New Hoviwa is a Chinese takeaway in Braintree that’s ideal for an easy night in, with a big menu covering everything from dim sum and soups to salt and pepper favourites, sweet and sour classics, and set meals for one or two.

New Hoviwa sits on Manor Street in Braintree and is very much geared around takeaway convenience. The Where to Eat in Essex listing positions it as a Chinese takeaway offering sweet and sour dishes, beef, chicken, seafood, plus Thai style noodle and rice options, with both delivery and collection available, so it works whether you want to pop in and collect or stay put at home.

The menu is broad in a way that suits real life ordering, especially when you’re feeding more than one person and you want a mix of textures. It’s not just “pick a main and a rice”. You’ve got sections for starters, dim sum, soups, salt and pepper dishes, sweet and sour dishes, rice and noodle dishes, rice noodles, ho fun, curries, separate chicken, beef, pork and seafood sections, plus duck, fu yung, omelettes, spare ribs, vegetables, sauces and chips, desserts, soft drinks, and special set meals. That means you can build a proper spread that feels generous, rather than a pile of containers where everything tastes the same.

If you’re ordering for the first time, a simple way to get the best experience is to think in layers.

Start with a couple of starters that add crunch and variety. The menu includes mixed hors d’oeuvres, which is a handy share option because it combines a few classic bits rather than making you guess what everyone will like. There are also familiar favourites like prawn on toast, crispy seaweed, crispy won ton, pancake rolls, and satay chicken skewers with satay sauce. If you like the “crispy, saucy” style starters, there are options such as smoked shredded chicken served with sweet and sour sauce.

Then consider adding something from the dim sum section. This is one of the easiest ways to make your order feel a bit more interesting, especially if you’re bored of repeating the same takeaway routine. You’ve got prawn dumplings, siu mai, dumplings with different fillings, plus buns and an all in one steamed basket that’s clearly designed for sharing and tasting a bit of everything. It’s a great add-on for a couple or a group because it gives you smaller bites to share alongside the main dishes.

Soups are also well represented, with classic choices like hot and sour, won ton, sweetcorn soups, and noodle soups. These can be a good shout if you’re ordering on a colder evening or you want something lighter alongside fried starters.

For mains, you can go in a few directions depending on what your household actually enjoys.

If you like bold, savoury flavours, the salt and pepper section is the obvious route. There are salt and pepper chicken bites, chicken balls, wings, spare ribs, squid, king prawns, and even salt and pepper chips. There’s also a bigger “special salt and pepper” option that bundles a mix of items, which is perfect when you want one standout sharer for the table.

If you prefer classic British Chinese takeaway comfort, the sweet and sour section has the staples people tend to come back to, including sweet and sour balls and Hong Kong style sweet and sour options across different meats. These are the kinds of dishes that work brilliantly for families or mixed groups because they’re familiar and easy to share.

If you want something that feels hearty and filling, the menu has plenty of rice and noodle options. House special fried rice is listed as a larger portion and combines a mix of meats and king prawn, while Singapore fried rice brings that curry powder and chilli style kick that a lot of people love. If your household prefers noodles over rice, you can build the whole order around noodle dishes and add a couple of sides for variety.

If you don’t want to overthink it at all, the set meals are worth a look. The site highlights a set dinner for one person and a set dinner for two people, which is exactly the sort of option that makes weeknight ordering easier because the structure is already decided for you. It’s also a practical choice if you’re ordering for someone who just wants the classics without scrolling through every category.

Dietary and allergy information is limited, so it’s best to be sensible and not assume. The New Hoviwa site includes an allergy advice note asking customers to inform them of allergies before ordering so they can advise. Vegetarian options do appear across the menu, for example items like vegetarian spring rolls and vegetable dim sum options. Vegan options are not stated. Gluten free options are not stated. A full allergen list is not stated. If you’re ordering for allergies or strict dietary requirements, it’s best to call before ordering and be specific about what you need.

Location wise, New Hoviwa is at 82A Manor Street, Braintree, CM7 3HR. Being on Manor Street makes it convenient for collection if you’re already in town, but it’s also clearly set up for delivery when you’d rather stay at home. The Where to Eat in Essex listing also notes there’s no onsite parking and only limited on street parking on Manor Street, so if you’re collecting by car it’s worth allowing a couple of extra minutes to sort parking.

Opening times are evening based, which suits takeaway habits perfectly. The listing shows they’re open six days a week with Tuesday closed, and the usual evening window runs from 5:00pm, with later closing on Fridays and Saturdays. That makes it a good option for after work dinners and weekend orders, and it’s also a handy one to remember for Sundays when you want an easy dinner without cooking.

For payments, the Where to Eat in Essex listing states they accept cash, credit or debit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. That’s useful for quick collections and means you’re not relying on having cash to hand.

Overall, New Hoviwa is a strong shout if you want a classic Chinese takeaway in Braintree with enough range to keep everyone happy. You can keep it simple with sweet and sour favourites and fried rice, or you can make it feel more like a proper feast by adding dim sum, soups, and a salt and pepper sharer. If you build your order with a mix of crispy starters, one bold savoury dish, and a comforting rice or noodle base, you’ll get the best out of what the menu is designed to do.

Food Types: Takeaway/Delivery; Chinese

Dining Type: Takeaway; Delivery

Area: Braintree, Braintree