Panda Express Is Testing Their Take On This KFC Classic In Just 7 Cities

Panda Express is getting in on the popcorn chicken game, but with its own spin. Starting September 8th, the chain will test Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken at select restaurants in seven U.S. cities.

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And there’s more than chicken involved here. Panda Express also teamed up with Taiwanese-American designer and cookbook author Frankie Gaw, known online as Little Fat Boy, to create a limited-edition red bucket for the launch.

Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn chicken may feel like an American fast-food invention, thanks in part to KFC, which introduced its bite-sized version in the early 1990s. But the concept was heavily influenced by Taiwan’s own crispy chicken street snack, yán sū jī.

In Taiwan, popcorn chicken is a longtime night-market favorite. The traditional snack features small pieces of chicken that are fried until crisp and seasoned with things like pepper and chili.

Panda Express is giving that idea its own spin with the new Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. The chicken uses dark meat, which should give the bites a richer, juicier texture than the leaner chicken often used for nuggets. And tamarind brings a little tang, while tomato, garlic, and onion add plenty of savory flavor. Fried kale joins the party for even more crunch.

Only Seven Cities Get To Try It

Panda Express is testing it at select locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, and Reno. Even customers living in those cities will want to check their local restaurant before making a special trip, since the item is only available at participating locations.

For everyone else, this is a case of waiting to see whether the test goes well enough for Panda Express to expand the snack to more restaurants.

The Bucket Is Getting A Makeover

Panda Express is partnering with Frankie Gaw, the Taiwanese-American designer, cookbook author, and creator behind Little Fat Boy, to design a special red bucket for the launch.

Customers who order a large à la carte pail can get the collectible bucket, which combines Taiwanese heritage with the nostalgic look and feel of American fast food.

Gaw is a fitting choice for the project. His work often focuses on Taiwanese-American food and the way different food cultures can blend together. His cookbook, First Generation: Recipes from My Taiwanese-American Home, also features his take on Taiwanese popcorn chicken.

Could It Be A Hit?

Popcorn chicken has become a familiar fast-food snack in the U.S., but Panda Express is taking it back to its Taiwanese roots while adding its own spin.

For now, though, only customers in seven cities get the chance to find out. But if all goes well, it could be going nationwide soon.