Last verified: September 2026. Independent fan resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by Panda Express or Panda Restaurant Group. Prices vary by location and change without notice — confirm your exact price in the app before ordering.
Panda Express Menu With Prices (2026) — Every Entree, Combo & Calorie
Standing at the counter trying to decide between a Plate and a Bigger Plate while the line backs up behind you is a specific kind of stress. This guide covers the full Panda Express menu with prices for 2026 — every entree, combo, hack, and calorie count, plus what delivery apps actually add to your total and how the rewards program pays you back.
What's on the Panda Express Menu?
Panda Express serves fast-casual American Chinese food — wok-tossed chicken, beef, and shrimp entrees paired with sides like Chow Mein, Fried Rice, or Super Greens. You build a meal by choosing a format (Bowl, Plate, or Bigger Plate), picking a side, then choosing entrees. The menu splits into Bowl/Plate/Bigger Plate, A La Carte, Panda Bundles, Family Meals and Catering, Panda Cub Meals, Appetizers and Drinks, and rotating Limited-Time Offerings.
The Panda Promise: What's Actually in Your Food
Since 2020, Panda Express has run an ingredient overhaul called The Panda Promise — a push to cut sodium, reduce added sugar, and raise protein across the standard menu. As of July 2026, the chain finished removing all artificial colors and synthetic dyes from every dish company-wide, and its Crafted Beverages line now runs on real sugar and real fruit juice instead of synthetic ingredients. Practically, that means recent entrees carry cleaner labels than the Panda Express menu of five years ago, and a few reformulated items now have meaningfully more protein per calorie — Grilled Teriyaki Chicken is one of the clearest examples.
What's New on the Panda Express Menu Right Now
LTOs move fast and sometimes only run in a handful of test cities, so treat any specific date here as a starting point and confirm in-app before you drive out for it. Recent patterns worth knowing:
- Spicy riffs on classics return by demand. A hotter version of the signature Orange Chicken has come back more than once as a limited run tied to promotional windows.
- Premium surf-and-turf mashups rotate seasonally — combinations pairing beef and shrimp in a single entree tend to show up as premium-tier items with the standard $1.50 upcharge.
- New formats get city-limited tests first. Panda Express has tested walk-and-eat snack formats in a handful of cities before any wider rollout — a sign the chain is experimenting beyond the Bowl/Plate/Bigger Plate structure.
- High-protein LTOs make headlines. A slow-cooked premium protein item briefly became the chain's highest-protein menu item ever when it launched, beating even Grilled Teriyaki Chicken on protein per serving.
Panda Express Prices at a Glance
Bowl
- What You Get
- 1 Side + 1 Entree
- Starting Price
- $9.40
- Cost Per Entree
- $9.40
Plate
- What You Get
- 1 Side + 2 Entrees
- Starting Price
- $10.50–$11.10
- Cost Per Entree
- ~$5.25
Bigger Plate
- What You Get
- 1 Side + 3 Entrees
- Starting Price
- $12.10–$12.90
- Cost Per Entree
- ~$4.30
Bowl Bundle
- What You Get
- Bowl + Drink
- Starting Price
- $10.90
- Cost Per Entree
- —
Plate Bundle
- What You Get
- Plate + Drink
- Starting Price
- $12.90
- Cost Per Entree
- —
Bigger Plate Bundle
- What You Get
- Bigger Plate + Drink
- Starting Price
- $14.90
- Cost Per Entree
- —
5-Person Family Meal
- What You Get
- 2 Large Sides + 3 Large Entrees
- Starting Price
- $43–$46
- Cost Per Entree
- ~$8.60/person
| Format | What You Get | Starting Price | Cost Per Entree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowl | 1 Side + 1 Entree | $9.40 | $9.40 |
| Plate | 1 Side + 2 Entrees | $10.50–$11.10 | ~$5.25 |
| Bigger Plate | 1 Side + 3 Entrees | $12.10–$12.90 | ~$4.30 |
| Bowl Bundle | Bowl + Drink | $10.90 | — |
| Plate Bundle | Plate + Drink | $12.90 | — |
| Bigger Plate Bundle | Bigger Plate + Drink | $14.90 | — |
| 5-Person Family Meal | 2 Large Sides + 3 Large Entrees | $43–$46 | ~$8.60/person |
How Much Is a Bowl at Panda Express?
$9.40 for a standard entree, closer to $10.90 with a premium one.
