Bowl, Plate, or Bigger Plate — the Format Matters as Much as the Food

Panda Express keeps it simple on paper: Bowl gets one entree, Plate gets two, Bigger Plate gets three, plus a side either way. But that simplicity hides a wide range. A Bowl with steamed rice and grilled teriyaki chicken sits under 500 calories. A Bigger Plate with fried rice, orange chicken, Beijing beef, and honey walnut shrimp can clear 1,600 — more than three times the light option, for what still gets called “a plate.”

Build your actual order below instead of guessing from the format name alone.

What Actually Moves the Number

  • Meal size. Each added entree stacks its full calorie count on top — going Bowl to Plate to Bigger Plate isn’t a small step up, it’s doubling or tripling the protein portion.
  • Side. Fried Rice (420 cal) is the heaviest side. Super Greens (90 cal) is by far the lightest — swapping between them alone moves the needle more than most entree choices.
  • Entree choice. Orange Chicken (490 cal) is the best-seller and also one of the highest-calorie options on the menu. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (280 cal) and String Bean Chicken Breast (190 cal) sit at the lean end.

🐼 Swapping fried rice for super greens saves 330 calories before you’ve picked a single entree. Choosing grilled teriyaki over orange chicken saves another 210. Two changes, same meal shape, 540 fewer calories.

Menu Reference Chart

ItemCategoryCalories
Fried RiceSide420 cal
Chow MeinSide380 cal
White Steamed RiceSide190 cal
Super GreensSide90 cal
Orange ChickenEntree490 cal
Beijing BeefEntree470 cal
Honey Walnut ShrimpEntree360 cal
Kung Pao ChickenEntree290 cal
Black Pepper ChickenEntree280 cal
Grilled Teriyaki ChickenEntree280 cal
String Bean Chicken BreastEntree190 cal
Broccoli BeefEntree150 cal
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Keeping It Light

  • Order a Bowl instead of Plate or Bigger Plate to cap yourself at one entree.
  • Super Greens beats every other side by a wide margin — 90 calories versus 380-420 for the rest.
  • Broccoli Beef or String Bean Chicken Breast are the two leanest entrees on the menu.
  • A fully stripped-down order — Bowl, Super Greens, Broccoli Beef — lands around 240 calories total.

How We Calculate These Numbers

Every figure on this page reflects standard preparation with no substitutions, based on published Panda Express nutrition data. We review and update these numbers periodically as recipes or portion sizes change, most recently in July 2026. Actual calories can vary slightly by location and preparation, so treat these as close estimates rather than exact lab measurements.

This tool is for general planning and awareness. It isn’t medical or dietary advice, and it shouldn’t replace guidance from a doctor or registered dietitian, especially if you’re managing a medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate Panda Express calories?
Pick your meal size, side, and entrees above. The running total updates as you go, and Calculate gives you a full breakdown.
How many calories are in a Panda Express plate?
A Plate with fried rice, orange chicken, and grilled teriyaki chicken runs close to 1,190 calories. Lighter sides and entrees can bring that down to 600-700.
What is the lowest calorie option at Panda Express?
A Bowl with Super Greens and Broccoli Beef comes in around 240 calories. String Bean Chicken Breast and Grilled Teriyaki Chicken are also lean picks.
Is this Panda Express calorie calculator free?
Yes, no sign-up and no usage limit.