Panda Express is an American Chinese fast food chain. The Panda Express menu is built on a simple idea. You pick a meal size, then fill it with entrees and a side. A Bowl runs about $10.20, a Plate about $12.60, and a Bigger Plate about $15.00 on delivery. Popular entrees include Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, and Grilled Teriyaki Chicken.
This guide gives you the prices fast. You’ll see meal sizes, entrees, sides, appetizers, kids meals, family meals, drinks, and catering. You’ll also find calories, dietary notes, and ordering steps. Prices shown here are delivery prices from DoorDash for one store, checked September 19, 2026. Your local price may be lower for pickup.
Panda Express at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Restaurant | Panda Express |
| Cuisine | American Chinese fast food |
| Service type | Counter, drive-thru at many stores, pickup, delivery |
| Typical price range | About $2.55 to $15.00 for most single meals |
| Menu verified | September 19, 2026 |
| Price channel | DoorDash delivery, one representative store |
| Official website | pandaexpress.com |
| Nutrition information | pandaexpress.com/nutrition |
How Panda Express Meals Work
Panda Express uses a build-your-own system. First you pick a meal size. Then you pick your side and your entrees. The size sets how many entrees you get.
A Bowl gives you one side and one entree. A Plate gives you one side and two entrees. A Bigger Plate gives you one side and three entrees. Some entrees, like Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Angus Steak, cost a little extra as a premium add-on.
Meal Sizes and Prices
These are the base meal prices before any premium entree upcharge. A side means one choice like Chow Mein, Fried Rice, White Rice, or Super Greens. Prices are DoorDash delivery, checked September 19, 2026.
Source note: DoorDash delivery menu for one representative Panda Express store, accessed September 19, 2026. Delivery prices are usually higher than pickup.
| Meal Size | What You Get | Price |
| Bowl | 1 side and 1 entree | $10.20 |
| Plate | 1 side and 2 entrees | $12.60 |
| Bigger Plate | 1 side and 3 entrees | $15.00 |
Prices and availability may vary by location. Delivery prices may be higher than pickup prices. Tax, add-ons, and fees may cost extra. Check your nearest Panda Express for the latest local menu.
Chicken Entrees
Chicken is the biggest part of the Panda Express menu. Orange Chicken is the signature dish. You can order any entree on its own (a la carte) or inside a Bowl, Plate, or Bigger Plate. A la carte chicken entrees mostly run about $5.55 to $6.55 for a single size on delivery.
Calories below are for one entree serving from Panda Express official nutrition info. Sauces and portions can vary a little.
| Item | Simple Description | Calories |
| The Original Orange Chicken | Crispy chicken in a sweet and tangy orange sauce | 490 |
| Grilled Teriyaki Chicken | Grilled chicken sliced to order with teriyaki sauce | 300 |
| Kung Pao Chicken | Chicken with peanuts, veggies, and chili peppers | 290 |
| Mushroom Chicken | Chicken with mushrooms and zucchini in a light sauce | 220 |
| Black Pepper Chicken | Chicken with celery and onion in black pepper sauce | 280 |
| Broccoli Chicken | Chicken with broccoli in a ginger soy sauce | 180 |
Beef and Steak Entrees
Beef entrees add richer, savory flavors. Broccoli Beef is one of the lightest picks on the whole menu. Black Pepper Angus Steak is a premium item, so it costs a bit more than a standard entree.
| Item | Simple Description | Calories |
| Broccoli Beef | Tender beef with fresh broccoli in a soy sauce | 150 |
| Beijing Beef | Crispy beef with bell peppers in a sweet-tangy sauce | 470 |
| Mongolian Beef | Beef with onion and scallions in a savory sauce | 200 |
| Black Pepper Angus Steak (premium) | Angus steak with mushrooms and peppers, black pepper sauce | 210 |
Seafood Entrees
Seafood items are premium entrees. That means they usually add a small upcharge on top of your meal price. Honey Walnut Shrimp is the best known one.
| Item | Simple Description | Calories |
| Honey Walnut Shrimp (premium) | Tempura shrimp in honey sauce with glazed walnuts | 360 |
| Firecracker Shrimp (premium) | Shrimp with bell peppers and onion in a spicy chili sauce | 230 |
Note: Seafood items rotate at some stores and may not be available everywhere. Ask your local store or check the app.
