Fast-food chains are continuing to use limited regional tests to gauge demand before expanding new dishes nationwide. Panda Express is now doing that with Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, a new entrée being tested in select cities, including a concentrated rollout across Southern California. The company confirmed the test on September 9, 2026, and said it is using the limited release to collect guest feedback before making any broader decision.
Panda Express launches a limited regional test
Panda Express said it is testing Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken in participating markets across Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Reno, and nearby areas. The company confirmed the limited-time test on September 9, 2026, describing it as a portable, shareable menu item inspired by Taiwanese night market street food. The item is available as a standard entrée on a Bowl, Plate, or Family Meal, and Panda Express said there is no extra charge to add it.
The dish includes dark meat chicken with a light, extra-crispy breading and a dry spice blend made with tamarind, tomato, garlic, and onion, according to the company. Panda Express also said the item is finished with fried kale, which it described as its American Chinese adaptation of the basil garnish commonly tied to the original street-food version. Each order also comes with a side of house-made Chili Crisp Aioli for dipping.
What is confirmed in Southern California
In Southern California, Panda Express confirmed 10 participating locations for the test, including stores in Inglewood, Walnut Park, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. The listed addresses include 6802 S. La Cienega Blvd. in Inglewood, 804 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, 1603 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles, and 290 East 4th Street in Long Beach. Those locations are the confirmed sites the company identified for the local release.
The company has not released a full list of every participating restaurant in each national test market outside the Southern California addresses it specifically named. What is confirmed is that Los Angeles is one of the regional markets included in the broader trial, alongside cities such as Chicago and Phoenix. Panda Express also tied the launch to a limited-edition collector bucket created with Taiwanese American designer, author, and food creator Frankie Gaw of Little Fat Boy.
Why Panda Express is testing it now
Panda Express said the new item is meant to connect a familiar format with Taiwanese-inspired flavors that may feel recognizable to a broad U.S. audience. Evelyn Wah, vice president of brand innovation at Panda Express, said popcorn chicken is already familiar to many Americans, which made it a natural vehicle for telling what she called the brand’s American Chinese story. The company also described the item as designed for eating on the go, which helps explain the shareable, snack-style format…