Panda Express Sides

Hey everyone! So today I’m gonna tell you everything about Panda Express sides because honestly there just as important as the entrees. Alot of people don’t really think about there side choices but trust me, it can make a HUGE difference in your meal. Whether your trying to eat healthy or just want something that tastes good, this guide has got you covered!

What Are Sides at Panda Express?

Okay so basically when you order at Panda Express, you get to pick a side dish to go with your entrees. There the base of your meal and honestly there pretty important. You can get sides with any meal – bowls, plates, bigger plates, or even family meals. The sides basically fill you up and give you carbs for energy (or veggies if your going healthy).

The cool thing is that at most locations you can actually mix sides too! Like you can do half chow mein and half fried rice, or half super greens and half white rice. Pretty smart right?

All The Side Options (Complete List)

Alright so here’s every single side dish you can get at Panda Express:

1. Chow Mein This is there most popular side by far! Its basically stir-fried noodles with cabbage, celery, and onions. The noodles are soft and kinda greasy but in a good way lol. Its got alot of flavor because they cook it in a wok with oil and seasonings.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 510 (for a regular side portion)
• Fat: 22g
• Carbs: 70g
• Protein: 10g
• Sodium: 980mg

2. Fried Rice This is the second most popular side! Its white rice thats stir-fried with scrambled eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions. It has a slightly sweet taste and the eggs make it extra filling. Some people actually think its better than chow mein (but I personally disagree lol).

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 520
• Fat: 16g
• Carbs: 87g
• Protein: 10g
• Sodium: 820mg

3. White Steamed Rice This is just plain white rice thats been steamed. No seasoning, no vegetables, nothing fancy. Its pretty boring by itself but its actually really good for soaking up all the sauce from your entrees. Plus its the healthiest option if your counting calories and fat!

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 380 (some sources say 520 for larger portions)
• Fat: 0g
• Carbs: 86g
• Protein: 7g
• Sodium: 0mg

4. Brown Steamed Rice Same as white rice but made with brown rice instead. Its got a nuttier flavor and more fiber which is good for digestion. Health-conscious people usually pick this one because brown rice is considered healthier than white rice.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 420
• Fat: 4g
• Carbs: 87g
• Protein: 9g
• Sodium: 15mg

5. Super Greens This is THE healthiest side option! Its a mix of broccoli, kale, and cabbage all steamed together. It tastes pretty good actually and has barely any calories. If your on a diet or trying to lose weight, definately get this one. You can even do half super greens and half rice if you want some carbs too.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 130
• Fat: 4g
• Carbs: 16g
• Protein: 10g
• Sodium: 520mg

Detailed Side Breakdown & My Honest Reviews

Let me give you my real thoughts on each side:

Chow Mein (My Rating: 9/10)

The Good: Honestly this is amazing. The noodles have so much flavor and there soft but not mushy. It goes with literally every single entree. The vegetables add some crunch and the whole thing just tastes like what you’d get at a real Chinese resturant.

The Bad: Its pretty high in calories and sodium. Like if your eating healthy this isn’t the best choice. Also sometimes the noodles can be a little greasy depending on who’s cooking that day.

Best Paired With: Orange chicken, Beijing beef, kung pao chicken, basically anything fried or sweet. The noodles soak up all the sauce perfectly.

Who Should Get It: Anyone who wants a filling, tasty side and isn’t worried about calories.

Fried Rice (My Rating: 8/10)

The Good: The eggs make it really filling and satisfying. I love the little bits of carrot and pea in there, it adds some color and texture. Plus its got this slightly sweet taste that goes well with alot of entrees.

The Bad: More calories than white rice but not as flavorful as chow mein. Its kind of in the middle where its not the healthiest or the tastiest option.

Best Paired With: Teriyaki chicken, grilled chicken, beef with broccoli, string bean chicken. Works best with entrees that aren’t super saucy.

Who Should Get It: People who want something more filling than plain rice but don’t want noodles.

White Steamed Rice (My Rating: 6/10)

The Good: Zero fat! Lowest calories (depending on portion size). Great for absorbing sauces. Doesn’t have any strong flavor so it wont compete with your entrees.

The Bad: Honestly its kinda boring. Like if you eat it by itself its just plain rice with no seasoning at all. Not exciting.

Best Paired With: Orange chicken, Beijing beef, honey walnut shrimp, sweet fire chicken – basically anything with alot of sauce! The rice soaks it all up.

Who Should Get It: People counting calories or who just want a simple base for there entrees.

