Chinese take out help...

Its a Saturday, everyone's favorite day to order out!

I'm at a crossroads: I want to order Chinese food tonight but what do I order?  The menu has a "vegetarian" section but I've heard notorious things about those so-called veggie foods that are cooked in beef/chicken broth or have questionable sauces.

Any one know of any safe foods, hidden somewhere in the menu?

Thanks for your help! (:

There are lots of vegetarian choices on a Chinese menu, normally.  If you're uncertain how food has been prepared ask the restaurant.  If you don't trust their answer.... how about cooking your own chinese-style food?  Cheaper & probably healthier.

A LOT of Chinese restaurants use chicken stock or "chicken base" (chicken fat, flavorings, MSG, etc.) in their cooking - even in so-called "vegetarian" dishes. Take-out Chinese joints are notorious for doing this. Panda Express does not have a single vegetarian option on the entire menu; even the tofu entrees and STEAMED RICE are made with chicken stock or chicken-based ingredients.

I'd second GI Jane's suggestion and stick to making it at home. It tastes way better, is much cheaper per portion, and YOU control the content and the quality of the ingredients.

Seek out vegetarian Chinese restaurants in your area. If they don't exist, then don't eat Chinese unless you travel to other areas.

Pei wei :D

They even have symbols that expressly say whether or not a dish is vegetarian, if ordered with vegetables and tofu  - that is, they specify that even if you do order a dish with veg and tofu, it might still not be vegetarian, but about four out of 10 dishes still will be (no fish sauce).  pretty awesome food too - they have excellent steamed brown rice and I usually order an extra serving of veg for $1.

Can't really go wrong with steamed veggies, tofu & rice. They usually will give you a side of orange sauce or sweet and sour sauce to make it more flavorful.

Again, it doesn't hurt to ask, might save you lots of trouble worrying :)

Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks so much for the advice! I called them up and asked about their veggies selection, which checked out. The steamed veggies and rice were delicious. (:

I would cook my own Chinese food, but I don't have access to a kitchen with more than a microwave and a fridge right now. (I live at school.) When I'm at home, I never order out- I always stirfry veggies myself.