This global franchise set foot in Manila in 2019 and received a warm welcome when its Filipino patrons flocked in to dine. The Orange Chicken is the most popular among its classic asian menu. I can’t tell the difference on the taste from what I’ve tried in LA. The price dont hurt the pocket with a serving size that is filling enough.
Another check on my bucket list. The food that we ordered were sooo good and will definitely go back.
Freshly made! You can see the cooks constantly tossing their woks in the background. Some people will hate the hype and the long line that comes with it. But it is what it is. A cheap Chinese takeaway. Albeit glorified - but it tastes good, big portions and very affordable.
Had the orange chicken (flagship) and Kung Pao chicken. It has a bit of a kick (spicy) so kids, tread carefully. Will definitely go back. But only if the line is decent.
The food is good. The portions is also good. I just didnt
like the beijing beef, it was hard to chew and caused me a tooth ache hehe.
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Food here is nice. I always order the bigger plate and I have to eat it for two days. Super cheap! As a person who is not a fan of bell peppers, I am somewhat disappointed on how they serve you with lots of white onions and bell peppers. Which is by the way, I guess are their key ingredients. Like, every time I order, white onions and bell peppers dominating my plate. One time I order, I got 4pcs of shrimp and the rest are bell peppers and white onions.
Chow Mein - dry but taste alright. You won't feel like you want another round.
Fried Rice - the bomb! Super delicious and very sinful.
Mixed Veggies - more on the bland side but healthy option.
Beijing Beef - flavor wise, super delicious. No wonder it is always sold out. It taste like sweet and sour but with a kick of spice but the meat was tough.
Savory Shrimp - the shrimps are juicy. Not too salty. Just right.
Orange Chicken - this is sooo good but sweet. Sweet as an orange. :P
Kung Pao Chicken - not a fan of this entrée. I find it weird since it is watery.
Broccoli Beef - I think they don't use beef. When I was eating this entrée I keep on thinking that this is not beef or is it? To the point I didn't enjoy my meal but yes, definitely for me, that this is pork. The softest pork lean meat.
I tried all the entrées that I want to try before doing this review.
I notice that sometimes they got the order wrong when they are few weeks running like you order for Savory Shrimp but they put Orange Chicken on your plate. So you have to look out your order. It is best to order your food in take out as dine in line is always long.
Charlene Briones-Michelena
+5
This restaurant reminds me of my US trips with my Asian tummy cravings for rice! Love the menu and the flexibility with servings. Good food with good service and price points are very reasonable
Was so excited to try Panda Express after I tried it back in New York. Ordered the orange chicken, chow mein, shanghai beef, and a couple of appetizers - egg rolls and wonton cream cheese. The chow mein tasted as good as I remembered. And the flavors of the chicken were close. However, I can't help but feel like there's something that tastes off - the meats were a bit on the tougher side than I remembered - but then again, it was years ago since I tried the one in the US. The novelty is there, and the experience of opening your own fortune cookie and reading it did not disappoint. In terms of flavors though, I'm not so sure I would go back a second time around, to be honest.
Just right. Heaven. I feel at home. DELISH.
Warning : the Chinese that migrated to the US during the gold rush in the 1940's made food like panda Express and if ya didn't know fortune cookies were invented in california at the time. So I know Filipinos will shrug this place off cause they've tasted "authentic chinese food" since you are close to china but to us in the US "Chinese fast food" is a staple... just like how they invented "California Rolls" in california its variations to cater to the US. Lol. I hope everyone that's hating on this spot realizes this. Otherwise... great food!
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Everybody has been waiting for Panda Express to open here in PH and finally! It's here! :) So during the first week of it's opening, we were in Megamall and decided to pass by and see this newly opened Panda Express and wow the line was long. There was a line at the side for priority and take out. There was another line in front of the store as well for those on waiting list for dine in. And there was another line at the stairs near french baker extension for those on waiting list. HAHA grabe! Good thing I was with my mom so we didn't have to wait in line since she was senior soooo priority ;) heheheAnd so we ordered 2 orders of PLATE (2 entrees + 1 side) I got the premium savory shrimp and famous orange chicken. And my mom got Broccoli Beef and Eggplant Tofu. We both got half half of chow mein and fried rice for the sides. After the first bite, wowwww we think the hype is worth it! Everything was so good! ♥♥♥ (except the chow mein was kinda tasteless) Nothing else to say cause we will definitely be coming back to try the other entrees and im already craving again right now hahaha
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I worked at several panda express stores for about 2 years. Ate there nearly everyday. It's not "authentic" asian cuisine, but it's good. The food display is very appealing. Everything looked great. The staff was friendly and the manager was even the first person that greets you and serves you. Order was served in an speedy and efficient manner.
