Panda Express Is Quietly Testing Out Some Spicy Seafood

All aboard the Panda Express! The American-Chinese chain has been typically brisk this year, and over the late spring and summer, its pace hasn’t let up. Back in May, it took on American BBQ with its new Cantonese BBQ Brisket, and followed that up by remounting a fan-favorite a few weeks back. These were bigger, splashier releases, though – and elsewhere, it’s been keeping things a little quieter. 

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In the age of the internet, though, no menu-testing news stays quiet for long. We’ve caught wind that Panda Express is trying out a new seafood option, and we’re bringing it to you here. 

Panda Express Typhoon Chili Shrimp

According to Allrecipes, Panda Express is currently testing its Typhoon Chili Shrimp in 20 of its restaurants in California, Louisiana, and Texas, where it’ll be available through September 7. This dish is very much in the vein of the rest of Panda Express’ fare: Each serving consists of tempura-battered shrimp pieces covered in a savory chili sauce, with veggies mixed in and topped with bits of crunchy garlic. 

The dish feels similar to the chain’s Chili Crisp Shrimp, which first launched in 2023 and which went down a storm (a…typhoon, even) with customers. It’s counted as a premium entrée, and we’d imagine that if it rolls out nationwide at any point, that’ll remain the same – so expect to pay a touch more for this one.

Just Tell Me How It Tastes…Please…

Well, so far, we have managed to track down one – yes, one! – review of Panda Express’ Typhoon Chili Shrimp. “Tried it and loved it! It’s kind of hot but delicious,” said one person on Reddit who’d sampled the dish. So…so far, so good, we guess? We did also spy some people saying that they couldn’t wait for their local restaurant to be sold out of this dish when (and if) it’s finally on sale more widely…Panda Express, don’t say we didn’t warn you. The people yearn for a well-stocked kitchen.

We’ll all have to wait a while to see if that eventuality (that is, the eventuality of it being on sale but not available, to the frustration of all) actually materializes; if this one doesn’t land with customers, it may never see the light of day across the whole of the US. If you’re in one of those three states, though, check your Panda Express or DoorDash apps to see if it’s at a restaurant near you.