Chicken Breast Entrees
These use white meat chicken breast. They tend to be a little lighter and higher in protein. Some are seasonal, so check your store.
| Item | Simple Description | Calories |
| String Bean Chicken Breast | Chicken breast with string beans and onion | 210 |
| Honey Sesame Chicken Breast | Chicken breast strings with string beans in honey sesame sauce | 340 |
| SweetFire Chicken Breast | Crispy chicken breast with peppers and pineapple in a sweet chili sauce | 380 |
Vegetable Entrees
Panda Express has a couple of meat-free entrees. Eggplant Tofu is the main plant-based main dish. Super Greens also works as a light entree or side.
| Item | Simple Description | Calories |
| Eggplant Tofu | Tofu with eggplant and bell peppers in a sweet-spicy sauce | 310 |
| Super Greens (as entree) | Broccoli, kale, and cabbage, wok tossed | 90 |
Sides
Every Bowl, Plate, and Bigger Plate comes with one side. Chow Mein and Fried Rice are the heaviest. Super Greens is by far the lightest. Swapping a noodle or rice side for Super Greens saves a lot of calories.
| Side | Simple Description | Calories |
| Chow Mein | Stir-fried wheat noodles with onion, celery, and cabbage | 510 |
| Fried Rice | Rice with egg, peas, carrots, and green onion | 520 |
| White Steamed Rice | Plain steamed white rice | 380 |
| Brown Steamed Rice | Steamed brown rice, a whole-grain option | 420 |
| Super Greens | Broccoli, kale, and cabbage mix | 90 |
A la carte sides mostly run about $5.55 for a medium serving on delivery. Fried Rice was the cheapest a la carte item at the store checked.
Appetizers
Appetizers are the cheapest way to add something to your order. At the store checked, each appetizer was $2.55 on delivery. These are ordered by the piece or in small packs.
| Item | Simple Description | Price |
| Chicken Egg Roll | Chicken and cabbage rolled and fried golden | $2.55 |
| Veggie Spring Roll | Cabbage and veggies in a crispy wrapper | $2.55 |
| Cream Cheese Rangoon | Wonton filled with cream cheese, served with sweet-sour sauce | $2.55 |
Source note: DoorDash delivery, one representative store, accessed September 19, 2026.
Panda Cub Kids Meals
The Panda Cub Meal is made for kids. It comes with a junior entree, a junior side, a fruit side, and a bottled water or kid’s juice. On delivery at the store checked, Panda Cub Meals were about $8.20 each.
| Kids Meal | What Is Included | Price |
| Orange Chicken Cub Meal | White Rice, Super Greens, Orange Chicken, fruit, drink | $8.20 |
| Grilled Teriyaki Cub Meal | Chow Mein, Super Greens, Teriyaki Chicken, fruit, drink | $8.20 |
| Broccoli Beef Cub Meal | White Rice, Super Greens, Broccoli Beef, fruit, drink | $8.20 |
| Build Your Own Cub Meal | 1 junior side, 1 junior entree, fruit, drink | $8.20 |
Family Meal
The Family Meal feeds a group. It comes with two large sides and three large entrees. At the store checked on DoorDash delivery, the Family Meal started around $54.00 before any premium entree upcharge.
| Bundle | What You Get | Price |
| 5 Person Family Meal | 2 large sides and 3 large entrees | $54.00 |
Pickup Family Meal prices are often lower, sometimes closer to $43 to $45 at many stores. Check your local price in the app.
