✅ Last Updated: October 2026 — Prices, calories and limited-time items checked and refreshed.
🔥 Now Back: Cantonese BBQ Brisket · 🍿 New Test Item: Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (select cities) · 🌶️ Hot Orange Chicken — limited time
Panda Express Menu 2026 — Prices, Calories & Complete Guide
Craving American Chinese food? Start here. This guide brings the full Panda Express menu together in one place — every Bowl, Plate, entree, side and family meal with its current price, calorie count and protein, so you can decide what to order before you reach the counter.
Quick facts: 2,500+ locations · Founded 1983 · Bowl from $9.30+ · No added MSG
Panda Express is the largest American Chinese dining brand in the United States. Founded in 1983 by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, it grew from a single restaurant in Glendale, California, into more than 2,500 locations. Its wok-tossed dishes — led by The Original Orange Chicken and Honey Walnut Shrimp — mix sweet, savoury and spicy flavours in a fast, build-your-own format: pick a size, pick a side, pick your entrees.
Below you will find meal sizes and prices, the newest limited-time dishes, every signature entree with calories, healthy options, family and catering bundles, and answers to the questions customers ask most.
Meal Sizes — Bowl, Plate & Bigger Plate
Choosing a size is the easiest way to control both cost and calories.
Bowl
$9.30+
1 Side + 1 Entree
280–1,130 cal
Plate
$11.10+
1 Side + 2 Entrees
430–1,640 cal
Bigger Plate
$12.90+
1 Side + 3 Entrees
580–2,150 cal
Panda Cub Meal
$7.80
1 Jr. Side + 1 Jr. Entree + Drink + Fruit Side
300–740 cal
Family Meal
$43.00+
2 Large Sides + 3 Large Entrees
Serves 5
Money tip: A Bigger Plate split between two people usually works out cheaper per person than two separate Bowls.
Bowl $9.30+ · Plate $11.10+ · Bigger Plate $12.90+ · A La Carte $4.60+ · Catering Trays $17.00+ · Drinks $2.30+
What’s New in 2026
- Cantonese BBQ Brisket — Back by Demand: Slow-cooked brisket in a Char Siu-style barbecue sauce. 410 cal · 44g protein — the highest-protein entree on the menu.
- Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken — New Test Item: Extra-crispy dark-meat chicken in a tamarind, garlic and onion spice blend, with fried kale and chili peppers. Available in select cities.
- Hot Orange Chicken — Limited Time: The classic Orange Chicken with two kinds of chili for real heat. No premium upcharge.
- Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher — New Drink: Part of the Crafted Beverages line, made with real sugar and real fruit juice. $3.40+ (Large, 24 oz).
- Cleaner Recipes: Artificial colours and synthetic dyes have been removed across the menu, and sodium and sugar have been reduced in several recipes.
Signature Entrees
Standard entrees are included in any Bowl or Plate at no extra charge. A la carte price $5.40+ each.
Orange Chicken
Crispy chicken in a sweet, tangy orange glaze
$5.40+ · 510 cal · 18g protein
Beijing Beef
Crisp beef, peppers and onion in sweet-tangy sauce
$5.40+ · 470 cal · 14g protein
Kung Pao Chicken
Sichuan-style chicken with peanuts and chili
$5.40+ · 320 cal · 17g protein
Broccoli Beef
Tender beef and broccoli in ginger soy — Wok Smart
$5.40+ · 150 cal · 9g protein
Mushroom Chicken
Chicken, mushroom and zucchini in ginger soy — Wok Smart
$5.40+ · 220 cal · 13g protein
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Hand-sliced grilled chicken, high protein
$5.40+ · 275 cal · 33g protein
String Bean Chicken Breast
Chicken and string beans in ginger soy — Wok Smart
$5.40+ · 210 cal · 12g protein
SweetFire Chicken Breast
Sweet chili glaze with pineapple and peppers
