How Long Does Chinese Food Last in the Fridge?
Chinese food took the world by storm somewhere in the 1980s, and it has been one of the favorite national cuisines ever since. Each Chinese meal comes with a unique combination of flavors, and portions are occasionally larger than you can eat in one sitting. Therefore, the number one question that needs to be answered here is, “how long does Chinese food last in the fridge?”
Most Chinese meals can sit in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. This depends on the ingredients they contain and how they have been prepared. Basically, the more something is thermally processed, the longer it will last.
In this text, I will explain how to properly store each of the famous Chinese meals so that your leftovers don’t end up in the trash. You will learn all you need to know about it and, hopefully, pick up some new tricks along the way.
How Long Does Lo Mein Last in the Fridge?
Lo mein is a savory dish that can last up to four days in a fridge. The best way to store it is by putting it in an airtight container.
One of the main ingredients for lo mein is noodles, and there is a good chance it will soak up the sauce while sitting in the fridge. To make lo mein juicy again, you can add broth to this meal while reheating. You can reheat lo mein on the stove or in the microwave.
How Long Does Chow Mein Last in the Fridge?
Leftover chow mein can last from 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Though chow mein contains similar ingredients as lo mein, such as noodles, the preparation process is somewhat different. Chow mein is fried on high heat, which makes it less saucy than lo mein.
Because of that, it will dry pretty fast if you refrigerate it in a regular container. So, it is a meal that you should store in an airtight dish. While reheating, oil the pan with a small amount of olive oil before throwing in chow mein leftovers.
How Long Do Chinese Dumplings Last in the Fridge?
Boiled Chinese dumplings usually can last up to 2 days in the fridge. This famous dish contains dough and, usually, meat, so it is best to consume it right after you prepare it.
However, if you end up with leftover dumplings, place them in a container, and seal them with an airtight lid. Also, if you decide to reheat them for your next meal, make sure to do that by steaming them. This way, your dumplings will remain soft and rich in taste.
Avoid refrigerating fresh, unboiled dumplings. To store them, use a zip bag or another container that can be sealed and freeze them. Dumplings can last in the freezer for three months.
How Long Do Spring Rolls Last in the Fridge?
Fried spring rolls will be good in the fridge for 2-3 days. To ensure that, wrap each roll in cling film. You can place them in the refrigerator in the wrap or seal them in an airtight container.
Sometimes, spring rolls can last even more than three days in the fridge with proper storage. Still, it is better to consume them before that because they might become dry.
Before consumption, you can reheat spring rolls leftovers by steaming or microwaving.
How Long Does Kung Pao Chicken Last in the Fridge?
Kung pao chicken leftovers can last for 2-3 days in the fridge. You can store them, the same as most of the other leftovers, in an airtight container.
Chicken soaks up the sauce after a few days in the fridge and tends to get dry over time. So, to ensure it stays soft, you can cover it with plastic wrap after you place it in the container. Press the wrap against the walls of the container to prevent air from entering.
How Long Does Char Siu Last in the Fridge?
Char siu is a roasted pork meat that can endure up to 3 days in the fridge if you store it properly. Before placing it in the fridge, wrap it with cling film or seal it in the freezer bag to prevent it from drying.
Avoid slicing up more char siu than you plan to eat because slices tend to dry after a while. When storing sliced-up char siu in the fridge, wrap it up tightly to keep the meat as soft and juicy as possible.
To reheat baked char siu, preheat the oven to 375 F and wrap the meat in aluminum foil. Place meat in the oven and keep it there for 10 minutes. However, if you are preheating sliced char siu, leave it in the oven for 3 or 4 minutes.
How Long Does Ma Po Tofu Last in the Fridge?
You can keep ma po tofu in the fridge for 2 to 4 days. Sometimes it can last longer, but avoid consuming it after the mentioned time frame.
Like most Chinese meals, it is best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in a container with an airtight lid. If ma po tofu gets dry in the fridge, stir-fry it for a couple of minutes in a sauce before serving.
How Long Does Sweet and Sour Pork Last in the Fridge?
If you have sweet and sour pork leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for 4 or 5 days. Keep the meal in a regular container (plastic or glass dish), and make sure to keep the meal covered.
In case you are storing sweet and sour pork in a container without a lid, use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover it. To preserve the best quality, separate the sauce from the meat and store it in an airtight container.
How Long Does Sweet and Sour Pork and Chicken Last in the Fridge?
With the addition of chicken meat, you can keep sweet and sour pork in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Separate the sauce from the meat and keep it in airtight plastic or glass dishes.
For the sauce, I recommend using glass containers, such as jars. It is a healthier option and preserves the texture of the sauce better.
How Long Does Hot Pot Last in the Fridge?
Hot pot is a meal that includes numerous ingredients: broth, different types of meat, noodles (or dumplings), vegetables, and sauces. Because of that, you should consume this meal while it is fresh.
However, if you have leftover broth, vegetables, or meat, you can keep them in a fridge for a day or two. Sauces can last for another day or two, but you can also use them in other meals. Wrap up the meat, and keep everything else in airtight containers.
How Long Does Peking Duck Last in the Fridge?
Peking duck can last in a fridge for about 3 or 4 days. Avoid refrigerating it longer than this because it might spoil. The best solution is to wrap the meat and store it in an airtight container.
