Panda Express Began With This Legendary Chinese-American Restaurant

Bon Appétit spends a day on the line with Executive Chef Aiguo Yang at Panda Inn, the legendary California restaurant chain that inspired Panda Express. Founded 50 years ago in Pasadena by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, Panda Inn helped define Chinese-American cuisine with iconic dishes like Orange Chicken and Panda Beef. Today, Chef Yang continues that legacy across the restaurant’s four California locations, blending tradition, technique, and the flavors that sparked a nationwide dining phenomenon. Director: Maria Paz Mendes Hodes Director of Photography: AJ Young Editor: Maggie Mei Lin Talent: Aiguo Yang Senior Creative Producer: Mel Ibarra Line Producer: Jamie Rasmussen Associate Producer: Oadhan Lynch Production Manager: Janine Dispensa Production Coordinator: Jeanne Tirro Camera Operator: Mike Maliwanag Assistant Camera: Seth Craven Sound Recordist: Justin Fox Production Assistant: Lauren Boucher; Hollie Oritz Translator: Casey Dong Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Santamaria Director, Post Production: Nicholas Ascanio Supervising Editor: Brandon Henninger Additional Editor: Rachel Kim Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds Director of Content; Production: Ali Inglese Senior Director; Creative Development: Dan Siegel Senior Director; Programming : Jon Wise VP; Head of Video: June Kim