Ordering Chinese takeout is a popular ritual for a cozy night in or a busy day when you just need to pick up a quick dinner on the way home. It usually comes in large portions so there’s a big chance you will have leftovers for the next day.
That being said, some of us will fall asleep on the couch after eating half the meal or simply forget to store the leftovers in the fridge then wake up the next day wondering if it’s still possible to consume the leftovers from the day before.
Chinese takeaway food should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours after it has dropped below 140 degrees as bacteria will begin to form. Consuming it can lead to food poisoning. To safely store leftovers, you should keep them in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop when you are ready to finish them.
Now that you know how you shouldn’t store your leftover Chinese food, let’s take a more in-depth look at how to store and reheat it to make the most of your leftovers and prevent any food from going to waste
Will You Get Sick From Eating Food Left Out Overnight?
There are many factors that can contribute to bacteria growth in food which can cause illnesses. You should never eat food that has been left out at room temperature for an extended period of time, especially if that food contains meat or fish.
Once food has cooled down from its fully cooked temperature (usually around 165 F) to anywhere between 140 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it creates an environment in which bacteria is able to double in quantity every twenty minutes. This is known as the food “danger zone.”
When it comes to Chinese takeout, food with rice (which is included in most Chinese meals) and fish is the most prone to harmful bacteria.
Fish contain a toxin called histamine that occurs when the fish meat has not been stored at proper temperatures and it could cause really nasty food poisoning.
The bacteria which grows on rice, bacillus cereus, grows rapidly and is resistant to heat, meaning that it will remain even after you reheat the food. Anything containing rice should be disposed of if it has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours.
How Can You Tell If Food Left Out Has Gone Bad?
If you’ve left your food out for more than two hours but you aren’t willing to throw it out, here are some tips on how to check if your leftovers have gone bad.
The very obvious first sign to look for is mold. If there is any presence of mold in your leftovers you should dispose of it immediately and not risk eating around it even if it is contained to one spot on the food.
If your leftovers, or any individual ingredients in the food, have developed discoloration then that might be a sign that your food has gone bad.
The same goes if the food has developed any kind of odor that was not present when it was fresh. A bad smell can be the easiest way to identify spoiled food because it may still look fine but with a sharp stench, there’s no mistaking that it should not be eaten.
You should generally take on a “better safe than sorry” attitude when it comes to food, especially if it has been left out at room temperature for a few hours.
The truth is that not all food may show visible signs of spoilage while still containing enough bacteria to cause serious and uncomfortable symptoms.
How Long Can Chinese Takeaway Be Left In the Fridge?
If refrigerated within two hours of being cooked, Chinese takeaway can be kept in your fridge for around 3 to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze your Chinese leftovers for up to two months.
How To Store Leftover Chinese Food
If you plan to eat your leftover Chinese food the next day, then leaving it in its original takeout container should be fine for overnight storage in the fridge.
However, if you are interested in keeping it for longer you might want to transfer it into an airtight container or Tupperware.
The cardboard containers that are synonymous with Chinese food allow for a lot of air to circulate which creates a favorable atmosphere for bacteria to multiply.
Be sure to consume your leftovers within five days at the latest because after that point, bacteria can continue to grow on your food and you may not be able to see it.
How To Reheat Leftover Chinese Food
The easiest way to reheat Chinese food is in the microwave but this might not be the tastiest option. Microwaving rice is probably the best way to get it as near being freshly steamed as you can.
To do this you can add a cup of water to the microwave alongside your rice or add a couple of drops directly into your rice.
For stir fry dishes or meat and fish, the best way to reheat your leftovers is on the stovetop. All you need to do is heat up a little bit of oil in a wok or a large pan and simply toss your leftovers in there and heat on medium-high until everything is fully warmed through and looks freshly cooked!
What To Do If You Ate Chinese Food Left Out Overnight
If the food you left out contains rice, my advice would be to discard it even if it still looks good. This is because you don’t want to risk it with the bacteria that can develop in rice.
Depending on the temperature in your room, if you have a simple vegetable stir fry that you simply forgot to put in the fridge, there may be less risk in eating that than there would be in eating meat, fish, or rice.
If you live in a cold climate and the temperature in the room you left the food in is at a consistent 40 degrees Fahrenheit then you have less to worry about. If your home is hot and sticky, then you might want to be careful even if it’s just vegetables that you left out.
Always consult the signs for how to tell if food has gone bad and if you are not sure then just toss the food to avoid unnecessary risks.
You can prevent having to throw away food if you refrigerate your leftovers directly in the containers they come in. Just popping the food in the fridge will prolong its life by a few days, but I strongly recommend getting rid of any food you leave at room temperature for more than two hours.
Can You Eat Chinese Takeaway Cold the Next Day?
Sometimes, a dish is good both when served hot and cold, and this is even more true when it comes to leftovers. I’m sure you’ve had a cold slice of pizza in your life, at least once. However, does the temperature matter from a safety perspective?
The temperature the food is at when you consume it doesn’t matter as long as the food has been stored properly prior to you eating it. You can consume the leftovers cold or reheat them depending on what you prefer.
If the food has been left out overnight, though, you shouldn’t consider eating it as it will lead to some possibly horrendous side effects.