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First impressions, photos, prices: Panda Express in Manila

Steph Arnaldo

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First impressions, photos, prices: Panda Express in Manila

PANDA EXPRESS MANILA. The largest Chinese-American restaurant chain in the United States finally makes its way to the Philippines.

Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Here's what you can expect from Panda Express' first Manila branch – the complete menu, prices, and their classic dishes!

The long wait is over, folks – Panda Express is finally in the Philippines.

The country’s first Panda Express branch opens to the public on Thursday, December 12, at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, and we know fans of the Chinese-American restaurant chain’s Original Orange Chicken (and the rest of its tasty menu) have been ready for months.

Panda Express Manila - Megamall Branch
MEGAMALL BRANCH.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler
ORDERING AREA.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Prep those tastebuds and empty those tummies, because here’s what you can expect from Panda Express’ first Manila branch – the complete menu, prices, and a sneak peek at their iconic dishes.

Meal menu: Customizable

Panda Express is known for its conveniently customizable serving sizes.

Panda Express Manila - Orange Chicken
PLATE. Orange chicken, chow mein, and fried rice.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

You can choose from 5 serving options and their starting prices: The Bowl (P195), which includes 1 entreé and 1 side, the Plate (P245), which includes 2 entreés and 1 side, and the Bigger Plate (P295), which includes 3 entreés and 1 side.

Panda Express Manila - dishes
SET. You can get a bowl serving of an entreé with a half-and-half serving of the side dishes.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

There’s also a Kid’s Meal (P180) option, which includes a junior entreé, junior side, and a 12oz drink and dessert. Dining as a fam? Panda Express’ Family Feast (P1,200) size includes 3 large entreés, 2 large sides, and can feed 4 to 5 people.

Panda Express Manila dishes
PLATE. You can choose from two entrees and 1 side.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Still hungry? Feel free to add an extra entreé, which costs P40. The kid’s size costs P30, while the family feast size costs P130.

Panda Express Manila fortune cookie
FORTUNE COOKIES.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

By the way, each meal comes with a free Panda Express fortune cookie!

The main attraction

The star of the Panda Express show remains: how can you go wrong with their Original Orange Chicken?

Panda Express Manila - orange chicken plate
ORANGE CHICKEN.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Served glistening and moist, Panda Express’ Orange Chicken is crunchy in all the right places, but tender where it matters most: inside.

Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

The crunchy chicken bites are generously coated in a sticky, sour-sweet citrus sauce that makes this classic what it is – delicious orange chicken.

Panda Express Manila - kung pao chicken
KUNG PAO CHICKEN.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Another favorite entrée on the menu is the Kung Pao Chicken, a wok-tossed dish of soft-to-the-bite chicken, zucchini, ginger, garlic, bell peppers, and a nutty soy sauce, finished off with a spicy Szechuan kick and some peanuts for added crunch.

ASIAN GRILLED CHICKEN.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Next up is the Asian Grilled Chicken, a simple dish of chicken fillet, grilled carefully until perfectly tender, and then served with a sweet-savory teriyaki glaze. You can have your chicken hand-cut into strips upon request.

Panda Express Manila - Brocolli beef
BROCCOLI BEEF.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Another crowd fave is the Broccoli Beef, a friendly mix of steamed broccoli (which are huge, by the way) and soft beef strips, wok-tossed in a light ginger-soy sauce. A+ for the crunchy brocc!

Panda Express Manila - eggplant tofu
EGGPLANT TOFU.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

An entrée I was also very happy to see on the menu was the vegetarian-friendly Eggplant Tofu, a mix of sizable fried tofu chunks with hand-cut eggplant and crunchy bell peppers, coexisting in a sweet-savory soy sauce that surprises with a little spicy zing afterwards.

Other entrée choices include:

  • String Bean Chicken Breast
  • Mushroom Chicken (additional premium charge)
  • Beijing Beef
  • Shanghai Steak (additional premium charge)
  • Savory Shrimp
  • Black Pepper Chicken

Sides-seeing

SIDES. You can choose from either white steamed rice or fried rice.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Customers can opt for one side dish to go alongside their chosen entrée/s. Can’t de-side? Get them half-and-half!

MIXED VEGGIES.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler
  • Chow Mein noodles
  • Mixed Vegetables (a steamed combo of carrots, cabbage, zucchini, and broccoli)
  • Fried Rice
  • White Steamed Rice

What else are on the menu?

Appetizers:

  • Chicken Egg Roll – P75
  • Veggie Spring Rolls x 2 – P75
  • Fried Cream Cheese Wontons x 3 – P75

Soup:

  • Hot and Sour – P45
  • Egg Drop – P45

Dessert

  • Mango Sago – P120
  • Coffee Jelly – P120
  • Crinkles x 2 – P25

Take-out? No problem

Entrées can be taken home in Panda Express boxes for P130 (small), P240 (medium), and P350 (large). Premium entrées cost an additional P40, P80, and P130, respectively.

TAKE-OUT BOX.
Photo by Steph Arnaldo/Rappler

Sides can also be brought home in medium (P120) and large (P175) sizes.

Everything on the Panda Express Philippine menu is freshly prepared each day, using fresh ingredients, without any MSG. Orange you excited? – Rappler.com

Craving for Chinese food? Use this Foodpanda voucher code for discounts.

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Steph Arnaldo

If she’s not writing about food, she’s probably thinking about it. From advertising copywriter to freelance feature writer, Steph Arnaldo finally turned her part-time passion into a full-time career. She’s written about food, lifestyle, and wellness for Rappler since 2018.