Chinese Food Calorie Counter
Look up calories in 50+ Chinese restaurant and dim sum dishes. Track your full meal with running protein, carbs, and fat totals — free, no signup.
How to Use the Chinese Food Calorie Counter
- 1Search for a dish by name or filter by category (e.g. Dim Sum & Appetizers, Soups, Chicken).
- 2Click a dish in the list to select it — you will see its calories per serving instantly.
- 3Enter the number of servings you ate (decimals supported, e.g. 0.5, 1.5).
- 4Click Add to Log to add it to your meal tracker.
- 5Repeat for every dish and view the total calories, protein, carbs, and fat in the Meal Totals panel below.
- •Click × next to any logged item to remove it from your meal.
- •Use "Clear all" to reset the meal log and start fresh.
About This Chinese Food Calorie Counter
The Chinese Food Calorie Counter is a free online tool for tracking the calorie content of Chinese restaurant and takeaway meals. It covers more than 50 popular dishes across eight categories: Rice & Noodles, Chicken, Beef & Pork, Seafood, Dim Sum & Appetizers, Soups, Vegetable & Tofu, and Desserts.
Each dish entry shows the calorie count per typical serving alongside the grams of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. You can add multiple servings of multiple dishes to build a full meal log, making it easy to understand the nutritional impact of a Chinese takeaway, a dim sum brunch, or a home-cooked Chinese dinner.
All calorie values are based on standard restaurant-portion references from the USDA National Nutrient Database and peer-reviewed nutritional analyses of Chinese restaurant food. Values represent averages — actual calories will vary by restaurant, cooking method, and portion size.
How the Calorie Data Works
Chinese restaurant food is notoriously variable in calorie density because cooking methods and sauce quantities differ significantly between establishments. The values in this tool represent average calories per standard serving based on:
- USDA FoodData Central entries for Chinese restaurant dishes
- Nutritional analyses of typical takeaway portions published in peer-reviewed journals
- Manufacturer data for packaged dim sum and frozen Chinese food items
The macro totals (protein, carbohydrates, fat) are estimated from the same sources. Calorie math: protein and carbohydrates each provide 4 kcal per gram; fat provides 9 kcal per gram. The macro split bar at the bottom of your meal log shows each macronutrient as a percentage of total meal calories.
Common Chinese Dish Calorie Reference
Most Looked-Up Dishes (per standard serving)
| Dish | Serving | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fried Rice (Plain) | 1 cup (198g) | 337 kcal | 7g | 55g | 11g |
| Chicken Fried Rice | 1 cup (198g) | 343 kcal | 16g | 52g | 9g |
| Lo Mein (Chicken) | 1 cup (200g) | 310 kcal | 17g | 40g | 8g |
| Kung Pao Chicken | 1 cup (162g) | 434 kcal | 30g | 22g | 25g |
| General Tso's Chicken | 1 cup (173g) | 430 kcal | 22g | 45g | 18g |
| Orange Chicken | 1 cup (173g) | 480 kcal | 25g | 50g | 18g |
| Beef with Broccoli | 1 cup (200g) | 336 kcal | 26g | 18g | 17g |
| Sweet & Sour Chicken | 1 cup (162g) | 415 kcal | 20g | 55g | 15g |
| Steamed Dumpling | 1 piece (30g) | 41 kcal | 3g | 5g | 1g |
| Egg Roll | 1 roll (85g) | 223 kcal | 8g | 24g | 11g |
| Hot & Sour Soup | 1 cup (240ml) | 91 kcal | 7g | 9g | 3g |
| Egg Drop Soup | 1 cup (240ml) | 73 kcal | 6g | 8g | 2g |
| Mapo Tofu | 1 cup (200g) | 300 kcal | 16g | 14g | 20g |
| Peking Duck (with skin) | 3 oz (85g) | 330 kcal | 27g | 3g | 24g |
| Fortune Cookie | 1 cookie (8g) | 30 kcal | 0g | 7g | 0g |
Values are averages based on USDA FoodData Central and published restaurant nutritional analyses. Actual calories vary by restaurant and preparation method.
Calories in Chinese Takeaway: What to Know
Chinese takeaway meals are popular worldwide but can be surprisingly high in calories due to deep-frying, sugar-heavy sauces, and large portion sizes. Understanding the calorie content of common dishes helps you make informed choices without giving up the food you enjoy.
High-calorie dishes to watch: Deep-fried options like General Tso's Chicken (~430 kcal/cup), Orange Chicken (~480 kcal/cup), and Sesame Chicken (~580 kcal/cup) are among the highest-calorie items on most Chinese restaurant menus. Fried rice is also calorie-dense at around 337 kcal per cup — and restaurant portions are often 2–3 cups.
Lower-calorie choices: Steamed dishes, soups, and vegetable-based items are significantly lighter. Egg Drop Soup (73 kcal/cup), Steamed Dumplings (~41 kcal each), and stir-fried vegetables like Bok Choy (~60 kcal/cup) are all relatively low in calories. Opting for steamed over fried and requesting sauces on the side can reduce calorie intake substantially.
