When I order from Panda Express, I don’t look at the entrée only. The side and extras can actually change the whole meal.

Sometimes I want something filling like Chow Mein or Fried Rice, while other times I prefer Super Greens because I’m trying to keep my meal a little lighter.

I made this guide to explain the popular Panda Express sides and extras in a simple way, including what I usually recommend, how they work with different entrées, and which options are better when you’re watching calories.

Panda Express prices and availability can vary by location, ordering platform, and time. I always recommend checking your local menu before ordering.

At Panda Express, sides are usually the base of my meal. When I order a Bowl, Plate, or Bigger Plate, I can choose a side along with my entrée selections.

The main side choices generally include:

• Chow Mein
• Fried Rice
• White Steamed Rice
• Super Greens

Depending on the location, promotion, or menu availability, Panda Express may also have other options or limited-time choices.

Extras are a little different. These can include additional sauce, condiments, fortune cookies, beverages, or extra portions that can be added to an order. The exact extras available can depend on how I place my order.

For me, the side is important because it decides whether the meal feels light, balanced, or very filling.

Chow Mein is probably one of the first sides I think about when someone says Panda Express. It is made with stir-fried noodles and vegetables, giving it a savory taste that goes really well with sweet and spicy entrées.

When I pair Chow Mein with Orange Chicken, the combination is pretty rich and satisfying. The noodles soak up some of the sauce from the entrée, which is honestly one of my favorite ways to eat it.

I also like Chow Mein with:

• Beijing Beef
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Kung Pao Chicken
• Broccoli Beef
• Black Pepper Angus Steak

The downside is that Chow Mein can make the meal more calorie-heavy than some lighter side choices. So, if I am already choosing a rich entrée, I may go with a smaller portion or another side.

Fried Rice is another classic side that I often consider when ordering a Panda Express meal. It has rice mixed with vegetables, egg, and other ingredients that give it a more savory flavor than plain steamed rice.

I find Fried Rice works especially well with chicken and beef entrées. It gives the meal that familiar American-Chinese takeout feeling.

Some combinations I would try are:

Orange Chicken + Fried Rice

A sweet and savory combination that is hard to go wrong with.

Broccoli Beef + Fried Rice

A more traditional pairing, especially if I don’t want something too spicy.

Kung Pao Chicken + Fried Rice

Good when I want a meal with a little heat.

Fried Rice is filling, but just like Chow Mein, it can add more calories to the overall meal.

When I want to keep my meal simple, I usually consider White Steamed Rice. It doesn’t have the stronger flavor of Fried Rice or Chow Mein, but that’s actually why I like it.

The rice works as a neutral base, so the entrée gets most of the attention.

I would pair steamed rice with something saucy such as Orange Chicken or Teriyaki Chicken. The plain rice can balance out a strong flavored entrée.

It’s also a useful choice if I don’t want the extra ingredients that come with Fried Rice.

For people who prefer straightforward meals, steamed rice is one of the easiest Panda Express sides to choose.

If I’m trying to make my meal feel a little lighter, Super Greens is usually the side I look at first.

Super Greens combines vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale. The exact preparation and ingredients can vary, but the idea is pretty simple: more vegetables instead of a heavier noodle or rice base.

I like pairing Super Greens with protein-focused entrées because it creates a meal that feels less heavy.

Some combinations I would consider include:

• Super Greens + Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
• Super Greens + Mushroom Chicken
• Super Greens + Broccoli Beef
• Super Greens + String Bean Chicken

Of course, choosing vegetables doesn’t automatically make the complete meal low-calorie. The entrée and sauces still matter.

Yes, this is one of the things I like about building a Panda Express meal.

If the ordering option allows a half-and-half side selection, I can combine two sides instead of choosing only one.

For example, I could choose:

Chow Mein + Fried Rice

Best for a very filling meal.

Chow Mein + Super Greens

A nice balance between noodles and vegetables.

