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Have you ever wondered if Panda Express has soup? Well, your in luck because they do! Even though there soups aren’t as famous as there Orange Chicken or Beijing Beef, Panda Express actually has some really good soup options. In this guide, I’m gonna tell you everything about the soups at Panda Express, from what kinds they have to how many calories are in them.

The Mystery of Panda Express Soup

Here’s the thing about Panda Express soup – its kind of a mystery! Back in 2014, Panda Express advertised there Hot and Sour Soup on Twitter (now called X) and said it was “made-from-scratch.” But then over the years, alot of people started asking “where did the soup go?” Some people on social media even wondered if it ever really existed in the first place!

The truth is that soup is still available at SOME Panda Express locations, but not all of them. So weather you can get soup depends on which restaurant you go to. This is why alot of people don’t even know Panda Express has soup – because its not at every single location.

What Soups Does Panda Express Have?

According to what I found, Panda Express mainly has two types of soups:

1. Hot and Sour Soup

This is the most popular soup at Panda Express and honestly, its really good! The Hot and Sour Soup has a spicy and tangy flavor that wakes up your taste buds.

What’s in it: The soup has tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and egg ribbons. Its made with a chicken broth base and flavored with soy sauce, vinegar, white pepper, and chili for heat. The “hot” part comes from the pepper and the “sour” part comes from the vinegar.

Nutrition Facts:

  • Cup Size (12.2 oz): 120 calories
  • Bowl Size (17 oz): 170 calories
  • Protein: 10g (in bowl size)
  • Total Fat: 6g (in bowl size)
  • Carbs: 20g (in bowl size)
  • Sodium: High (they don’t tell the exact amount but its alot)

Price: Usually between $3.50 and $5.50 depending on if you get a cup or bowl and what location your at

Why its good: This soup is lighter than most of the entrees at Panda Express. Its only 120 calories for a cup which is way less than most dishes. Plus it has a really cool mix of flavors – spicy, sour, and savory all at the same time. On cold days, this soup is perfect for warming you up!

Allergens: Contains egg, gluten, soy, wheat, and sesame. Does NOT have fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, or tree nuts (but they use the same equipment for everything so be careful if you have allergies).

2. Egg Drop Soup (Also Called Egg Flower Soup)

This is the other soup option, but its not as common as the Hot and Sour Soup.

What’s in it: This soup has a silky smooth chicken broth with egg ribbons mixed throughout. Its much lighter and less spicy than the Hot and Sour Soup.

Nutrition Facts (12 oz serving):

  • Calories: About 88 calories
  • Protein: Lower than Hot and Sour
  • Very light and low in calories

Why its good: If you don’t like spicy food or you want something really light, the Egg Drop Soup is perfect. Its smooth and comforting without any heat. Some people say its like a warm hug in a bowl!

3. Wonton Soup (Select Locations)

Some sources say Panda Express has Wonton Soup, but this seems even more rare than the other soups.

What’s in it: Clear chicken broth with wontons (dumplings) filled with pork and shrimp.

Nutrition Facts:

  • Calories: About 110 calories per serving
  • Contains pork and shrimp
  • NOT vegetarian friendly

Availability: Very limited – most Panda Express locations don’t have this.

Why Don’t All Panda Express Locations Have Soup?

This is a really good question! Here are some reasons why soup disappeared from alot of locations:

  1. Low Demand: Not enough people were ordering soup at some places. When you think of Panda Express, you probably think of Orange Chicken and fried rice, not soup.
  2. Operational Efficiency: Panda Express wants to focus on there bestsellers. If soup isn’t selling well, they take it off the menu to make things easier for the workers.
  3. Ingredient Costs: Soup requires special ingredients that might cost more money or are only available at certain times of the year.
  4. Menu Simplification: Fast food restaurants try to keep there menus simple so they can serve people faster.

Alot of fans on Reddit and other social media sites have talked about how they miss the soup and want Panda Express to bring it back everywhere. Some people have even shared recipies so you can make it at home!

How to Find Out If Your Local Panda Express Has Soup

If you want to know if your nearest Panda Express has soup, here’s what you can do:

  1. Check the Panda Express website – Look at the menu for your specific location
  2. Use the Panda Express app – The app shows whats available at each restaurant
  3. Call ahead – Just call the restaurant and ask if they have soup
  4. Check online ordering sites – Look on DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub to see if soup is listed
  5. Visit in person – Sometimes soup is available in-store but not for online ordering

Pro tip: The Panda Express Innovation Kitchen in Pasadena, California definitely has Hot and Sour Soup on there menu. If you live in Southern California, thats a good place to try it!

Soup Prices at Panda Express

The prices for soup are pretty reasonable, especially compared to the entrees. Heres what you can expect:

  • Small/Cup Size: Around $3.50 – $5.00
  • Medium Size: About $3.75 – $5.50
  • Large/Bowl Size: Around $5.00 – $7.00

This makes soup one of the cheapest items at Panda Express! For example, Orange Chicken costs about $6.15, but a medium Hot and Sour Soup is only $3.75. So soup is a good value if your on a budget.