I ordered the orange chicken with chow mein plus a chicken egg roll. I had to order for take out because I didn't want to wait in that long line. But even for take out I had to wait. By the time I got home the food was a little cold, so the taste of the food was off but didn't ruin it. I've eaten left over panda express before and it still taste good. The orange chicken was good (a little dry and could've been better but understandable with the constant cooking needed to fill serving trays) and tastes just like it does in the US, the chow mein was a little too hard, but it was still good. The chicken egg roll was mostly mushy chicken inside. I couldn't finish it. Overall the food and staff were the best part, but the line really makes it not worth it. Maybe when the hype dies then it'll be better.
Orange Chicken is definitely worth a try.
Ria Pe | RIA_litybites
+4
After more than a month since its opening, finally got to try Panda Express in Manila. It’s my favorite when in the States, a must have! Cheap and delicious. I lined up on a weekday at around 715pm, took me less than 20 minutes which is not bad for me. Plus they have a pretty efficient queueing and seating assignment system with a lot of staff assigned at the door to assist you.
The best part of my experience I think is the price! Super sulit and affordable. We got the “Bigger Plate” to share which is ₱295 with 3 kinds of viands and a side - I chose fried rice then just ordered an extra (medium) side of chow mein. Also got 2 small bottles of water but there is service water provided too.
Feedback on food:
Savory Shrimp - was surprised (in a good way) to see that this isn’t a premium item which means no additional charge, yay. This dish was very good - tender, juicy, substantial tasty pieces of shrimp.
Black Pepper Chicken - if you like pepper and onions like I do then you will enjoy this dish too.
Orange Chicken - I was of course excited for this because it isn’t only their specialty/ best seller but also my fave when we eat at Panda Express in the US. Sadly though the one I got was dry. Yes, there was a lot of sauce of course but the chicken meat itself was dry. The outer coating was hard and rubbery rather than crisp and tender. Not sure if I’ll order this again here. I’m hoping it’s just a bad batch that I got?
The rice and chow mein were good, complemented the viands well. You can even get half of each if you wanna try both or craving for both at one time.
The cashier who assisted me forgot to give me a fortune cookie. Good thing I remembered and went back to ask for it. I love eating fortune cookies esp. the ones from Panda Expeess in the US! However, the one I had here was disappointing, it was pale in color and too thick for my liking. I haven’t had Panda Express in the US for more than a year so I’m thinking if I remembered wrong or maybe they changed suppliers? I’m just assuming it would be so easy to get the same supplier for the fortune cookies. I like mine more brown in color with a smooth texture, thin & crisp and slightly sweet. I know, I know, I’m spending too much time writing about the fortune cookies LOL but it’s coz’ I love them and was looking forward to it but ended up disapointed.
Anyway, would I go back? Definitely! Sulit! Prices are affordable. I hope they open more branches soon though.
5/5 Orange Chicken
5/5 Kung Pao Chicken
3/5 Shanghai Shrimp (due to self preference; i don't like the sauce)
3/5 Chow Mein (it's too dry)
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Me and my friends finally got to try Panda Express yesterday. We decided to go on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowd, but unfortunately there was still quite a line, though it did not took us long to get seated. I think we were in for like 15 to 20 minutes. I have to commend them for having a proper system for lining up, and that they have priority lanes for seniors and PWD, and every once in a while they'd call for someone who just needs to do takeouts. I am glad to know I have that option should I bring my parents or if I just wanted to takeout something. They also give you a menu while waiting in line so that it saves both you and them time when you're already inside.
After we were led inside we queued to order. It would have been faster if some people already made up their mind on what to order after standing in line for quite a while, but no, some people are just like that. The man ahead of me was just like that, SMH. Anyway, I ordered two bigger plates, one plate with fried rice and chow mein, beef broccoli, orange chicken, and savory shrimp, the other plate has steamed rice and mixed vegetables, kung pao chicken, eggplant tofu, and asian grilled chicken, then for the drinks we ordered two Pepsi. I tried ordering the Beijing Beef but it was unavailable, anyway my two other friends ordered the same thing, except her other dish was the Shanghai Steak.
