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The Best Food at Panda Express

Panda Express should be your go-to spot if you are in the mood for some delicious Chinese fast food.

As one of the most popular Chinese chain restaurants in the US, Panda Express has been a fan favorite since 1983.

The Panda Express menu includes a variety of Chinese-inspired dishes, including classic and signature entrees like Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beijing Beef, Chow Mein, and Orange Chicken.  

With so many options on the menu, it can take a lot of work to choose just one dish.

To help you with your decision, here are the 20 Best Panda Express menu items ranked from good to absolutely delicious.

20. Super Greens

Not every entree comes with enough vegetables, but at Panda Express, that’s not a problem.

The Super Greens side dish is the perfect way to get your daily veggies in one tasty bite.

It’s made with steamed broccoli that maintains its crunch and freshness.

The broccoli is tossed with some sesame oil and garlic to give it that extra flavor boost.

Nutritional Information:

45 calories, 3g protein, 5g carbohydrates, 2g fat

19. Cream Cheese Rangoon

The Cream Cheese Rangoon is one of the most Americanized dishes on the Panda Express menu.

These crispy fried wontons are filled with a mixture of cream cheese, chopped vegetables, and seasonings for a delicious snack or appetizer.

Although they taste great with the chili sauce, I love eating them with the Sweet Fire Chicken Breast or Beijing Beef.

The sauces from the entrees offer a nice contrast to the creamy cheese filling.

Nutritional Information: (3 Pieces)

190 calories, 5g protein, 24g carbohydrates, 8g fat

18. Chow Fun

If you love pad thai and drunken noodles, you’ll love the Chow Fun.

It’s made with wide, flat rice noodles stir-fried with a mix of vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers.

The dish is finished with soy sauce for an extra flavor boost.

I love having the Chow Fun plain with sweet chili sauce drizzled on top.

However, Beijing Beef and Sweet Walnut Shrimp are also great accompaniments to this dish.

Nutritional Information:

410 calories, 6g protein, 53g carbohydrates, 6g fat

17. Fried Rice

Fried Rice is a popular side dish loved by many Panda Express fans, made with white rice, carrots, scrambled egg crumbles, and green peas.

The vegetables are cooked to perfection, and the rice is not dry, overcooked, or too oily, making it a great complement to any entrée.

No matter which entree you order, you’ll love how the Fried Rice adds even more flavor and texture to your meal.

Nutritional Information:

520 calories, 11g protein, 85g carbohydrates, 16g fat

16. Mushroom Chicken

The Mushroom Chicken is made with white meat chicken, mushrooms, and a savory brown sauce.

This dish is a fan favorite because it is both hearty and flavorful.

The mushrooms add great texture and flavor to the dish, and the sauce perfectly balances sweet, savory, and umami.

If you’re looking for an entree with lots of flavors but not too much heat, then Mushroom Chicken is a great option.

Nutritional Information:

220 calories, 13g protein, 10g carbohydrates, 14g fat

15. Eggplant Tofu

The Eggplant Tofu is scrumptious and a vegetarian-friendly option on the Panda Express menu.

It contains deep-fried tofu, eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers in a sweet and spicy sauce.

The sauce is a blend of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil.

Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, the eggplant soaked in this tasty sauce will satisfy your taste buds, while the tofu offers plenty of protein to help you power through the day.

Nutritional Information:

340 calories, 7g protein, 17g carbohydrates, 18g fat

14. String Bean Chicken Breast

The String Bean Chicken Breast is a popular dish made with fresh string beans and all-white meat chicken.

Panda Express takes pride in creating mouth-watering fried chicken cooked until it is golden crispy, then coated with an aromatic ginger soy sauce made from the freshest ingredients like garlic and oyster sauce.

This blend of flavors gives their signature dish a taste you won’t soon forget.

Nutritional Information:

210 calories, 12g protein, 13g carbohydrates, 12g fat

13. Veggie Spring Roll

For vegetarians, the Veggie Spring Roll at Panda Express is an excellent substitute.

This dish features a lightly-fried spring roll with fresh vegetables like cabbage and carrots, all enveloped in a crispy wonton wrapper.

It’s served with a sweet chili sauce to give it an extra kick of flavor.

This is one of the top vegetarian dishes offered at Panda Express.

Nutritional Information: (2 Rolls)

240 calories, 4g protein, 24g carbohydrates, 14g fat

12. Chicken Potsticker

I can eat the Chicken Potstickers every day and never get sick of them!

They are made with a juicy chicken and vegetable filling tucked in a soft, chewy wrapper.

They are then lightly pan-fried for a wonderful crunchy exterior.

Served with soy sauce or chili sauce, these little bites are an absolute must-try on the menu.

Nutritional Information: (3 Pieces)

240 calories, 4g protein, 24g carbohydrates, 14g fat

11. Chicken Egg Roll

The Chicken Egg Roll is a great finger food and appetizer.

These egg rolls come with shredded chicken, cabbage, and carrots, all enveloped in a wonton wrapper.

They are then deep-fried and served with a sweet chili sauce.

These crunchy treats are perfect for snacking or as a side dish to any entree.

Nutritional Information: (1 Roll)

240 calories, 4g protein, 24g carbohydrates, 14g fat

10. Black Pepper Angus Steak

The Black Pepper Angus Steak uses marinated USDA Choice steak wok-seared with fresh pepper, onions, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic, and spice.