$5.40+ · 380 cal · 13g protein
| Entree | Short Description | Price | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Chicken | Crispy chicken in a sweet, tangy orange glaze with a gentle kick | $5.40+ | 510 | 18g |
| Hot Orange Chicken | The original, turned up with two chili peppers (limited time) | $5.40+ | ~530 | — |
| Beijing Beef | Crisp beef, peppers and onion in a sweet-tangy sauce | $5.40+ | 470 | 14g |
| Kung Pao Chicken | Sichuan-style chicken with peanuts, vegetables and chili | $5.40+ | 320 | 17g |
| Broccoli Beef | Tender beef and broccoli in ginger soy sauce — Wok Smart | $5.40+ | 150 | 9g |
| Mushroom Chicken | Chicken, mushroom and zucchini in a light ginger soy sauce — Wok Smart | $5.40+ | 220 | 13g |
| Grilled Teriyaki Chicken | Hand-sliced grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce — high protein | $5.40+ | 275 | 33g |
| Sweet & Sour Chicken | Crispy chicken breast with peppers, onion and sweet-sour sauce | $5.40+ | 400 | 17g |
| String Bean Chicken Breast | Chicken breast and string beans wok-tossed in ginger soy — Wok Smart | $5.40+ | 210 | 12g |
| Honey Sesame Chicken Breast | Crisp white-meat strips with vegetables in a honey-sesame sauce | $5.40+ | 340 | 16g |
| Black Pepper Chicken | Marinated chicken, celery and onion in a bold pepper sauce | $5.40+ | 280 | 13g |
| SweetFire Chicken Breast | Sweet chili glaze with pineapple and peppers | $5.40+ | 380 | 13g |
Premium Entrees (+$1.50 upcharge in a Bowl or Plate · $6.90+ a la carte)
Honey Walnut Shrimp
Tempura shrimp in a honey sauce with glazed walnuts.
$6.90+ · 430 cal · 13g protein
Black Pepper Sirloin Steak
Wok Smart
Wok-seared sirloin with baby broccoli, peppers, onion and mushroom in pepper sauce.
$6.90+ · 180 cal · 19g protein
Cantonese BBQ Brisket
Limited time
Slow-cooked brisket in Char Siu-style BBQ sauce (limited time).
$6.90+ · 410 cal · 44g protein
Sides
All sides $4.60+ each.
Super Greens
Wok Smart
Broccoli, kale and cabbage, lightly steamed.
$4.60+ · 130 cal
Chow Mein
Stir-fried noodles with cabbage, celery and onion.
$4.60+ · 600 cal
Fried Rice
Wok-fried rice with peas, carrots and egg.
$4.60+ · 620 cal
White Steamed Rice
Simple steamed long-grain rice.
$4.60+ · 520 cal
Brown Steamed Rice
Whole-grain option.
$4.60+ · 420 cal
Half-and-half: Ask to split one side between two choices (for example, half Chow Mein, half Fried Rice) at no extra charge.
Appetizers
Appetizers from $2.10+.
Chicken Egg Roll (1 pc)
200 cal
Veggie Spring Rolls (2 pc)
240 cal
Cream Cheese Rangoon (3 pc)
190 cal
Chicken Potstickers (3 pc)
160 cal
Hot & Sour Soup (cup)
$2.50 · 120 cal
Family Meals & Bundles
5-Person Family Meal
$43.00+
2 large sides + 3 large entrees. Around $8.60 per person — the best per-person value on the menu.
Bowl Bundle
$11.60
Bowl + medium drink
Plate Bundle
$13.40
Plate + medium drink
Bigger Plate Bundle
$15.20
Bigger Plate + medium drink
Panda Cub Meals — Kids ($7.80)
Each Cub Meal includes a junior entree, junior side, fruit side and bottled water or kids’ juice.
Orange Chicken Cub Meal
$7.80
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Cub Meal
$7.80
Broccoli Beef Cub Meal
$7.80
Build Your Own Cub Meal
$7.80
Catering
Party Size Side
$17.00+
serves 10–12
Party Size Entree
$42.00+
serves 12–14
Party Size Appetizer
$42.00+
serves 12–14
Party Bundle for 12–16
$112.00+
2 entree trays + 2 side trays + fortune cookies
Party Bundle for 18–22
$159.00+
3 + 3 trays + fortune cookies
Party Bundle for 26–30
$201.00+
4 + 4 trays + fortune cookies
Drinks
Crafted Beverages
$3.40+ (Large 24 oz)
Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher, Watermelon Mango Refresher, Peach Lychee Refresher, Mango Guava Tea and more.