Drinks
Panda Express sells fountain drinks, bottled drinks, and fruit refreshers. At the store checked, sodas started at $2.65 and flavored refreshers were about $4.10 to $4.20 on delivery.
| Drink | Type | Price |
| Fountain sodas (Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, and more) | Fountain or bottle | From $2.65 |
| Bottled water (Dasani) | Bottled | About $3.60 |
| Fruit Refreshers and Lemonades | Flavored cold drinks | About $4.10 to $4.20 |
Source note: DoorDash delivery, one representative store, accessed September 19, 2026.
Catering and Party Trays
Panda Express caters for groups. You can order party size sides, party size entrees, and full party bundles. Party bundles let you mix trays and add fortune cookies. These prices are DoorDash delivery and are higher than pickup catering prices.
| Catering Item | Serves | Price |
| Party Size Side | About 10 to 12 | From $26.40 |
| Party Size Entree | About 12 to 14 | From $26.40 |
| Party Size Appetizer | About 12 to 14 | From $40.80 |
| 12 to 16 Person Bundle | 2 entrees, 2 sides, cookies | About $142.80 |
| 18 to 22 Person Bundle | 3 entrees, 3 sides, cookies | About $201.60 |
| 26 to 30 Person Bundle | 4 entrees, 4 sides, cookies | About $253.20 |
Calories and Nutrition
Calories add up fast at Panda Express, mostly from the side and from fried, glazed entrees. A Bowl usually lands between about 700 and 900 calories, depending on your side and entree.
The lightest entrees are Broccoli Beef (150), Broccoli Chicken (180), and String Bean Chicken Breast (210). Grilled Teriyaki Chicken gives you the most protein for the fewest calories. For sides, Super Greens (90) beats Chow Mein (510) and Fried Rice (520) by a wide margin. You can check exact numbers on the official Panda Express nutrition page.
Panda Express says it adds no MSG except what occurs naturally in some ingredients. It uses soybean oil, not peanut oil, though shared kitchen equipment means cross-contact is still possible.
Vegetarian and Vegan Choices
Panda Express has a few meat-free picks, but it is not a fully vegetarian kitchen. Eggplant Tofu is the main plant-based entree. Super Greens and steamed rice are safe side choices. Chow Mein and Veggie Spring Rolls are made without meat, but they may share fryers and woks with meat items.
Panda Express does not offer certified gluten-free items. Soy sauce contains wheat, and cross-contact can happen. If you have a strict diet, check the allergen info first.
Allergen Guidance
Panda Express states that its kitchens use ingredients with all major FDA allergens, including peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, soy, wheat, and sesame. Food is cooked fresh on shared equipment, so any dish could contain traces of an allergen. Kung Pao Chicken is the one standard entree with peanuts. Always confirm with the official allergen guide before ordering if you have a food allergy.
Best Value Picks (Opinion)
The picks below are our opinion, not official ratings. They are based on price and portion, not on taste tests.
For the most food per dollar, a Bigger Plate spreads three entrees over one meal price. If you eat with someone, the Family Meal often costs less per person. For protein on a budget, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken is a strong a la carte pick at about $6.50. And appetizers at $2.55 are the cheapest way to round out a meal.
How to Order Online
You can order Panda Express a few ways. Go to pandaexpress.com/order or use the Panda Express app. Pick a store, choose your meal size, then add your side and entrees. You can also order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. Delivery prices on those apps are usually higher than in-store or pickup prices.
Panda Rewards and Deals
Panda Rewards is the free loyalty program. Members earn 10 Panda Points for every $1 spent on qualifying orders. You can start redeeming rewards at 200 points. Points expire after 365 days with no qualifying purchase. Deals change often, so check the app. Learn more at pandaexpress.com/rewards.
