Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-05-08 Origin: Site
This quick guide explores the history and cultural significance of Chinese takeout containers and highlights its benefits for your business.
The iconic white containers with wire handles are known throughout the Western food service industry for their practical design and convenience. Chinese takeout boxes are more than just a vessel for noodles and fried rice.
In this article, we'll explore the history, evolution, and cultural significance of Chinese takeout containers and highlight their benefits for your business.
Chinese takeout boxes refer to the unique trapezoidal prism-shaped cardboard food containers primarily used by Chinese-American restaurants. It is made from a single piece of folded paper with a narrow bottom and wide top, held together by a metal wire handle.
The container was invented in 1890 to store and transport fresh oysters. Hence, the paperboard container became known as an oyster pail. During the mid-1940s, the fresh oyster market saw a sharp decline, resulting in several unsold oyster pails.
Luckily, during the same time, restaurant take-out food was growing in popularity, especially Chinese cuisine. After all, it was tasty, easy to store and transport, and most importantly, inexpensive.
Soon, the oyster pail became a staple of Chinese-American restaurants. Even as plastic take-out containers became popular, many restaurants kept the iconic cardboard pail. Paired with a pair of bamboo chopsticks, it's more durable than plastic containers while staying price competitive.
There is only one iconic type of Chinese take-out box. However, over the years, two important variations have entered the market.
The classic oyster pail is a folded piece of paperboard or cardboard. It has a thin metal wire punched through the sides of the container. The wire not only holds the shape of the container but also provides a convenient handle for food delivery.
With the handle attached, the food container actually looks like a pail, an old name for a metal bucket with a handle. Taking out the metal wire deconstructs the container back into a flat piece of paperboard.
Source: courtesy PandaExpress
The modern oyster pail takeout container doesn't have a metal wire handle because it doesn't need it. Instead, a small drop of glue is added to the outer sides, which holds the container.
In the early days, food delivery boys would carry the boxes in hand and take them to the customer. Today, most deliveries are done on bikes with an insulated cargo box. So, there isn't any practical reason to use a metal wire. It only adds costs to the takeout box without adding any value.
Another reason for ditching the metal wire is microwave compatibility. Chinese takeout is ideal for long-term storage. You can refrigerate some chow mein overnight (or even longer), then heat it the next day, and it will taste just as good.
Removing the metal handle makes these takeout boxes microwave-safe, further increasing the convenience and value of the box.
Next, we have a modified oyster pail design that is half the height of a regular takeout container and twice as wide. Many people prefer to eat directly from the takeout box, and why shouldn't they? It's food-safe, convenient, and results in less dirty dishes.
However, the tall shape of an oyster pail makes it hard to get to the food at the bottom, especially for rice and noodles. A wider shape results in better access to the food without compromising on the structural integrity.
Chinese takeout boxes are shockingly standardized across the US. Almost every restaurant, whether it is a small mom-and-pop shop or a nationwide chain, uses four standard Chinese food container sizes.
Small (8 oz)
Medium (16 oz)
Large (26 oz)
Extra Large (32 oz)
Table 1 - Comparing the different sizes of Chinese Takeout Containers.
Note: The dimensions listed will vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The 16 oz pint-sized Chinese takeout container is the most popular design and is the predominant choice for restaurants. It can hold up to 2 cups of cooked white rice, which is considered a hefty serving for one person.
It's also a good size for holding side dishes like fried chicken, stir-fried vegetables, or egg rolls.
A 32 oz container is generally considered large or extra large. It can store double the amount of food while being only slightly bigger on the outside.
The quart-size Chinese takeout container holds enough food for 2-3 people serving. Unless your restaurant frequently caters to larger families that all want the same dish, the quart size doesn't make much sense.
For consumers, ordering two pint-size containers with two different dishes makes more sense. Especially considering that 16 oz containers are already pretty loaded.
The simple construction of Chinese takeout boxes means you only need a flexible paperboard with a non-stick coating.