Brown Steamed Rice (My Rating: 7/10)

The Good: Healthier than white rice because it has more fiber and nutrients. Nutty flavor is actually pretty good. Still low in fat and relatively low in calories.

The Bad: Some people don’t like the texture – its chewier than white rice. Also costs slightly more at some locations.

Best Paired With: Same as white rice – works best with saucy entrees. Also good with grilled teriyaki chicken if your going for a healthy meal.

Who Should Get It: Health-conscious people who still want rice as there side.

Super Greens (My Rating: 10/10 for health, 7/10 for taste)

The Good: SO LOW IN CALORIES! Only 130 calories compared to 500+ for the other sides. High in protein for a vegetable side (10g). Actually tastes better than you’d think – the broccoli and kale are seasoned pretty well.

The Bad: Not as filling as rice or noodles. If your really hungry, this wont fill you up as much. Also some people just dont like vegetables lol.

Best Paired With: Literally everything! Since its so low calorie, you can pair it with higher calorie entrees like orange chicken without feeling guilty. Or do half super greens, half rice for a balanced meal.

Who Should Get It: Anyone watching there weight, athletes, people who want to feel less guilty about getting fried chicken lol.

Nutritional Comparison Chart

Here’s how all the sides compare:

Lowest to Highest Calories:

1. Super Greens – 130 calories ⭐ WINNER!
2. White Steamed Rice – 380 calories
3. Brown Steamed Rice – 420 calories
4. Chow Mein – 510 calories
5. Fried Rice – 520 calories

Lowest to Highest Fat:

1. White Steamed Rice – 0g ⭐
2. Super Greens – 4g
3. Brown Steamed Rice – 4g
4. Fried Rice – 16g
5. Chow Mein – 22g

Highest to Lowest Protein:

1. Super Greens – 10g ⭐
2. Chow Mein – 10g
3. Fried Rice – 10g
4. Brown Steamed Rice – 9g
5. White Steamed Rice – 7g

Lowest to Highest Sodium:

1. White Steamed Rice – 0mg ⭐
2. Brown Steamed Rice – 15mg
3. Super Greens – 520mg
4. Fried Rice – 820mg
5. Chow Mein – 980mg

The Half & Half Trick

Okay so this is a game changer! Most Panda Express locations will let you do half and half sides. This means you can get like half chow mein and half fried rice, or half super greens and half white rice. Its awesome because:

• You get variety in your meal
• You can balance calories (like doing half healthy, half tasty)
• You get to try multiple things
• Its the same price as getting just one side!

Best Half & Half Combinations:

1. Half Super Greens + Half White Rice = Balanced and filling
2. Half Chow Mein + Half Fried Rice = Maximum flavor variety
3. Half Super Greens + Half Chow Mein = Some veggies but still tasty
4. Half Brown Rice + Half Super Greens = THE HEALTHIEST option

Trust me, if you haven’t tried doing half and half you need to!

How Side Portions Work

So here’s something alot of people don’t know – the portion sizes are different depending on what meal you order:

Bowl (1 Side + 1 Entree):

• Regular side portion

Plate (1 Side + 2 Entrees):

• Larger side portion

Bigger Plate (1 Side + 3 Entrees):

• Even larger side portion

Family Feast:

• 2 large sides + 3 large entrees

The calories I listed above are based on regular side portions. If you get a plate or bigger plate, your gonna get more food which means more calories!

Which Side Should YOU Choose?

Okay so let me help you figure out which side is best for you:

If you want the TASTIEST side: Get chow mein! Its the most popular for a reason.

If you want the HEALTHIEST side: Get super greens or brown steamed rice. No competition.

If you want something FILLING: Get fried rice or chow mein. Both will keep you full for hours.

If you want to SAVE CALORIES: Definately get super greens. You’ll save like 400 calories compared to the other sides!

If you have a SAUCY ENTREE: Get white or brown steamed rice to soak up all that sauce.

If you want the BEST VALUE: Honestly there all the same price, but chow mein gives you the most flavor for your money.

If your SHARING: Get fried rice because everyone likes it. Chow mein can be hit or miss with some people.

If your ON A DIET: Super greens all the way! Or do half super greens, half rice.

Side Dish Myths & Facts

Let me clear up some common misconceptions:

Myth: “Steamed rice has no calories” Fact: White steamed rice has 380 calories! Its just low in fat, not low in calories.

Myth: “Chow mein is vegetarian” Fact: It might not be! Some locations cook it with chicken stock or on the same equipment as meat dishes.

Myth: “All the sides cost the same” Fact: TRUE! You dont pay extra for any side (unlike entrees where some cost more).

Myth: “You cant mix sides” Fact: WRONG! Most locations will do half and half for free.

