Panda Express Is Releasing a New Menu Item—and We Tried It First

We’ve all heard of Taco Tuesdays, but what about Wok Wednesdays? It might not be a thing yet, but Panda Express is on a mission to turn your Wednesday evenings into a night filled with American-Chinese food. 

We know it’s tempting to stick with your order of orange chicken and a side of chow mein at Panda Express, but the chain continues to go above and beyond with its limited-time offerings. From the beloved Hot Orange Chicken to its recent extra-hot Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken With Buldak, Panda Express is exceptionally skilled with the wok. 

While the American-Chinese chain is used to turning up the heat with its fiery limited-time menu items, its latest launch is much more tame. For its new menu item, Panda Express is going to the land and the sea with its new Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef.

Panda Express Adds Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef to the Menu

Panda Express’ new surf and turf option will join its line of premium entrées, including the Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak, for a limited time.

Panda’s new Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef dish takes the fan-favorite proteins from the Honey Walnut Shrimp and Beijing Beef dishes and combines them for a new take on the Sichuan dish, Mouthwatering Chicken. The crispy tempura-battered shrimp and fried beef pieces are tossed in Panda Express’ savory, slightly spicy sesame sauce along with string beans and peppers, all topped with sesame seeds.

The dish can be ordered as part of Panda Express’ bowls or plates for a limited time beginning Oct. 8. In addition to the new menu item, Panda Express is debuting its “Wok Wednesdays” experience in its app. Every Wednesday, you’ll find game experiences in the Panda Express app to win rewards. 

I tried the new Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef early, and here is my honest review.

My Honest Review of Panda Express’Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef

If I don’t eat there for a while, sometimes I forget just how darn good Panda Express actually is—and the new Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef is no exception. The savory sauce is deeply flavorful with hints of garlic and just the right amount of spice that makes your lips tingle but doesn’t detract from the meal. 

On my visit to Panda, I learned that the chefs flash-fry the string beans and bell peppers before adding them to the dish, which explains their flavor and extra crispiness. The whole entrée works well together, especially for those looking for the “surf and turf” experience of beef and shrimp for a good deal. Paired with rice and chow mein, however, this dish is out-of-this-world good. The umami sauce on both the rice and noodles elevate the flavor. So, if I can’t get Hot Orange Chicken anymore, this Crispy Sesame Shrimp & Beef is the next best thing.