We’ve all been there – standing in line at Panda Express, hungry and faced with lots of options behind the glass. With more than 2,200 locations across the US, this fast-food Chinese restaurant has become a mall and airport staple since 1983. But not all Panda Express dishes are created equal. Some are worth every penny of that combo meal, while others… well, let’s just say you might want to skip them. I’ve eaten at Panda Express more times than I care to admit, so I’m going to break down which dishes deserve a spot on your plate and which ones to pass on next time.
Teriyaki chicken falls flat
Coming in dead last is the teriyaki chicken, which might be one of the biggest disappointments on the entire menu. What should be a sweet, flavorful dish with caramelized sauce and tender chicken pieces is instead bland and forgettable. The chicken itself is often dry and feels like it’s been sitting under the heat lamps for too long. The sauce lacks the rich, sweet, and savory balance that good teriyaki should have. Instead, it’s watery and doesn’t stick well to the meat, pooling at the bottom of your container rather than coating each piece of chicken.
Another issue with this dish is the inconsistency. Sometimes you might get a batch that’s slightly better, but most of the time, it’s just sad. When you compare it to other chicken options at Panda Express, it’s easy to see why this one ranks at the bottom. The meat-to-sauce ratio is off, and the overall experience leaves you wondering if you should have just spent your money elsewhere. Even if you’re trying to order something on the lighter side, there are far better options available that won’t leave your taste buds bored.
Fried rice that doesn’t live up to expectations
The fried rice at Panda Express should be a slam dunk – it’s a basic Chinese food staple that’s hard to mess up. Unfortunately, it often misses the mark. What stands out immediately is how dry it can be. Good fried rice should have a certain moisture level that keeps it from feeling like you’re eating separate grains of rice with bits of egg and vegetables thrown in. The Panda Express version frequently lacks that cohesion. The vegetables mixed in – typically peas, carrots, and green onions – are sparse and lack freshness. The egg pieces are small and often lost among the rice.
Another issue is the bland flavor profile. Fried rice should have that distinctive wok hei (the “breath of the wok”), but Panda’s version tastes like it was made in large batches without that individual attention. It’s under-seasoned, relying mostly on soy sauce for flavor rather than a more complex blend of seasonings. When you compare it to other side options like chow mein, which has a more interesting texture and flavor, the fried rice just doesn’t hold up. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely not worth using as one of your sides in a combo meal when better options exist.
Apple pie rolls just miss the mark
The apple pie rolls sound promising on paper – a fusion dessert that combines American apple pie filling with a Chinese-style egg roll wrapper. In practice, they’re often disappointing. The main issue is balance. The wrapper is typically too thick, creating a chewy exterior that takes away from the filling experience. When you bite into one, you’re met with a disproportionate amount of dough compared to the apple filling inside. Speaking of the filling, it’s usually too sweet and one-dimensional, lacking the complex cinnamon-spiced flavor that makes a good apple pie so satisfying.
Temperature is another problem with these rolls. The outside might be crispy from the fryer, but the inside can be wildly inconsistent – sometimes scalding hot, other times barely warm. The texture contrast you want from a good dessert egg roll just isn’t there consistently. The apple pieces are often mushy rather than having a pleasant bite to them. While they’re not the worst thing on the menu, they’re definitely not worth the calories when you could be saving room for an extra serving of one of Panda’s better offerings, or just grabbing a different dessert somewhere else after your meal.
Honey chicken needs more than sweetness
Moving up slightly in our rankings is the honey chicken. This dish struggles because it commits the sin of being too one-note. As the name suggests, it’s sweet – very sweet – but lacks any complementary flavors to balance out all that sugar. The chicken pieces themselves are decent enough, usually tender white meat, but they’re overwhelmed by the honey sauce that coats them. After a few bites, that sweetness becomes cloying, and you find yourself wishing for some spice, salt, or acidity to cut through it all.
The dish also tends to get soggy quickly. Unlike some of Panda’s better offerings, which maintain their texture even as they sit, the honey chicken quickly becomes a gooey mess. The breading on the chicken absorbs too much sauce, losing any crispness it might have had coming out of the kitchen. Some reviewers have noted that it lacks “cohesive flavor” compared to other options. If you’re in the mood for a sweet chicken dish, you’re much better off going with the orange chicken or SweetFire chicken breast, both of which deliver more complex and satisfying flavor profiles while maintaining better texture.
Beijing beef struggles with texture problems
Beijing beef sits in the middle of our ranking – not terrible, but definitely not a star. The main issue most people encounter with this dish is the beef itself. It’s often chewy and tough, requiring more jaw work than you’d want from a fast food meal. The meat quality is inconsistent, sometimes containing gristly bits that detract from the experience. The sauce, a sweet and slightly tangy red concoction, is actually pretty good, but it can’t make up for the meat’s texture problems.
