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The Ultimate 2025 Ranking: 15 Panda Express Entrees You Must Try (From Classic To Crispy New Flavors)

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As of December 2025, the Panda Express menu continues its tradition of delivering American Chinese classics while pushing the envelope with innovative, limited-time offerings (LTOs) and a renewed commitment to cleaner ingredients. The fast-casual chain’s signature dishes, cooked fresh in a hot wok, have cemented their place in the hearts of millions, but the constant evolution of flavors—like the recent introduction of the Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef—means there's always something new to explore.

Whether you are a devoted fan of The Original Orange Chicken or a health-conscious diner seeking Wok Smart options, navigating the extensive list of Panda Express entrees can be a delicious challenge. This 2025 guide cuts through the noise, ranking the must-try dishes and highlighting the latest menu developments, including the company's "Panda Promise" to reduce sodium and sugar.

The Undisputed Core: Classic Panda Express Entrees That Define the Menu

The foundation of the Panda Express experience lies in its time-tested, fan-favorite entrees. These dishes are the reason the chain has become a global phenomenon, offering a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and satisfying textures. They are the benchmark for American Chinese cuisine.

  • 1. The Original Orange Chicken: The undisputed champion. This iconic dish features crispy, marinated chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. It is the signature item, often considered the best entrée at Panda, and a cultural touchstone in fast-casual dining.
  • 2. Beijing Beef: A bold and flavorful choice. This entrée features strips of crispy beef, bell peppers, and onions, all tossed in a sweet and spicy tangy sauce. It offers a satisfying crunch and a rich, complex flavor profile.
  • 3. Honey Walnut Shrimp: A premium, indulgent favorite. This dish consists of tempura-battered shrimp, wok-tossed in a creamy honey sauce and topped with candied walnuts. It is often a slightly higher-priced option, reflecting its premium ingredients.
  • 4. Kung Pao Chicken: The spicy classic. This entrée is a vibrant mix of diced chicken, peanuts, celery, and chili peppers, all coated in a spicy Szechuan-style sauce. It provides a kick of heat for those who enjoy a bolder flavor.
  • 5. Black Pepper Angus Steak: A sophisticated, high-quality choice. Made with tender Angus steak, mushrooms, and baby broccoli, this dish is wok-tossed in a savory black pepper sauce. It’s a popular option for those seeking a richer, beef-based main course.

The enduring popularity of these core menu items demonstrates Panda Express's mastery of the wok-tossed technique, ensuring every bite delivers consistent flavor and quality.

The Latest Wok Creations: New and Limited-Time Entrees You Can't Miss

Panda Express consistently keeps its menu fresh by introducing limited-time offers (LTOs) and new permanent entrees. These innovations often become instant fan favorites, leveraging existing popular flavors in new combinations. The end of 2025 saw the launch of a highly anticipated new dish.

Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef: The New Surf and Turf Sensation

The newest addition to the menu is the Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef, a thrilling surf and turf combination that merges the best elements of two existing classics: the crispy texture from the Beijing Beef and the succulent shrimp from the Honey Walnut Shrimp.

This adventurous entrée features succulent shrimp and crispy beef, wok-tossed in a sweet and savory sesame sauce. It's a bold flavor profile that delivers a satisfying crunch and a rich, umami depth. For those who love both seafood and beef, this LTO is a must-try before it potentially leaves the menu.

The Strategy of Innovation

Panda Express uses these LTOs—like the previous Buldak Dynamite Sweet and Sour Chicken collaboration—to gauge customer interest and push culinary boundaries. By combining popular proteins and sauces, they maintain topical authority and keep customers engaged with the menu.

Other notable entrees that frequently cycle through or remain staples include the Sweetfire Chicken Breast, which offers a sweet and tangy pineapple-infused sauce, and the Firecracker Shrimp, a zesty, spicy option.

Eating Smart: Navigating the Panda Express Menu for Healthier Choices (Wok Smart)

In 2025, Panda Express has doubled down on its commitment to health and transparency, a key initiative known as the "Panda Promise." This includes a phased plan to reduce the sodium and sugar content across its menu, as well as the elimination of artificial flavors and colors. Diners looking for lighter meals should look for the Wok Smart designation on the menu.

Wok Smart entrees are generally lower in calories and higher in protein compared to the battered and fried options. They are an excellent way to enjoy the fast-casual experience without compromising dietary goals.

Top Wok Smart Entrees and Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving):

  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken: Arguably the best healthy option. This dish is simply marinated chicken breast grilled to perfection. It is a fantastic source of lean protein and is one of the lowest-carb entrees on the menu. A 5 oz serving contains about 250 calories and a high amount of protein (around 36g).
  • Mushroom Chicken: A savory, vegetable-heavy choice. It features chicken breast, fresh mushrooms, and zucchini wok-tossed in a light ginger-soy sauce. It is a lower-carb and lower-fat option, making it a Wok Smart staple.
  • Broccoli Beef: A classic for a reason. Tender beef and fresh broccoli florets are tossed in a mild ginger soy sauce. It offers a good balance of protein and greens, fitting well within the Wok Smart criteria.
  • String Bean Chicken Breast: An excellent low-calorie, high-fiber option. Chicken breast, fresh string beans, and onions are cooked in a light ginger-soy sauce, making it one of the cleanest choices available.

The Nutritional Reality of Fan Favorites

While the Wok Smart options are great, it's important to understand the nutritional profile of the most popular items. For instance, a single serving of The Original Orange Chicken contains approximately 420-510 calories, with a significant portion coming from carbohydrates and fat due to the breading and sugary sauce.

The new Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef, being a crispy LTO, is also an indulgence, clocking in around 410 calories and 36 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

For those managing their intake, the best strategy is to pair a Wok Smart entrée like the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with a side of Super Greens instead of Fried Rice or Chow Mein. This simple swap can drastically reduce your meal's total calories, sodium, and fat content.

By focusing on the Wok Smart list and being mindful of the breaded items, you can fully enjoy the dynamic flavors of Panda Express while adhering to a more balanced diet. The chain's ongoing "Panda Promise" for sodium and sugar reduction is a positive step toward making all entrees a cleaner option in the years to come.

The Ultimate 2025 Ranking: 15 Panda Express Entrees You Must Try (From Classic to Crispy New Flavors)
panda express entrees
panda express entrees

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