Panda Express Plate Menu: 2026 Prices, Calories & Best Combos

Ordering from a fast-casual American Chinese restaurant can feel overwhelming when you face a long line of sizzling woks and colorful dishes. The Panda Express menu features dozens of flavor combinations, making it difficult to know which meal size provides the right amount of food for your budget. You want enough food to satisfy your appetite without overspending on portions you will not finish.

What exactly is included in a Panda Express Plate?

A Panda Express Plate is a customizable meal size that includes one standard side and two standard entrées. You can choose to divide your single side into two half-portions, such as half Chow Mein and half Fried Rice, at no additional cost.

The Plate is the most popular meal size at the fast-casual American Chinese restaurant because it allows diners to enjoy two distinct flavor profiles. You can combine a spicy dish with a sweet dish, or pair a high-protein beef option with a lighter chicken entrée.

How much does a Panda Express Plate cost in 2026?

In 2026, a standard Panda Express Plate starts at $11.10. Choosing premium entrées, such as the Honey Walnut Shrimp or the Black Pepper Sirloin Steak, will add an upcharge of $1.50 per premium scoop to your total bill.

Prices can vary slightly depending on your location, with airport and delivery orders typically costing more. The fast-casual American Chinese restaurant also introduced new pre-set plates this year to fill a content gap in the fitness market.

Panda Express Plate Menu Prices (2026)

How many calories are in a Panda Express Plate?

A standard Panda Express Plate contains between 430 and 1,640 calories, depending entirely on your side and entrée selections. Choosing Wok Smart items like Super Greens and Broccoli Beef keeps the calorie count low, while choosing Fried Rice and Orange Chicken pushes the meal toward the higher end.

Panda Express Sides Calories

Panda Express Entrée Calories (Per Scoop)

What is the best way to order a Panda Express Plate?

The best way to order a Panda Express Plate is to ask for a “half-and-half” side to maximize variety, select one classic sweet entrée, and balance it with a savory or vegetable-heavy entrée. Always order directly through the Panda Express app to earn Panda Rewards points and avoid third-party delivery markups.

What are the best Panda Express Plate combinations?

Creating the perfect Plate depends on your dietary goals and flavor preferences. Based on calorie density, protein output, and customer popularity, here are the top tested combinations.

🏆 What is the best overall combo?

Choose half Chow Mein and half Fried Rice for the side, paired with The Original Orange Chicken and Broccoli Beef. This combination balances the heavy, sweet citrus glaze of the chicken with the light, savory soy-ginger profile of the beef.

💪 What is the best high-protein combo?

Choose Super Greens for the side, paired with two servings of Grilled Teriyaki Chicken. This mirrors the new Double Protein Plate, delivering an impressive 75 grams of protein for only 680 calories.

🔥 What is the best spicy combo?

Choose Chow Mein for the side, paired with Kung Pao Chicken and the new Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken. The Sichuan peppercorns in the Kung Pao harmonize well with the bold heat of the Dynamite sauce.

🌱 What is the best Lighter / Wok Smart combo?

Choose Super Greens for the side, paired with String Bean Chicken Breast and Mushroom Chicken. This entire plate totals just 560 calories while providing plenty of dietary fiber and 34 grams of protein.

💎 What is the best premium splurge combo?

Choose Fried Rice for the side, paired with Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak. You will pay an extra $3.00 for the dual premium upcharges, but you gain a rich, steakhouse-quality experience.

👨👩👧 What is the best kid-friendly combo?

Choose White Steamed Rice for the side, paired with Orange Chicken and Honey Sesame Chicken Breast. Both chicken dishes feature mild, sweet sauces that appeal to younger palates without any spicy ingredients.

Panda Express Plate vs Bowl vs Bigger Plate: Which offers the best value?

The Bigger Plate offers the best mathematical value per ounce of food, but the standard Plate offers the most practical value for an average adult’s appetite. A Bowl costs $9.30 for one entrée, meaning upgrading to a Plate costs only $1.80 for a full second entrée.

• Bowl ($9.30): 1 Side + 1 Entrée. Best for light lunches.
• Plate ($11.10): 1 Side + 2 Entrées. Best for standard dinners and varied flavor cravings.
• Bigger Plate ($12.90): 1 Side + 3 Entrées. Best for large appetites or splitting with a friend.

When should you choose the Plate over a Bowl or Bigger Plate?

You should choose the Panda Express Plate when you want to experience two different flavor profiles without overeating. Choose the Plate if variety matters more than keeping your total meal cost under $10.

If you strictly want to hit a specific macro goal quickly, the new pre-set Balanced Protein Plates (which follow the standard Plate sizing) remove the guesswork from the ordering process.

What is included in the Panda Express Plate Bundle?

The Panda Express Plate Bundle includes one standard side, two entrées, and a medium fountain drink for $13.40. This bundle saves you roughly $0.20 to $0.40 compared to purchasing the medium drink separately.

How can you optimize your Panda Express Plate for nutrition?

You can optimize your Panda Express Plate for nutrition by choosing Super Greens as your base instead of noodles or rice, which saves over 470 calories. Select entrées marked with the “Wok Smart” logo, ensuring each dish has at least 8 grams of protein and fewer than 300 calories.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many people does a Panda Express Plate feed?

A standard Panda Express Plate feeds one adult. The portion includes roughly 8 to 10 ounces of sides and 10 to 12 ounces of entrée meats, totaling an average of 1,000 calories.

Can I get half-and-half sides on a Plate?

Yes, you can request a half-and-half side on any Panda Express Plate for no additional cost. Most customers choose half Chow Mein and half Fried Rice.

Does a Panda Express Plate come with a drink?

No, a standard Panda Express Plate ($11.10) does not include a drink. You must order the Plate Bundle ($13.40) to receive a medium fountain beverage with your meal.

How much protein is in the Double Protein Plate?

The new Panda Express Double Protein Plate contains approximately 75 grams of protein. It consists of Super Greens and two servings of Grilled Teriyaki Chicken.

What makes an entrée “Premium” on the Plate menu?

Premium entrées contain higher-cost ingredients, specifically steak and shrimp. Adding Honey Walnut Shrimp or Black Pepper Sirloin Steak to your Plate incurs a $1.50 upcharge per scoop.

Are there vegan Plates at Panda Express?

You can build a plant-based Plate by choosing Super Greens or Chow Mein, paired with Eggplant Tofu. However, Panda Express notes that all items are cooked in a shared kitchen, meaning cross-contamination with meat products is highly likely.

How much does it cost to add a third entrée?

Adding a third entrée converts your Plate into a Bigger Plate, which increases the base price from $11.10 to $12.90. This $1.80 addition is highly cost-effective.

Can I order the Plate for catering?

No, the Panda Express catering menu uses Party Size Trays rather than individual Plates. A Party Size Entrée ($42.00) serves 12 to 14 people.

Do Panda Express Plates use MSG?

Panda Express does not add distinct MSG to its dishes. However, ingredients used in the sauces, such as soy sauce, contain naturally occurring glutamates.

Are the Balanced Protein Plates cheaper than standard Plates?

Yes, the pre-set Balanced Protein Plates (like the Harmonious Macros Plate) start at $10.90, which is slightly cheaper than the standard customizable $11.10 Plate.