Fried Rice + Super Greens

Good if I want rice but also want some vegetables.

White Rice + Super Greens

A simple combination that doesn’t overpower the entrée.

Personally, I prefer mixing a heavier side with Super Greens when I already know my entrée is going to be rich.

Extra sauce can be a small addition, but it can make a big difference in flavor.

If I order something like Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, I may want extra teriyaki sauce. For other dishes, Panda Express may offer sauces or condiments depending on the location and order type.

I don’t usually add extra sauce to everything because the entrée may already have enough seasoning.

Still, if I am taking the food home and plan to eat it later, having a little sauce on the side can be useful.

A fortune cookie is a small extra, but it has become part of the Panda Express experience for many people.

I like having one after the meal because it gives the order a nice finishing touch. It isn’t really something that makes the meal more filling, but it’s a fun little extra.

Sometimes I check the fortune before I even finish eating.

If my main goal is to feel full, I would usually choose Chow Mein or Fried Rice.

Both are more substantial than vegetable-based sides and can make a Bowl or Plate feel like a proper full meal.

My simple picks would be:

1. Chow Mein
2. Fried Rice
3. White Steamed Rice
4. Super Greens

But this isn’t a ranking of taste. Everyone’s preference is different. Some people might easily put Super Greens at number one.

When I’m trying not to make my order too heavy, Super Greens is the side I would consider first.

I can combine it with one of the lighter entrée choices and avoid stacking several rich items together.

For example:

Super Greens + Mushroom Chicken

or

Super Greens + Broccoli Beef

This type of combination gives me vegetables and protein without making the whole meal feel overloaded.

Still, I always check the current nutrition information because recipes and serving information can change.

I think side selection becomes easier when I match the flavor and texture of the entrée.

Panda Express Entrée	Side I’d Choose
Orange Chicken	Chow Mein or Fried Rice
Beijing Beef	Chow Mein
Broccoli Beef	White Rice or Super Greens
Kung Pao Chicken	Fried Rice
Teriyaki Chicken	White Rice or Super Greens
Mushroom Chicken	White Rice or Super Greens
String Bean Chicken	Fried Rice or Super Greens
Black Pepper Angus Steak	Chow Mein or Super Greens
Honey Walnut Shrimp	White Rice or Chow Mein

These are my personal pairing ideas, not official Panda Express recommendations.

One thing I have learned is that the portion can make a big difference. A side that seems small on the menu can become quite filling when combined with two or three entrées.

If I’m ordering a Bigger Plate, I usually don’t need the heaviest side unless I’m really hungry.

For a smaller appetite, I might choose Super Greens or White Rice with a lighter entrée. If I’m very hungry, Chow Mein or Fried Rice makes more sense to me.

And if I’m ordering for several people, I would rather get a mix of sides so everyone has something they actually like.

There isn’t one simple answer because it depends on the side, portion size, and what I choose with it.

Super Greens can be a useful vegetable-based choice, while Chow Mein and Fried Rice are more filling carbohydrate-based options. White Rice is simpler because it doesn’t contain the additional ingredients found in Fried Rice.

But I don’t think I need to label one side as “good” and another as “bad.” I usually look at the complete meal instead.

For example, choosing a vegetable side with a richer entrée can create a different overall meal than choosing noodles with another rich entrée.

For me, Panda Express sides are more than just something sitting underneath the entrée. They can change the taste, texture, portion size, and even how heavy the entire meal feels.

If I want comfort food, Chow Mein or Fried Rice is usually my choice. If I want something simple, White Steamed Rice works great. And when I want more vegetables, I go for Super Greens.

I also like having the option to mix sides when available because it lets me build a meal that fits what I am craving that day.

The best part is there isn’t really one perfect Panda Express side. I might choose Chow Mein one day and Super Greens the next day, and that’s totally fine. The important thing is picking the combination that actually sounds good to me.