Cheapest Options at Panda Express
The single cheapest thing you can order is a $2.10 appetizer, but that’s not really what most people mean when they ask what’s cheapest. Here’s the honest breakdown, whether you’re pricing out one small bite or a full meal.
Cheapest by Category
| Category | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Appetizers | $2.10+ each |
| Drinks | $2.30+ |
| Sides (à la carte) | $4.75+ |
| Entrées (à la carte) | $5.60+ |
None of these on their own make a full meal. If you’re just adding a small extra to an existing order, this is where the real floor prices are.
Cheapest Full Meals
| Meal | Starting Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Cub Meal | $7.80+ | 1 entrée, 1 side, small drink (kid-sized) |
| Bowl | $9.50+ | 1 entrée, 1 side |
| Plate | $11.50+ | 2 entrées, 1 side |
| Balanced Protein | $11.50+ | Fixed preset or build-your-own, 2 entrées + 1 side |
| Bigger Plate | $13.50+ | 3 entrées, 1 side |
| Family Meal | $50.00+ | 3 entrées, 2 large sides, serves about 5 |
Which One Is Actually the Best Value?
Cub Meal is the cheapest listed price, but it’s portioned for a child, not an adult meal. For one adult, the Bowl at $9.50+ is the cheapest real meal on the menu. For a group, the math flips: Family Meal at $50.00+ works out to roughly $10 per person feeding five people, which undercuts ordering five separate Bowls.
Cheapest Options FAQ
What’s the single cheapest thing on the Panda Express menu?
An individual appetizer at $2.10+ (Veggie Spring Roll, Chicken Egg Roll, or Cream Cheese Rangoon). It’s a small add-on, not a meal.
What’s the cheapest full meal for one person?
A Bowl at $9.50+, unless you count the kid-portioned Cub Meal at $7.80+.
Is the Family Meal worth it for just two people?
Not really. It’s built and priced to feed about five people. For two people, two Bowls or a Plate will usually cost less than the $50.00+ Family Meal.