Whether you’re a college student craving comfort food or a busy home cook looking for quick weeknight wins, Trader Joe’s has you covered. Their frozen aisle is stacked with Chinese-inspired eats that deliver flavor, convenience, and surprisingly solid authenticity. Below, we review and rank 19 of the most popular Trader Joe’s frozen Chinese-style dishes using a structured breakdown of taste, value, and quality.
1. Chicken Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao/Shalom Bao) $3.49/6 oz
These steamed soup dumplings are filled with seasoned chicken and a rich broth encased in a thin dumpling wrapper.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 250
- Total Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 29g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 16g
Ingredients
- Filling: Chicken, water, gelatin, autolyzed yeast extract, chicken flavored powder (yeast extract, natural flavor, salt), sea salt, onion, green onion, soy sauce (water, soybean, wheat, salt), ginger, cooking rice wine (water, alcohol, salt), sesame oil, soybean oil, sea salt, white pepper.
- Dough: Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, wheat flour, modified tapioca starch, sea salt, soybean oil.
Contains: Soy, sesame, wheat.
Preparation Instructions
Steam for 10 minutes or microwave in a steamer tray for 2 minutes with water per package instructions.
2. Taiwanese Green Onion Pancakes (Chong You Bing) $2.49/15 oz (5 pancakes)
A crispy and flaky flatbread layered with green onions—perfect as a snack or savory base for wraps.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 22g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Dietary Fiber: <1g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients
Wheat flour, scallions, soybean oil, salt.
Preparation Instructions
Pan-fry on medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
3. Honey Walnut Shrimp $7.99/16 oz
Lightly battered shrimp with a creamy honey sauce and candied walnuts.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 500
- Total Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 22g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 26g
- Protein: 24g
Ingredients
- Breaded shrimp: Shrimp (shrimp, salt, rice starch), batter (wheat flour, modified food starch, rice flour, salt, leavening [sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate], annatto extract [color]), predust (modified food starch, enriched flour [wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], salt, yeast, ascorbic acid).
- Sauce: Cream (cream, carrageenan), condensed milk (milk, sugar), honey, canola oil, pineapple, mayonnaise (expeller pressed canola oil, whole eggs, apple cider vinegar, water, egg yolks, sea salt, mustard, lemon juice concentrate), natural butter flavor (whey solids, enzyme modified butter, maltodextrin, salt, dehydrated butter, guar gum, annatto and turmeric [color]), lemon juice concentrate, sea salt.
- Candied walnuts: Walnuts, sugar, peanut oil, salt.
- Contains: Wheat, shrimp, milk, egg, walnut, peanuts.
May contain traces of: Fish and soy.
Preparation Instructions
Pan-fry or bake shrimp until golden, then toss with warmed sauce and walnuts.
4. Chicken-Less Mandarin Orange Morsels $3.79/10.5 oz
A plant-based version of the fan-favorite orange chicken, made with soy protein.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 24g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 21g
Ingredients
- Battered chicken dark meat chunks: Chicken dark meat, water, corn starch, flour (unbleached enriched wheat flour, barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), whole eggs, vegetable oil, salt, white pepper, green onion, garlic, ginger.
- Sauce: Sugar, water, vinegar, light soy sauce (soybean, water, salt, wheat flour), modified food starch, dark soy sauce (soybean, water, straw mushroom extractives, salt, wheat flour), garlic, green onions, ginger, white pepper, sake, mandarin orange peel, orange juice, red chile, soybean oil.
Preparation Instructions
Bake or pan-fry chicken, then heat sauce separately and combine before serving.
5. Vegetable Fried Rice $2.99/16 oz
A colorful mix of rice with edamame, carrots, bell peppers, peas, and green onions.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 230
- Total Fat: 2.5g
- Carbs: 45g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 6g
Ingredients
- Cooked rice (rice, water), carrots, edamame (soybeans), corn, green peas, leeks, red bell peppers, soy sauce (water, soybeans, wheat, salt), sweet cooking rice wine (water, mirin [water, rice, alcohol, salt, koji {aspergillus oryzae}], sugar, lactic acid), contains 2% or less of canola oil, sugar, onions, seaweed extract (water, kelp extract, dextrin, alcohol, salt, xanthan gum), salt, sesame oil.
- Contains: Soy, wheat, sesame.
Preparation Instructions
Pan-fry from frozen for 5–7 minutes or microwave until heated through.
6. Chicken Gyoza Pot Stickers $3.99/16 oz
Pan-fry-ready dumplings filled with seasoned chicken and chives.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 130
- Total Fat: 2.0g
- Carbs: 20g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 7g
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken leg meat, unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), cabbage, water, onion, tapioca starch, soy sauce (water, soybean, wheat, salt, alcohol), sesame oil, salt, cane sugar, ginger powder, soybean oil, chopped garlic, white pepper, black pepper.
- Contains: Soy, sesame, wheat.
Preparation Instructions
Pan-fry with water for crisp-bottomed dumplings, or steam until fully heated.
7. Chicken Shu Mai $3.99/11 oz
Open-topped chicken dumplings reminiscent of dim sum-style shumai.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 130
- Total Fat: 3.0g
- Carbs: 16g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 11g
Ingredients
- Filling: Chicken, onions, carrots, green onions, whole wheat flour, sugar, sesame oil, salt, garlic, ginger, white pepper.
