Ordering guide
What to order at Panda Express
Panda Express is a plate-builder, so ordering well means picking the entrées that survive the steam line. These do.
Order this at Panda Express
1Orange chicken
The signature dish, and the one they cook in the highest volume, so it's freshest.
2Beijing beef
Sweet-tangy with real crunch when it hasn't been sitting.
3Honey walnut shrimp
Worth the upcharge; the candied walnuts make it.
4Kung pao chicken
The best pick if you want vegetables and heat rather than sweetness.
5Super greens as your base
Swaps rice for broccoli, kale and cabbage at no extra charge.
Ordering tips
- Ask for a fresh batch if a tray looks low — they'll usually tell you the wait, and it's short.
- Half chow mein, half fried rice is free and standard.
- Super greens instead of rice is the biggest health upgrade available.
- Sauces (teriyaki, chilli, hot mustard) are free at the counter — ask.
Frequently asked questions
What should I order at Panda Express?
A two-entrée plate with orange chicken and Beijing beef over half chow mein, half fried rice is the most popular combination. Swap the base for super greens if you want it lighter, and add honey walnut shrimp if you're happy to pay the upcharge.
What is the best entrée at Panda Express?
Orange chicken is the most ordered and the most consistently fresh. Beijing beef and honey walnut shrimp are the next best, and kung pao chicken is the pick for anyone who wants heat instead of sweetness.
What is the healthiest thing to order at Panda Express?
Grilled teriyaki chicken or string bean chicken breast over super greens. That keeps the meal light while still counting as a full plate — the fried, sauced entrées over fried rice are where the calories concentrate.
Can you mix sides at Panda Express?
Yes — half chow mein and half fried rice is a standard request at no extra cost, and you can also do half rice, half super greens.
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