Is Panda Express authentic Chinese food?
That question has sparked plenty of debate over the years, and now the restaurant chain’s co-founder and CEO has weighed in.
In an interview with TODAY, Panda Express co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng addressed criticism that the popular chain does not serve traditional Chinese food.
Andrew Cherng said he doesn’t take offense to the criticism.
“I take no offense at all,” Cherng said, adding that he doesn’t know what “authenticity” means because there are so many different cuisines.
Peggy Cherng explained that Panda Express identifies its food as American Chinese cuisine, reflecting what she described as a combination of Chinese and American cultures and tastes.
The distinction is important because some of the chain’s most recognizable dishes were created specifically for American customers.
Panda Express’ famous Orange Chicken is one example.
According to TODAY, chef Andy Kao created the dish in 1987 as a modern take inspired by a citrus-flavored dish from China’s Hunan province.
The sweet and savory dish has since become the chain’s signature menu item.
Customers ordered about 148 million pounds of Orange Chicken last year, according to TODAY.
For Andrew Cherng, the debate over authenticity ultimately comes down to what customers want.
“Whatever sells, we don’t make that decision. Our guests make that decision,” he told TODAY.
He also acknowledged that some Chinese immigrant families may not consider Panda Express’ food authentic, but said their children enjoy the restaurant and appreciate that its locations are easy to find.
Panda Express has grown from a single sit-down restaurant in Southern California into one of the largest Asian restaurant chains in the United States, with more than 2,500 locations nationwide, according to TODAY.
The Cherngs said their goal has been to create a category of quick-service American Chinese food, rather than replicate traditional Chinese cuisine.
The comments have reignited an online debate over what makes food “authentic,” and whether Americanized versions of international cuisines should be considered their own category.
For many Americans, Panda Express may have been their first introduction to Chinese-inspired food, while others argue that its menu is far removed from traditional regional Chinese cooking.
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