How Much Is a Plate at Panda Express?
$10.50 to $11.10 — the most popular format for real variety without the Bowl's single-entree limit.
Panda Express Bigger Plate Price
$12.10 to $12.90 — about $1.50 to $1.80 more than a Plate for a full third entree that would cost roughly $5.40 ordered separately.
How Panda Express Prices Have Changed Over Time
Panda Express pricing has climbed steadily with inflation, similar to most fast-casual chains. Bowl pricing has moved from roughly $7.60 a few years ago into the $9-plus range today, and Plate pricing has followed a similar curve into the low $11 range. That's close to a 20% increase over five to six years — worth knowing if you're comparing an old memory of "Panda used to be cheaper" against today's menu board.
Delivery App Prices vs. In-Store
Bowl
- Typical In-Store
- $9.40–$10.20
- Typical DoorDash / Uber Eats
- $10.20–$10.95
Plate
- Typical In-Store
- $10.50–$11.10
- Typical DoorDash / Uber Eats
- $12.60–$13.35
Bigger Plate
- Typical In-Store
- $12.10–$12.90
- Typical DoorDash / Uber Eats
- $15.00–$15.75
Family Meal
- Typical In-Store
- $43–$46
- Typical DoorDash / Uber Eats
- $49.20–$52.80
| Format | Typical In-Store | Typical DoorDash / Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl | $9.40–$10.20 | $10.20–$10.95 |
| Plate | $10.50–$11.10 | $12.60–$13.35 |
| Bigger Plate | $12.10–$12.90 | $15.00–$15.75 |
| Family Meal | $43–$46 | $49.20–$52.80 |
That's a $2 to $3 markup per meal before delivery fees. Order through the app for pickup, or apply a current Panda Express coupon code, to close that gap.
Panda Express Entree Menu With Prices & Calories
Standard Entrees (no upcharge)
The Original Orange Chicken
- Calories
- 510
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
Beijing Beef
- Calories
- 470
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
Kung Pao Chicken
- Calories
- 320
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
Broccoli Beef
- Calories
- 150
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
- Calories
- 275
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
String Bean Chicken Breast
- Calories
- 210
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
Mushroom Chicken
- Calories
- 220
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
Black Pepper Chicken
- Calories
- 280
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
Honey Sesame Chicken Breast
- Calories
- 340
- A La Carte (Small)
- $5.40
| Item | Calories | A La Carte (Small) |
|---|---|---|
| The Original Orange Chicken | 510 | $5.40 |
| Beijing Beef | 470 | $5.40 |
| Kung Pao Chicken | 320 | $5.40 |
| Broccoli Beef | 150 | $5.40 |
| Grilled Teriyaki Chicken | 275 | $5.40 |
| String Bean Chicken Breast | 210 | $5.40 |
| Mushroom Chicken | 220 | $5.40 |
| Black Pepper Chicken | 280 | $5.40 |
| Honey Sesame Chicken Breast | 340 | $5.40 |
Premium Entrees (+$1.50 upcharge)
Honey Walnut Shrimp
- Calories
- 430
- A La Carte (Small)
- $6.90
Black Pepper Sirloin Steak
- Calories
- 180
- A La Carte (Small)
- $6.90
| Item | Calories | A La Carte (Small) |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Walnut Shrimp | 430 | $6.90 |
| Black Pepper Sirloin Steak | 180 | $6.90 |
Entree Deep Dives
Beijing Beef — 470 cal, $5.40. Crispy beef, bell peppers, and onions in a sweet-tangy sauce. Making it at home? See our Beijing Beef copycat recipe.
The Original Orange Chicken — 510 cal, $5.40. The chain's best-selling dish by a wide margin — it alone accounts for roughly a third of total entree sales, which is why every spicier or sweeter variant of it tends to become an instant fan favorite when it returns as an LTO.
Kung Pao Chicken — 320 cal, $5.40. Sichuan-style with peanuts and chili peppers — skip it for anyone with a peanut allergy.
Broccoli Beef — 150 cal, $5.40. The lightest entree on the menu. Pair with Super Greens for a full meal under 300 calories.
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken — 275 cal, $5.40. The highest-protein standard entree on the menu, made higher still by the Panda Promise reformulation.
Honey Walnut Shrimp — 430 cal, $6.90 (premium). Tempura shrimp, honey sauce, glazed walnuts — the most indulgent item on the menu.
