National Chinese Takeout Day – November 5, 2026

Expected National Chinese Takeout Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Chinese Takeout Day often brings tasty deals from major chains and local eateries alike. Expect national brands like P.F. Chang’s and Panda Express to offer special discounts on popular entrees, family meal bundles, or even limited-time menu items. Fast-casual options such as Pei Wei Asian Kitchen might also join in with app-exclusive offers. Food delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats may feature promo codes for free delivery or percentage off orders from participating Chinese restaurants, making it even easier to enjoy your favorite dishes at home. Local establishments often run their own specials, from complimentary egg rolls to reduced prices on signature dishes, encouraging community support. Keep an eye on your favorite local spots and delivery apps for their unique offerings. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 5 approaches.

History of National Chinese Takeout Day

The history of Chinese cuisine is characterized by both diversity and noticeable changes. Archaeologist and scholar Kwan Chi-Chang says that “the Chinese are particularly concerned about food” and “food is the center of many social interactions, or at least accompanies or symbolizes them.” He explains the basic principles of the organization, which date back to ancient times and give continuity to the food tradition. Ordinary food consists of grains, other starches, and vegetable, or meat dishes.

In early dynastic times, the most common crops were wheat, barley, rice, millet, foxtail, corn, and beans. The fruits and vegetables commonly eaten were chestnuts, pears, plums, melons, apricots, red berries, bamboo shoots, and mustard greens. Domestic animals were chickens, tangerine ducks, sheep, camels, and dogs. Seasonings included sugar, honey, salt, and soy sauce. In addition, beer and yellow wine were regularly consumed.

Chinese take-out appeared in North America in the mid-1800s. Due to the Gold Rush, there was a large influx of Chinese immigrants to California. Even though the Chinese take-out products were in large quantities, they became popular only in the 1950s. The Chinese restaurants had two menus, one for the Chinese and another for the Americans. Over time, the American menu became dominant and is what remains today in major Chinese restaurants.

Very little is known about the history of National Chinese Takeout Day. We do not know when, where, and how it started. But still, we can guess the reason for the creation of the holiday. Perhaps a certain group of people, knowing how much everyone loves Chinese cuisine, decided that it deserves a place in the list of culinary holidays that are celebrated every year.