New Cantonese BBQ Brisket Coming to Universal CityWalk Orlando (and Nationwide) This Summer
The Panda Express Cantonese BBQ Brisket is coming to Universal CityWalk Orlando and nationwide. Guests can enjoy this high-protein American Chinese BBQ mashup starting June 2.
Theme park foodies and barbecue lovers, we have some news. A new culinary mashup is heading to Universal Orlando Resort just in time for the summer rush. If you are planning a walk down the neon-lit paths of Universal CityWalk Orlando and looking for a quick, high-protein meal to fuel your coaster marathons, you will want to make a pit stop at the CityWalk Panda Express location.
Panda Express has officially announced its first-ever brisket offering: Cantonese BBQ Brisket. This limited-time dish combines the smoky, rich soul of American stateside brisket with the high-heat, flame-seared world of traditional Cantonese char siu flavors.
Available nationwide from June 2 through August 10, 2026 (or while supplies last), this innovative premium dish is being heralded as the ultimate “East meets West” summer menu item. Because it is intentionally prepared without any vegetable fillers, it clocks in as Panda Express’ highest protein dish to date, offering 44 grams of protein per serving.
Craftsmanship Meets Theme Park Convenience
Whether you are heading into Universal Studios Florida, checking out Universal Islands of Adventure, or wrapping up a long day at the parks, the Universal CityWalk Orlando Panda Express is an incredibly popular spot for a fast and satisfying meal. The addition of a premium, all-meat option adds a deluxe upgrade to the venue’s usual lineup.
According to the official announcement, years of culinary innovation went into perfecting the balance of texture and flavor for this launch. The dish utilizes both the point and the flat of the brisket, ensuring every serving features a perfect mix of rich, marbled pieces and lean, tender slices.
Panda Express Press Release
The full details of the rollout are detailed in the official press release below:
“Cantonese BBQ Brisket is the most ‘American Chinese’ dish we’ve ever made,” said Chef Jimmy Wang, Executive Director of Culinary Innovation at Panda Express. “We’ve taken the spirit of American BBQ and fused it with Cantonese flavor, slow-cooked to achieve that signature tenderness before flame-searing it in a char siu-inspired sauce. It’s all built around the soul of BBQ: the bark, the tenderness, the smoky finish. If you really want to taste what makes this brisket special, I’d pair it with a side of our white steamed rice.”
Craftsmanship in Every Bite
True to the spirit of the best BBQ traditions, Cantonese BBQ Brisket prioritizes quality and craftsmanship. The brisket is slow-cooked to achieve the signature melt-in-your-mouth tenderness before being hand-cut into thick, bite-sized portions. For the final touch, the brisket is flame-seared in an original char siu-style glaze for the perfect smoky, sweet and savory flavor.
- The cut: All the best bits of BBQ are on the plate. Panda Express uses both parts of the brisket – the point and the flat – serving a mix of rich, fatty marbled pieces from the point and lean, tender slices from the flat in every bite.
- The flavor: Nostalgic sweet, tangy notes of BBQ pair with aromatic Chinese spices to deliver a rich, umami-packed flavor. The sauce is made with soy sauce, spicy fermented soybean paste, mirin and sesame oil to round out the deep savory profile.
- The quality: In this dish, brisket is king. Intentionally prepared without vegetables, the dish allows the premium protein to remain the undisputed star. This “all meat, no fluff” approach ensures a high-value, deluxe meal for serious protein enthusiasts.
- The inspiration: Inspired by the flavors of char siu, a Cantonese BBQ dish originating in the Guangdong region, the entrée delivers on the sweet-savory flavor synonymous with authentic Chinese barbecue, reimagined through Panda’s all-new Char Siu-style BBQ sauce and brought to life with premium beef brisket in a way only Panda could.
Start summer off right, no grill required. Whether you’re a BBQ traditionalist chasing the perfect burnt end or an adventurous eater looking for your next obsession, this dish is made for those who refuse to settle for the standard. Cantonese BBQ Brisket will be available at all restaurants starting June 2.
Plan Your Next CityWalk Food Run
If you want to skip the typical burgers and fries on your next park visit, keep this limited-time offer in mind. Following Chef Jimmy Wang’s expert advice, consider ordering yours with a side of white steamed rice to let the savory, sweet, and umami profile of the char siu glaze truly stand out.
Be sure to grab a bite of this premium protein play on your next trek through Universal CityWalk Orlando (or your local Panda Express) before it leaves the menu on August 10. Visit pandaexpress.com to find your nearest Panda Express.
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
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