The Oyster pail originally, later informally a Chinese food box or Chinese takeout container is a folded, waxed or plastic coated, paperboard container, traditionally with a handle made of solid wire, most commonly currently in use by American Chinese cuisine establishments primarily throughout the United States, to package hot or cold take-out food. They are not commonly used outside of America, not in Canada or Mexico, though they are quite com...
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The Oyster pail originally, later informally a Chinese food box or Chinese takeout container is a folded, waxed or plastic coated, paperboard container, traditionally with a handle made of solid wire, most commonly currently in use by American Chinese cuisine establishments primarily throughout the United States, to package hot or cold take-out food. They are not commonly used outside of America, not in Canada or Mexico, though they are quite common in some European countries like Germany and England. They are rarely seen in China; where they are found, they are usually not used by restaurants serving Chinese cuisine.
"Microwave-safe" oyster pails (without the metal handle, which can cause arcing in a microwave) are also available.
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. If care is used to remove the flaps...
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