Seoul Yeouido American-style Chinese Restaurant “Panda Express”

October 4, 2023 108 Views

In Korea, restaurants serving what is commonly known as Chinese cuisine can be found everywhere. Just by looking at franchise stores or considering Baek Jong-won’s “Hong Kong Banjeom,” you can see that there are many places offering these dishes. Even before Baek Jong-won’s Hong Kong Banjeom, restaurants known as “Chinese restaurants” were scattered all over, allowing people to easily enjoy Korean-style Chinese dishes like Jjajangmyeon, Jjamppong, and Tangsuyuk.

“American-style Chinese Restaurant: Panda Express”

Even though it’s the same type of Chinese cuisine, it can appear in different forms and menus depending on how it’s interpreted in each country. Chinese cuisine is a representative example of this.

In Korea, there is Korean-style Chinese cuisine, and in the U.S., there is American-style Chinese cuisine. Hong Kong and Japan also have their own interpretations, with Hong Kong-style and Japanese-style Chinese cuisine, respectively. It differs from what we see as Chinese cuisine in Korea.

Panda Express is a restaurant that specializes in “American-style Chinese cuisine” among these variations. It’s a store you can find in the U.S., and it’s also operating in Korea. You can find one in Mokdong Hyundai Department Store, and there is also a branch in “IFC Mall” in Yeouido. You can find the Yeouido Panda Express in the underground dining area, making it easily noticeable near the escalator.

“Panda Express”

Ordering at Panda Express is simple. First, choose a “plate.” There are three sizes available, each with the following prices:

BOWL: Base dish + 1 Main dish (8,000 KRW)
PLATE: Base dish + 2 Main dishes (10,000 KRW)
BIGGER PLATE: Base dish + 3 Main dishes (12,000 KRW)

After choosing the plate, select either Chao Mein or Fried Rice as the base dish (or you can choose a half-and-half option). Then, choose the main dishes.

One of the popular main dishes at Panda Express is the “Orange Chicken,” which is similar to Kkanpunggi. The addition of oranges gives it a refreshing flavor, leaving a memorable impression.

There are various other dishes to choose from, and once you select the dishes you like, they will be placed on your plate. After receiving your plate, find a seat to enjoy your meal, and clean up your plate before leaving (note that there may be additional charges for certain dishes).

“A Not Very Large Store”

The store size is not very large and operates in a fast-food style similar to McDonald’s. You can either dine in the space provided after ordering, or take your food to go.

If you choose to dine in, there are seats available, and the store can accommodate about 20-30 people for dining.

As a restaurant selling American-style Chinese cuisine, it’s a great place to experience something different when you’re tired of Korean-style Chinese cuisine.

“Yeouido IFC Mall: Panda Express”