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'I tested 4 supermarket Chinese meal deals - one 9 box beat my local'

The average Brit orders up to two takeaways a month, but with rising prices, a Friday night treat can quickly add up to a small fortune

[I wanted to see if supermarkets could recreate a classic chinese takeaway]

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I wanted to see if supermarkets could recreate a classic Chinese takeaway

A Friday night takeaway is a staple for many Brits, but it's no secret they can be pretty pricey these days. To see if budget-friendly alternatives can match the real deal, supermarkets are now offering 'feast boxes' for a fraction of the cost. But can a microwave meal deal really rival your local?

YouGov's national research consistently shows Chinese food topping the list as Britain's preferred takeaway. In a dedicated study, 25% of people chose Chinese as the top option, followed by Indian (17%), Fish & Chips (16%) and Pizza (12%).

I tested out Chinese takeaway boxes from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Waitrose - comparing taste, value, and authenticity to see if you can swap and save without missing out.

Here is how they ranked, from best to worst.

['I tried the Zara 'death trousers' landing women in A&E - one step and it was game over']

OPINION

[I reviewed Chinese takeaway boxes from Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons]

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I reviewed Chinese takeaway boxes from Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons

Morrisons - 9 (Winner)

Box: Morrisons Takeaway Banquet For Two (Sweet & Sour Chicken & Chicken Curry)

Includes: Sweet & sour chicken, chicken curry, egg fried rice, spring rolls, and prawn crackers

Rating: 5/5

[For 9 Morrisons offering was pretty generous]

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For 9, Morrisons offering was pretty generous

Morrisons offered the largest portion sizes of the bunch, comfortably feeding two hungry adults.

The chicken curry was rich, fragrant and tasted close to an authentic Chinese takeaway sauce . While the chicken pieces were relatively small, it they were very tender and soft. The sweet and sour sauce was thick, well-balanced and easily the closest in flavour to a traditional takeaway. For 9, its an unbeatable bargain.

Waitrose - 12.50 (Runner-up)

Box: Waitrose Chinese Takeaway Favourites for 2

Includes: Beef in black bean sauce, sweet and sour chicken, chicken chow mein, egg fried rice, and vegetable spring rolls.

Rating: 4/5

[Waitrose was the most expensive, but the dishes were very tasty]

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Waitrose was the most expensive, but the dishes were very tasty

As the most expensive box, Waitrose compensates by offering three main dishes instead of two. The presentation looked premium right out of the box, featuring chargrilled peppers and generous chunky sounds of tender beef in a rich, umami-heavy black bean sauce. The chow mein was a little light on chicken, while the sweet and sour sauce was thinner, but less cloying than its rivals. I was disappointed to see there was no prawn crackers included.

Sainsbury's - 8.95

Box: Sainsbury's Chicken Chow Mein & Sweet & Sour Chinese Takeaway Box

Includes: Sweet & sour chicken, chicken chow mein, egg fried rice, spring rolls, and prawn crackers.

Rating: 3/5

[For the price, Sainsbury's was pretty good]

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For the price, Sainsbury's was pretty good

The Sainsbury's box offered generous portion sizes with plenty of fluffy egg fried rice and peas. The sweet and sour dish contained generous pieces of chicken, though the sauce was a bit too sugary and liquid. The chow mein had a tasty, healthier-feeling sauce, but the noodles turned slightly mushy once heated. It makes for a decent alternative, but lacks the punch of the top two.

[Tesco's portion sizes were generous and a good amount for two people]

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Tesco's portion sizes were generous and a good amount for two people

As the cheapest option I was tasting, Tesco's sweet and sour chicken featured large well-battered chunks of meat and lots of red pepper chunks, though the sauce itself was quite watery and pineapple heavy.

Unfortunately, the rest of the box fell flat: the egg fried rice contained almost no egg, the chow mein was bland and the chicken felt dry. Portions were also noticeably smaller than other supermarkets. Verdict: Morrison's felt like a decent Friday night takeaway treat for just 9. If you'd prefer more variety and don't mind spending just a few more pounds for a third main dish, Waitrose is a strong runner-up, just be sure to pick up a bag of prawn crackers on the side!

[Niamh Kirk]

Niamh Kirk

Niamh is an experienced lifestyle and features journalist based in London for Daily Mirror. Having joined The Mirror in 2023, Niamh has covered a vast range of different areas including real life, explainers, crime, royals, money, travel, health and social issues. A keen foodie, she often covers the latest food news as well as sharing lots of reviews and opinion pieces. Obsessed with all things Gen Z, you can also find her on TikTok sharing her stories and deep dives. For any tips, tricks or stories get in touch - Niamh.Kirk@reachplc.com

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