- Dough: Unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, wheat gluten.
- Dipping sauce: Soy sauce (water, soybeans, salt, sugar, alcohol, vinegar, lactic acid), sugar, water, rice vinegar, lactic acid, citric acid, xanthan gum, natural flavor of capsicum.
- Contains: Soy, sesame, wheat.
Preparation Instructions
Steam for 8–10 minutes or microwave in a damp towel for 2 minutes.
8. Chicken Chow Mein $4.99/20 oz
Noodles stir-fried with vegetables and chicken in a sweet, savory sauce.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 280
- Total Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 38g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 12g
Ingredients
Cooked noodles, chicken, cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, soy sauce, garlic.
Preparation Instructions
Stovetop recommended: Heat in skillet with 1 tbsp oil for 7–10 minutes.
9. Chicken Cha Siu Bao (Char Siu Bao/BBQ Chicken Buns) $3.99/10 oz
Fluffy steamed buns filled with savory-sweet BBQ chicken filling.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 28g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 8g
Ingredients
Wheat flour, chicken, soy sauce, sugar, hoisin sauce, onion, sesame oil.
Preparation Instructions
Steam for 10 minutes or microwave with a damp paper towel for 1 minute.
10. Vegetable Gyoza $4.79/16 oz
Dumplings filled with mixed vegetables including cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Carbs: 25g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients
- Filling: White cabbage, carrot, chive, white radish, green onion, onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce (soybeans, wheat, salt, alcohol, water), wheat flour, wheat starch, corn flour, soybean oil, sesame oil, sugar, salt, pepper, vegetable powder (onion, cabbage, carrot, spring onion, maltodextrin [corn], salt).
- Dough: Unbleached wheat flour, tapioca starch,
Preparation Instructions
Pan-fry, steam, or boil for 6–8 minutes depending on your preferred texture.
11. Chicken Spring Rolls $4.49/9 oz
Crispy spring rolls filled with chicken, cabbage, and vermicelli noodles.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 100
- Total Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 11g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 5g
Ingredients
- Filling: White meat chicken, green cabbage, napa cabbage, carrot, green onion, sugar, basil, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, cornstarch, soy sauce powder (soy sauce [fermented soybeans, wheat, salt], maltodextrin, salt), salt, rice wine (alcohol [distilled spirits from rice], salt, water), chili paste (red chile peppers, distilled vinegar, salt, xanthan gum).
- Wrapper: Wheat flour, water, salt, corn syrup solids, soybean oil.
- Contains: Wheat, soy.
Preparation Instructions
Bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes until golden brown.
12. Spicy Peanutty Noodle Bowl with Chicken $3.49/10.8 oz
A noodle bowl with a bold peanut-chili sauce, tender chicken, and crunchy vegetables.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 500
- Total Fat: 23g
- Carbs: 55g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 15g
- Protein: 19g
Ingredients
- Cooked Asian style noodles (Asian style noodles [unbleached enriched flour {wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid}, water, potassium carbonate, wheat gluten], water, canola oil), bok choy, ground chicken, water, carrots, green onions, brown sugar, peanut butter (peanuts), tamari soy sauce (water, soybeans, salt, ethyl alcohol [to preserve]), roasted peanuts*, tahini (sesame), hoisin sauce (brown sugar, water, red miso [water, soybeans, rice, salt, ethyl alcohol {to preserve}], molasses, tamari soy sauce [water, soybeans, salt, ethyl alcohol {to preserve}], apple cider vinegar, garlic puree [garlic, water, citric acid {acidifier}], ginger puree [ginger, water, salt, citric acid {acidifier}], plum juice concentrate, spice, arrowroot powder, yeast), garlic puree (garlic, water), chicken broth, salted mirin (sake [water, rice, koji starter culture {aspergillus oryzae}], cane sugar, water, salt, yeast extract), distilled white vinegar, canola oil, chicken fat, sesame oil, seasoned rice vinegar (water, sweet rice, wheat bran, sugar, salt), cornstarch, salt, spices (ginger, star anise, fennel seed, cinnamon), crushed chili peppers, yeast extract (autolyzed yeast extract, salt), paprika oleoresin (color), Szechuan pepper.
- Contains: Soy, sesame, wheat, peanut.
*Roasted peanuts may contain almond, Brazil nut, cashew, coconut, hazelnut, macadamia nut, pecan, pine nut, pistachio, walnut.
Preparation Instructions
Microwave on high for 4–5 minutes, stir, and let stand before serving.
13. Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower $5.99/24 oz
Battered cauliflower florets with a spicy-sweet kung pao sauce.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 360
- Total Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 50g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 6g
Ingredients
Cauliflower, cornstarch, flour, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, chili peppers, garlic.
Preparation Instructions
Bake at 450°F for 20–25 minutes, toss with sauce packet before serving.
14. Stir-Fried Garlicky Cabbage $3.49/12 oz
Shredded cabbage stir-fried with garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Cabbage, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, canola oil.
Preparation Instructions
Stir-fry from frozen in a skillet for 6–8 minutes until heated and slightly crisp.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s frozen Chinese-style lineup is stacked with affordable, easy-to-make options that satisfy cravings for dumplings, noodles, rice, and saucy entrees. From the soup dumplings that dominate taste tests to underrated gems like the Taiwanese green onion pancake, these nineteen dishes are perfect for when you want a satisfying meal with minimal effort.
