Panda Express has always been known for putting an American spin on traditional Chinese dishes and now the chain is taking on another cross-cultural entree with its own rendition of General Tso's Chicken.
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese-American dish that originated in the US back in the 1970s. Panda Express' version of the dish consists of hunks of fried chicken meat tossed in a wok with a sauce that is sweet, spicy and tangy in flavor. The chicken is also accompanied by a medley of vegetables, which includes green beans, bell peppers and onions.
Much like its orange chicken and broccoli beef, Panda Express' General Tso's Chicken takes authentic Chinese flavors and translates them into a dish that appeal to American taste preferences.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Cross-cultural Cuisine
- Opportunity for restaurants to create fusion dishes that mix authentic flavors with familiar ingredients.
- Localization of International Cuisine
- Opportunity for ethnic restaurants to adapt traditional dishes to better suit local preferences.
- Interpretation of Popular Dishes
- Opportunity for restaurants to put their own twist on dishes that are already familiar to customers.
Where This Applies
- Restaurant Industry
- Restaurants can use these trends to differentiate their menus and appeal to new customers.
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Experimentation with cross-cultural cuisine and localization can lead to new product lines and revenue streams.
- Fast Food Industry
- More fast food chains are incorporating international dishes into their menus to attract a wider range of customers.
