13 Panda Express Recipes for Chinese Food Fans (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Panda Express and Chinese food? ›

Does Panda Express serve authentic Chinese food? A lot of the Chinese dishes sold in Panda Express are not really that authentic because most of them are altered for the American taste. Some dishes are authentic but there are still traces of alteration within the dishes.

We know, we know, sides are the main event at Panda. But you'll want to skip the Fried Rice (which contains 520 calories and 850 mg of sodium per serving) and Chow Mein (510 calories, 860 mg of sodium).

From world-famous orange chicken to delicious chow mein, Panda Express defines American-Chinese cuisine with bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Panda Express entrees and sides contain zero grams of trans fat per serving and adds no MSG in their food.

Panda prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any entree. Panda Express does not have any vegetarian or gluten free dishes. No MSG added except for that naturally occurring in certain ingredients.

ORANGE CHICKEN

Our signature dish. Crispy chicken wok-tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce.

Two options to order: bowl or plate. If you eat a lot, the plate is recommended for you as it goes with 2 entrees and one side. I just get the bowl, for one entree and one side, just enough for me. Whether you order bowl or plate, it is priced just right.

There's a reason why this dish is Panda's claim to fame. The restaurant's most popular entree is made with crispy boneless pieces of meat combined with the chain's secret sweet yet spicy orange sauce. Almost everyone who walks through Panda's doors orders orange chicken.

✗ Chow Mein

This side dish is high in almost every category, with 510 calories, 20g total fat, 3.5g saturated fat, 80g carbohydrate, 13g protein, and 860mg sodium. (Fried rice is a close second, with similar nutrition info.)

Panda Express leans heavily into the use of seed oils. Specifically: Soybean Oil: This is one of the predominant oils used, often used for frying and sautéing. Vegetable Oil: Another frequent ingredient, it's important to note that "vegetable oil" often means a blend, which can include other seed oils.

What are the best noodles to use for chow mein? ›

Can't find Chow Mein Noodles? Use Ramen Noodles or other instant noodles – just toss the packet seasoning! Or use thin spaghetti or other thin egg noodles (check ingredients on packet, should have egg listed).

Unfortunately, if it's a nutritious meal you're on the hunt for, this one isn't it. "Panda Express's Orange Chicken and Chow Mein are considered unhealthy due to their high levels of sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats," says Young.

Or the nutrition side of things? Fried rice has 570 calories (extra calories are from fat) and 900mg sodium. However, chow mien has fewer calories of 400, but a huge amount of sodium 1,060mg! Another thing that you could look at would be the number of vegetables in each dish perhaps.

Its authenticity is often disputed, and it's commonly written off as a “guilty pleasure” by those who indulge in it. But the fact is, this food has become its own genre of regional Chinese cuisine and some of its dishes are as American as apple pie. Find yourself a cuisine that can do both.

Panda Express (Chinese: 熊貓快餐) is an American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in American Chinese cuisine.

Orange chicken is called Chinese food in North America, but orange chicken is rarely found in Chinese restaurants in China. Andrew Cherng, owner and founder of Panda Express, said that orange chicken is just a variation of General Tso's chicken, another dish that is almost unknown in China.

In 1987, the chain's chef, Andy Kao, introduced the famous Orange Chicken. The first version was served bone-in but nowadays you will find that the dish is boneless. The combination of its good food quality, financial discipline and the boom in the Asian restaurant category brought Panda Express to new heights.