Panda Inn, Panda Inn… if you automatically thought of Panda Express when you read the title you are partially right for thinking this way.
Here is a little history behind the similar names… Panda Inn was founded in 1973 by Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng. This gourmet Mandarin restaurant became super popular, so the owners decided to create Panda Express – a more affordable restaurant chain with similar Chinese regional flavors and tastes. That is how Panda Inn and Panda Express relate to one another!
Day 107 of 365 Things To Do In Pasadena takes us to the ORIGINAL Panda Inn located right here in Pasadena on 3488 E. Foothill Blvd.
Panda Inn is a really delicious, solid restaurant. I have been there many times, and have tried plenty of items off the menu.
They have THE BEST Hot & Sour Soup, Panda Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Tea-Smoked Duck.
Their Hot & Sour Soup has the perfect balance of ingredients, and is very good to warm you up!
The Panda Beef happens to be one of their signature dishes. It has ginger, garlic, and a sweet peppercorn sauce over tender beef.
The Honey Walnut Shrimp has plenty of shrimp and walnuts coated by a delectable glaze. Yum!!! I give this dish 10 out of 10 stars. 😀
And last but not least, the Tea-Smoked Duck is juicy duck meat served with wheat buns, shredded cucumbers, scallions, and hoisin sauce.
Parking is never a problem! They have a relatively large parking lot.
The interior is modern traditional with red walls, deep booths and plenty of interesting decor.
It is a very busy restaurant, so there might be a bit of a wait.
They have private rooms in the back for large parties and groups. They even have doors to close off the rooms from the rest of the restaurant. It is quite nice!
Service is usually very good, organized, and fast.
At the end of the meal they give fortune cookies… one of a kind fortune cookies that is! They are white chocolate covered fortune cookies. They do not hog the white chocolate! They are very delicious, and perfect with a cup of tea.
LOCATION:
3488 E. FOOTHILL BLVD
Pasadena, CA 91107
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