Fountain Drinks
$2.30+ (S) / $2.50 (M) / $2.70 (L)
Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper, Sprite, Fanta Orange, Minute Maid Lemonade and more.
Bottled
Dasani Water $2.50+ · Smartwater $3.20+ · Powerade $2.90+ · Bottled sodas $2.60+
Healthy Choices & Best Order By Goal
Items marked Wok Smart have 300 calories or less with at least 8g of protein.
Lowest-calorie Bowl (~280 cal)
Super Greens + Broccoli Beef
Highest protein
Cantonese BBQ Brisket (44g) + Super Greens — about 53g protein, 540 cal
Best budget meal under $10
A Bowl from $9.30+
Best value upgrade
Plate to Bigger Plate adds a full third entree for about $1.80 more
Menu Hacks Worth Knowing
Half-and-half sides
two sides in one portion, free.
Extra sauce, free
ask for extra orange, teriyaki or sweet & sour sauce.
Bigger Plate maths
a third entree costs far less in a Bigger Plate than a la carte.
Double-sauce Orange Chicken
ask for it freshly glazed from the wok.
Family Meal for small groups
groups of 3–4 often pay less with one Family Meal, with leftovers.
Order direct
app and in-store orders earn Rewards points; third-party delivery usually costs more.
Nutrition Overview
| Category | Typical Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken entrees | 290–530 | 18–36g |
| Beef entrees | 150–480 | 15–26g |
| Shrimp entrees | 360–430 | 15–22g |
| Sides | 130–620 | 3–15g |
Rewards, Hours & Finding a Restaurant
- Panda Rewards: Earn 10 points per $1. Redeem from 200 points (premium entree upgrade) up to 5,000 points (free Family Meal).
- Typical hours: Mon–Thu & Sun 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM · Fri–Sat 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM. Mall, airport and university locations may differ.
- Find a store / order: Use the official store locator or the Panda Express app, or see our locations page. You can also order through Uber Eats, DoorDash or Grubhub.
Allergen & Dietary Note
Dishes are prepared in a shared kitchen. Most entrees contain soy sauce made with wheat, so there are limited gluten-free options. Check the allergen menu before ordering if you have food allergies. See also our calories page for detailed counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Panda Express Bowl in 2026?
A Bowl (1 side + 1 entree) starts at about $9.30, before premium-entree upcharges and tax. Prices vary by location.
What is the difference between a Bowl and a Plate?
A Bowl has one entree; a Plate has two entrees with the same one side. A Bigger Plate has three entrees.
What is Panda Express’ most popular dish?
The Original Orange Chicken — it accounts for roughly one-third of entree sales.
How many calories are in Orange Chicken?
About 510 calories per standard serving. See our calories page for the full breakdown.
How much is the Family Meal?
The 5-Person Family Meal starts at $43.00+ for 2 large sides and 3 large entrees.
What is the premium entree upcharge?
About $1.50 per portion for items such as Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak.
What are the healthiest options?
Wok Smart dishes such as Broccoli Beef (150 cal), String Bean Chicken Breast (210 cal) and Super Greens (130 cal).
Can I mix two sides?
Yes — half-and-half sides are free; half Chow Mein and half Fried Rice is the most popular mix.
Does Panda Express add MSG?
No MSG is added; some ingredients such as soy sauce naturally contain glutamates.
Are there vegan options?
Super Greens, Chow Mein and Veggie Spring Rolls are made without animal products, but everything is cooked in a shared kitchen.
Does Panda Express take Apple Pay?
Yes, at most locations, along with Google Pay, cards, cash and gift cards.
Do prices vary by state?
Yes. Rent, labour and tax differences mean prices can be 10–20% higher in places like California and at airports.
Ready to order? Revisit the meal sizes above, build your Bowl or Plate, and check the newest limited-time dishes before they rotate off the menu.
Disclaimer: Pandee Express Menus is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Panda Express or Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. Menu items, prices, calories and availability can change and vary by location. Check the official Panda Express website before ordering.