Myth: “Super greens is gross” Fact: It actually tastes pretty good! Its seasoned well and if you like vegetables youll like it.

Allergen Information

This is super important if you have food allergies:

Chow Mein: Contains wheat (from noodles), soy. May contain eggs.

Fried Rice: Contains eggs, soy. Cooked on shared equipment so may contain other allergens.

White/Brown Steamed Rice: Generally allergen-free! No wheat, eggs, dairy, or soy. Good option for people with allergies.

Super Greens: Contains soy. May be cooked on shared equipment with other dishes.

Important note: Panda Express uses shared cooking equipment for everything, so there’s always a risk of cross-contamination. If you have serious allergies, make sure to tell the staff!

How Sides Are Cooked

Ever wonder how they make these sides? Here’s what I learned:

Chow Mein: The noodles are pre-cooked and then stir-fried in a big wok with oil, soy sauce, and vegetables. They cook it at super high heat which is why it has that slightly charred flavor.

Fried Rice: They cook the rice first, then stir-fry it in a wok with scrambled eggs, vegetables, and seasonings. The rice is cooked the day before so its not too sticky.

Steamed Rice (White & Brown): Just cooked in big rice cookers! Nothing fancy. Plain rice with water, thats it.

Super Greens: The vegetables are steamed and then tossed with a light seasoning blend. Sometimes they add a tiny bit of garlic or ginger for flavor.

Best Entree & Side Combinations

Based on my experience, here are the BEST combinations:

1. Orange Chicken + Chow Mein Classic combo! The sweet sauce from the chicken goes perfect with the savory noodles. This is what most people get.

2. Teriyaki Chicken + Fried Rice The teriyaki sauce isn’t super heavy so it pairs well with the eggs in the fried rice.

3. Beijing Beef + White Steamed Rice The sauce is SO good on this dish, you NEED plain rice to soak it all up. Trust me on this one.

4. Broccoli Beef + Brown Steamed Rice Healthy option! Both are lower calorie and the brown rice adds some nice texture.

5. Kung Pao Chicken + Super Greens If you want to balance out the calories from kung pao chicken (which is fried), super greens is the way to go.

6. Honey Walnut Shrimp + Chow Mein Premium combo! Both are really flavorful so your getting maximum taste.

Tips For Ordering Sides

Here’s some pro tips I’ve learned:

1. Ask for extra vegetables in your chow mein or fried rice – sometimes they’ll add more for free!
2. Get your rice “light” – you can ask for less rice if your trying to cut calories
3. Mix sides for free – seriously, take advantage of the half and half option!
4. Check the freshness – if the chow mein looks dry, ask if they have fresh stuff coming out
5. Order online if your picky – the app lets you specify exactly what you want
6. Save money by getting a bowl – if you dont need 2 entrees, just get a bowl with 1 entree and save $2-3
7. Ask about portion sizes – if your super hungry, let them know and they might give you a bit extra
8. Time it right – go during lunch rush (11:30am-1pm) when everything is fresh

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

Vegetarian Sides:

• Super Greens ✓
• White Steamed Rice ✓
• Brown Steamed Rice ✓
• Fried Rice ✓ (contains eggs)
• Chow Mein ✗ (might be cooked with chicken stock – ask!)

Vegan Sides:

• Super Greens (check if its cooked with any animal products)
• White Steamed Rice ✓
• Brown Steamed Rice ✓
• Fried Rice ✗ (has eggs)
• Chow Mein ✗ (usually not vegan)

If your vegan, your best bet is steamed rice and super greens. Just make sure to double check with staff about how the super greens are prepared!

Price Information

All sides cost the same! Weather you get chow mein, fried rice, or super greens, the price is included with your meal. Here’s roughly what you’ll pay:

• Bowl (1 side + 1 entree): $8-9
• Plate (1 side + 2 entrees): $10-11
• Bigger Plate (1 side + 3 entrees): $12-13

The actual prices vary by location but sides are always included so you dont pay extra for choosing one over another.

Comparing Panda Express Sides to Other Restaurants

How do Panda Express sides stack up against other fast food places?

vs. Chipotle: Chipotle rice is about 210 calories, so Panda Express rice is higher. But Panda Express has more variety with noodles and super greens.

vs. Pei Wei: Pretty similar! Pei Wei also has fried rice and chow mein with comparable nutrition.

vs. P.F. Chang’s: P.F. Chang’s portions are HUGE so there sides have way more calories. Panda Express is actually more reasonable.

vs. Traditional Chinese Restaurants: Panda Express sides are smaller portions with slightly less oil. Traditional places usually make everything more authentic but higher calorie.

