Panda Express Cub Meal: Price, Calories & Nutrition 2026 

The Panda Express Cub Meal (Panda Cub Meal™) is Panda’s official kids meal, priced around $9.30. It includes a junior entrée, junior side, Tree Top Apple Crisps, and a drink, staying under 600 calories with at least 11g of protein. It’s Kids LiveWell certified and contains no high-fructose corn syrup.

Most fast-food kids meals are just smaller versions of unhealthy adult food. Panda Express took a different approach with its Cub Meal, building it around USDA dietary recommendations. Here’s everything parents (and calorie-conscious adults) need to know about pricing, nutrition, and menu options.

What Is the Panda Express Kids Meal?

The Panda Cub Meal™ is Panda Express’s USDA-aligned kids meal, launched nationwide in November 2021. It pairs a junior entrée and side with real fruit and a kid-friendly drink, and it’s certified by the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell™ program.

What’s Included in a Panda Express Cub Meal?

Every Cub Meal comes with four components:

• Jr. Entrée  a smaller portion of a Panda Express classic
• Jr. Side  rice, chow mein, or Super Greens
• Fruit  Tree Top Apple Crisps (40 calories, 0g fat, made from 100% real apples)
• Drink  bottled water or Honest Kids juice

Substitutions are allowed by request at participating locations.

What Are the Panda Express Cub Meal Menu Options?

The three official set combos are:

Most locations also allow customization with other junior entrées, including Kung Pao Chicken, String Bean Chicken Breast, and SweetFire Chicken Breast.

How Much Does the Panda Express Cub Meal Cost?

A standard Panda Express Cub Meal costs around $9.30 as of 2026, though some locations still price it between $7.20 and $8.25. Delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats typically add $2–4 in service fees on top.

What Are the Panda Express Cub Meal Calories?

Panda Express Cub Meal calories range from 300 to 580 depending on entrée choice. The Broccoli Beef Cub Meal has the fewest calories (300), while the Orange Chicken Cub Meal has the most (580), based on Panda’s official nutrition data.

Best for protein: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (28g)
Best for fewer calories: Broccoli Beef (300 cal)
Most popular with kids: Orange Chicken

Is the Panda Express Cub Meal Actually Healthy?

Yes. The Panda Cub Meal is Kids LiveWell certified, built on USDA dietary guidelines, and includes real vegetables and fruit with no high-fructose corn syrup  making it one of the more nutritionally balanced kids meals in fast food.

• Every meal includes vegetables (Super Greens or broccoli)
• Real fruit instead of fries
• No sodas or HFCS-sweetened drinks
• Part of Panda’s broader “Panda Promise®” quality commitment

Can Adults Order the Panda Express Cub Meal?

Yes. There’s no age restriction, and the Cub Meal’s smaller portions (roughly 60–70% of adult size) make it a popular option for adults managing calorie intake or wanting a lighter meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Panda Express Cub Meal cost?
A standard Cub Meal costs about $9.30 in most locations in 2026, though some restaurants still charge $7.20–$8.25.

How many calories are in a Panda Express Cub Meal?
Calories range from 300 (Broccoli Beef) to 580 (Orange Chicken), depending on entrée selection, per Panda’s official nutrition data.

What comes in a Panda Express Cub Meal?
A junior entrée, junior side, Tree Top Apple Crisps, and a choice of bottled water or Honest Kids juice.

Is the Panda Express Cub Meal healthy?
Yes. It’s Kids LiveWell certified, built on USDA dietary guidelines, and contains no high-fructose corn syrup.

What entrées can I choose for a Cub Meal?
Orange Chicken, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, and Broccoli Beef are the official options; many locations also allow substitutions like Kung Pao Chicken.

Can adults order a Panda Cub Meal?
Yes, there’s no age restriction  it’s a popular lighter-portion option for adults too.

Does the Cub Meal contain allergens?
Most entrées contain wheat and soy. Orange Chicken also contains egg. Ask staff for allergen details before ordering.

When did Panda Express launch the Cub Meal?
Panda Express launched the Panda Cub Meal™ nationwide in the U.S. and Canada on November 10, 2021.

Is the Cub Meal cheaper than a Happy Meal?
No. At $9.30, it costs more than a McDonald’s Happy Meal ($5-6), but includes real vegetables and fruit.

What’s in the Cub Meal fruit side?
Tree Top Apple Crisps  40 calories, 0g fat, made from 100% real apples with no added sugar.