Everyone knows the real reason you hit up Panda Express: that unbeatable orange chicken. Let’s be honest, you might stumble upon “better” orange chicken at some quaint local spot or a top-rated restaurant, but even those culinary havens can’t quite eclipse the glory of Panda’s golden, tangy, and consistently delectable signature dish. With over 2,200 locations worldwide, every Panda Express serves up this fan favorite like clockwork.
But hold onto your fortune cookies, because there’s a new player in town. Recently, Panda Express unveiled its firecracker shrimp, and naturally, we had to give it a whirl. Now, let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t about to dethrone the king (a.k.a. the orange chicken), but it certainly brings a punchy, bold flavor to the table that’s hard to ignore.
The sauce alone is a spectacle—rich with black beans, chili peppers, garlic, and soy sauce, it’s an aromatic powerhouse. But it doesn’t stop there. This dish shines with a vibrant toss-up of veggies including crunchy green beans, colorful diced bell peppers, fiery dried chilis, and sharp, crescent-shaped onion slivers, all stir-fried to perfection.
Now, for the spice enthusiasts out there, you might be asking, “But is it spicy?” Traditionally, firecracker shrimp should make you reach for a glass of water (or two). While Panda’s take boasts a double hit of chili peppers, it’s more a whisper than a shout in the heat department—think somewhere between mild Tabasco and a sprinkle of fresh cracked pepper.
Yet, a lack of fiery kick doesn’t mean a lack of gusto. The firecracker shrimp is anything but bland, striking a curious balance between sweet and savory, and, surprise—it’s pretty wholesome too. Each 4.5-ounce serving packs just 110 calories but comes loaded with 11 grams of protein, mirroring the efficiency of a well-crafted protein bar.
Shrimp Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
But, there’s a twist in the tail. At the tasting event, the dish was prepared by none other than Jimmy Wang, Panda’s head of culinary innovation, alongside a team of top-tier chefs. They used the freshest ingredients and a kitchen so fancy, it could make Martha Stewart green with envy. Does this mean the firecracker shrimp you order from your local Panda Express will match up? It’s a culinary cliffhanger.
From what we’ve seen and tasted, though, it’s definitely worth taking your taste buds on this new gastronomic journey. Whether it lives up to its event-level hype in everyday settings remains to be seen, but it’s a risk we think you might enjoy taking. So, next time you’re about to default to the orange chicken, why not spice things up a notch? Who knows, you might just discover a new favorite—or at least enjoy the change of pace!