The duck meat can dry out in the fridge. If this happens to you, the best solution is to reheat the meat in a skillet with a few tablespoons of water or broth. This way, the meat will regain a juicy and soft texture again.
How Long Does Wonton Soup Last in the Fridge?
Wonton soup will last in the fridge for 4 days in an airtight container. You can keep it in a glass container with an airtight lid.
Since it is best to consume wonton soup warm, I advise heating it before serving. However, you should reheat only the amount you plan to serve. Reheating meals like wonton soup more than once can make them spoil faster.
How Long Does Beggar’s Chicken Last in the Fridge?
This meal contains an entire chicken, marinade, dry shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, onion, seasoning, a large amount of salt, lotus leaves, and clay. Like most meals with cooked chicken meat, beggar’s chicken can last in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. However, it’s best to consume it within two or three days.
Before placing it into the fridge, warp it tightly with cling film or seal it in an airtight container. The meat can become dry while in the fridge, so consider making some sauce or dip the next time you serve it. Another option is to microwave it with a tablespoon of water or broth.
How Long Do Scallion Pancakes Last in the Fridge?
Scallion pancakes are a simple meal that contains flour, salt, water, green onion, and vegetable oil. If you store them properly, these pancakes can last for 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
You can keep them in a ziplock bag or wrap them in a cling film. This way, you will prevent pancakes from drying and keep them fluffy and soft.
How Long Does Fried Rice Last in the Fridge?
Properly stored fried rice can last 4 or 7 days in the fridge. Still, this meal usually contains vegetables and shrimp, so it is better to consume it fresh. You can keep it in a plastic container with an airtight seal before reheating.
However, avoid heating this meal more than once. Constant reheating increases the risks of food poisoning, and since fried rice is also delicious cold, you can serve it without heating it.
How Long Does Zha Jiang Mian Last in the Fridge?
Zha jiang mian is a meal based on black bean sauce and fried noodles. The best option is to eat leftover noodles the next day, and you can reuse the sauce for a couple more days.
Store the meal in an airtight container. If you have some extra sauce, you can keep it separately in a jar. Reheat noodles by dipping them in boiling water for several minutes. You can serve the zha jiang mian sauce cold or microwave it.
How Long Do Dan Dan Noodles Last in the Fridge?
In an airtight container, dan dan noodles can last in the refrigerator for 4 days. The dan dan sauce you prepare and store separately will be safe to eat for 5 to 7 days.
You can keep noodles in a ziplock bag or plastic container with an airtight seal. To reheat this meal, add a tablespoon of sesame oil to a wok and stir-fry noodles for a few minutes.
How Long Does Dim Sum Last in the Fridge?
Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that comes in many variations. It usually contains small plates of dumplings, spring rolls, and other snack food, and it is best to eat them fresh.
However, if you have leftover dim sum, you can store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for one or two days. To ensure dumplings and rolls stay soft, you can wrap each of them in a cling film before placing them in a container.
How Long Does Sichuan Pork Last in the Fridge?
Made with tender pork meat and vegetables, this savory meal is perfect for days when you have a tight schedule. And it is even better if you already have it stored in the fridge.
Refrigerated, leftover Sichuan pork is safe to eat for 3 or 4 days. You can store it in a plastic or glass dish with an airtight lid.
How Long Does Noodle Soup Last in the Fridge?
Noodle soup can last from 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. You can store it in a ceramic or glass bowl. Still, make sure the soup is cold before placing it in the fridge.
Also, avoid leaving the soup sitting at room temperature for longer than a couple of hours. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
How Long Does Braised Pork Last in the Fridge?
Braised pork lasts longer in the fridge than most other Chinese dishes. This meal contains a large amount of fat that helps preserve the meat. Still, it is best to eat it within five days.
Store it in a ziplock bag and, before serving, reheat it in a wok. To do that, add some braised liquid, cover the wok and leave it on low or medium heat until the liquid starts simmering.
How Long Does Twice Cooked Pork Last in the Fridge?
Twice-cooked pork will last in the fridge for 3 days. You can store it in a bowl, but you should make sure it is covered. I usually seal it in an airtight container to preserve its soft texture as much as possible. Before serving, reheat it in the microwave or by steaming it.
How Long Does Baozi Last in the Fridge?
Delicious baozi, also known as bao buns, can last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before placing the baozi in the refrigerator, wrap each bun with a cling film. That way, they will remain soft, and there will be a way to get moldy.
You can also use ziplock or freezer bags or containers with an airtight seal. Always keep baozi in a drawer where the temperature stays low.
Use the steamer to reheat the buns. However, avoid steaming them right out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before reheating.
How Long Does Mooncake Last in the Fridge?
Due to their high sugar content, mooncakes can last from 7 to 20 days in the fridge. Still, you should avoid storing this dessert in any place where humidity is high. It would be best if you kept it in an airtight container instead.
How Long Does Shaobing Last in the Fridge?
Shaobing, or flatbread, is a perfect meal for breakfast. It can last for a week in the refrigerator as long as you keep it in a sealed container. You can also use a zip lock bag or wrap shaobing with plastic wrap. Avoid reheating because it can become dry.
How Long Does Congee Last in the Fridge?
Chinese rice porridge, known as congee, can last for 3 or 4 days in the fridge. You can keep it covered in a glass or ceramic bowl. However, keep in mind that it will get thicker over time. So, before serving the congee, reheat it with a splash of water.
