Few meals feel as universally loved as Chinese takeout. Whether it’s a weeknight treat or part of a family holiday tradition, dishes like fried rice, lo mein, and egg rolls have become staples across the country.
To see which ones Americans crave most, we analyzed Google Trends data from the past 12 months to find the top-searched Chinese food dish in every state. The results reveal regional favorites, surprising standouts, and a few timeless classics that continue to bring people together. Especially when comfort and convenience matter most: during the holidays.
From coast to coast, here’s a look at the dishes that define America’s love for Chinese food and the states that can’t get enough of it.
Which Chinese Food Dish Is Most Popular in Your State?
Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or part of a holiday spread, Chinese takeout is a go-to takeout option for many. From comforting fried rice to spicy Szechuan chicken, these dishes bring people together around flavors that feel both familiar and celebratory.
The results of our search term analysis highlight a mix of regional preferences and nationwide favorites that show just how diverse America’s Chinese food cravings really are.
Here’s what stood out most from the data:
Szechuan Chicken – 8 states
Particularly popular across the South and Midwest, this spicy, flavor-packed dish took the top spot in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Its bold heat and savory depth might explain its strong showing in regions known for hearty comfort food.
Egg Roll – 7 states
A crispy classic, the egg roll is Googled the most in Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Its popularity in the South and Midwest makes sense, as the fried, shareable appetizer is perfect for a family-style meal that residents in these states gravitate towards.
Fried Rice – 5 states
Beloved from coast to coast, fried rice showed no strong regional trend but performed well in Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, and Washington. Its versatility and affordability make it a go-to option for takeout nights everywhere.
Crab Rangoon – 4 states
Particularly popular in the Midwest, this creamy, crunchy favorite led in Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska. Its balance of rich filling and crisp wonton shell fits right in with the region’s appreciation for comfort food.
Other regional standouts:
- Pot Stickers – most popular in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah, showing a clear preference for dumplings out West.
- Orange Chicken – the iconic, bold dish led in Arizona, Illinois, and Nevada.
- Lo Mein – topped searches in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, where hearty noodle dishes fit perfectly with the Northeast’s desire for cold-weather comfort.
Across the country, these results paint a picture of shared favorites shaped by regional tastes. Whether it’s spicy, savory, or satisfyingly crispy, each state’s top dish shows how Chinese cuisine continues to be a takeout staple that brings people together.
Next, we’ll look at which states crave Chinese food the most during the holiday season. And how those traditions reflect where and how Americans love to celebrate.
Where Is Chinese Food Searched For Most During the Holidays?
When family gatherings wind down and many restaurants close for the holidays, Chinese takeout often becomes the go-to option, offering comfort, convenience, and a warm meal without the cleanup. Now that we know the dishes that star in every state, we wanted to see where people turn to Chinese food most during the holidays.
So to round out our Google exploration, we looked at search data for the search term “Chinese food near me” during the week of Christmas each year from 2020 through 2024. This helped us identify the states with the highest search interest in Chinese food during the holidays, and the results show a clear regional trend.
Google Trends assigns a value from 0 to 100 to represent a state’s relative search interest, with 100 indicating the highest level of searches compared to others.
The Northeast leads the way in holiday Chinese food searches:
- Delaware – 98
- Rhode Island – 87
- Connecticut – 85
- New Jersey – 80
- New Hampshire – 72
The results show a clear regional pattern: holiday Chinese food searches are dominated by the Northeast. Every state in the top ten falls within or near New England, where cold winters and long-standing takeout traditions make Chinese food a natural fit for celebrations during the week of Christmas. Whether it’s a warm bowl of lo mein or a carton of fried rice, people across the region seem to agree: sometimes the best part of the holidays is keeping dinner easy and tasty.
Closing Thoughts
From sesame chicken to crab rangoons, our analysis of Google search data reveals that Chinese food remains a favorite across the country. Each state has its own go-to dish, but together they reveal a shared love for meals that bring people together, especially during the holidays.
Ordering Chinese takeout may seem simple, but it’s also a smart and cost-effective way to enjoy quality time with family without straining the budget or the kitchen. It’s a reminder that comfort, connection, and financial mindfulness can go hand in hand—values Coventry Direct understands well.
Just like the best takeout nights, the right financial choices can help you make the most of what you have and spend more time on what matters most.
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Methodology
To determine the most popular Chinese food dish in every state, we created a list of 30 recognizable Chinese food dishes you’d often see at takeout restaurants across the U.S. We then ran each dish through Google Trends and analyzed its search interest head-to-head over the past 12 months to find which ones were the top-searched in every state.
We used search interest as an indicator of popularity for this study.
Fair Use
You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.
