# Crispy Asian Chicken Snacks Panda Express Tests Taiwanese POPCORN CHICKEN By Grace Mahas | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-09-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taiwanese-popcorn-chicken-trend References: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdFWUpcM0-i/)  [Panda Express](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-citrus-chicken) is testing Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, a [crispy new menu item](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-chicken-strips-menu) inspired by the popular Taiwanese street food. Bite-sized pieces of chicken are coated in a crunchy breading, seasoned with a kick of spice and served alongside fried kale. A Chili Crisp Aioli dipping sauce adds another layer of heat and richness, while large a la carte orders come packaged in a playful popcorn-style bucket. The limited test is currently running at select Panda Express locations in Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Reno and Phoenix. The launch gives the chain a more snackable, street food-inspired alternative to staples like Orange Chicken while tapping into growing U.S. interest in Taiwanese flavors and [chili crisp](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mala-chicken). If the regional test performs well, the dish could give Panda Express another globally inspired menu item with strong shareable appeal. Image Credit: Image courtesy of @snackolator ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 25% | Freshness: 89% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Taiwanese Street Food:** Rising interest in regional Asian snacks creates white space for mainstream chains to translate authentic street-market flavors into accessible limited-time menu items. - **Snackable Chicken Formats:** Bite-sized crispy proteins are reshaping quick-service menus by blending portability, shareability and indulgence into flexible meal or snack occasions. - **Chili Crisp Fusion:** The popularity of chili crisp supports new flavor systems that combine heat, texture and richness across dipping sauces, coatings and branded condiments. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Quick-service Restaurants:** Major chains can differentiate crowded menus through globally inspired test items that balance familiar formats with emerging international flavor cues. - **Packaged Sauces:** Condiment brands have an opening to extend chili crisp-style products into creamy dips, meal kits and co-branded restaurant sauces. - **Poultry Processing:** Demand for premium bite-sized chicken snacks may encourage new breading, seasoning and portioning formats tailored for fast-casual and retail channels. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Asian Cuisine-Inspired Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panda-express-and-comparts.md) - [Savory Corn Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crunch-corn.md) - [Globally Inspired Plant-Based Popcorn](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popcornaa.md) - [Saucy Asian Cuisine Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laoban-and-bachans.md) - [Extra-Spicy Ramen Chicken Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dynamite-sweet-sour-chicken.md) - [Thai-Style Popcorn Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/party-of-popcorn.md) - [Sweet Heat Tex-Mex Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-chipotle-lime-crispy-chicken.md) - [Chinese Cuisine Mashup Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-sesame-shrimp-beef.md) - [Popular Chicken Menu Relaunches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popcorn-chickens.md)