kind of situation. Not both fries and rice. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/30 "2011-11-07T16:54:50Z")
So have you risked drinking a Coke while you’ve been over there?😃 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/31 "2011-11-07T16:58:34Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Not only would that particular combination be seen in America, but I’m pretty sure that serving _anything_ on top of french fries is going to be some kind of specialty dish, like Montreal-style poutine or some kind of regional specialty. At fast food, mass-market, carry-out type places, they don’t serve anything on top of the fries. > > And generally you’d get a choice of rice _or_ bread _or_ fries in that kind of situation. Not both fries and rice. You get lots of dishes like that here. Pizza joints often do garlic chips or garlic and cheese chips. Cheese fries, taco fries, curry fries, curry and cheese fries. You name it! ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/32 "2011-11-07T17:03:54Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > Is there no American-style Chinese takeout in China? Obviously it’s not real “Chinese food”, but it’s still cheaper and tastier than McDonalds, and China has hundreds of those. Fast food or takeout food in China tends to be food bought from vendors in the streets and sidewalks. Most food is priced US 15 cents to one dollar or so. McDonald’s, KFC, and especially Pizza Hut are mid-priced or even expensive restaurants in China. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/33 "2011-11-07T17:06:24Z")
> [@howye](#): > > This would be where I point out that NYC does not constitute the United States. I suspect that as with many things, film and tv makers use those containers because that is what they have seen used and thus it became a shorthand for takeout food that is now recognized in many places exposed to American media. I’ve also lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and rural Virginia. I have family in California and Ohio. They all had the white takeout boxes. Perhaps where YOU are also does not constitute the United States. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/34 "2011-11-07T17:06:56Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > So have you risked drinking a Coke while you’ve been over there?😃 Me ? I do not understand the risk. I have risked drinking milk here, but I don’t do it often. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/35 "2011-11-07T17:11:20Z")
> [@howye](#): > > This would be where I point out that NYC does not constitute the United States. I suspect that as with many things, film and tv makers use those containers because that is what they have seen used and thus it became a shorthand for takeout food that is now recognized in many places exposed to American media. Agree- though not in this example- for over 30 years and living in Michigan, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, I have always got that exact same packaging for Chinese takeout. Always…maybe some paces use different boxes, but I’ve never seen it, and Ive probably gotten takeout from dozens of places in dozens of states… I think this is one case where the reason TV and movies use those boxes for Chinese takeout is because Chinese takeout uses those boxes. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/36 "2011-11-07T17:11:53Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > You get lots of dishes like that here. Pizza joints often do garlic chips or garlic and cheese chips. Cheese fries, taco fries, curry fries, curry and cheese fries. You name it! Okay, I forgot about cheese fries and chili-cheese fries. But to me that’s like serving fries with a condiment, like ketchup, not putting an entirely separate dish on top of the fries. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/37 "2011-11-07T17:14:17Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > Is there no American-style Chinese takeout in China? Obviously it’s not real “Chinese food”, but it’s still cheaper and tastier than McDonalds, and China has hundreds of those. KFC is much more popular than McDonald’s. But, KFC in China is not the same. More than half the menu is different, and most of the food is even oilier and saltier than in any other country where I have tried KFC. Chinese food in China might be cheap, but I have never considered most of it to be healthy due to the huge amounts of oil and salt. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/38 "2011-11-07T17:16:43Z")
Here in Boston most places will serve rice in oyster boxes, but the rest of the order will come in plastic or Styrofoam containers. Some restaurants still use the oyster boxes for all their food, but it’s much rarer than it was when I was growing up. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/39 "2011-11-07T17:33:19Z")
I’ve seen those boxes in England- I’ve been given one by a Teriyaki takeaway, and an ex-housemate who worked in an Indian restaurant used to bring home leftover rice in one- they also used one exactly the same design but brown, for other leftovers. None of them had wire handles though. So, definitely available, but they’ve not taken off. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161/40 "2011-11-07T17:36:22Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Not in the US. First of all, you generally can’t even order fries at a chinese takeout in the US unless it is an EXTREMELY cheap, nasty, shop as one would expect to find in a really crappy dangerous ghetto. The sort of place where you order through a bullet-proof-proof window. That’s not true. I’ve seen lots of Chinese restuarants (eat-in or take out) in perfectly good neighbourhoods that have french fries on the menu, as well as other things like chicken wings or the like. I think it’s so the adults can get their food and also get stuff their little kids will eat. Most of the places I’ve eaten at use nothing but the oyster boxes for rice, and a combination of oyster boxes (I love that term!) and oyster boxes or foil with clear plastic lid or el-cheapo plastic container with snap on lid for everything else. It seems to depend on how much liquid is involved which is chosen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-fortune-cookies-or-takeaway-boxes-in-china/602161.md?page=3)