Ordering In? Here Are the Best Foods That Travel Well

Ah, ramen. Perfect for those nights you just want to cuddle on your couch with your dog, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and try not to think about the next workday for just a little while. Dip into its supercomforting broth, noodles, pork, and eggs on your cozy nights in. Although the delivery could come just a little cold, you can always reheat it quickly without affecting the integrity of the dish.

Bowls are a great option for a quick, healthy meal at home. Order a protein-rich bowl – either by way of chicken, meat, or beans like chickpeas and lentils – and fill it with fresh greens and brown rice or quinoa, and you’ll be left satisfied and bright with energy after. Make sure to order any dressings on the side, and your bowl will arrive as fresh as ever.

Pasta had to be on this list, because, well, it’s pasta. Basically one of the most perfect foods known to man, pasta allows your imagination to run wild, going from a pear ravioli, to a bolognese, to my favorite, the classic carbonara. The great thing about pasta is that although it might arrive just a bit cold, you can always quickly microwave it for about 30 seconds to get it at the perfect temperature again. Apart from that, not much else can really go wrong because it’s . . . pasta *cue angel sounds.*

Another great food-delivery option, salads will remain fresh and crispy all the way to your humble abode *as long as* you request for the dressing to come on the side. Most restaurants will do this, but it helps to probably write it in the notes just in case. Once that’s assured, it’s smooth (crunchy) sailing from there.

This Venezuelan staple is a perfect food-delivery option, as there is no possibility of sogginess with arepas’ always-crisp grilled exterior. With a corn base, arepas are naturally gluten-free and extremely tasty, with potential fillings ranging from just cheese, to plantains and beans, to chicken or beef. Delicious, easy, and durable in delivery!

One of my favorite dishes to order in, a great chicken curry is comforting, homey food that will accompany you in all your coziest moments. With a rice base and topped with chicken perfectly spiced with coriander, cumin, turmeric, pepper, ground mustard, and more, you’ll want to sop up all the remaining sauce with a spoon – or soft naan if you order that too! A 10/10 food, and a fantastic option for delivery.

So, let’s say you’re craving something sweet. You’ll probably want to order something more on the individually portioned side, rather than whole cakes or pies (although if you do that, you are my hero). As previously stated, I really recommend you to just not order ice cream under any circumstances. Doughnuts, on the other hand? They’ll arrive at the perfect temperature if they’re fresh from the bakery.

Another delicious takeout dish, pad thai will always be there like a supercomforting friend. Dependable, but just a little spicy so it’s never boring, pad thai is probably exactly what you should order tonight. Noodles, your choice of shrimp, chicken, or meat, and filled with vegetables too, pad thai is a pretty well-rounded plate and will arrive as fresh as ever to your door.

Ah, the always-dependable sushi. Of course, it varies from restaurant to restaurant how fresh the fish is and how delicately it’s prepared, but sushi is one of those things that’s always pretty good. Order your spicy tuna or dragon roll, sit back, and relax without having to worry if your food gets to you cold or not, because with sushi, it doesn’t really matter.

There’s a reason pizza is the original delivery option. Just have your oven set at 400 degrees Fahrenheit so you can quickly pop your pizza in, just in case it somehow arrives a bit cold. But pizza is always cheesy and tomatoey, and it has the best bread, so yeah, it’s still always perfect.

A Mediterranean classic, shawarma is filled with thin-cut meat, onions, arugula, tzatziki sauce, and more. This perfect Middle Eastern dish will leave your taste buds satisfied, and it’s a great, well-rounded meal, too. Order with a side of falafel – deep-fried ground chickpeas – and you’ll have a fresh, protein-packed order right at your door.

Sweet and sour chicken is the best of both worlds: crispy and warm, protein-rich yet gooey, and, yes, sweet and sour. Order some from your favorite local Chinese restaurant, accompanied by some veggies and maybe brown rice, because balance. It’ll arrive perfect and ready to be devoured!

If you don’t feel like reheating at all, the best option is a meal that was never hot in the first place. Peruvian ceviche, made of fresh raw fish cured in fresh lemon or lime juice, is spiced with ají and chili peppers to create a well-rounded meal for when you just need something refreshing (hello, summer!).

For something sweet that will last in your home for more than just a day or two (if you have the willpower, of course), try ordering some yummy chocolate chip cookies from your local bakery. Pro tip: have some sea salt on hand for a sweet and salty twist on the old classic.

And how could we forget about the always-delicious carnitas tacos? Get your favorite Netflix show ready (any Outlander fans?) and dig into tacos filled with pork, onions, and cilantro. These will always arrive at your doorstep as great as ever, and you can pair your order with homemade sauces!