The Panda Express menu brings together American-Chinese dishes, customizable meals, and familiar restaurant favorites. Known for its Original Orange Chicken, Chow Mein, and Fried Rice, Panda Express lets customers combine entrées and sides to suit their preferences.
One of the restaurant’s defining features is its straightforward ordering system. Customers can choose a Bowl, Plate, or Bigger Plate and select from available bases and entrées. The menu also includes appetizers, children’s meals, family-sized orders, and selected premium dishes.
Understanding the menu involves more than recognizing popular food names. Portion combinations, nutritional differences, premium-item charges, and restaurant-specific pricing can all affect the final order.
This article explores Panda Express menu categories, popular dishes, nutritional information, example prices, and ordering options using the company’s published information.
What Is the Panda Express Menu?
The Panda Express menu is organized around a customizable meal format rather than a fixed collection of complete dishes. Customers generally begin by selecting a meal size, then choose a base and one or more entrées. This structure lets customers order a familiar combination or sample several flavors in a single meal.
The menu includes chicken, beef, seafood, vegetable selections, noodles, and Rice. Its best-known offerings reflect American-Chinese cooking, combining savory sauces, sweet glazes, seasoned vegetables, and crispy or grilled proteins.
Availability is not identical everywhere. Individual restaurants may feature different items, while limited-time offerings can appear and disappear. Premium proteins may also carry additional charges.
For customers comparing different orders, the distinction between a meal format, a base, and an entrée is particularly useful. These three choices determine much of the meal’s composition and price.
Understanding Panda Express Bowl, Plate, and Bigger Plate Options
Panda Express Bowl
The Bowl is the simplest standard meal format. It includes one base and one entrée, making it suitable for customers who already know which main dish they want.
A customer might pair Original Orange Chicken with Chow Mein or select Broccoli Beef alongside steamed Rice. The base may also be split between two available choices when the ordering system allows a half-and-half selection.
Because the Bowl contains a single entrée selection, it is a straightforward option for comparing dishes without ordering multiple proteins.
Panda Express Plate
The Plate includes one base and two entrée selections. It offers more variety while maintaining the same basic ordering structure.
For example, a customer could combine Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli Beef with steamed Rice. Another combination might pair Original Orange Chicken with Kung Pao Chicken.
This flexibility helps customers who want different flavors in one meal. However, selecting premium entrées may increase the price.
Panda Express Bigger Plate
The Bigger Plate contains one base and three entrée selections. It provides the broadest entrée variety among the three standard individual meal formats.
Customers can combine different meats or select several portions of a favorite item, subject to restaurant availability and ordering rules.
The Bigger Plate should not automatically be described as the best value or the healthiest choice. Its suitability depends on the customer’s appetite, selected foods, and local price.
Popular Chicken Dishes on the Panda Express Menu
The Original Orange Chicken
The Original Orange Chicken is Panda Express’s signature entrée and one of the restaurant’s most recognizable dishes.
It features battered chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy sauce. Its crisp texture and flavorful glaze set it apart from the restaurant’s grilled or vegetable-forward chicken dishes.
According to Panda Express’s published nutrition information, one standard entrée portion contains 560 calories, 19 grams of protein, and 24 grams of sugar.
Customers who enjoy sweeter, sauced chicken dishes may find it appealing. Those monitoring calories or sugar intake can compare it with other menu selections.
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken provides a different experience from the crispy, coated chicken entrées. Its preparation emphasizes grilled chicken and teriyaki-style flavoring.
Panda Express lists a standard entrée portion at 280 calories and 38 grams of protein.
That makes it a particularly useful comparison for customers prioritizing protein intake. It can be paired with Rice or Super Greens, depending on the preferred combination.
The final meal’s nutritional values also depend on the selected base and any additional sauces.
Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is a savory, spicy selection featuring chicken, vegetables, and peanuts. Its flavor profile differs from the sweeter Orange Chicken and Honey Sesame Chicken Breast.
The company’s nutrition information lists 270 calories and 20 grams of protein per standard entrée portion.
The presence of peanuts is especially relevant for customers with food allergies. The dish suits people who enjoy a stronger, spicier flavor.
Other Chicken Choices
Additional menu selections include Mushroom Chicken, String Bean Chicken Breast, and Honey Sesame Chicken Breast. SweetFire Chicken Breast also appears in the company’s nutrition information, though availability can vary by restaurant.
