Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon is a 3-piece appetizer of fried wontons filled with sweetened cream cheese (no crab). A serving costs $2.10+ and contains 190 calories, 8g fat, 24g carbs, and 5g protein. It’s served with sweet & sour sauce and contains wheat, egg, and dairy allergens.

Crispy on the outside, warm and creamy in the middle  Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon has earned its spot as the chain’s most-ordered appetizer since the brand opened its first location at the Glendale Galleria in 1983. But before you add an order (or ten) to your next takeout run, it helps to know exactly what’s inside, what it costs, and whether it’s the healthiest pick on the appetizer menu.

What Is Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?

Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon consists of wonton wrappers filled with sweetened cream cheese, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. It’s served in orders of 3 pieces alongside sweet & sour sauce. Despite the name similarity to “crab rangoon,” this appetizer contains no crab or seafood of any kind.

• Wonton wrapper: made from wheat flour, water, and egg
• Filling: sweetened cream cheese
• Cooking method: deep-fried until golden brown
• Served with: sweet & sour dipping sauce
• Vegetarian-friendly (contains dairy and egg)

Does Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon Have Crab?

No. Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon contains zero crab, imitation crab, or seafood of any kind. The filling is exclusively sweetened cream cheese. This distinguishes it from the “crab rangoon” served at many other Chinese-American restaurants, and it’s good news if you’re avoiding shellfish for allergy reasons.

How Much Does Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon Cost?

A 3-piece à la carte order of Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon starts at $2.10, though pricing varies slightly by location and market. For groups or events, Panda Express also offers a large-format party option.

Prices reflect national averages and can shift based on your specific Panda Express location.

How Many Calories Are in Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?

A 3-piece serving (2.4 oz) of Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon contains 190 calories. That works out to roughly 63 calories per piece. Of those 190 calories, about 38% come from fat, 51% from carbohydrates, and 11% from protein  making it a carb-and-fat-forward snack rather than a protein source.

Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon Nutrition Facts

Here’s the full nutrition breakdown per 3-piece serving (2.4 oz), according to Panda Express’s published nutrition information:

The relatively low sugar content (1g) sets it apart from other fried appetizers that lean sweeter, while the sodium level is modest compared to soy-based Chinese entrées.

What Are the Ingredients in Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?

The recipe relies on just a handful of core ingredients:

• Wonton wrappers  made from wheat flour, water, and egg
• Cream cheese  sweetened for flavor
• Sugar  for the light sweetness in the filling
• Vegetable oil  used for deep-frying

The simplicity of the ingredient list is part of what makes the rangoon easy to categorize for dietary purposes, though it does mean the dish isn’t suitable for every diet (more on that below).

What Are the Allergens in Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?

Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon contains wheat, eggs, and dairy. It does not contain peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or soy, based on Panda Express’s allergen information.

If you’re managing a wheat, egg, or dairy allergy, this is one appetizer to skip or substitute. If your concern is shellfish, it’s one of the safer options on the menu.

What Sauce Comes With Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?

Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon is served standard with sweet & sour sauce, a dipping sauce the chain has offered since it opened in 1983. The sauce is included at no extra charge.

Want to switch it up? Try one of these alternatives, available at most locations:

• Sweet chili sauce
• Plum sauce
• Hot mustard sauce (for a spicier kick)
• Soy sauce

How Does Cream Cheese Rangoon Compare to Other Panda Express Appetizers?

At 190 calories, Cream Cheese Rangoon is the lowest-calorie appetizer on the Panda Express menu, and it also carries the least sodium.

If you’re comparing appetizers strictly by calories or fat, the rangoon comes out ahead of the egg roll, potstickers, and spring rolls  all at the same starting price point.

What’s the Best Way to Order Cream Cheese Rangoon?

How you order depends on the occasion:

• For a solo meal: Pair a bowl entrée with a 3-piece rangoon order for a complete meal around $11.40.
• For sharing: The large à la carte pail is the better value for 3–4 people.
• For parties: Combine a Family Meal with multiple rangoon orders, or go straight for the 48-piece party pail at $34. Rangoon holds its crispiness well for 30–45 minutes, making it a solid potluck option.

How Should You Store and Reheat Leftover Cream Cheese Rangoon?

Cream cheese rangoon is best eaten fresh, ideally within 30 minutes of pickup, since the wonton wrapper loses its crunch quickly. If you do have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container and eat within 1–2 days.

To bring back the crispiness:

• Air fryer: 350°F for 3–4 minutes
• Oven: 375°F for 5–6 minutes
• Avoid the microwave  it turns the wrapper soggy instead of crisp

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon contain crab?
No, it does not contain crab. Unlike traditional “crab rangoon” served at many Chinese-American restaurants, Panda’s version uses only sweetened cream cheese filling, making it safer for those with seafood allergies.

How many calories are in Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?
A 3-piece serving (2.4 oz) contains 190 calories, 8g of fat (5g saturated), 24g of carbohydrates, 5g of protein, and 180mg of sodium.

How much does Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon cost?
A 3-piece order costs $2.10+ à la carte, while a large sharing pail costs $6.90+. A 48-piece party pail runs $34. Prices vary slightly by location.

Is Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon vegetarian?
Yes, it’s vegetarian since it contains no meat or seafood. However, it is not vegan (contains dairy and egg) and not gluten-free (contains wheat).

What ingredients are in Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?
The main ingredients are wonton wrappers (wheat flour, water, egg), sweetened cream cheese, sugar, and vegetable oil for frying.

What sauce comes with Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon?
It comes standard with sweet & sour sauce. You can also request sweet chili, plum, hot mustard, or soy sauce at no extra charge.

How many pieces come in a Cream Cheese Rangoon order?
A standard à la carte order contains 3 pieces. A large à la carte pail contains more pieces and is designed for sharing, while a party pail contains 48 pieces.

Is Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon gluten-free?
No. The wonton wrappers are made from wheat flour, which contains gluten.

How do I reheat leftover Cream Cheese Rangoon?
Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to restore crispiness, or use an oven at 375°F for 5–6 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which makes the wrapper soggy.

How does Cream Cheese Rangoon compare to Panda’s other appetizers?
At 190 calories, it’s the lowest-calorie appetizer at Panda Express, beating the Chicken Egg Roll (200 cal), Chicken Potstickers (220 cal), and Veggie Spring Rolls (240 cal for 2). It also has the least sodium of the four.