Panda Express® Brings Back Its Hottest Collab Yet: Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken Goes Nationwide With Buldak®

The spicy fan-favorite is available starting today at all U.S. Panda Express restaurants for a limited time

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Panda Express, the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S., is announcing the national launch of its spiciest dish to date: Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken. Created in partnership with Buldak, Gen Alpha's favorite Spicy Brand, this limited-time drop is designed to ignite taste buds from coast to coast. Featuring a sauce that's five and a half times spicier than Blazing Bourbon Chicken, Panda Express invites guests to test their limits with the brand's most fiery recipe to date.

Why it matters

For Gen Z and adventurous eaters, spice is only getting hotter. Recent data shows that 65% of Americans like to eat spicy foods, with 34% of this group actively seeking out spicy food experiences. Panda Express is tapping into this "heat-seeker" subculture, transforming every bite into a shareable flavor challenge.

The details

Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken features crispy chicken bites wok-tossed with red bell peppers and onions in a vibrant, tangy sauce amped up with Buldak's signature fiery heat. Inspired by the Cantonese classic, this 'swicy' (sweet and spicy) profile hits with a balanced tanginess upfront, followed by an intense, lingering burn that cements its status as Panda's spiciest dish to date.

  • Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken is available now at Panda Express locations nationwide for a limited time through May 25, 2026 or while supplies last.

The players

Panda Express

The largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S.

Buldak

Gen Alpha's favorite Spicy Brand, partnering with Panda Express on this limited-time collaboration.

Evelyn Wah

Vice President of Brand Innovation at Panda Express.

Youngsik Shin

CEO at Samyang America, the parent company of Buldak.

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What they’re saying

“Our younger guests are looking for a flavor experience that pushes boundaries. Spice has become a global language for Gen Z, and by partnering with Buldak, we are bringing that playful, high-energy heat to a beloved American Chinese dish. Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken is an explosive and craveable twist on a classic – the kind of dish our guests can't help but share, with an addictive heat that keeps them reaching for another bite.”

— Evelyn Wah, Vice President of Brand Innovation at Panda Express (bakercityherald.com)

“Our fans are fearless when it comes to flavor, and they've been waiting for a collaboration of this scale. Partnering with Panda Express allows us to bring the Buldak experience nationwide to create a shareable culinary moment. It's a celebration of heat, connection and the kind of bold flavor that defines how a new generation eats today.”

— Youngsik Shin, CEO at Samyang America (bakercityherald.com)

What’s next

Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken is available now at Panda Express locations nationwide for a limited time through May 25, 2026 or while supplies last.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Panda Express and Buldak taps into the growing demand for spicy and adventurous flavors, particularly among Gen Z consumers. By offering a limited-time, fiery twist on a classic American Chinese dish, Panda Express is positioning itself as a brand that is in touch with the evolving tastes of its younger customers.