Most Chinese takeout containers are made from some combination of the following materials.
White cardboard is a standard choice for Chinese takeout boxes. Often paired with bold red designs of Pagoda temple and other restaurant branding, it is the quintessential choice for take-out food.
The plain white material is a great canvas for branding your business. You can print logos, contact details, images, and other designs that are unique to your business.
Kraft paperboard is made from unbleached wood pulp and is slightly thinner than white cardboard. It's a refreshing take on the classic design that helps your business stand out from the competition.
Kraft-based takeout containers are also generally more cost-efficient than bleach-white cardboard. However, the darker background makes printing and branding a little more challenging.
Bagasse is the fibrous part of the sugarcane plant and a byproduct of the sugar-making process. It's a biodegradable, compostable, and more eco-friendly alternative to paper.
Regular cardboard or paperboard is made from cutting down trees, which can easily lead to deforestation. Bagasse-based products upcycle an otherwise ignored material.
Chinese takeout containers made from bagasse forego the oyster pail design for a more standard clamshell shape. Bagasse food containers are thicker and contain small air pockets, increasing their heat insulation.
Your Chinese take-out stays warmer for longer in a bagasse container than it does in a regular cardboard box.
A non-stick and water-resistant coating is necessary for most take-out foods. It helps contain liquids, oils, sauces, and moisture and minimizes the risk of leakage.
Today, polyethylene (PE) plastic is commonly used to coat the inner surface of Chinese takeout boxes. Most consumers don't realize that there is a plastic layer between their food and the container. This means these boxes are not fully biodegradable or compostable.
Compared to all plastic food containers, it's a very small amount of plastic. So, despite having a plastic layer, these takeout boxes are better for the environment than all plastic containers.
Wax is a slightly more expensive but natural non-stick coating. It also makes Chinese takeout boxes 100% biodegradable, as there is no risk of plastic pollution.
Chinese takeout boxes are an incredible achievement. In an era full of cheaply made single-use plastic containers, these cardboard boxes offer a more eco-friendly alternative without breaking the bank.
Here are eight incredible benefits Chinese takeout containers bring to your business.
The main construction material in Chinese takeout boxes is cardboard, which is a low-cost material that is readily available in most markets. It matches the cost of plastic food containers while being more eco-friendly and with better heat insulation.
Cardboard is extremely durable, but it has one weakness - water. Since Chinese to go boxes have a thin wax coating on the inside, their water resistance increases drastically.
It also has the added benefit of being more rigid than equally priced plastic containers, which tend to be very flimsy and buckle under the weight of the food.
The entire outer surface of a Chinese takeout box is customizable. You can put your brand logo, colors, designs, and instructions on any of the flat sides (with the exception of the bottom).
Many brands use their takeout packaging to share instructions for reheating food or recipes for reusing leftovers.
Chinese takeout boxes offer some of the most secure food packaging in the industry. The top flaps of the boxes are folded into one another, ensuring a tight seal. Comparing these containers to other containers shows a night and day difference in food security.
Plastic containers often need tape or rubber bands to stay closed, and even then, they can open up during transport. Similarly, styrofoam containers lack any locking mechanism, and food often falls out during transport.
Chinese to go boxes can securely and safely hold all types of foods, including rice, noodles, chicken, and sauces.
By far, the biggest benefit of Chinese food takeout containers is their environmental benefits. The cardboard can be recycled several times before it degrades or composts.
As more and more consumers raise their voices against single-use plastic packaging, businesses have more of an incentive to switch to paper or plant-based containers.
Chinese takeout food containers are pro-consumer and pro-convenience. From a restaurant's perspective, these boxes are cost-effective containers for safe food transportation.
However, for consumers, these boxes act as dinnerware that you can eat from and then store leftovers. The best part is that consumers don't end up with dirty dishes that need to be washed, which saves time and water.
Takeout containers are completely refrigerator-safe. You can store leftovers for up to 4 days, depending upon the dish, and even longer if you put it in the freezer.