I rated it a five because I liked how the food taste, but that's just me, and I think you get great value for your money considering the generous servings and their pricepoint, but I agree that I think you could eat most of the dishes on their menu on other Chinese restaurants. I also wouldn't line up for hours just to eat, that's why I waited after it was more than a month before we went to visit. Me and my friends would definitely come back, and I'd probably bring my mother here too.
Average taste but very cheap in price! Their orange chicken doesn't taste and look as fresh as Dubai's.
It's been a few weeks since Panda Express opened and the lines are still long. I've tried joining the hype last month but failed so when I went to megamall and noticed that the line was quite short (just in front of Conti's; last time people were on the stairs na), I took the opportunity. I ordered for take-out bc I figured that would be easier and I wanted to try different entrées so I have to get the Bigger Plate and I wouldn't be able to finish it if I'll be eating it alone.
I got the orange chicken, savory shrimp and Eggplant and Tofu with Mixed Veggies on the side. Everything was so good. Weirdly, what stood out for me was the mixed veggies. I know there's nothing special about it i mean—they're just mixed together—but the way it was cooked, perfect partner for their orange chicken!
Will definitely come back to try more.
The hype is real! Orange chicken and their fried rice was super good!!! Chow mein a bit dry though that’s why we liked the fried rice more. The serving portions were also good as it would really fill up a hungry person. I just wish we wouldn’t have to line up and wait for long just to get a hold of this :) Also would like to suggest that they have a seperate line and counter to those who would like to take it out.
We ordered 8 of 11 of their entrée menu:
🐔 Orange Chicken 10/10
🐔 String Bean Chicken Breast 10/10
🐔 Kung Pao Chicken 7/10 - a bit spicy
🐔 Mushroom Chicken 9/10
🐔 Black Pepper Chicken 9/10
🐔 Asian Grilled Chicken 8/10 - a bit dry but soft
🐄 Broccoli Beef 10/10
🐄 Shanghai Steak 9/10
Sides:
🍝 Chow Mein 9/10 - a bit dry also but tastes good
🍚 Fried Rice 10/10
We went there around 7 pm, there was a line but it took us an estimated time of 15-20 mins before we get to our table. As usual, there are many people at the resto. We ordered 3 bigger plates which includes 3 entrée dishes and a medium size sides. Unfortunately, we havent tried their Beijing Beef because its already sold out. But overall, it was good. Serving is generous. Water refill is also self-service.
A few days ago, I ordered the orange chicken and savory shrimp with a side of fried rice and mixed vegetables while my mom had orange chicken and eggplant tofu with white rice and mixed vegetables. Both meals were very good and worth the price. As of the time I wrote this review, I'm actually waiting for my next meal from Panda Express :)
to quickly queued and we were already #17. Wait was not too long though as we are still within the restaurants initial capacity. My opinion is if you were not able to queue by mall opening just wait till the hype cools down.
Anyway as for the food it was just so-so. Except the orange chicken which was the bomb. The vegetables and chow mien was lacking taste. In Tagalog "matabang". The Shanghai steak was also nice and tender. The kung pao was just so-so... The price is also very reasonable. I might come back but only when the day its no longer hyped. Just wanted to try it initially hehehe
What makes the newly opened restaurant Panda Express worth lining up for by so many people?
The dishes we ordered and tried tasted good -- even the Orange chicken that we even ordered one again for takeout. I also enjoyed the Fortune Cookie. The eggplant tofu had just the right kick of spicy-ness in it.
Went early on a weekend in time during mall opening. The line was still manageable and I got inside in around 15 minutes. The staff reserves you a table while you wait in line for the food ala cafeteria style.
The menu is short. What I liked most, surprisingly, was the cream cheese wonton. The orange chicken was just okay, nothing outstanding. The Shanghai steak was pretty good--tender beef seasoned well.
The portion size is good and filling. We sat at a table outside but there was a faint smell of roach from either the table or the tray. Hope they could look into this.
Overall, the food was just okay for me. I don't think I would visit again while the queue is rather long. It's okay to wait for the hype to settle.
If you are a fan of the franchise, it is very close to the original, greasy ones that fans are accustomed to in the US. Minor differences would have to be taste (PH version is a bit bland; just a bit!), look (PH version is less oily) and quantity (in the US version, they dump huge loads of rice, chow mein and food on your plate; in the PH version, a bit stingy on the serving). Price is alright. Not as expensive as I thought it would be (with new fast food franchises entering the PH market).
If you are NOT a fan of the franchise, the long queue would not be worth it.
Except for the very long queue, it’s a good place to dine with family and friends.
