Short answer: plan about 1 lb of food per guest — roughly 8 oz of entrée plus 5–6 oz of fried rice or lo mein. That works out to one 5 lb entrée half pan per 10 guests and one rice or noodle half pan per 12–15 guests. In Atlanta, Chinese catering usually costs $10–15 per person.
Chinese Catering Calculator
How Much Chinese Food to Order by Headcount
| Guests | Entrée half pans | Rice / noodle half pans | Appetizer pieces | Typical cost at General Tso’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 20 | $140–$170 |
| 20 | 2 | 2 | 40 | $289 (package) |
| 30 | 3 | 2 | 60 | $339 (package) |
| 40 | 4 | 3 | 80 | $395 (package) |
| 50 | 5 | 4 | 100 | $480–$560 |
| 80 | 7 | 5 | 160 | $795 (package) |
| 120 | 10 | 7 | 240 | $1,195 (package) |
Large groups (80+) eat slightly less per person, so the pan counts scale down a little. Package and half-pan prices come from our online menu and can change.
Adjust for Your Crowd
- Teenagers and athletes: add one extra rice or noodle pan per 20 guests.
- Kids under 10: count two kids as one adult.
- Lunch meetings: people eat less at work lunches — the per-person guide above is generous for offices.
- Long parties (3+ hours): add appetizers such as crab rangoon, egg rolls and wings.
- Vegetarian guests: plan one tofu or vegetable pan per 10–15 vegetarians.
How Many Entrées Should I Offer?
For up to 30 guests, two entrées is plenty (for example General Tso’s chicken and beef with broccoli). For 40–80, offer three; for 100+, four including a vegetarian option. Our catering packages already balance entrées and sides for you.
Buffet vs. Boxed Lunches
Buffet trays cost less per person and suit parties. Individually boxed lunches (from $12) are better for meetings, trainings and anywhere people eat at different times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Chinese food do I need per person?
Plan about 1 lb of food per guest: roughly 8 oz of entrée and 5–6 oz of fried rice or lo mein, plus 2 appetizer pieces if you serve them.
How many people does a half pan of Chinese food feed?
A 5 lb half pan of an entrée feeds about 10–12 people when served with rice or noodles.
How many pans do I need for 50 people?
About 5 entrée half pans and 4 rice or noodle half pans, plus about 100 appetizer pieces.
How much does Chinese catering cost per person in Atlanta?
About $10–15 per person. At General Tso’s, packages cost $289 for 20, $395 for 40, $795 for 80 and $1,195 for 120 guests.
Should I order for everyone who RSVPs?
For a sit-down meal, order for 100% of confirmed guests. For open houses where people come and go, about 75% of the invite list is usually enough.
Get a catering quote · Call (678) 691-4986 · We deliver across Metro Atlanta from our Dunwoody kitchen.
