Why does chinese food come in boxes?

Question

why is it that only chinese food comes in boxes?

Answer 1

The Oyster pail, Chinese food box or Chinese takeout container is a folded paperboard container, traditionally with a wire handle (the wire handle has become less common in recent years because metal cannot be used in the microwave ovens often used for reheating the food today), serving as a portable container for hot or cold prepared Chinese food, and most often used to bring home take-out food from a restaurant.

The container has the advantage of being inexpensive, durable and fairly leakproof. The top usually includes a tab so that they are self-closing. The folded construction also allows for some escape of steam from hot food. It is exclusively used in overseas Chinese cuisines outside of the Far East.

The paperboard oyster pail was developed in the early 20th century at a time when fresh oysters were more popular, more plentiful, and less expensive than they are at present. Since shucking oysters (removing the meat from the shell) takes some amount of skill and can be difficult and dangerous, it was common to have the oyster seller open the oysters so they could be taken home for use in cooked dishes. The oyster pail provided an inexpensive and sanitary way to accomplish this.

After World War II there was a huge increase in interest in prepared foods that could be purchased from restaurants and heated or finished at home. Chinese food proved to be a popular choice in the United States, since it was tasty, unusual, fairly inexpensive and traveled well. The oyster pail was quickly adopted for "Chinese take-out." The paperboard pails were to some extent self-insulating and they could be used for a wide variety of foods: packed with dry cooked rice, moist dishes such as egg foo yung and sauced dishes, though very hot highly liquid dishes such as soups were generally unsuitable.

Answer 2

It doesn't always come in boxes. I've never seen those pails with the handles; only in movies. My Chinese food comes in plastic containers like margerine only transparent, or in styrofoam containers.

Answer 3

Mine usually comes on heated plates. Using the boxes beat trying to carry the leftovers or take-out home in the palm of your hand or in a pants pocket-Ouch!!

Answer 4

its their trademark.

Answer 5

It is traditional and the heavy paper box absorbs excess oil.  In addition, it is very inexpensive and easy to store because the boxes break down flat.

Answer 6

I am noticing more that chinese food restaurants are using the reusable plastic containers, too!

Answer 7

because retro is in, and using old fashioned paper pails is kitsch, and thus cool.  

everybody else nowadays is using plastic boxes and aren't as plugged into pop culture as your corner takeout chinese restaurant with the bulletproof windows.

Answer 8

In my city we don't have a take away chinese food,but i like that movie with Gong Li....Chinese Box...hahahaa.

Answer 9

It's convenient.

Answer 10

flat boxes are easy to ship and store

Answer 11

I had chinese food all my life. Not all chinese food goes in boxes. It depends on what type of food you have. For ex., soup noodles and rice porridge goes into plastic cylinder like containers.

Answer 12

what? boxes? what boxes? pizza comes in boxes. don't mickey d's use boxes for their chicken nuggets? fried rice and noodles come in boxes but the other stuff come in plastic or aluminum containers depending on the restaurant.......or am i missing something?????????????????????

Answer 13

why not?!?

its cheap, and dependable.