These dishes differ in preparation, vegetable content, sauces, and calorie values. Mushroom Chicken is listed at 180 calories, String Bean Chicken Breast at 210 calories, and Honey Sesame Chicken Breast at 420 calories per published standard entrée portion.
Instead of treating all chicken dishes as nutritionally equivalent, customers can compare the specific calorie, protein, and sodium figures.
Beef and Seafood Options
Beijing Beef
Beijing Beef combines crispy beef with a sweet and tangy sauce and vegetables. Its coating and sauce create a different texture from Broccoli Beef or Black Pepper Sirloin Steak.
The published nutritional value is 480 calories per standard entrée portion, with 14 grams of protein.
Its rich sauce appeals to customers who enjoy strongly flavored entrées, though it is not one of the lower-calorie beef selections.
Broccoli Beef
Broccoli Beef combines beef with broccoli in a savory sauce. It is a familiar option for customers who want both vegetables and meat in their entrée.
Panda Express lists a standard serving at 190 calories and 17 grams of protein.
That calorie figure is considerably lower than the published amount for Beijing Beef. Still, customers should consider the complete order rather than evaluating an entrée in isolation.
Honey Walnut Shrimp
Honey Walnut Shrimp is one of the restaurant’s notable seafood selections. It pairs shrimp with a sweet, creamy-style sauce and walnuts.
A standard entrée portion contains 340 calories and 13 grams of protein, according to the published nutrition information.
Some locations designate this dish as a premium entrée so that an additional charge may apply. It is also unsuitable for anyone who needs to avoid its relevant allergens, particularly shellfish or walnuts.
Panda Express Sides: Rice, Noodles, and Vegetables
A base is essential for most Bowl, Plate, and Bigger Plate orders. Choosing one can significantly affect the meal’s flavor, texture, and nutritional composition.
Base Published Calories
Chow Mein 520
Fried Rice 610
White Steamed Rice 570
Super Greens 180
These are Panda Express’s published values for full standard base portions, not necessarily the smaller base quantities served with every combination.
Chow Mein is a noodle-based option that offers a savory alternative to Rice. Fried Rice offers a seasoned rice preparation, while White Steamed Rice provides a simpler base.
Super Greens is the vegetable-focused option. Its published calorie count is much lower than those of the three standard noodle and rice bases.
For someone wanting a mix of vegetables and starch, participating locations allow a half-and-half base selection. The nutritional total will depend on the actual portions served.
Appetizers and Extras
The Panda Express menu also includes appetizers that can accompany a standard meal or be ordered separately.
Popular options listed in the company’s nutrition information include Chicken Egg Roll, Vegetable Spring Roll, and Cream Cheese Rangoon.
Appetizer Published Calories
Chicken Egg Roll (1 roll) 200
Vegetable Spring Roll (2 rolls) 240
Cream Cheese Rangoon (3 pieces) 190
These appetizers offer varied textures and fillings, from crispy vegetable rolls to cream-cheese-filled wontons.
They also add calories and sodium to an order. Customers comparing meal totals should count appetizers separately rather than assuming they are included in the nutritional figures shown for an entrée.
Availability and portion configurations may differ between locations.
Panda Express Menu Prices in 2026
Panda Express prices are not uniform nationwide. Restaurant location, meal format, and premium entrée selection can affect the final amount.
Official ordering pages reviewed in October 2026 displayed these examples:
Meal Example Listed Price Location
Bowl $8.50 Stringtown & Thistle, Ohio
Plate Starting at $10.50 Eagle Mountain Blvd & Pony Express Parkway, Utah
Bigger Plate $12.50 Main St & Quinlan St, Texas
5 Person Family Meal $45.00 South 76th & Entrance, Wisconsin
5 Person Family Meal $52.00 Fashion Valley Mall, California
These are location-specific examples, not guaranteed national prices. Taxes, delivery fees, promotions, and premium-item surcharges can change the final cost.
For example, some official restaurant menus identify Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak as premium selections with additional charges. The limited-time Cantonese BBQ Brisket has also appeared with a premium surcharge.
Customers should select their actual restaurant in the official ordering system to see applicable prices before checkout.
