Samyang Foods’ popular Buldak brand’s ‘Buldak Sauce’ is partnering with the largest Asian fast-food chain in the United States, Panda Express®, to make a significant impact on the global dining scene, leveraging its strong recognition within the U.S. market.
This collaboration has launched a new menu item called Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken, which features crispy seasoned chicken, red bell peppers, and onions stir-fried in a wok, finished with Buldak’s signature sauce. The dish is currently considered one of the spiciest offerings ever introduced by Panda Express.
The ‘Buldak Special Sauce’ used for this dish was painstakingly developed through joint efforts between the Buldak brand and Panda Express. It boasts a bold, fiery heat balanced by the sweet and tangy flavors of Cantonese-style sweet and sour sauce, creating a unique flavor profile that is both intensely spicy and delightfully sweet and sour. The ‘Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken’ will be available for a limited time at select Panda Express locations across ten U.S. cities until October 7.
This project demonstrates the extensive recognition and strong brand preference that the Buldak brand has gained in the U.S., as well as its influence and value recognized by leading local dining brands. Building on this collaboration, Samyang Foods plans to accelerate its global expansion strategy, targeting spicy food enthusiasts not only in North America but worldwide.
A Panda Express spokesperson said, “The legendary spiciness of Buldak Sauce has created a new hit menu for Panda Express,” adding, “We expect younger generations and spicy food lovers to be thrilled by the bold, explosive flavor of the Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken.”
A representative from Samyang Foods stated, “Under the shared value that food is a universal language bringing the world together, this collaboration has been driven by our commitment to innovative recipes, creative spirit, deep cultural respect, and a special spicy flavor,” and expressed confidence that, “through this partnership, we will be able to get even closer to consumers around the world.”
Founded in California in 1983, Panda Express now operates over 2,500 stores, establishing itself as the largest American Asian dining brand. Known for flagship dishes like ‘The Original Orange Chicken®’ and ‘Honey Walnut Shrimp,’ the chain has played a key role in popularizing American Chinese cuisine and continues to lead the culinary trend with a variety of menus inspired by authentic Chinese flavors.
