Panda Express Bowl

The Bowl is the entry point to the Panda Express menu: one side and one entree for $8.50, the cheapest adult format the chain sells. Most first orders start here, and plenty of regulars never move up the ladder, because one entree over a side is a complete lunch for most appetites.

The format is the product. You choose any side from chow mein to Super Greens, then any entree from the line, and both arrive in a single bowl rather than separated on a plate. Premium entrees like Honey Walnut Shrimp or Black Pepper Sirloin Steak carry an upcharge announced at the register, and half and half sides cost nothing extra, which is the most useful thing to know about ordering here.

Calories depend entirely on the two choices, which is why no single figure appears on this page. The real range runs from around 130 plus 150 calories at the light end for Super Greens with Broccoli Beef, up past 620 plus 510 for Fried Rice with Orange Chicken. That spread is close to a thousand calories inside the same $8.50 format, which is the single most important thing this site can tell you about ordering. The nutrition calculator totals any combination before you buy it.

How much is a Bowl at Panda Express? $8.50 nationally, with store pricing varying. The Bowl Bundle at $10.90 adds a medium fountain drink for slightly less than the drink costs alone.

It suits solo lunches, lighter appetites and anyone testing a new entree without committing to two servings. Step up to a Plate at $10.50 for a second entree, or look at the Cub Meal at $6.80 for a smaller complete meal with a drink and fruit included.