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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Takeaway ordered 5 hours early and reheated - AIBU to think that's weird?

104 replies

ImaginaryLobster · 30/07/2025 19:35

My dad has invited me, my sister, my partner and his brother round to my parent's house for a Chinese takeaway tomorrow.

He messaged me on Sunday asking if I can "let him know the sort of stuff we’d like for Thursday… before Thursday if possible." When I asked what he meant, he said he plans to go to the Chinese takeaway on Wednesday, or as soon as it opens on Thursday (3pm), get everyone's food then, and reheat it later in the oven. He's just now asked me again what everyone's having so he can do the order.

The place doesn't have a website or proper menu - just a blurry photo someone posted on Facebook a couple of years ago, which I now have to screenshot and send around to everyone. I’m chasing people up for their orders, and they’re asking why can't we just order when we get there? I don't know what to say.

My partner is taking me and his brother there, and my sister lives with them, so we'll be there at the same time. We're getting there for 8pm.

If you're thinking, why not just say something, I can't, because he's asulking lunatic. Another factor is that I'm pregnant, and I'm wondering whether I should be eating reheated Chinese food? I get that he's trying to be organised and probably doesn't want to mess around with waiting times in the evening, but isn't this a really awkward and unnecessary way of doing it?

AIBU to think it would make more sense to just be normal and order when we arrive? Part of the fun is discussing it and also being able to share stuff. My partner and his brother will definitely hoard whatever they've picked, nobody'll be touching their carefully selected items (technically I should already know what they're having apparently!!)

Or do other people do this too? Should we make our takeaway choices with military precision days in advance, and then wait while it slowly dies in the oven.

OP posts:
Noshadowsinthedark · 30/07/2025 19:38

It would be a no thank you from me.

Can someone else tell him no if it’s hard for you to do so?

MissEloiseBridgerton · 30/07/2025 19:42

I'm all for leftover Chinese but it's never better than when it's fresh! Seems odd! Even just ordered it so it arrives at 8 would be fine! 8 is quite late tbh

Doingmybest12 · 30/07/2025 19:42

I think to arrive at 8pm then choose and order and collect ,sounds like a late meal. I can't see why it can't be reheated safely. Whether there are better alternatives maybe there are but I can see why he wants your choices earlier than 8.20 on the night.

Michele09 · 30/07/2025 19:45

Why not get some Chinese ready meals instead from the supermarket. It would be a lot cheaper. They'd only be reheated once.

OakAshRowan · 30/07/2025 19:47

I've never known anyone to do this but I've heated leftovers the next day plenty of times and never had any issues so I'm not sure why it would be a problem. To be honest I'd rather have it all sorted in advance as I wouldn't want to be waiting until close to 9pm to eat.

Firefightress1 · 30/07/2025 19:49

We do this all the time as we live on a Scottish island and can't get delivery!

We pick it up after work and eat it after the pub on a Friday night using the oven and air fryer.

Kinda reminds me of when we used to use just eat in the city but if we could get it delivered anytime then fresh is always better.

We've been doing that for 3 years and no issues

gamerchick · 30/07/2025 19:49

I wouldn't for Chinese. Curries I would.

fizzlecherry · 30/07/2025 19:49

8pm is very late, by time everyone arrives and chats a bit then orders etc, it will be very late. Will you be getting it delivered or collecting it? Delivery can sometimes end up arriving much later than planned too. So I can see the appeal of having it all sorted
However reheated Chinese food sounds absolutely grim, especially if pregnant. I wouldn’t fancy that at all. Could he not just get everyone to say what they want and he orders and collects for 7:30 so he’s home with it staying warm in the oven for 8pm arrival? Or arrange for 8pm delivery of the takeaway? Get someone else like your sister to bring it up?

Left · 30/07/2025 19:50

That sounds rank! I’d not want to risk the food poisoning 🫤

Reliablesource · 30/07/2025 19:51

I kind of see why he wants to do this. 8pm is late to arrive, and THEN choose food, order it and wait for it to be delivered or go to collect it. You won’t be eating till 9pm at the earliest, which would piss me off personally. Can’t you all get there any earlier than 8pm, if you want to do it that way?

