Rice Box

Ordered Chinese. £2 delivery cost, salty Szechuan tofu, passable chili-​sweet vegetables and boiled rice (that came as fried rice instead– blech) for £13. While it did make three meals, the mistake in the order and the overall quality and vegetable variation was a bit lacking.
While I’ve been warned about the Chinese in Oxford, the real «Never Again» moment came from the harassment I received from the driver when he was trying to find my house. Like many houses in Oxford, while it may be ON a road, the driveway might not be. Logic 1−0−1 dude.
Skip Rice Box, especially for takeaway.

I didn’t actually think it was possible to screw up satay chicken skewers, but these people proved me wrong. They were dry and hard on the inside, yet soggy on the outside, and just overall a disgrace to the spicy peanutty tenderness that the dish is known for. Most of the dishes you think include rice, don’t. There are soups are better than the actual entrees so if you feel like trying this place out anyway, shoot for those.
When my mom and I popped in for a quick snack before dinner, we were told that we could not just get a couple appetizers if we planned to sit down. This was pretty silly as there was literally not a soul in the place and it was a half hour before closing. However, our stomachs overruled our good sense and we stayed despite their rudeness. We endured their tough spiced beef and the loud and jeering foreign conversations while we ate. I don’t know what happened to being considerate of your customers but there people clearly don’t know how to run an eatery. Don’t let their fancy website fool you. Needless to say we are not coming back here again.
The price is cheap and so is the inside. With all the great Asian places around Cowley road, I would’t waste your time. There are much more authentic, flavorful, and well-​mannered establishments within feet of this place.

I’ve eaten here twice and not going there ever again when there are plenty of other chinese take aways few doors down from them. Service awful on both occasions, food is so much better anywhere else but here.

The gist: cheap and cheerful Chinese food.
What’s it like? Think Wagamamas but not as original or tasty. It costs less though.
The good: Decent portions, all the usual dishes you’d expect, soiable, good value.
The bad: It’s not a very private experience and can be noisy, crowded and feel a bit like feeding time, especially when the staff tend to just produce the food, rather than taking the time to go through the usual polite procedures.
Conclusion: If reasonable, cheap food is your priority, go for it. You’re there to eat, not to be flattered. If you want to go out for a nice occasion or to treat yourself, give it a miss.

From the outside, and even from the inside, Rice Box looks like an ordinary, by which I mean a I-​would-​not-​eat-​here kind of Chinese place. There is another place like that further up on the Cowley Rd, whose name I have blocked from my memory. However, my view is that Rice Box has food that caters to those looking for the Westernised Chinese taste, but also has real gems on the menu.
My go-​to order for late nights when I just needed hot food was the Thai chicken curry. Good flavours, fills you up. But I brought my dad here for the crispy duck, which is as good or better than any. place. in. London.

This place is great if you’re a student in search of a big plate of something tasty. The food here all comes in huge portions and all tastes pretty good, but it does feel fairly unwholesome.
The place is set up with long tables so you all sit up at a bench — a bit odd unless you go with exactly the right number of people, or you end up with a few people sat separately or sitting next to strangers.
The service here is a little rude in my experience — the staff aren’t very friendly. The food is pretty cheap though — but if you want good Chinese food or a tasty takeaway, there are better places nearby.