I eat at Panda Express more than I should, mostly because it’s fast, hot, and the orange chicken tastes exactly the same no matter which location you go to. But I got sick of spending $12 and still being hungry, or worse, realizing what I just paid for two tiny scoops of chow. So over the last year or so, I’ve started messing with how I order. Asking for stuff, watching what they do behind the counter, trying things out. And now? I never leave with less than two full meals worth of food for the same price.
1. Get the Bigger Plate. Always.
If you’re ordering a bowl, you’re doing it wrong. I say that with love.
Here’s why: the bowl gives you one side and one entrée. That’s it. And the price difference between that and the Bigger Plate (which comes with three entrées and 1 side) is like only 3 bucks.
But they don’t give you less food with the Bigger Plate. The scoops are the same size. So it’s not “three smaller portions”, it’s literally THREE times more food.
PRO TIP: FAMILY FEAST VS. 2 BIGGER PLATES
Feeding at least 5 people? You’re probably wondering if you should get the Family Meal is $35 or 3 Bigger Plates for $34.50? (before tax)
So let’s break it down shall we:
3 Bigger Plates = 72 oz entrée (8 oz x 3 scoops x 3 plates) + 48 oz sides
Family Meal = 78 oz entrée (3 big scoops) + 52 oz sides
Both meal options are essentially the same price, but the Family Meal gives you more chow overall and it’s definitely easier to divide. Plus, you won’t be hit any extra upcharges for premium entrees.
Verdict: If everyone’s cool eating the same stuff, the Family Meal WINS all day long. The only time I’d order 3 Bigger Plates is if I’m feeding a picky crowd who wants a bunch of different entrées.
2. Ask for Half and Half—For Everything
You probably know you can do half-and-half with your entrées. But you can also do it with your si-des, and most people don’t realize that.
So instead of just chow mein, ask for HALF chow mein, HALF fried rice. Or do Super Greens if you want to pretend you’re balancing things out (I do that sometimes just to feel a little more healthy). They don’t care. They’ll do it. They always do.
It’s not a trick, it’s just something you have to ask for because they won’t offer it.
See Also: Chipotle Menu Hacks That’ll Score You a HUGE Burrito
3. Some Entrées Are Way Better Than Others…Strictly for Volume
I used to just get what sounded good. Now I get what fills the box.
There are “thick” entrées and “thin” ones. Thick = good.
Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, and SweetFire Chicken are all chunky, heavy, “fill-the-scoop” type entrées.
Then there’s the thin stuff: String Bean Chicken, Mushroom Chicken, Black Pepper Chicken,,,all sliced up so thin it looks like leftovers from someone else’s plate.
If you’re trying to make your money go farther, skip the thin stuff unless you’re obsessed with how it tastes.
You’ll get more food with the chunky ones. I’ve literally watched them try to scoop some of the thin ones and end up just pushing vegetables around for 10 seconds.
PRO TIP: USE SUPER GREENS AS A HIDDEN “PLATE SPACER”
Ask for “Half Super Greens” as your side…but here’s the trick: the bulky cabbage and broccoli take up more space in the bottom of the box.
That means your scoops of entrée sit higher in the tray and often spill over the edges, especially if you’re getting something chunky like Beijing Beef.
It’s like building a food platform so your other stuff piles on taller. More food. Same price. Panda Jenga.
See Also: Menu Hacks at Starbucks That’ll Get Your More Coffee
4. Don’t Ever Order a Side of Honey Walnut Shrimp
They charge extra for Honey Walnut Shrimp. That’s fine.
What’s not fine is when you use that as one of your entrées and they give you exactly five shrimp. I’ve counted. Multiple times. Five. It doesn’t matter if you smile or act casual…they still give you five.
So if you’re gonna get it, get it as a sample (more on that in a second). But using it as one of your main entrees is a joke unless you just like disappointment.
5. You Can Still Get Free Samples (Just Ask)
They’ve got those little plastic spoons behind the counter for a reason.
You can ask to try something before committing, and they’ll give you a decent spoonful.
I’ve done it plenty of times, especially when I’m thinking about getting one of the premium items but don’t want to waste money.
Sometimes I’ll even say, “Can I try that before I decide?” just so I can sneak in an extra bite of something. It’s fine. They’re used to it.
PRO TIP: THE “EXTRA SAUCE” HACK
Here’s how you turn dry teriyaki or sticky orange chicken into something restaurant-quality again. Wait until after they scoop, then say:
“Could I get a little extra sauce on top?”
Most locations have a pan of sauce or a ladle nearby. They’ll pour fresh sauce over your already-scooped entrée, which makes leftovers reheat better and taste way fresher.
No charge, and they’ll never say “No” if you ask politely. Bonus: The sauce adds weight. It literally increases the food mass.
6. Get the Free Water Cup, Always
You don’t need to pay for a drink. You don’t. Ask for a water cup.
You’ll get the same size cup every time, maybe slightly smaller than the soda one, but still plenty big. It’s not filtered glacier water, but it’s free, and that’s what matters.
Also, if you’re eating in, grab a few fortune cookies on your way out. No one counts them. Toss a couple extras in your bag. I do it every time and have never once been called out.
7. The Receipt Is Worth Something (But Only If You Keep It)
Every time you buy something, check the bottom of your receipt. There’s usually a link to take a survey. It takes like one minute, and at the end, you get a code for a free entrée with your next purchase.
So what I do is buy something cheap, like a side of rice or a drink, then bring the code in next time and boom…free entrée.
It’s not a flashy hack, but it works. The trick is NOT throwing your receipt away like most people do.
PRO TIP: TIME YOUR VISIT RIGHT AFTER A RUSH
Panda refills the trays based on traffic. If you go right after peak hours (like 1:45 p.m. after the lunch rush or 7:45 p.m. after dinner), they’re usually restocking everything fresh…but here’s the move.
Ask for the stuff they just brought out.
Literally say:
“Could I get the orange chicken from that fresh tray you just brought out?”
Nine times out of ten, they’ll do it. It hasn’t been under the heat lamp for 2 hours, and the portion is usually heavier because they’re not trying to stretch the bottom of the pan. You’re getting hotter food and often more of it.
See Also: Like McDonald’s? You Gotta Try These Menu Hacks
8. Split It Up at Home
This isn’t even a “hack,” but it’s what I actually do.
I get a Bigger Plate with three different entrées and a half/half side, and when I get home, I split it into two full meals.
I’ll toss in some leftover rice or frozen veggies if I need to stretch it.
Sometimes I even steam some broccoli and throw it in there to make myself feel like I cooked. But mostly I just get 2 solid lunches out of it, and it feels like I cheated the system.
PRO TIP: BECOME A RECEIPT STACKER
Here’s a wild one: Use your survey receipt to get a free entrée.
When you make that redemption purchase (even just a $2 side of rice), you’ll get a new receipt with a survey link. You can repeat this indefinitely. It’s a free food loop.
People don’t realize Panda’s system gives you another survey every time…even if you’re redeeming a previous one. If you’re organized (and willing to take 60 seconds every time), you can legit keep the chain going forever.
9. Build Your Own Order (Don’t Use the Default Combos Online)
If you’re ordering online, avoid the suggested combos. They usually look good but end up costing more.
Instead, go into the “build your own plate” section, pick what you actually want, then see if there’s a deal code you can drop in at the end (sometimes they give a free drink or dessert).
The Panda app isn’t amazing, but once in a while you get a decent offer. And honestly, even if you don’t, building the order manually usually saves a couple bucks.
Ask the Reader: What menu hack did I miss for Panda Express? Let me know how you get the most chow (mein) for your money.
By Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)