Food was good but not worth waiting in a long line for. Better wait for the hype to die down a bit. I liked the orange chicken, savory shrimp and Beijing beef the most. An order of their "bigger plate" with half fried rice and half mixed vegetables as sides is one filling meal. Kung pao chicken and broccoli beef were just so-so for me. Their chow mein doesn't have much flavor. Will not order that one again.
Got first dibs on Panda Express favorites a couple of days before its Grand Opening last December 12. Remembered Panda Express from our travel in California some years back with the whole family. I recall craving for Asian food having indulged in American , Italian, Mexican cuisine with the relatives several days into our trip.
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PANDA EXPRESS IS NOW IN THE PHILIPPINES
Nagpunta kami the day after the grand opening ng Panda Express. From the time na pumila kami up to the time na naupo na kami to eat, it took us 1.5 hours! Salute ako sa Panda Express kasi ang dami nilang staff to assist and maayos yung flow ng pila.
Orange Chicken - FAVEEEEE!!! Uulit ulitin ko talaga to. Naadik ako sa kanya. Crunchy siya pero malambot pa din yung inside, hindi siya nakakasawa. Sweet with a hint of spicy.
Savory Shrimp - ONE OF THE FAVES ALSO! I am allergic to shrimp if hindi fresh or hindi maayos yung luto. But infairness, hindi ako nag allergy dito kahit parang sautéd lang yung shrimp! Sa mga mahilig sa bell pepper, matutuwa kayo kasi ang damiiiii.
Broccoli Beef - nothing extra ordinary tbh. Pero masarap siya, malambot yung beef niya. Mejj maalat lang siya.
Kung Pao Chicken - eto masarap siya. But, maanghang! goes perfect with the fried rice!
Chow Mein - di namin siya nagustuhan. Very dry.
Fried Rice - Okay naman siya. Di siya maalat and malambot yung rice. i think good balance sya sa spicy foods.
Don’t forget to get your fortune cookie!!!
Tbh, we were kind of disappointed sa serving. When we asked kasi yung staff sabi nila GOOD FOR 2 PER ENTREE, pero besh, good for 1 lang siya!
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📍Panda Express
Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall A
🍴Bowl (1 Entree & 1 Side)
💵 P195.00
🍴 Bigger Plate (3 Entrees & 1 Side)
💵 P295.00
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if you want me to review your restaurant, PM me! 😁 i would love to go and try your food! 😋
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Jeff De Sesto Zacarias
+4
Finally got to try Panda Express after queuing for 2 1/2hrs.
Here were our orders + ratings /10
Orange chicken 10/10
Broccoli beef 10/10
Shanghai steak 10/10
Savory shrimp 6/10 (legit madami mas masarap)
Kung pao chicken 7/10
Fried rice 4/10 (mas masarap pa ang chao fan ng Chowking)
Chow mein 4/10 (mas masarap din pancit ng chowking)
Spring roll 5/10 (mas masarap pa lumpiang shanghai sa handaan nyo sa noche buena)
Service 10/10 (kudos to the staff foe being friendly, efficient, and calm despite the very many irrate lolas in line)
Price 8/10 (big portions, worth it for price)
Verdict: would come back for the orange chicken when the hype is gone.
Had a takeout of orange chicken, chow mein, and shrimps. This is one of the restos that I really liked everything I ordered. I expected so much and this resto did not disappoint. It’s actually my first time eating on this resto and I liked that they are showing the calories per serving size on their menu. The only worst thing I can think of is the long line in able to dine in, that’s why I resorted to take out. Will definitely be back to try more from menu.
Sobrang daming tao 😲 But worth the wait :) I've heard this restaurant because of BTS V so I tried it. And wow, masarap nga siya. Favorite ko yung orange chicken, fried rice, and shrimp. Can't wait to try it again.
And also the service is nice, the workers are very polite, and also approachable. So yes, I'll definitely come back and try more of their menu.
Panda Express is finally here in the Philippines and luckily is just a few blocks away from my workplace. What I do like from it is how fresh and high quality the food being presented. I also like how you can customise what you want to get especially with the sides. Orange Chicken is the real deal breaker, a bit spicy but very flavourful with a slight crunch. Kung Pao Chicken is more on the healthy side with the vegetables and peanuts but still has that flavour profile that people would love. The black pepper chicken was okey, not the best out of the three I've chosen. The Hot and Sour Soup also taste okey though my mouth said otherwise. The Chow Mein and Fried Rice really complements well with the entrees. And the price fits the budget. Overall, I do enjoy my first time eating here. Will recommend this to everyone.
