If you eat Chinese food in the U.S., you’ve likely seen the Chinese takeout box. It’s generally a white paperboard container with slots to hold Chinese meals.
In the U.S., the container is also called an oyster pail, because it was originally designed to hold oysters. Frederick Weeks Wilcox patented this “paper pail” in Chicago on November 13, 1894, which was made from a single sheet of paper, creased and folded into a container topped with a wire handle.
The white takeout box is the most common Chinese food container in the U.S.; it is widely used for Chinese takeout, and its sizes are highly standardized, with nearly every U.S. restaurant using the same four sizes. Over time, it has become a cultural symbol associated with food cooked to order by a skilled chef.
The box is also an American export. It has spread to other countries such as Poland, yet it is rarely seen in China or in other Asian countries with large ethnic Chinese populations. The container itself is inexpensive, durable, and fairly leak-proof when kept upright.
Keep in mind that Chinese takeout made in the United States is not authentic Chinese food. The dishes served in American Chinese restaurants differ from those served in China, and many use ingredients that aren’t native to China. Though there’s always room for improvisation. In Chinatown, you are likely to find near-authentic Chinese food.
Let’s further expand our understanding of Chinese takeout boxes.
Box Sizes and Layouts of Chinese Takeout Packaging
A handmade Chinese takeout box has three parts:
- The main container, which holds the food
- The optional insert; the finished box works without it, but the wrap is needed if you want four folding flaps on top
- The decorative wrap
The Chinese takeout box holds a single serving of food. Its size depends on how much food it needs to hold, and the average container holds about 16 fluid ounces. The 16 oz pint is the most popular size among restaurants and holds up to about 2 cups of cooked white rice. Boxes come in three sizes: large, medium, and mini. Printable DIY versions come in mini (2.2 inches per side), medium (3.3 inches), and large (5.5 inches), while restaurant boxes range from an 8-ounce half pint to a 32-ounce quart. Boxes are sold in cases of 200.
How to Make Your Own Chinese Takeout Boxes
You can make takeout boxes at home with cutting software such as Cricut Design Space. The software cuts the parts, and you fold them together by hand. There’s no required folding method, and the design is fully customizable: choose any paper, any color, and the size that fits your meal.
To start, download a free dieline PDF template online, available in mini, medium, and large sizes. This lets you pick the box size you need. For each box, you’ll need cardstock, glue, and the three parts listed above. If you’d rather not make them yourself, you can order custom-printed boxes instead.
Once your boxes are ready, you can print your menu or a custom message inside. Then fill them with food from your favorite takeout restaurant and serve family and friends.
How to Assemble a Mini Chinese Takeout Box
Here’s how you can assemble these mini boxes for your business.
- Print the dieline template that you downloaded from online sources.
- Cut out the template.
- Score the fold lines with a scoring tool or ruler so the paper folds cleanly.
- Fold the four sides upward to form a bowl shape. This leaves a flap at each corner.
To finish, wrap the corner flaps around the left and right sides of the box, then staple or glue them down.
Application of Custom Takeout Boxes
Beyond carrying takeout, the box has several uses. It turns into a plate, works as a serving dish for family meals, and stores leftovers. You can save and reuse any box, whether it came from a restaurant or a standalone shop, and the container can be stored anywhere.
The box also works as gift packaging for non-food items. A large box fits a variety of items, and you can print a custom message on it in any color. Templates for gift boxes are widely available to download online. Free PDFs are available from Homemade Gifts Made Easy, and Openclipart offers a free template as an SVG, PNG, or printable PDF.
The box’s shape is part of the gift’s appeal. When making a custom gift box, handle it carefully so it stays intact, especially the bottom. Print on cardstock or matte photo paper, because regular office paper is too floppy to hold its shape.
Final Words!
The Chinese takeout box is one of the most popular containers for Chinese food in the U.S. It typically holds about 16 ounces and comes in large, medium, and mini sizes. You can compare sizes and buy them in bulk online, or make your own from a free PDF template. For gifts, choose a size and design that suit the recipient.
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