The steak is juicy, tender, and full of flavor from the marinade.

The vegetables add an extra layer of crunchiness to the dish, making it a complete meal.

Nutritional Information:

210 calories, 19g protein, 13g carbohydrates, 10g fat

9. Sweet Fire Chicken Breast

If you love Hawaiian pizza, you may want to try the Sweet Fire Chicken Breast.

This dish combines crispy white meat chicken, vibrant red bell peppers, and onions with the sweet flavor of pineapples, all coming together in a chili sauce.

The perfect balance of sweet and spicy makes it a hit with both young and old alike.

Nutritional Information:

360 calories, 15g protein, 40g carbohydrates, 15g fat

8. Honey Sesame Chicken Breast

The Honey Sesame Chicken Breast is exactly what it sounds like.

Stir-fried chicken breast, green beans, and sweet yellow peppers are smothered in a sweet and savory sauce made from honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.

The chicken is then garnished with crunchy sesame seeds for extra flavor.

The combination of sweet and spicy flavors makes it one of the best dishes at Panda Express.

Nutritional Information:

340 calories, 16g protein, 35g carbohydrates, 15g fat

7. Teriyaki Chicken

The Teriyaki Chicken is a classic on the Panda Express menu.

It features marinated chicken breast cooked in a sweet teriyaki sauce with fresh bell peppers and onions.

This dish is so popular because it’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

The chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sauce is sticky and delicious.

Plus, it’s a healthier option as far as fast food goes.

Nutritional Information:

340 calories, 41g protein, 14g carbohydrates, 13g fat

6. Broccoli Beef

The Broccoli Beef combines tender slices of marinated beef with crunchy steamed broccoli.

It is then tossed in a sweet and savory sauce made from garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.

The result is a delicious entrée that will leave you satisfied and full.

Nutritional Information:

150 calories, 9g protein, 13g carbohydrates, 7g fat

5. Kung Pao Chicken

If you want something spicy and finger-licking good, you can’t go wrong with the Kung Pao Chicken from Panda Express.

This dish is made with white meat chicken stir-fried in a wok with sweet bell peppers, zucchini, and diced onion.

It is tossed in a spicy Szechuan sauce made from chili peppers, oyster sauce, and soy sauce.

The chicken is then garnished with roasted peanuts and green onions for an extra crunch and flavor.

Nutritional Information:

290 calories, 16g protein, 14g carbohydrates, 19g fat

4. Chow Mein

Chow Mein is a classic Chinese dish with noodles, lettuce, and green onions.

Unlike the old American style of crispy Chow Mein, Panda Express’ version is stir-fried to perfection.

Although you can always have it plain, it tastes delicious.

Panda Express usually serves it as a side dish with their main entrees.

The entree sauce soaking into the Chow Mein takes the flavor up a notch.

Nutritional Information:

510 calories, 13g protein, 80g carbohydrates, 20g fat

3. Honey Walnut Shrimp

The Honey Walnut Shrimp is one of the best foods at Panda Express.

The dish features battered jumbo shrimp that are fried until golden brown.

They are tossed in a sweet, creamy honey-mayonnaise sauce and sprinkled with crunchy candied walnuts for extra flavor.

The sweet, crunchy combination makes it suitable for both children and adults.

It is a great option for those who want to eat something other than meat.

Nutritional Information:

360 calories, 11g protein, 27g carbohydrates, 24g fat

2. Orange Chicken

According to Panda Express, their Orange Chicken is “a sweet and spicy chicken dish with a tangy orange sauce.”

It’s made with white meat chicken, battered and fried until it’s nice and crispy.

The chicken is then stir-fried in a wok with their signature spicy orange sauce.

The sweet, savory, sour, and spicy flavors all come together to make a simply delicious entree.

No wonder the Original Orange Chicken is one of the most popular items from Panda Express.

Nutritional Information:

190 calories, 8g protein, 18g carbohydrates, 10g fat

1. Beijing Beef

I’ll be honest; I was a little skeptical at first – How good could a fast-food chain’s version of this popular Chinese dish be?

However, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the Beijing Beef from Panda Express.

The beef was tender and flavorful, the veggies were fresh and crispy, and the sauce was a balance between sweet and savory.

It was one of the best things I’ve had from Panda Express.

Be warned that the Beijing Beef packs in quite a bit of heat.

Nutritional Information:

480 calories, 14g protein, 46g carbohydrates, 27g fat

Conclusion

Panda Express offers some of the tastiest Chinese fusion dishes.

From classic favorites like Kung Pao Chicken to unique creations like Cream Cheese Rangoon and Chicken Potsticker, there is something for everyone on the Panda Express menu.

Whether you want something mild, spicy, savory, or sweet, Panda Express offers a variety of entrees and side dishes to enjoy.

Next time you are craving some delicious Chinese fast food, stop by a Panda Express near you and try one of the menu items on this list.

For more information about Panda Express, check out the articles below.

About the Author

Lianne Fachetti is a content writer who adores food from all cultures. When she’s not working, she’s busy creating new recipes, trying out new restaurants, playing with her German Shepherd Max, and tending to her vegetable garden.

 

February 13, 2023