Dim Sum Calories per Piece
| Dim Sum Item | Calories per Piece | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Har Gow (Shrimp Dumpling) | 42 kcal | 3g | 5g | 1g |
| Siu Mai (Pork & Shrimp) | 45 kcal | 4g | 4g | 2g |
| Steamed Dumpling (generic) | 41 kcal | 3g | 5g | 1g |
| Fried Dumpling (generic) | 60 kcal | 3g | 6g | 2g |
| Wonton (Fried) | 46 kcal | 2g | 5g | 2g |
| Pork Bun (Steamed, 1 bun) | 185 kcal | 9g | 28g | 4g |
| Spring Roll (Fried) | 163 kcal | 5g | 18g | 8g |
| Egg Roll (1 roll) | 223 kcal | 8g | 24g | 11g |
| Sesame Ball | 134 kcal | 3g | 20g | 5g |
| Egg Tart | 200 kcal | 5g | 24g | 9g |
Dim sum calorie values are per individual piece unless noted otherwise.
Who Uses This Chinese Food Calorie Counter?
- ✓People tracking calories who enjoy Chinese food and want accurate data for takeaway meals
- ✓Fitness enthusiasts counting macros — protein, carbohydrates, and fat — for their daily targets
- ✓Anyone following a calorie-controlled diet who wants to make informed choices at Chinese restaurants
- ✓Students and nutrition learners researching the calorie content of cuisines from different cultures
- ✓Parents who want to understand the nutritional content of Chinese food for family meal planning
- ✓Dim sum lovers who want to know exactly how many calories they are eating across multiple small dishes
Limitations & Tips
Known Limitations
- •Calorie values are averages — restaurant portions and recipes vary widely, sometimes by 30–50% for the same dish.
- •The database covers the most popular dishes but does not include every regional Chinese dish or restaurant specialty.
- •Sauce quantities have a large effect on calories: extra sauce can add 50–150 kcal per serving.
- •Calorie values assume standard restaurant portions; your actual serving may be larger or smaller.
Tips for Best Results
- →Use 0.5 or 1.5 servings if your portion was noticeably smaller or larger than the listed serving size.
- →For dim sum, count each piece individually rather than estimating a full plate.
- →If you had extra sauce or a heavily sauced dish, add 10–15% to the calorie estimate.
- →Steamed dishes are always lower in calories than their fried equivalents — use the correct variant.
- →Combine this tool with the Calorie Calculator to compare your meal total against your daily calorie goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many calories are in Chinese fried rice?
- Plain Chinese fried rice contains approximately 337 calories per cup (198g). Chicken fried rice is around 343 kcal/cup and shrimp fried rice is about 329 kcal/cup. Restaurant portions are often 2–3 cups, so a full serving can be 670–1,000+ calories.
- What is the lowest calorie Chinese takeaway dish?
- Among common options, Egg Drop Soup (73 kcal/cup) and Steamed Dumplings (~41 kcal each) are among the lowest-calorie choices. Stir-fried vegetables like Bok Choy (~60 kcal/cup) and Hot & Sour Soup (91 kcal/cup) are also relatively light. Steamed fish (~150 kcal per 3 oz) is a lean protein option.
- How many calories are in a Chinese takeaway?
- A typical Chinese takeaway meal including fried rice and one main dish can range from 800 to 1,500 calories. If you add spring rolls or egg rolls as starters and a dessert, the total can exceed 2,000 calories. Use this calorie counter to add up each dish you order for an accurate estimate.
- How many calories are in General Tso's Chicken?
- General Tso's Chicken contains approximately 430 calories per cup (173g). It is one of the higher-calorie Chinese restaurant dishes because the chicken is battered, deep-fried, and coated in a sweet, slightly spicy sauce. A full restaurant portion (2–3 cups) can contain 860–1,290 calories.
- Are dim sum dishes high in calories?
- Individual dim sum pieces are relatively low in calories — steamed dumplings like Har Gow and Siu Mai are around 41–45 kcal each. However, a dim sum meal typically involves many pieces across multiple dishes. Ten to fifteen pieces plus a bowl of noodle soup can easily total 600–900 calories.
- Is Chinese food healthy?
- Chinese food can be healthy or high in calories depending on cooking method and ingredients. Steamed dishes, soups, and vegetable-based dishes are generally nutritious and relatively low in calories. Deep-fried dishes with heavy sauces (like General Tso's or Orange Chicken) are much higher in calories, fat, and sodium. Choosing steamed options, asking for sauce on the side, and balancing your meal with soups and vegetables makes Chinese food a reasonable part of a balanced diet.
- How many calories are in wonton soup?
- Wonton soup contains approximately 183 calories per cup (240ml), which includes both the broth and the filled wontons. It is a relatively low-calorie option compared to noodle dishes or fried items, making it a good choice if you are watching your calorie intake.
- How many calories are in Peking duck?
- Peking duck with skin contains approximately 330 calories per 3 oz (85g) serving. The skin adds significant fat and calories — skinless duck meat is much lower at around 150–180 kcal per 3 oz. Peking duck is typically served with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and cucumber slices, each of which adds additional calories.
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Calorie values are estimates based on average restaurant portions and USDA data. Always consult a registered dietitian for personalised nutritional guidance.
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