DIY Recipes – Make It At Home!

Wanna make Panda Express sides at home? Here’s how:

Copycat Chow Mein Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh chow mein noodles (or thin spaghetti)
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup sliced onions
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook noodles according to package, drain
2. Heat oil in a wok or large pan on high heat
3. Add vegetables, stir-fry for 2-3 minutes
4. Add noodles, soy sauce, and sesame oil
5. Toss everything together for 3-4 minutes
6. Season with salt and pepper

Pretty easy right? The key is cooking everything on high heat so it gets that slightly charred flavor.

Copycat Fried Rice Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked white rice (day-old works best)
• 2 eggs, scrambled
• 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Scramble eggs in a pan, set aside
2. Heat oil in wok on high heat
3. Add peas, carrots, cook for 2 minutes
4. Add rice, break up clumps
5. Add soy sauce, scrambled eggs, green onions
6. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until heated through

The secret is using day-old rice! Fresh rice is too sticky and wont fry properly.

Health Considerations

Let me break down the health aspects of each side:

Best for Weight Loss: Super Greens by far! Only 130 calories and high in fiber.

Best for Building Muscle: Tie between Super Greens and Chow Mein – both have 10g protein.

Best for Low-Carb Diets: Super Greens with only 16g carbs (compared to 70-87g in the others).

Best for Heart Health: White Steamed Rice (zero fat) or Super Greens (minimal fat).

Worst for Sodium: Chow Mein with 980mg – thats almost half your daily limit!

Best for Fiber: Brown Steamed Rice and Super Greens both have good fiber content.

Best Overall Balance: Half Super Greens, half Brown Rice gives you veggies, complex carbs, and reasonable calories.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I get extra side for free? A: No, you’ll have to pay for an additional side portion. But you can do half and half for free!

Q: Is the chow mein spicy? A: Nope! Its pretty mild. If you want spice, add chili sauce on top.

Q: Why is fried rice more calories than white rice? A: Because of the oil used for frying and the eggs mixed in.

Q: Can I order just a side with no entree? A: Yeah! You can order sides separately but its kinda expensive. Better to get a bowl.

Q: Does super greens taste bad? A: Honestly no! Its pretty good for steamed vegetables. Give it a try!

Q: Which side keeps you full the longest? A: Chow mein or fried rice because they have more fat and protein than plain rice.

Q: Can I get brown rice instead of white rice for free? A: Yep! Same price for all sides.

Q: Is there MSG in the sides? A: Panda Express says they dont add MSG to anything except what naturally occurs in ingredients like soy sauce.

My Personal Rankings (Tier List Style)

Okay so if I had to rank all the sides:

S Tier (Amazing):

• Chow Mein – The GOAT side dish

A Tier (Really Good):

• Super Greens (if your prioritizing health)
• Fried Rice (solid all-around choice)

B Tier (Pretty Good):

• Brown Steamed Rice
• Half Super Greens + Half Rice combos

C Tier (Okay):

• White Steamed Rice (boring but functional)

This is just my opinion obviously! Everyone has different preferences.

The Verdict: What Should You Get?

After eating at Panda Express like 50 times (not even exaggerating lol), here’s my final recommendation:

For most people: Get Chow Mein! Its the most popular for a reason – great taste, fills you up, goes with everything.

If your health conscious: Get Super Greens or do half Super Greens + half Brown Rice. You’ll save SO many calories.

If your really hungry: Get Fried Rice or Chow Mein. Both are super filling.

If your trying something new: Get half Chow Mein + half Fried Rice to try both!

Honestly the sides at Panda Express are all pretty good. Even the plain steamed rice is decent quality. You really cant go wrong with any choice – it just depends on what your looking for in terms of taste, calories, and how hungry you are.

Final Thoughts

So yeah, thats literally everything I know about Panda Express sides! I know this was a super long post but I wanted to cover everything because alot of people dont realize how important the side choice is. It can literally make or break your meal depending on what you pick.

My personal favorite is still chow mein (I probably get it like 80% of the time) but I’ve been trying to eat healthier lately so I’ve been doing the half super greens, half chow mein combo which is actually really good!

Weather your a regular at Panda Express or just trying it for the first time, hopefully this guide helps you make the best choice for your meal. And remember – you can always ask the staff for recommendations! There usually pretty helpful.

Let me know in the comments what your favorite side is! Am I wrong about chow mein being the best? Do you actually like super greens better? I wanna know what everyone thinks!

Thanks for reading this super long guide lol. Now go get yourself some Panda Express!