Panda Cub Meals and Family Ordering
The Panda Cub Meal is Panda Express’s children’s meal format. It includes a junior-sized base, a junior entrée, a fruit side, and bottled water or children’s juice.
The company provides nutrition information for combinations featuring Original Orange Chicken, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, and Broccoli Beef. Its current ordering information presents Panda Cub Meals as smaller meal options designed for children.
For larger groups, the 5 Person Family Meal includes two large bases and three large entrées. This format lets customers share multiple dishes rather than buying only individual meal combinations.
Panda Express also offers catering and beverage bundles. Group customers should compare the available meal formats and premium charges against their specific needs.
Nutrition, Ingredients, and Food Allergies
The Panda Express menu includes dishes with substantially different calorie, protein, carbohydrate, and sodium values.
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Broccoli Beef, and Mushroom Chicken have lower published calorie counts than Original Orange Chicken or Beijing Beef. However, a lower-calorie entrée does not automatically establish that the complete meal is nutritionally balanced.
Sodium content deserves attention as well. For example, Panda Express lists 1,300 milligrams of sodium for Kung Pao Chicken and 1,040 milligrams for a full Chow Mein base portion.
Food allergies require particular care. Panda Express states that its operations use ingredients containing major FDA allergens, including peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, soy, wheat, and sesame.
Because kitchens share equipment, preparation areas, and utensils, the company does not guarantee that menu items are free from allergens or cross-contact.
Customers with allergies or strict dietary requirements should consult the latest restaurant information before ordering. Vegetable-containing dishes should not automatically be assumed to meet vegan, gluten-free, or other restrictive dietary standards.
How to Choose the Right Panda Express Meal
Choosing a meal is easier when you start with your needs rather than a dish’s popularity.
Someone ordering a single familiar flavor may prefer a Bowl. A Plate offers two entrée selections, while a Bigger Plate lets you compare three. Customers sharing food can consider the Family Meal.
Those interested in protein can compare the published protein values of Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Broccoli Beef. Customers monitoring calorie intake can review both the base and entrée, paying close attention to sauces and portion sizes.
For first-time visitors, pairing a familiar item, such as Orange Chicken, with a contrasting selection can provide a useful introduction to the menu.
The most reliable approach is to check current local offerings, compare nutritional information when needed, and review the full order before paying.
Conclusion
The Panda Express menu offers a broad selection of American-Chinese food through a convenient, customizable ordering system. From Original Orange Chicken and Beijing Beef to Broccoli Beef, Chow Mein, and Super Greens, the restaurant provides combinations with noticeably different flavors and nutritional characteristics.
Bowls, Plates, and Bigger Plates let you choose the number of entrées you want, while Panda Cub Meals and Family Meals suit different group sizes. Premium dishes and limited-time offerings add variety but can also affect pricing.
One of the most useful things customers can do is distinguish between an individual entrée’s nutritional figures and those of a complete meal. Local pricing and availability matter just as much when comparing options.
By reviewing the published menu and checking the selected restaurant, customers can make informed choices based on their preferences, budget, and dietary needs.
(FAQs)
1. What is the most famous item on the Panda Express menu?
The Original Orange Chicken is Panda Express’s signature dish and one of its most recognizable menu items.
2. What comes with a Panda Express Bowl?
A standard Bowl includes one base and one entrée, selected from the available restaurant menu.
3. What is the difference between a Plate and a Bigger Plate?
A Plate includes one base and two entrées, while a Bigger Plate includes one base and three entrées.
4. Does Panda Express serve vegetarian food?
The menu includes vegetable-focused selections such as Super Greens. However, customers should verify ingredients and preparation practices before assuming any dish satisfies vegetarian or vegan requirements.
5. How much does a Panda Express meal cost?
Prices vary by restaurant, meal size, and selected entrées. Official location menus show different prices, so there is no single guaranteed nationwide meal price.
6. Which Panda Express chicken dish contains the most protein among the examples discussed?
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken contains 38 grams of protein per published standard entrée portion, more than the other chicken selections compared in this guide.
7. Does Panda Express have a family meal?
Yes. Its 5 Person Family Meal includes two large bases and three large entrées.
8. Is the Panda Express menu safe for people with food allergies?
Panda Express publishes allergen information but does not guarantee allergen-free food because ingredients and preparation equipment may be shared.