For what it’s worth, I have often reheated Chinese takeaway food in the microwave, either later that evening for a latecomer, or the following day, having stored it in the fridge overnight. Never had any issues doing that, and yes, that includes rice, despite the many people who get their knickers in a twist over reheating rice!

SeaGreenSeaGlass · 30/07/2025 19:51

Can one of you collect it on your way over?

Personally I would not be happy with this plan, it'd be much nicer to eat it when fresh. Fried rice is usually boiled and chilled in advance and then reheated by the chef. Others may think the risk of further chilling and reheating is worth it but it's you that's pregnant. I don't see any reason to add an unnecessary risk.

Do you trust your dad to immediately chill it all thoroughly and reheat it until it's all piping hot? Would he have space to do this? It sounds like there could be a lot of food.

TheFairyCaravan · 30/07/2025 19:52

I wouldn’t be eating any of it. I’ve had food poisoning from reheated rice (we didn’t reheat it, caterers did) and I’ve never felt so unwell in all my life. I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to be pregnant at the same time.

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/07/2025 19:52

Often have leftover Chinese

tho day after

Maybe suggest you will pick it up en route so still eat it at 8

Summerholiday321 · 30/07/2025 19:52

Do not, under any circumstances, eat reheated takeaway rice. I did this once and ended up taking a pillow, blanket and book into the bathroom the next day and just setting up camp. I did Google at the time why it's so dangerous but can't remember the explanation now, something to do with the process of rice cooling down and bacteria growing.

Also this man sounds loopy.

Sminty2 · 30/07/2025 19:54

My dad used to do this too. He wanted everyone sat, at the table at exactly 6pm and everything had to be on the table for that time.

He worried that the order would be wrong or something would be missing or something, something etc. I think it’s an old man fusspot thing. Control over the food, not wanting to go out ‘late at night’ 😊 and wanting everyone to be happy.

it never hurt any of us but sometimes the spring rolls were extra crispy 😊

Firefightress1 · 30/07/2025 19:55

The only takeaway I dont reheat is a chippy, it just goes in the bin but we reheat everything else often and havebt had any issues in years 😂

TruffleShuffles · 30/07/2025 19:59

I’m more than happy to eat reheated leftovers from the takeaway but I would definitely have wanted to have most of it freshly cooked first. Like someone else has said, it makes more sense for you to pick it up on the way so you eat at 8 when you get there and the food is still fresh.

Dippythedino · 30/07/2025 20:08

Can't he order it at 6:30pm -7pm so it arrives for 8pm then it doesn't need reheating.

GaspingGekko · 30/07/2025 20:15

Ordering early and reheating sounds bizarre to me - though I wouldn't mind too much.
But you lost me when you complained avout your DH and BIL hoarding what they ordered, I hate when people expect to share take away. I order what I want to eat and don't want to share it and have to share what someone else has ordered. But then I'm reasonably fussy.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 30/07/2025 20:19

If you're going to do this please have plain rice not fried. As fried rice has already been re heated once

soupyspoon · 30/07/2025 20:23

Ive heard of people doing this I dont think its unusual. Ive more heard it for xmas when people have a big takeaway spread at xmas for dinner, they order it the day before and then reheat on the day.

GeniuneWorkOfFart · 30/07/2025 20:29

It's very weird to talk about people "hoarding" their own meal Hmm

Lots of people like to order what they want, they don't want bits of yours as well and don't want to give you bits of theirs. It's not "hoarding".

GeniuneWorkOfFart · 30/07/2025 20:30

But I personally wouldn't eat reheated takeaway especially if pregnant! You don't know if they'd already reheated any of it for a start. Will your dad even have room in the fridge?

Original poster
ImaginaryLobster · 30/07/2025 20:34

Thanks for the comments, I do agree 8pm does seem a bit late.

@Noshadowsinthedark suggested if I can get someone else to talk to him.
I'm going to message my mum and say can you get him to change to an
earlier time. We can get there earlier!

It's where he messaged on Sunday commanding I get everyone's order,
makes me want to ignore it and not do it.

If he had the list I guarantee he would have ordered it already and put
in the fridge!!

OP posts:
Ooodelally · 30/07/2025 20:35

I wouldn’t eat that, the rice would be a food poisoning risk on its own let alone anything else. I think it would be mad for a pregnant woman to risk it.

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