Is Panda Express Soup Healthy?

Compared to alot of items on the Panda Express menu, the soups are actually pretty healthy!

Health Benefits

Low Calorie: Both soups have around 100-120 calories per cup, which is way less than most entrees. For example:

  • Hot and Sour Soup Cup: 120 calories
  • Orange Chicken: 490 calories per serving
  • Beijing Beef: 470 calories per serving

Good for Weight Management: If your trying to watch your calories, soup is a smart choice. You can have a cup of soup and still have room for a small entree or side.

Warms You Up: Hot soup is perfect on cold days and can make you feel full without eating too much food.

Things to Watch Out For

High Sodium: Like most resturant food, Panda Express soups have alot of salt. This is something to think about if your watching your sodium intake.

Not Much Protein: The soups don’t have alot of protein on there own. The Hot and Sour Soup only has about 10g of protein in a bowl, which isn’t very much. Most people order soup as a side dish instead of a main meal.

Allergens: The Hot and Sour Soup has egg, gluten, soy, wheat, and sesame. If you have allergies, be careful! And remember that Panda Express uses shared equipment so cross-contamination can happen.

Is Panda Express Soup Vegetarian?

This is important to know if you don’t eat meat!

Hot and Sour Soup: Traditionally, this soup is made with chicken or pork broth. At Panda Express, the standard recipe has animal-based broth, so its NOT vegetarian. However, the soup doesn’t have actual meat pieces in it – just the broth. The soup contains tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and egg. Some people say its “ovo-vegetarian” because it has egg but no meat pieces, but the broth makes it non-vegetarian.

Egg Drop Soup: This also uses chicken broth, so its not vegetarian either.

Wonton Soup: Definitely NOT vegetarian because the wontons have pork and shrimp inside them.

If you want a vegetarian version, you could try making it at home with vegetable broth instead of chicken broth!

How to Order Panda Express Soup

In-Store Ordering

When you go to a Panda Express that has soup, just ask for it when your ordering. You can get soup by itself or add it to your bowl, plate, or bigger plate combo. Some people like to get soup as there side instead of fried rice or chow mein.

Online and Mobile App

If you order online or through the app, check the menu carefully. Not all locations show soup in there online menu even if they have it in the store. This is really annoying but thats just how it is sometimes.

Delivery Services

You can order Panda Express soup through delivery apps like:

  • DoorDash
  • Uber Eats
  • Grubhub

BUT – here’s the problem. Soup doesn’t travel as well as other foods. It might get cold or spill during delivery. Some delivery services even charge extra for soup orders because its harder to transport.

My tip: If your ordering delivery and want soup, get it in a cup instead of a bowl. Cups are smaller and less likely to spill. Also order it at the same time as hot entrees so everything arrives warm.

Best Ways to Enjoy Panda Express Soup

Here are some awesome combinations and tips I found:

Soup + Entree Combos

  1. Light and Balanced:
    • Cup of Hot and Sour Soup
    • String Bean Chicken Breast (grilled option)
    • Super Greens side
    • Total: Around 400-500 calories
  2. Classic Combo:
    • Cup of Hot and Sour Soup
    • Orange Chicken (half portion)
    • Chow Mein
    • Perfect when you want to try a little bit of everything
  3. Spicy Lover’s Meal:
    • Bowl of Hot and Sour Soup
    • Kung Pao Chicken
    • If you love spice, this combination is amazing!
  4. Budget Friendly:
    • Large Hot and Sour Soup ($5-7)
    • Side of white rice
    • Total under $10 and very filling

Pro Tips

  1. Request it fresh: Ask if they can make your soup fresh if your not in a hurry. Fresh soup tastes way better!
  2. Add extra toppings: Some locations might let you add extra tofu or vegetables to your soup if you ask nicely.
  3. Don’t skip it: If your location has soup, try it! So many people don’t even know it exists.
  4. Share it: Soup is great for sharing. Get a bowl and split it with a friend as an appetizer.
  5. Use it to control portions: Starting with soup can help you feel more full so you don’t over-eat on the higher calorie entrees.

What If My Location Doesn’t Have Soup?

If your local Panda Express doesn’t have soup, don’t worry! You have some options:

Make It At Home

You can make Hot and Sour Soup at home! Heres a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

  • Chicken or vegetable broth (4 cups)
  • Firm tofu (cut into cubes)
  • Mushrooms (sliced)
  • Bamboo shoots
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • Rice vinegar (3 tablespoons)
  • Soy sauce (2 tablespoons)
  • Chili paste or white pepper (for spice)
  • Cornstarch (to thicken)
  • Green onions

Steps:

  1. Heat the broth in a pot
  2. Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu
  3. Simmer for 10 minutes
  4. Add soy sauce and vinegar
  5. Mix cornstarch with water and add it to thicken
  6. Slowly pour in beaten eggs while stirring
  7. Add chili paste for spice
  8. Top with green onions

Its actually pretty easy and tastes really similar to the restaurant version!