Stephanie Anne Bernabe Buenafe II
+5
Super duper love their orange chicken!!!!
Kung pao chicken was also tasty!!!
Ingredients are fresh...
I’m also happy that their mushrooms are fresh and not canned mushrooms...
And i am also very happy that they had priority lane for adults with children coz me and my husband together with our 4 year old daughter arrived around 1:30 pm and the line was literally long,.
I approach one of their staff and told me that the line starts from upstairs , but i am glad that another staff from panda express was concerned about us with our daughter and ask me “ay may kasama po kayong baby, dun na po kayo sa priority lane”
And she led us there... thanks to you ate , my daughter was really hungry that time., we were in parking line for almost 40 minutes as you can see in the photo when our food arrived she already use her hand to eat the noodles 😂
Restaurant staffs are very attentive, and they are really fast in serving the food , considering we also bought take out...
Will come back here on Sunday! 😂😂😂
Thank you very much!
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America's famous Chinese fast food joint Panda Express is finally in Manila, with their first ever branch in SM Megamall. 🐼 And they're finally open to the public today!
Known for their Orange Chicken, which was developed by Chef Andy Kao, Panda Express’ bestseller features crispy bites of chicken coated in a sweet and spicy homemade orange sauce.
And that's not all. Panda Express’ claim to fame lies not just in their Chinese menu (inspired by flavors from the Hunan province), but also in their calorie-smart choices. Contrary to the greasy indulgence commonly associated with fast food, Panda Express makes everything fresh. Fresh ingredients, fresh off the wok, and fresh from the kitchen. Plus, they proudly guarantee that all dishes are 100% MSG-free!
Here's what they have to offer:
🍊 Orange Chicken (490 calories): a definite must-have! This one’s more on the sweeter side though, so don't let the word spicy intimidate you.
🌶️ Kung Pao Chicken (290 calories): a little on the spicy side, this Szechuan-inspired dish features a medley of soft chicken breast, peanuts, and vegetables— all tossed in a spicy soy-based, syrupy sauce before being finished off with some dried chili.
🐔 Asian Grilled Chicken (300 calories): boneless chicken thighs— hand-sliced into strips and grilled for that smoky char, then brushed all over with a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce.
🥦 Broccoli Beef (150 calories): tender pieces of beef paired with crisp pieces of broccoli, which is then cooked in a ginger soy sauce.
🍆 Eggplant Tofu (340 calories): delicately spiced stir-fry dish featuring lightly browned tofu cooked with fried eggplant and bell peppers, then tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce.
🍝 Chow Mein (510 calories): stir-fried noodles with strips of vegetables like cabbage and onions, all tossed together in a soy-based sauce.
🍚 Fried Rice (520 calories): comes with vegetables, meat and eggs.
Thanks for the invite Vince Golangco 😊
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Panda Express is now in Manila! Looking back, around a year ago I had my first Orange Chicken encounter. This American Chinese kitchen was in my shortlist of go-to dining destinations on my visit to California last November 2019.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being invited to the Panda Express media preview. As far as my tastebuds are concerned, everything I had recently was similar to the ones I had way back. Even better, it’s more affordable to us Filipinos!
In the United States meals starts at $6.80 (Php 345 converted) for a side and 2 entrees. Here, it’s just at 245! We even have a single bowl for less than Php 200! There are other options too like kids meal (Php 180), bigger plate (Php 295) and a family Family Feast (Php1,200), which includes three large entrees and two large sides, good to share by 4-5 people.
What to jump into if you’re a newbie? Besides the famous, slightly crisp, bite-sized chicken in sweet and spicy orange sauce, I recommend the tender, Asian Grilled Chicken with a teriyaki sauce dip.
If you are a fan of spice like myself, you’ll keep coming back to the Kung Pao Chicken. This Szechuan-inspired viand has peanuts and features American vegetables in zucchini and bell peppers. It’s soy-based that has gingery, tangy, and sweet notes as well. If you’re into the heat, go nibble on the dried chilis too!
For a healthier meal, pair up your poultry with some vegetables. Panda Express has the traditional Broccoli Beef at just 150 calories per serving. There’s also the savory blend of Eggplant Tofu for you and me.
We all need our carbohydrates, and this place has it in abundance. Chow Mein noodles here are lightly seasoned, and the Fried Rice flavorful with minced vegetables, meat, and eggs.
Don’t forget to have a Fortune Cookie before you go! Your luck hangs in the balance. That would complete your Panda Express experience.
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