Panda Express Cub Meal Calories — Complete Breakdown (2026)
Updated March 2026 · 5 min read · Data from official Panda Express nutrition information
Quick Answer
A complete Panda Express Cub Meal (cub-sized side + entree + apple crisps + bottled water) ranges from 300 to 580 calories. The Broccoli Beef Cub Meal is the lightest at 300 calories. The Orange Chicken Cub Meal is the most calorie-dense at 580 calories.
What Comes in a Panda Express Cub Meal?
A Cub Meal is Panda Express's kids meal. It includes:
- · 1 cub-sized side (chow mein, fried rice, white steamed rice, super greens, or chow fun)
- · 1 cub-sized entree (your choice from available options)
- · Apple crisps (~25 calories)
- · Bottled water (0 calories)
Cub portions are about 30–40% smaller than adult servings. An adult Orange Chicken serving is 5.92 oz; the cub version is 4.44 oz. Same with sides — adult Chow Mein is 11 oz, cub is 8.25 oz.
The 3 Standard Cub Meals — Full Nutrition
Panda Express lists three pre-configured Cub Meals with full nutrition info:
Orange Chicken Cub Meal
White steamed rice + super greens + orange chicken + apple crisps + water
580
calories
22g
protein
84g
carbs
5g
fiber
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Cub Meal
Chow mein + super greens + grilled teriyaki chicken + apple crisps + water
400
calories
28g
protein
36g
carbs
5g
fiber
Broccoli Beef Cub Meal
White steamed rice + super greens + broccoli beef + apple crisps + water
300
calories
11g
protein
49g
carbs
6g
fiber
Cub-Sized Side Calories
| Side (Cub Size) | Oz | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Greens | 7.5 oz | 90 | 6g |
| Chow Fun | 6.2 oz | 300 | 6g |
| White Steamed Rice | 8.25 oz | 390 | 8g |
| Chow Mein | 8.25 oz | 440 | 11g |
| Fried Rice | 8.25 oz | 466 | 9g |
Cub-Sized Entree Calories
| Entree (Cub Size) | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Super Greens (entree) | 60 | 4g |
| Broccoli Beef | 110 | 11g |
| Black Pepper Sirloin Steak | 130 | 14g |
| Potato Chicken | 140 | 6g |
| Wok-Fired Shrimp | 140 | 13g |
| String Bean Chicken Breast | 160 | 9g |
| Mushroom Chicken | 170 | 10g |
| Black Pepper Chicken | 200 | 10g |
| Grilled Teriyaki Chicken | 210 | 25g |
| Kung Pao Chicken | 220 | 12g |
| Honey Sesame Chicken Breast | 250 | 12g |
| Teriyaki Chicken | 250 | 31g |
| Honey Walnut Shrimp | 240 | 7g |
| Beijing Beef | 360 | 11g |
| Hot Orange Chicken | 415 | 13g |
| Orange Chicken | 380 | 14g |
Ordering Tips for Parents
• White Steamed Rice has zero sodium and zero fat — it's the cleanest side option for kids.
• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken is one of the few items that isn't fried. Lower in sodium too (350mg for the cub portion).
• Orange Chicken is the most popular but has 15g of sugar in the cub portion — the sweet sauce is the main driver.
• The included apple crisps add about 25 calories and are a better option than a kids' fountain drink, which adds 140–160 calories.
• If your kid is picky, Mushroom Chicken (170 cal, 10g protein) is a milder option that most kids enjoy.
Build Your Child's Meal
Our Cub Meal calculator shows exact nutrition for any combination — so you know exactly what your kids are eating.
Free Cub Meal Calculator →Common Questions
How many calories are in a Panda Express Cub Meal?
A complete Panda Express Cub Meal (cub-sized side + cub-sized entree + apple crisps + bottled water) ranges from 300 to 580 calories, depending on your choices. The Broccoli Beef Cub Meal is the lightest at 300 calories; the Orange Chicken Cub Meal is 580 calories.
What is the healthiest Panda Express Cub Meal?
The Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Cub Meal (chow mein + super greens + grilled teriyaki chicken) comes in at 400 calories with 28 grams of protein. For the lowest calories overall, the Broccoli Beef Cub Meal is only 300 calories with 6g of fiber.
Does the Cub Meal come with a drink?
Yes. The standard Panda Express Cub Meal includes a bottled water, which adds zero calories. Some locations may offer a kids-sized fountain drink as an option — check with your local location.
How big are cub-sized portions?
Cub-sized portions are roughly 30–40% smaller than a standard adult serving. For example, cub-sized white steamed rice is 8.25 oz versus 11 oz for the adult serving, and cub orange chicken is 4.44 oz versus 5.92 oz.
Can I customize a Panda Express Cub Meal?
Yes. At most locations you can choose any available side and entree in cub-sized portions. Use our free Cub Meal calculator to build your child's meal and see exact nutrition numbers before you order.