Panda Express Menu Hacks That Actually Work
- Half-and-half sides — split your side between two options (Chow Mein + Fried Rice, or Super Greens + White Rice) at no extra charge.
- Extra sauce, free — ask for extra Orange Sauce or Teriyaki Sauce if your entree has been sitting under the heat lamp.
- Bigger Plate math — a third entree via upgrade beats ordering a la carte. Split it with a friend for the cheapest per-person price on the menu.
- Stack rewards and coupons in the same order — Panda Express allows redeeming a rewards perk and applying a promo code together, which many chains block. Check today's coupon codes before you redeem points.
- First-order app perk — new Panda Rewards members often get a free appetizer added automatically at checkout on their first mobile order.
- Flavor combos regulars order off-menu logic — pairing a spicier entree with a sweeter one on the same Plate (like a chili-based dish next to a honey-glazed one) is a common way regulars balance heat without asking for anything special.
- Hack availability varies — mall and airport locations tend to be stricter than standalone stores.
Panda Express Sides Menu
Chow Mein
- Calories
- 600
- A La Carte (Medium)
- $4.60
Fried Rice
- Calories
- 620
- A La Carte (Medium)
- $4.60
White Steamed Rice
- Calories
- 520
- A La Carte (Medium)
- $4.60
Brown Rice
- Calories
- 420
- A La Carte (Medium)
- $4.60
Super Greens
- Calories
- 130
- A La Carte (Medium)
- $4.60
| Side | Calories | A La Carte (Medium) |
|---|---|---|
| Chow Mein | 600 | $4.60 |
| Fried Rice | 620 | $4.60 |
| White Steamed Rice | 520 | $4.60 |
| Brown Rice | 420 | $4.60 |
| Super Greens | 130 | $4.60 |
Panda Bundles & Combos
Bowl Bundle
- Includes
- Bowl + Medium Drink
- Price
- $10.90
Plate Bundle
- Includes
- Plate + Medium Drink
- Price
- $12.90
Bigger Plate Bundle
- Includes
- Bigger Plate + Medium Drink
- Price
- $14.90
| Bundle | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl Bundle | Bowl + Medium Drink | $10.90 |
| Plate Bundle | Plate + Medium Drink | $12.90 |
| Bigger Plate Bundle | Bigger Plate + Medium Drink | $14.90 |
Family Meals & Catering
A 5-Person Family Meal (2 large sides, 3 large entrees) runs $43 to $46 — about $8.60 to $9.20 per person.
Party Size Entree Tray
- Serves
- 12–14
- Starting Price
- $42–$52
Party Size Side Tray
- Serves
- 10–12
- Starting Price
- $17–$22
12–16 Person Party Bundle
- Serves
- 12–16
- Starting Price
- $112–$119
| Catering Item | Serves | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Party Size Entree Tray | 12–14 | $42–$52 |
| Party Size Side Tray | 10–12 | $17–$22 |
| 12–16 Person Party Bundle | 12–16 | $112–$119 |
Panda Express Kids Menu (Panda Cub Meals)
Orange Chicken Cub Meal
- Includes
- Entree + Side + Fruit + Drink
- Price
- $7.80
Grilled Teriyaki Cub Meal
- Includes
- Entree + Side + Fruit + Drink
- Price
- $7.80
Broccoli Beef Cub Meal
- Includes
- Entree + Side + Fruit + Drink
- Price
- $7.80
| Cub Meal | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Chicken Cub Meal | Entree + Side + Fruit + Drink | $7.80 |
| Grilled Teriyaki Cub Meal | Entree + Side + Fruit + Drink | $7.80 |
| Broccoli Beef Cub Meal | Entree + Side + Fruit + Drink | $7.80 |
Appetizers & Drinks
Appetizers run $2.10 to $2.50 (Veggie Spring Roll, Chicken Egg Roll, Cream Cheese Rangoon). Fountain drinks run $2.20 to $2.70 by size; bottled drinks run $2.40 to $3.20.
