Is there Panda Express in China? There never used to be, but they have now opened up a flagship store in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.
Just as you thought 2020 could not get any weirder, surreal, or dare we opine, shit then the world throws you another curve ball.
Panda Express the biggest Chinese fast-food franchise chain in the USA has opened its first flagship store in China, namely in Kunming the city of eternal spring and capital of Yunnan province.
What is Panda Express?
Panda Express is the McDonalds of Chinese fast food in America, serving up dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken and Tangerine Peel Chicken, both bastardized versions of legitimately good Chinese dishes.
It was founded in 1973 by a Chinese American, and caters very much to the American view of what Chinese food tastes like. In fact many a visitor to China from the USA, UK and beyond tend to be very surprised at just how different the food actually is in China compared with Chinese food back home.
Is it just a knock-off?
Potentially it is just a Chinese company that have ripped off the name, but early signs are that it is a legitimate franchise.
Why would the Chinese want American Chinese food?
There really is no reason why Chinese people, particularly in a culinary rich environment like Kunming would welcome rip-ff Chinese food from the states. It differs somewhat with McDonalds, KFC, or Pizza Hut, which are seen as western, middle-class and dare I say “cool”
To read bout KFC in China click here.
Will Chinese burgers now be going to America?
Dicos are the main KFC/McDonalds type rip-off in China, but there is very little chance you will find a Dicos opening in America, simply because Americans are better at doing burgers than the Chinese. The Chinese are also better at Chinese food than the Americans, which is kinda where we are going with this post.
To read bout the top fast food franchises in China click here.
The only thing compatible to this, in my mind at least was Jolibee opening in Italy. Quite what the Italians would make of Jolibee spaghetti is quite the question, but Filipinos love Jolibee, so wherever there is a diaspora there is a a Jolibee.
To read about Jollibee click here.
And what do the Chinese make of Panda Express?
So far after 5 reviews it has 3.47/5
Good luck Panda Express China…..