Try Other Alternatives

If you want something similar at Panda Express:

  • Super Greens: Healthy steamed vegetables
  • Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls: Crispy appetizers with vegetables
  • Chow Mein: Not soup, but warm and comforting

Go to Panda Inn Instead

Panda Inn is the sit-down restaurant that the Cherng family (who own Panda Express) started. They have LOTS of soups including:

  • Hot and Sour Soup
  • Egg Drop Soup
  • Vegetable Soup
  • Rice Soup with chicken, shrimp, and scallops
  • Wonton Soup

The problem is that Panda Inn only has four locations in Southern California (Pasadena, Glendale, La Palma, and Ontario). Also, there soups are more expensive – a bowl costs $12-14 compared to $5-7 at Panda Express.

Comparing Panda Express Soup to Other Chinese Restaurants

How does Panda Express soup compare to other places?

Panda Express Hot and Sour Soup:

  • 120 calories (cup)
  • $3.50-5.00
  • Fast casual
  • Limited availability

Traditional Chinese Restaurant:

  • Usually 150-200 calories
  • $4-8 per bowl
  • More authentic ingredients
  • Usually always available

P.F. Chang’s:

  • Higher quality ingredients
  • More expensive ($8-12)
  • Bigger portions

Pei Wei:

  • Similar price range
  • More soup options available
  • Consistently on the menu

The good thing about Panda Express is the price and convenience. The bad thing is that not all locations have it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does every Panda Express have soup? A: No! Soup is only available at select locations. You need to check with your local restaurant.

Q: Can I buy Panda Express soup in grocery stores? A: No, they don’t sell there soup in stores. You can only get it at the restaurant.

Q: Is the soup spicy? A: The Hot and Sour Soup has some spice from white pepper and chili, but its not super spicy. Most people can handle it. The Egg Drop Soup has no spice at all.

Q: Can I get soup as my side with a bowl or plate? A: This depends on the location. Some places might let you, but usually soup is ordered separately as an appetizer.

Q: How long does leftover soup last? A: Store it in the fridge and eat it within 2-3 days. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.

Q: Why did Panda Express stop making soup at most locations? A: They never officially announced why, but it was probably because not enough people were ordering it and they wanted to simplify there menu.

Q: Can I order just soup without getting an entree? A: Yes! You can order soup by itself if you want.

Q: Is soup available for catering? A: This depends on your location. Call and ask about catering options if you need soup for a big group.

Customer Reviews and Opinions

People who have tried Panda Express soups generally love them! Here’s what customers say:

Positive Reviews:

  • “The Hot and Sour Soup is amazing! I wish more locations had it.”
  • “Only 120 calories for a whole cup – such a good value!”
  • “Perfect on a cold winter day”
  • “The flavor is bold and authentic”
  • “I love how its not too heavy before my meal”

Negative Reviews:

  • “I can never find it at my local Panda Express”
  • “Wish it had more protein”
  • “The sodium content is pretty high”
  • “Delivery makes it arrive cold sometimes”

According to the search results I found, about 57% of people think the Hot and Sour Soup Bowl is healthy, while 43% think its unhealthy. So people are pretty split on weather its a healthy choice or not.

The History of Panda Express Soup

Panda Express first advertised there Hot and Sour Soup in December 2014 on Twitter. They called it “made-from-scratch” and encouraged people to come get a warm bowl. Back then, it seemed like soup was available at most locations.

Over time though, the soup slowly disappeared from alot of menus. By 2022, people started asking on social media “what happened to the soup?” Some people even thought they imagined it or that it never existed!

The company never officially announced they were discontinuing soup. It just quietly went away at many locations. This created the mystery that exists today where some places have it and others don’t.

Final Thoughts

Panda Express soup is like a hidden treasure – not everyone knows about it, and not everyone can find it! If your lucky enough to have a Panda Express near you that serves soup, you should definately try it. The Hot and Sour Soup is especially good with its spicy, tangy, and savory flavors all mixed together.

At only 120 calories for a cup, its one of the healthiest items on the menu. Its also affordable at around $3.50-5.00, which is way cheaper than most entrees. Weather you get it as an appetizer, a side dish, or just a warm snack on a cold day, Panda Express soup is a great choice.

If your location doesn’t have soup, don’t give up! You can make it at home pretty easily, or you can let Panda Express know that you want them to bring it back. Alot of people have been asking for soup to return on social media and Reddit, so maybe if enough people ask, they’ll add it back to all locations.

Quick Reference Guide

Most Common Soup: Hot and Sour Soup Lowest Calorie: Egg Drop Soup (88 calories) Best Value: Hot and Sour Soup Cup ($3.50-5.00 for 120 calories) Spiciest: Hot and Sour Soup Mildest: Egg Drop Soup Vegetarian-Friendly: None (all use meat broth) Best for Dieters: Hot and Sour Soup Cup (only 120 calories) Best for Cold Days: Hot and Sour Soup Bowl

Remember to check with your local Panda Express to see if they have soup before you go. And if they do have it, give it a try! You might discover a new favorite item that most people don’t even know exists. Who knows, maybe your review will help convince Panda Express to bring soup back to more locations!

Happy eating, and I hope you get to try some delicious Panda Express soup soon!

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