How Panda Rewards Points Actually Pay Off
Panda Rewards earns points per dollar spent, and the redemption ladder is more useful than most fast-food loyalty programs once you know the tiers:
Premium entree upgrade
- Points Needed
- 200 pts
- Approx. Spend to Earn
- ~$20
Bowl → Plate upgrade
- Points Needed
- 250 pts
- Approx. Spend to Earn
- ~$25
Free appetizer
- Points Needed
- 300 pts
- Approx. Spend to Earn
- ~$30
Medium drink
- Points Needed
- 350 pts
- Approx. Spend to Earn
- ~$35
Free Bowl
- Points Needed
- 1,250 pts
- Approx. Spend to Earn
- ~$125
Free Plate
- Points Needed
- 1,500 pts
- Approx. Spend to Earn
- ~$150
Free Family Meal
- Points Needed
- 5,000 pts
- Approx. Spend to Earn
- ~$500
| Reward | Points Needed | Approx. Spend to Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Premium entree upgrade | 200 pts | ~$20 |
| Bowl → Plate upgrade | 250 pts | ~$25 |
| Free appetizer | 300 pts | ~$30 |
| Medium drink | 350 pts | ~$35 |
| Free Bowl | 1,250 pts | ~$125 |
| Free Plate | 1,500 pts | ~$150 |
| Free Family Meal | 5,000 pts | ~$500 |
The best return on paper is the 200-point premium entree upgrade — it effectively erases the $1.50 upcharge for a relatively low point cost, better value than redeeming for a full free meal at the top tier. Points are only earned and redeemed through the official app or in-store, never on delivery platforms, and unused points typically expire after a year of inactivity. Confirm current point values in-app, since chains adjust these periodically.
Best Panda Express Orders by Goal
- Best budget meal (under $10): Bowl with Broccoli Beef + Super Greens — about 280 calories, roughly $9.40.
- Highest protein: A Plate with Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and a premium steak option, paired with Super Greens, for the best protein-per-calorie combination on the standard menu.
- Best value for groups: The 5-Person Family Meal, at roughly $8.60–$9.20 per person, consistently beats individual Plates.
Regional Price Differences
- Standard suburban location: Bowl ~$9.40–$10.20
- Higher-cost metro area: Bowl ~$10.35–$10.95
- Mall food court or airport: typically 10–15% above standard pricing
Military & Veteran Discounts
Panda Express doesn't run a standing year-round national military discount, but individual locations often run promotions around major military holidays — Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day are the most common windows, typically offering a free item or a discount with valid military ID. Participation is franchise-dependent, so call your local store to confirm before visiting on the holiday itself.
How to Save Money at Panda Express
- Order through the app instead of a delivery platform
- Use the half-and-half sides trick
- Check today's Panda Express coupon codes before checkout
- Stack a coupon with a rewards redemption where allowed
- Upgrade to a Bigger Plate instead of ordering an extra entree a la carte
Allergen & Dietary Information
No certified gluten-free menu — most sauces are brewed with wheat-based soy sauce, and food is prepared in shared woks. No certified vegan or vegetarian dishes either, though Super Greens and steamed rice contain no animal ingredients. Kung Pao Chicken contains peanuts; Honey Walnut Shrimp contains tree nuts and shellfish; Cream Cheese Rangoon contains dairy. Confirm serious allergy concerns with your location or the official nutrition guide directly.
How to Order
In-store, through the app (for local pricing and rewards points), or via DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, with the delivery markup above in mind.
Panda Express Hours
Typically 10:30 AM–9:30 PM Sunday through Thursday, 10:30 AM–10:00 PM Friday and Saturday. Mall, airport, and university locations often follow the host venue's hours instead.
More Panda Express Menu Guides
Beijing Beef copycat recipe · today's coupon codes · locations and hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Bowl, Plate, and Bigger Plate?
One, two, and three entrees respectively, each with one side. Price rises per step, but cost per entree drops.
How much is a bowl at Panda Express?
Around $9.40 for a standard entree.
Does Panda Express have gluten-free options?
No certified gluten-free menu — most sauces contain wheat.
Can I get half and half sides?
Yes, at no extra charge.
What's the cheapest item?
Appetizers from $2.10; the cheapest full meal is a Bowl at roughly $9.40.
Can I stack a coupon with rewards points?
Yes — Panda Express allows using a promo code and redeeming rewards in the same order.
How much is the family meal?
$43 to $46 for 5 people.
Does Panda Express offer a military discount?
Not a standing national one — check with your local store around major military holidays.
Conclusion
Panda Express pricing follows a simple logic: bigger formats cost more overall but less per entree, delivery apps mark everything up, and stacking a coupon with a rewards redemption usually beats either trick alone. Check today's Panda Express coupon codes before your next order, and if Beijing Beef is your go-to, see how it compares to our copycat recipe made at home.