An American man has shared his brutally honest verdict after trying a pre-packaged Tesco 'fakeaway' for the first time, sparking a debate about whether supermarket versions can ever replace a proper takeaway.
The £8.50 'Cheeky Chinese' Experiment
In a video shared online in January 2026, the man, known on Facebook as Kalani Ghost Hunter, decided to test a Tesco 'box for two of a cheeky Chinese' costing £8.50. He admitted curiosity about how it would compare to his favourite Chinese meal. The box contained chicken chow mein, sweet and sour chicken, prawn crackers, spring rolls, and rice, promising a complete meal for two.
Upon unpacking, his initial reaction was sceptical. He described the fried rice as looking 'a little grim' and joked, 'Hopefully that's not a sign of things to come'. The woman filming with him was also doubtful, stating she didn't think the meal would 'scratch the itch' for proper Chinese food.
A Mixed Bag of Flavours and Textures
After microwaving the items as per instructions, the tasting began. The first bite of the sweet and sour chicken was telling. Kalani found it 'kinda watery' and lacking in flavour. However, he was quick to acknowledge the value, noting that for £8.50 for two people, it was a 'pretty good deal' compared to a restaurant takeaway.
The spring roll fared slightly better, but the real criticism was reserved for the rice. His verdict was blunt: 'The rice is s****', he exclaimed, almost spitting it out. The couple had also purchased separate sweet and sour chicken balls to bulk out the meal, which along with the chow mein, received the 'higher marks' of the entire experience.
Public Reaction and Fakeaway Tips
The review prompted a flurry of comments from viewers. One person pointed out the obvious, writing: 'It's prepacked out of a box, dude, what do you expect lol'. Kalani simply replied, 'Well, I wanted to know'.
Others defended the concept of supermarket fakeaways for their convenience and price. One comment read: 'for the price it’s not that bad if you can’t be a**** cooking it from scratch', with another recommending Tesco's tikka masala. A useful tip emerged for future attempts: mixing the rice with the sweet and sour sauce to improve both texture and taste.
However, a purist argued that some cuisines should not be compromised, stating: 'Chinese food should only ever be bought from the Chinese!' The experiment highlighted the ongoing trade-off between cost, convenience, and authentic flavour that many face when attempting a budget-friendly 'fakeaway' night in.
