@todayshow: Panda Express is known for its orange chicken, fortune cookies, egg rolls, and more signature menu items. But is any of it “authentic” Chinese food? Does it matter? On Aug. 26, Panda Express CEOs and a couple, Andrew and Peggy Cherng, who have been married 50 years, spoke with Savannah Sellers on TODAY about their successful restaurant chain and responded to its criticisms. Panda Express is currently the largest Asian restaurant chain in the U.S., with more than 2,500 locations nationwide. Despite its popularity, some call out the chain for not serving “traditional” Chinese cuisine. But Andrew Cherng says he isn't bothered by those critics. “I take no offense at all,” he told Sellers. “You know, I don’t know what authenticity is because there are so many cuisines out there.” He added, “Whatever sells, we don’t make that decision. Our guests make that decision.”

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Sunday 30 August 2026 19:00:02 GMT
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pr1ncet0n
Princeton :
Bro just said IDGAF, as long as I’m making money and customers are eating it.
2026-08-30 20:22:32
39118
moistgoocher
moistgoocher :
Honest answer is refreshing. I don’t go to Taco Bell for Mexican. I go to Taco Bell for Taco Bell.
2026-08-30 21:19:37
24076
grumpyoldvet1968
GrumpyOldVet1968 :
He invented (created) Orange chicken.
2026-08-30 19:05:33
5795
talbeezy1
Fasten seat belt while seated. :
If anyone went to panda expecting authentic chinese food they failed themselves tbh
2026-08-30 20:31:47
9243
alisaanuhea
alisaanuhea :
Panda is one of the only fast food places in America where you can choose multiple vegetable options instead of just grease and burgers and fires. I don’t care if it’s authentic or traditional. It’s a healthier option than McDonald’s.
2026-08-30 22:05:06
1150
lola_dawn
Lodawn :
Because it's not. They literally call themselves "American Chinese cuisine" 😂
2026-08-30 19:08:31
4539
chrisgen._
Chrisgen | CPT :
Bro said IDGAF, I’m making money and that my friends is Chinese authenticity
2026-08-30 20:07:19
2748
sarcasticmathmom
Sarcastic Math Mom :
This wonderful family has donated $400 million to US healthcare charities. They are wonderful American business owners!
2026-08-31 00:02:31
655
xxhixx885
XxHiXx88 :
its good
2026-10-27 03:43:49
0
ajwestlake
AJ :
Chinese American food is Chinese food in the same way Tex Mex is Mexican food. It’s just different, and that’s ok!
2026-08-30 21:38:25
694
nubianbotanical
Vee :
He’s not offended bc he’s paid lol
2026-08-30 22:08:21
843
angiek7373
Angie K :
I take no offense at all
2026-08-31 01:50:08
61
shaunzie86
Shaun :
One of the few places that gives me fair portions and fresh ingredients.
2026-09-01 00:37:22
93
tksteahouse
Tk’s Teahouse :
they also donate a lot of money to charity I don’t mind supporting them
2026-10-26 12:19:13
1
dizzie56
octavian :
its quick, easy and relatively cheap. and no matter where I go, the orange chicken and fried rice bowl tastes the exact same. keep it movin.
2026-08-30 22:12:07
291
followingyou202
Followingyou :
It’s like saying McDonald’s is real American food.
2026-08-30 23:19:11
81
d0ntbringmedown7
D0ntbringmedown :
that walnut shrimp is good enough for me sir. Keep on with your business 🥰
2026-10-25 17:15:21
0
go.for.roger
go.for.roger :
I guarantee you the people that actually complain about inauthentic Chinese food would definitely not like authentic Chinese food. they'll be thinking twice about cracking that steamed duck egg
2026-08-30 23:51:56
13
chuy5396
M817T5396 :
This is like asking the Taco Bell CEO and saying it’s not authentic Mexican, they don’t GAF 😂. It’s sells!
2026-08-30 20:58:42
85
princess_lalaa
IG: @Princess_Lalaa :
The majority of food we get from Chinese restaurants aren’t authentic Chinese food; they’re Americanized versions. What I get from Jade’s Garden is COMPLETELY different than what I’ve gotten from Chinatown in NYC and Boston
2026-08-31 00:53:03
111
luisssgo
Luis :
He’s a capitalist, in other words he doesn’t care 😂
2026-08-31 02:55:45
26
petert33tiktok
Peter :
People who think panda is Chinese food never had real Chinese food 😂
2026-08-30 22:47:02
10
limblesssphinx
Limblesssphinx :
I dont care just put one in my home town pls
2026-08-30 19:08:06
117
mike.mm88
Mike :
it ain't authentic but it tastes good and pretty decent prices, who cares
2026-08-31 03:10:10
18
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