If there is one thing that unites the fine people of Epsom, it is the universal panic that sets in at 6:45 PM on a Friday when you realise nobody has taken anything out of the freezer. The solution? A frantic scramble for the takeaway menu drawer. But with so many options, where do you turn when you need your crispy chilli beef fix?
We have scoured the internet, combed through hundreds of Google and TripAdvisor reviews from 2026, and sacrificed our waistlines to bring you the definitive guide to the best Chinese takeaways in Epsom. Grab your chopsticks and let us dive in.
The 2026 League Table
Before we get into the meaty details (pun absolutely intended), let us look at the current standings. We have crunched the numbers so you do not have to.
1Beijing Palace: Outer Reaches Royalty
**Location:** Ashtead | **Rating:** 4.4/5Technically sitting just outside the Epsom border in Ashtead, Beijing Palace takes the crown. Why? Because the food is so good that people are willing to cross postcode boundaries for it. Reviewers rave about the generous portion sizes and the fact that the sweet and sour chicken balls are actually mostly chicken, rather than just deep-fried air.
One reviewer noted, "I drove past three other takeaways to get here. My wife said I was mad. Then she ate the aromatic duck and apologised." That is the kind of power Beijing Palace wields.
2Mei House: The Salt & Pepper King
**Location:** Upper High Street | **Rating:** 4.2/5
Mei House is an institution on the Upper High Street. It is the kind of place that knows your order before you even walk through the door, provided you order the exact same thing every Friday for five years.
Their speciality? Anything involving salt, pepper, and a deep fryer. The salt and pepper squid has been described by one passionate local as "a religious experience." It is crispy, it is spicy, and it will leave you reaching for a cold pint. They also get top marks for delivery speed — reviewers frequently mention the food arriving so quickly it defies the laws of physics.
3China Chef: The Fan Favourite
**Location:** East Street | **Rating:** 3.7/5
China Chef is the reliable workhorse of the Epsom takeaway scene. It might not have the highest rating, but it has a fiercely loyal following who will defend its honour in local Facebook groups.
The charm of China Chef lies in its unapologetic embrace of classic British-Chinese cuisine. We are talking neon-orange sweet and sour sauce, prawn toast thicker than a mattress, and fortune cookies that always tell you exactly what you want to hear. "It's not trying to be fancy," writes one fan, "it's just trying to fill a hole in my soul with noodles." Mission accomplished.
4Dragon Den: The Dark Horse
**Location:** Ewell | **Rating:** 3.3/5Tucked away in Ewell, Dragon Den is a bit of a wildcard. The reviews are a mixed bag, which only adds to the thrill of the chase. When it is good, it is exceptional. When it is bad, well, at least the prawn crackers are free.
The standout dish here is the crispy shredded beef. According to one daring reviewer, "It's like eating delicious, spicy twigs. I can't stop." If you are feeling adventurous and want to roll the dice on a Saturday night, Dragon Den is your spot.
5Top Chef: The Wild Card
**Location:** Waterloo Road | **Rating:** 3.1/5Rounding out our top five is Top Chef. The name might be a bold claim, but they deliver on the classics. The reviews highlight the affordability and the sheer volume of food you get for your hard-earned cash.
"I ordered a meal for two and it fed my family of four for three days," claims one satisfied customer. If you are looking to feed a small army on a budget, Top Chef has got your back. Just do not expect any Michelin stars — expect a solid, comforting meal that hits the spot.
So there you have it, Epsom. The next time the Friday night takeaway panic sets in, you are armed with the knowledge to make the right choice. Whether you are venturing out to Ashtead for royalty or sticking to the Upper High Street for the salt and pepper squid, may your noodles be long and your fortune cookies be accurate.