Panda Express Is Tackling American BBQ With This New Brisket

I’ve gotta say that I’ve been thoroughly enjoying watching the moves that Panda Express has been making in 2026. The American Chinese chain turned some heads back in March with its Buldak Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken, and turned heads even further (so, all the way back to their original position, The Exorcist-style) when it announced that it was giving away free milk in tandem with the dish. They’ve been having fun over there. And we love it. 

Videos by Sporked

Now, it’s both having fun and wading into new culinary territory, with the arrival of its new Cantonese BBQ Brisket. What is this thing? We’ll tell ya.

Panda Express Cantonese BBQ Brisket 

Panda Express’ new dish arguably leans into the first half of the cuisine that it’s made its name on, but it’s firmly bringing the second half with it. “Cantonese BBQ Brisket is the most ‘American Chinese’ dish we’ve ever made and one that’s been years in the making,” said Panda Express’ executive director of culinary invention, chef Jimmy Wong, in a press release. “It’s all built around the soul of BBQ: the bark, the tenderness, the smoky finish. This is Panda’s take on two great culinary traditions and a new American Chinese classic.”

By the sounds of things, Panda Express may well be creating the classic it’s aiming for. The Cantonese BBQ Brisket is composed of slow-cooked brisket, hand-sliced into bite-sized pieces, which is then seared in a wok and tossed with a Cantonese-inspired char siu sauce, made with soy sauce, fermented soybean paste, mirin, sugar, onion, garlic, paprika, and sesame oil. The entrée has 44 grams of protein per serving, making it Panda Express’ highest-protein option to date, and comes in at 410 calories.

Okay, But Where Is It? And When Can I Get It?!

Wait! Just give me a sec, I’m getting to that! The Cantonese BBQ Brisket launched in select cities on May 22, but this was in advance of a wider nationwide rollout on June 2. It’ll be available for a good few months, and is due to be taken off the menu on August 10 – but this is a strictly “while supplies last” dealio, and if there’s a big rush on it, it may disappear sooner. You have been warned.