Panda Express is bringing global street food culture to its drive-thrus with a new portable snacking innovation. Yesterday, Panda Express officially debuted Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken across select regional test markets. Inspired by Taiwan's famous night market staple yán sū jī (鹽酥雞), the limited-time menu item represents Panda's first-ever "walk-and-eat" snacking format designed for portable, on-the-go dining.
Inside The Popcorn Chicken Recipe And Dip
The dish pairs traditional Taiwanese spice profiles with custom culinary tweaks:
- Extra Crispy Dark Meat Chicken: Juicy dark meat bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a light, crispy batter and tossed in a savory dry spice blend of tangy tamarind, tomato, garlic, and onion.
- Crispy Fried Kale: Added as Panda's signature American Chinese twist on the traditional fried basil leaf garnish found in night market stalls.
- House Made Chili Crisp Aioli: Served alongside every order as a creamy, smoky dipping sauce.
- Menu Versatility: Guests can order Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken as a standard entrée option on any Bowl, Plate, or Family Meal without an upcharge, or as an à la carte pail.
Frankie Gaw Collectible Pail And Test Locations
To celebrate the rollout, Panda Express partnered with Taiwanese American food creator, author, and designer Frankie Gaw (Little Fat Boy). Gaw designed a retro-inspired, limited-edition collector bucket combining Taiwanese street market motifs, classic movie theater popcorn pails, and nostalgic Panda imagery. Beginning Wednesday, September 9, 2026, guests purchasing a large à la carte order in-store at test locations receive the collectible pail as a gift with purchase while supplies last.
"Popcorn chicken is a familiar favorite for many Americans, so pairing it with Taiwanese-inspired flavors and street food culture felt like the most natural way to tell our American Chinese story," said Evelyn Wah, Vice President of Brand Innovation at Panda Express.
The trial is currently running in seven metro regions: Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, and Reno.
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