Panda Express New Beyond The Original Orange Chicken Review

Panda Express' Beyond Orange Chicken vs Classic: Which One Takes the Crown?

Have you ever wondered if vegan chicken can truly replace the real deal?

Enter Panda Express' new Beyond Orange Chicken!

Is it worth the extra buck sixty?

In this blog, we'll compare the new vegan option to the classic, investigating their taste, texture, and overall appeal.

Spoiler alert: we've got taste tests, ratings, and insider tips that will satisfy your curiosity and guide your next Panda Express order.

Taste Testing Panda Express's New Beyond Orange Chicken

I was excited to try out Panda Express‘s new Beyond Orange Chicken. It just came out a few days ago, but I was already on vacation, so I missed the chance to be one of the first to try it.

I usually try to be prompt with my fast food taste to share my thoughts and help others avoid wasting their money. If you’ve already tried it, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. I got both the Beyond Orange Chicken and the classic Orange Chicken, so I’ll compare the two in this post.

I ordered both the Beyond Orange Chicken and the classic Orange Chicken, along with sides of lo mein and fried rice. You can’t go to Panda Express without getting a generous serving of carbs. It’s just a fact. I’m nervous to try it out and see how it tastes.

The Beyond Orange Chicken was a bit pricier, costing an extra $1.60. I want to take a moment to thank all the viewers who have given me positive feedback on my recent videos. Thank you, Gin Bin 13, Mala Gainer, Michael Harvey, and Rachel Cole. Your support means a lot to me. Don’t forget to subscribe to my other posts for more fast food tests!

I’ll make sure to be on time for my next taste test. Let’s see what these look like. I’m guessing this one is the classic Orange Chicken and the Beyond Orange Chicken since it has a darker color and a more textured appearance.

The Beyond Orange Chicken looks more like little chicken nuggets. I’m excited to try the Low Mein and fried rice, too. I think Panda Express’ fried rice is not the most flavorful, but it’s still enjoyable. The lo mein may not be the best, but it’s still satisfying. Let’s start the taste test!

Taste-Testing Panda Express's Classic and Beyond Orange Chickens

Honestly, I don’t have the strongest affection for Panda Express’ Orange Chicken. I usually find it too sweet, and there’s too much breading, so it’s not my first choice when I eat there.

I prefer dishes like String Bean Chicken or Sweet Fire Chicken instead. Let’s give the classic Orange Chicken a try. It’s better today than I remember, with a lean piece of meat and not too much breading. However, the sauce is still a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall, I would rate the classic Orange Chicken as average.

Today I tried a 6.5/10 chicken, which mainly felt like real chicken, a refreshing change. I’m excited to try Beyond Orange Chicken for the first time.

Although I have tried similar items before, I want to go in-depth with this Beyond one. The appearance of the chicken is distinct, looking like a frozen nugget with a flat top and bottom. Despite this, it still looks appetizing. Unfortunately, I accidentally damaged my thumbnail while trying to get a piece.

Now, let’s try the Beyond Orange Chicken. It’s a tuck strip, and I’m soaking it in the sauce. I’m not mad, but I’m full of emotions. Despite being mostly made of plants, I’m curious to see if it tastes like real chicken.

Currently, I am eating a Beyond Chicken Nugget, and I am enjoying it. Does it taste like a traditional chicken nugget with orange chicken sauce? Yes, it does. Is it taste good? Yes, it is. The texture is visually appealing, but when you’re chewing it, it feels more like a tuna-like texture with air pockets. It’s much less sweet and spicier than the original orange chicken.

The breading is much thinner and lighter, like a classic chicken nugget. The breading on the original one is very crunchy and thick. I probably wouldn’t choose this out of the whole menu.

Still, it’s one of the best plant-based fast food options available for a vegan or vegetarian option. It tastes like a chicken nugget, and if you’re okay with eating plant-based chicken, you’ll be OK with this. Overall, it does not have any aftertaste.

The fake plant-based meat has a primary flavor, but the sauce stands out. It’s not exceptional, but it’s good for what it is, and I would give it a 9 out of 10 on the plant-based scale. Compared to other chickens, I would give it a 6, but I am enjoying it more than the original orange chicken.

It’s less rich and spicier, making it a better option, in my opinion. I ate almost all of it, and I was impressed. This is an excellent option for plant-based people and goes well with the sides. It still tastes like Panda Express.

Thank you for watching this video, and please let me know in the comments if you have tried the plant-based Panda Express and what your thoughts are. Thank you to my super fans. I love you all so much.

Conclusion

In the battle between Beyond Orange Chicken and the classic, the latter reigns supreme for chicken lovers seeking a satisfying meaty experience. The classic Orange Chicken dishes out a familiar sweetness, albeit slightly excessive for some palates.

Beyond Orange Chicken emerges as a commendable option for those navigating a plant-based diet. Its planty undertones seamlessly blend with the signature orange sauce, providing a reasonable facsimile of the classic chicken experience.

While the texture may not mimic the real deal perfectly, it compensates with less sweetness and a lighter breading, resulting in a healthier indulgence.