Another issue is the breading on the beef. In theory, it should add a nice crunch, but it often ends up soggy from sitting in the sauce too long. The bell peppers and onions mixed in are a nice touch, adding color and some textural contrast, but they’re usually not enough to save the dish. Multiple reviews mention the meat being “difficult to chew” and the sauce being “overpowering.” If you’re craving beef at Panda Express, you’re better off with the broccoli beef, which tends to have more tender meat and a better-balanced sauce. Beijing beef isn’t awful, but there are definitely better options on the menu.
Kung pao chicken brings the heat
Now we’re getting to the good stuff. Kung pao chicken ranks highly because it delivers something many Panda Express dishes lack – genuine spice. If you’re tired of the sweet-dominated menu items, this dish brings a welcome kick to your palate. The chicken is usually tender, mixed with peanuts, zucchini, bell peppers, and dried chili peppers. The variety of textures makes each bite interesting – from the crunch of the peanuts to the tender chicken pieces. The vegetables actually taste fresh and add nice color to the dish.
The sauce is where this dish really shines. It has a complexity that balances heat, savory flavors, and just a touch of sweetness. It’s not blow-your-head-off spicy, but it provides enough heat to satisfy those craving something beyond the sweet profiles that dominate many of Panda’s offerings. Many customers rank it among their top three Panda Express dishes, appreciating its bold flavor and satisfying texture. The only downside is that sometimes the spice level can be inconsistent between visits, but when they get it right, it’s definitely one of the better options on the menu.
Chow mein delivers reliable satisfaction
Chow mein earns its high spot on our list by being consistently good across virtually all Panda Express locations. Unlike the hit-or-miss fried rice, the chow mein delivers a reliable texture and flavor every time. The noodles maintain a pleasant chewiness without being gummy or mushy. They’re tossed with a mix of celery, onions, and bean sprouts that add a satisfying crunch. The vegetables maintain their texture well, even when the dish has been sitting in the warming tray for a while.
The flavor is mild but satisfying – savory with subtle notes of garlic and soy sauce. It’s not going to blow your mind with complexity, but that’s part of why it works so well. The chow mein pairs perfectly with almost any entree on the menu, complementing both spicy dishes like kung pao chicken and sweeter options like orange chicken. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular side options. When you’re putting together your plate, the chow mein is almost always a safe bet that won’t disappoint. Its consistency and versatility earn it a deservedly high spot in our ranking.
Super greens pack surprising flavor
You might be surprised to see a vegetable dish ranking so high on this list, but Panda’s super greens side dish deserves major props. Consisting of broccoli, kale, and cabbage, this option stands out as not just a healthy choice, but a genuinely tasty one. The vegetables are consistently cooked well – tender but still with a pleasant bite that avoids the mushiness that plagues many fast food veggie options. They’re bright green, vibrant, and actually look fresh, which is a feat for fast food.
What really elevates this dish is the simple but effective seasoning. The vegetables are lightly coated in a garlic sauce that adds flavor without drowning out the natural taste of the greens. The dish manages to be both light and satisfying at the same time. Many customers are surprised by how much they enjoy this side, even those who wouldn’t normally order vegetables at a fast food restaurant. If you’re trying to make healthier choices but don’t want to sacrifice flavor, the super greens are absolutely worth adding to your plate. They pair well with every entree and might even convert some vegetable skeptics.
Orange chicken reigns as the undisputed champion
There’s a reason why orange chicken is Panda Express’s most famous dish – it’s also their best. This signature entree has earned its crown through consistent excellence. The chicken pieces are consistently crispy on the outside and tender inside, avoiding the dryness that plagues some of the other chicken options. The orange sauce hits all the right notes – sweet, tangy, and with just a hint of spice. It coats each piece of chicken perfectly without making it soggy, maintaining that crucial textural contrast between crispy coating and juicy meat.
The dish’s popularity speaks for itself – Panda Express sells over 100 million pounds of orange chicken yearly. What makes it so special is the balance. The sweetness isn’t overwhelming, the tanginess keeps it interesting, and there’s just enough heat to give it character. It’s the dish that keeps people coming back, and for good reason. Even people who don’t typically like fast food Chinese often make an exception for Panda’s orange chicken. If you’re new to Panda Express or just haven’t tried it before (though that seems unlikely), the orange chicken is the must-order dish that shows the chain at its best.
Next time you find yourself in line at Panda Express, use this ranking to build your perfect plate. Skip the teriyaki chicken and fried rice in favor of the consistently excellent chow mein, super greens, kung pao chicken, or the legendary orange chicken. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll get the best value for your money. Remember, not all Panda dishes are created equal – but when they get it right, it’s exactly what you need to satisfy that fast food Chinese craving.
