Panda Express Menu Update Summary (August 2026)
New, returning, and rotating-out Panda Express items land here as they’re announced. Right now, the notable changes are the return of Hot Orange Chicken, a new Cantonese BBQ Brisket entrée, and a fresh lineup of Panda Crafted Beverages including a Strawberry Dragonfruit Flavored Refresher.
What Just Showed Up
| Item | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Orange Chicken | Nationwide, limited time | A spicier version of the Original Orange Chicken. Roughly 550 calories and 17g protein per serving. |
| Cantonese BBQ Brisket | Limited time, while supplies last | The chain’s first brisket entrée, done Char Siu-style. Around 44g protein per serving, the highest-protein item on the menu. |
| Strawberry Dragonfruit Flavored Refresher | Currently promoted | Part of the Panda Crafted Beverages lineup, alongside Peach Lychee, Watermelon Mango, and Mango Guava. |
What Recently Rotated Out
- Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken with Buldak Sauce: an earlier 2026 limited-time item, a spicy Korean-inspired take on sweet & sour chicken.
How This Page Gets Updated
Panda Express rotates its limited-time entrées and drinks several times a year, usually around Lunar New Year, summer, and back-to-school. This summary gets a fresh pass whenever a major addition or removal is confirmed, so bookmark it if you’re planning a visit around a specific item rather than relying on a single check.
Quick Questions
What is new at Panda Express right now?
As of August 2026, the standouts are Hot Orange Chicken (back nationwide), Cantonese BBQ Brisket, and the Strawberry Dragonfruit Flavored Refresher.
How long will Cantonese BBQ Brisket be available?
It launched nationwide in June 2026 and, as of this August 2026 update, is still listed as available at most stores while supplies last. Availability can end early at individual locations, so check with your store if you’re planning a visit around it.
Does every location get the same limited-time items?
Not always. Some limited-time items start as regional tests before a national rollout, so availability can differ by store even during an active promotion.