Store Hours and Payment
Hours vary by location. Many Panda Express stores are open around 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM, but mall, airport, and campus stores can differ. Check your store on the official locator for exact hours. Most locations take credit and debit cards, and many accept Apple Pay in store, at drive-thru, and in the app.
A Short History of Panda Express
Panda Express opened its first store in 1983 in Glendale, California. It is the fast food sibling of Panda Inn, a sit-down restaurant. The company is based in Rosemead, California. Its most famous dish, Orange Chicken, was created in 1987. Today the chain runs thousands of U.S. locations. Details are from Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Bowl at Panda Express?
A Bowl was about $10.20 on DoorDash delivery at the store we checked on September 19, 2026. A Bowl gives you one side and one entree. Pickup and in-store prices are often lower. Premium entrees like Honey Walnut Shrimp add a small extra charge. Your local price can be different, so check the app for your store.
What is the difference between a Bowl, Plate, and Bigger Plate?
The only difference is the number of entrees. A Bowl has one side and one entree. A Plate has one side and two entrees. A Bigger Plate has one side and three entrees. At the store we checked, prices were about $10.20, $12.60, and $15.00 on delivery, verified September 19, 2026.
How many calories are in Panda Express Orange Chicken?
One serving of Orange Chicken has about 490 calories, based on Panda Express official nutrition info. It also has around 23 grams of fat and 51 grams of carbs. A larger portion nearly doubles the numbers. Orange Chicken is one of the higher-calorie entrees because it is fried and glazed.
What is the cheapest thing on the Panda Express menu?
Appetizers are the cheapest items. At the store we checked, each appetizer, like a Chicken Egg Roll or Cream Cheese Rangoon, was $2.55 on delivery, verified September 19, 2026. A single a la carte side, such as Fried Rice, started around $5.55.
Does Panda Express have vegetarian options?
Yes, but choices are limited. Eggplant Tofu is the main meat-free entree. Super Greens, steamed rice, and Veggie Spring Rolls are also meat-free. The kitchen shares equipment with meat items, so cross-contact can happen. Panda Express is not a fully vegetarian restaurant.
Is Panda Express food gluten-free?
No. Panda Express does not offer certified gluten-free items. Soy sauce and many sauces contain wheat, and food is cooked on shared equipment. Cross-contact with gluten is possible on any dish. If you avoid gluten, check the official allergen guide and talk to staff before ordering.
How much protein is in Grilled Teriyaki Chicken?
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken has about 300 calories and roughly 33 grams of protein per serving, based on Panda Express nutrition info. That makes it one of the best high-protein, lower-calorie entrees on the menu. It works well if you want more protein without a lot of extra calories.
Does Panda Express deliver?
Yes. You can get delivery through the Panda Express app and website, and through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Delivery availability depends on your location. Prices on delivery apps are usually higher than pickup. The prices in this guide are DoorDash delivery prices for one store, checked September 19, 2026.
How much is the Family Meal?
The 5 Person Family Meal comes with two large sides and three large entrees. On DoorDash delivery at the store we checked, it started around $54.00, verified September 19, 2026. Pickup prices are often lower, sometimes near $43 to $45 at many stores. Premium entrees add a small upcharge.
Does Panda Express use MSG?
Panda Express says it does not add MSG to its food, except for glutamates that occur naturally in some ingredients like soy sauce. It also uses soybean oil rather than peanut oil. Even so, shared kitchen equipment means cross-contact with allergens is still possible.
What are premium entrees at Panda Express?
Premium entrees cost a little more than standard ones. They include Honey Walnut Shrimp, Firecracker Shrimp, and Black Pepper Angus Steak. When you add a premium entree to a Bowl, Plate, or Bigger Plate, you pay a small upcharge on top of the base meal price.
Conclusion
Hours change by store. Many locations open around 10:30 AM and close around 9:30 PM. Mall, airport, and campus stores can keep different hours. Use the official store locator on pandaexpress.com or the app to see the exact hours for your nearest Panda Express.