The simple yet compact design of Chinese takeout boxes means they take up very little space in your fridge.
Whether you are microwaving your food because it got a little cold during delivery or because it’s leftovers from the night before, you need a microwave-safe container.
Luckily, almost every Chinese takeout container is microwave-safe, with the exception of oyster pail designs with a metal wire.
A quick side note. Please don't microwave plastic containers, as it may result in toxic chemicals leaching into your food.
Chinese takeout containers are ideal for most businesses. Whether you're running a small to medium-sized restaurant or a food cart, it's generally one of the best food packaging options on the market.
Here are five steps that will help your business switch to Chinese takeout containers.
First, identify your food storage requirements. If you primarily deal in dry dishes, fried chicken, spring rolls, or sandwiches. In that case, go with the most cost-effective option, even if it's a paper bag.
On the other hand, if you deal in sauce or oil-heavy foods like chow mein, stir fry, or Korean-style wings, we recommend switching to Chinese takeout boxes. Not only do they do a better job of containing your food, but they also help them stay warm for longer.
Chinese takeout boxes are available in four sizes, and you can even get special customized sizes for your business. But if most single servings of your dishes weigh under 16 oz. You only need to procure one medium-sized takeout container.
Additionally, you can have some small 8 oz. containers on hand for side dishes.
One of the biggest branding opportunities comes with takeout containers. Unlike plastic containers, Chinese takeout boxes are completely customizable.
You can go for the safe single-color design on a white background or go all in with a full-color design that reflects your restaurant's visuals.
Panda Express is a famous US chain restaurant that uses bright red takeout containers. The unique color associated the takeout box with the well-known Asian food restaurant, boosting brand recognition among customers.
Disposable cutleryis a quick and easy way to gain the trust of your customers. Many takeout orders go to offices, where there is a lack of proper tableware. With a set of disposable cutlery, they can eat directly from the takeout container without worrying about plates or spoons.
Best of all, disposable cutlery is very inexpensive. For a few extra cents, you can offer a better dining experience to your customers.
While it may be tempting to go for cheap plastic utensils, we recommend against it. Plastic utensils are flimsy and break easily. Not to mention their devastating impact on our environment. We recommend bamboo chopsticks, wooden utensils or sugarcane tableware, as they barely cost more and offer a superior and eco-friendly dining experience.
Always do a quick cost estimate before making important business decisions. The good thing about takeout containers is that they cost a lot less when you buy in bulk. So, it may be more cost-effective to order six to twelve months worth of takeout containers in advance.
1. What are Chinese Takeout Boxes Called?
Chinese takeout boxes are also called oyster pail containers. In the 1890s, these boxes were used for transporting fresh oysters, and fifty years later, the design was adopted by Chinese American restaurants.
2. Can You Put a Chinese Takeout Box in the Microwave?
You can put Chinese takeout boxes in the microwave as long as there is no metal wire attached. Avoid placing metal objects in the microwave at all costs.
3. How Many Cups of Rice in Chinese Takeout?
A standard medium-sized Chinese takeout box, also called a 16 oz pint, can hold a maximum of 2 cups of cooked white rice.
4. Are Chinese Takeout Boxes Recyclable?
Yes, most Chinese takeout boxes are recyclable as they are mostly made from cardboard.
Chinese takeout boxes are a tried and true packaging solution for takeaway foods. The design has stood the test of time for over a hundred years. It's an iconic element of Chinese American cuisine and one that deserves to stay as is for many more years to come. It's an eco-friendly and microwave-safe alternative to plastic food containers that don't break the bank.
Sumkoka is a leading manufacturer of high-quality biodegradable disposable products. We specialize in natural food packaging made from sugarcane bagasse. Our bagasse-based food containers, tableware, and cups are the best in the industry and help your business achieve those sustainability milestones. Whether you're in the fast food, coffee shop or hospitality industry, we've got the right food service product for you.
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