The Iconic Orange Chicken of Panda Express

This 2019, the Manila food scene has evolved tremendously. Both local and international icons have made its way to the shores of Manila. Subic’s Meat Plus and Bicol’s Bigg’s Diner has finally come. The New York burger institution Shake Shack opened 2 branches, Louisiana fastfood chain Popeyes made a return and Singapore’s Michelin-starred chain Hawker Chan has aggressively expanded throughout the Metro. There are other international brands that opened but I just haven’t visited them yet.

The trend isn’t stopping anytime soon. I read reports that the Japanese fastfood chain MOS Burger, Japanese department store chain Mitsukoshi (for the premium food), and Swedish furniture brand IKEA (for the meatballs and cafeteria) are all on its way. I’m hoping that Cebu’s House of Lechon, Iloilo’s Netong’s, and the States’ Five Guys and Lawry’s The Prime Rib will open someday. What local or international chain do you wish to open in Manila? Comment them below.

If one of them is Panda Express, then the wait is over. Just today, it opened its first Philippine branch in SM Megamall (Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City). The American fast casual chain serves American-Chinese food and is famous for their iconic Orange Chicken.

Panda Express was the brainchild of Andrew and Ming-Tsai Cherng. It started as Panda Inn back in 1973 at Pasadena, California. A decade later, it launched as the now-known Panda Express at Glendale, California. In 2011, it opened it’s first international branch in Mexico City. Since then, it has expanded in Asia and Central America. Through a partnership with Jollibee Foods Corporation, the company behind the Philippines’ most successful fastfood chain, it finally entered the Philippine market.

Earlier today, I made a visit to the first-ever Panda Express here in the country on its opening day. I lined up at 3:45PM (I haven’t had any meal so talk about a very late lunch!). The customers and I were served iced tea and water, though I hope they served samples of their food like what Shake Shack did. It’s a good thing that we were all inside the mall so it was comfortable.

The Queue at Panda Express (and that’s just a portion of it!)

After more than 3 hours of queueing(!), I finally got to order. The late lunch turned to be my dinner!

This is how to order or, as the franchise says, “How to Panda”: First, you will choose your kind of meal. The options are:

Bowl: 1 entree and 1 side (starts at P195)
Plate: 2 Entrees and 1 Side (starts at P245)
Bigger Plate: 3 Entrees and 1 Side (starts at P295)
Kid’s Meal: 1 Jr. Entree, 1 Jr. Side, 12 Oz Drink and Dessert (starts at P180)
Family Feast: 3 Large Entrees and 2 Large Sides (starts at P1200)

Then you will select your side/s. The options are Chow Mein (stir-fried noodles), Fried Rice, Mixed Vegetables, or White Steamed Rice. You can get one side or go half and half.

Then on to the entree/s (more on this later). It’s up to you if you will add an appetizer, soup, drink, and dessert.

My Meal—2 Bigger Plates of Panda Express Goodness!

Here are the items I tried:

Appetizer and Soup

Fried Cream Cheese Wontons: When you bite into it, there is a flow of richness from the cream cheese. I just wish that the wrapper is crispier. Maybe it’s sitting at the counter for a long time. I can just imagine when it’s fresh from the fryer!

Fried Cream Cheese Wontons (3 pcs.: P70) and Hot & Sour Soup (P45)

Hot & Sour Soup: It has a thick sour broth. In it are egg drop, huge mushroom slices, and tofu slices.

Entrees

Asian Grilled Chicken: The chicken is tender and already slightly sweet without the glaze. If you want it to be sweeter, then dip it in the glaze.
Broccoli Beef: The beef strips are tender and the broccoli has a nice crunch. But nothing special about this dish. I’ve tasted better versions.

Eggplant Tofu: Nothing special with this dish. I guess it’s in the menu to give customers a healthier option.

Kung Pao Chicken: The chicken chunks are amazingly tender, covered in a slightly sweet sauce. The tenderness of the chicken is complimented well by the crunch from peanuts and zucchini. There’s also a kick of spice coming from the chilis. It’s one of my favorites!
Orange Chicken: It’s exterior is nicely crisp and interestingly chewy. It’s also rightly sweet. Just think of lemon chicken but it’s orange instead. LOL. It’s no doubt my favorite!

Shanghai Steak (plus P40): It’s made with tender beef strips swimming in a sweet sauce (tastes like oyster sauce) along with mushrooms and white onions.

Sides AND DESSERT

Chow Mien: The noodles are nicely chewy and the veggies (cabbage and onions) give a nice crunch.

Fried Rice: It’s like a drier version of Japanese fried rice.

Mixed Vegetables: The veggies have a nice crunch. I find it lightly seasoned.

Dessert: Mango Sago

This is like Mango Graham with the addition of sago (tapioca balls). It’s a nice dessert to end a Panda Express feast!

Of course, no Panda Express visit would be complete without its iconic Fortune Cookies (it comes with all meals except for the Family Feast):

So how was my Panda Express experience? I would say that I’m generally pleased. Many of its items are good (some need working and I think I’ve tried better versions of it somewhere else). Also, the portions are huge and worth its price. But I wouldn’t wait for 3 hours to eat there again. So spare yourself of the long queue and come when the hype already died down.

When you visit, I highly recommend that you get the following:

Fried Cream Cheese Wontons (maybe request for a fresh batch)
Chow Mien
Kung Pao Chicken
Orange Chicken (probably my favorite)
Shanghai Steak

Have you tried Panda Express here in the Philippines or abroad? What are your favorite items? Comment them below!

Address: Upper G/F, Building A, SM Megamall, EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-10PM | Facebook | Website

PS It’s my first time to write something on the same date of my visit to a restaurant (I already made some research prior). It’s an interesting experience!

Panda Express: The Fast Casual Chain Serving American Chinese Food is Finally in Manila!

Appetizer and Soup

Entrees

Sides AND DESSERT

Dessert: Mango Sago