Can You Reheat Chinese Takeaway? Here’s How to Do It Safely

Reheating Chinese food is something many of us do, but doing it properly is the difference between a satisfying second helping and an upset stomach. We get a lot of questions about whether it's safe to reheat leftover Chinese takeaway, and we completely understand the concern. After all, food safety is just as important as flavour. Whether you’ve over-ordered on purpose (we won’t judge!) or just couldn’t finish it all in one sitting, knowing how to store and reheat your Chinese takeaway the right way makes a real difference.

We take great pride in preparing our dishes fresh to order using quality ingredients, and we want you to enjoy every bite—even the leftovers. That said, not all dishes reheat the same, and there are definitely best practices to follow if you want to keep things tasty and safe.

How Long Can You Keep Chinese Takeaway in the Fridge?

Let’s start with storage. If you’ve got leftover Chinese food, it should be cooled down and put in the fridge within two hours. Any longer and you run the risk of bacteria multiplying, especially if it’s been sitting at room temperature.

Once refrigerated, you should aim to eat your leftovers within 1 to 2 days. This timeframe applies to most dishes including rice, noodles, chicken, and beef. Seafood-based dishes should ideally be eaten the next day to avoid any risk. Always transfer the food into clean, airtight containers rather than leaving it in the original takeaway packaging.

The Risks of Reheating Rice

Rice deserves its own special mention. Reheated rice is one of the most common sources of food poisoning in the UK. The problem isn't actually the reheating itself, but how the rice is stored beforehand. Rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that survives the cooking process. If rice is left out for too long, those spores can multiply and produce toxins that aren’t killed by heat.

So here’s our experience-based advice: cool leftover rice quickly by spreading it out on a plate or tray, and then refrigerate it as soon as it’s no longer steaming. When you do reheat it, make sure it’s piping hot all the way through. If in doubt, throw it out.

The Best Ways to Reheat Chinese Takeaway

You’ve stored your food properly and it’s time to bring it back to life. The method you use to reheat your Chinese food depends on the type of dish, but here are the safest and most effective options:

1. Reheating in the Microwave

The microwave is convenient, but you’ll want to avoid rubbery textures or uneven heating. Place your food in a microwave-safe container, cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plate, and heat in short bursts, stirring in between. This helps ensure even heating, especially for saucy dishes like sweet and sour chicken or beef in black bean sauce. For rice and noodles, add a splash of water before reheating to stop them from drying out.

2. Reheating on the Hob (Stovetop)

For stir-fries, curries, or dishes with sauce, reheating on the hob gives you better control. Use a non-stick frying pan or wok on medium heat, add a little oil if needed, and stir regularly until everything is hot through. This method keeps vegetables crisp and meat tender. It can also help restore some of the original texture and taste.

3. Reheating in the Oven

Battered or deep-fried items like spring rolls, crispy shredded beef, or salt and pepper chicken tend to go soggy in the microwave. The oven or air fryer is a better bet. Preheat your oven to around 180°C, spread the food out on a baking tray, and heat for 10-15 minutes. This keeps the coating crispy while warming the inside.

What to Avoid When Reheating Chinese Takeaway

• Never reheat food more than once. If you’ve reheated a portion, eat it all or discard what’s left.

• Avoid leaving food out after reheating. Eat it straight away.

• If it smells off or looks strange, don’t risk it.

• Don’t reheat rice that’s been left at room temperature for several hours, even if it looks fine.

Dishes That Reheat Well (and Those That Don’t)

From our experience, some Chinese dishes are better suited to reheating than others. Here’s a quick guide:

Great for Reheating:

• Sweet and sour chicken (especially without the batter)

• Black bean beef or chicken

• Kung po chicken

• Chicken chow mein

• Vegetable spring rolls (oven reheated)

  
  

Not Ideal for Reheating:

• Crispy seaweed (loses texture quickly)

• Fried wontons (can go soggy)

• Egg foo yung (can become rubbery)

• Anything with prawns (sensitive to overcooking)

Should You Use an Air Fryer to Reheat Chinese Food?

Air fryers have become a kitchen favourite, and they can work well for reheating battered or crispy items. Spring rolls, salt and pepper chips, and sesame toast can regain their crunch with just a few minutes in the air fryer. Just be careful not to dry them out by overcooking. We’ve tested it ourselves, and it does a great job on smaller portions.

Signs Your Leftover Chinese Should Be Binned

Even if you follow all the steps above, always check your leftovers before reheating. If anything smells sour, looks discoloured, or has an unusual texture, play it safe and throw it away. Trust your instincts—we do.

Final Thoughts on Reheating Chinese Takeaway

There’s no harm in enjoying leftover Chinese takeaway, as long as it’s stored and reheated properly. It’s something we’ve all done ourselves, and with a little care, it can be just as satisfying the second time around. Always use your judgement, and when in doubt, stick to the golden rules: refrigerate promptly, reheat thoroughly, and never go for a second round of reheating.

If you’re ever unsure, you can always visit the Food Standards Agency (food.gov.uk) for official UK guidance on food safety at home. We also recommend checking out the NHS's food safety advice (nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-safety-and-hygiene/).

And if you're craving freshly made Chinese food instead of leftovers, you know where to find us. Our menu is available online, and everything is cooked to order, just the way it should be.

Experience matters, especially when it comes to flavour and food safety—and we want yours to be a good one, every time.