Is the Sizzling Shrimp at Panda Express Spicy?

Panda Express recently added a new limited time Sizzling Shrimp entree to their menu. The dish features shrimp vegetables and a savory sauce all wok-tossed together. In their advertising and on the menu, Panda Express describes this as a “spicy” offering. But just how spicy is the Sizzling Shrimp at Panda Express? I tried out an order to get a first-hand taste.

As a big fan of spicy food, I was excited to see Panda Express offer something billed as spicy. The fast casual chain is known for tasty Chinese-American classics like orange chicken and honey walnut shrimp. But most of their food tends to be on the mild side when it comes to heat levels.

Sizzling Shrimp Review

I ordered a single serving of the Sizzling Shrimp with fried rice and an egg roll on the side. The shrimp are a good size – not jumbo but bigger than a popcorn shrimp. They are tender but not rubbery with a mild ocean flavor. The veg medley contains broccoli, red bell peppers, onions, and water chestnuts. Everything is coated in a glossy, tangy sauce that provides nice flavor.

In terms of spiciness though, the Sizzling Shrimp on its own did not live up to the name. I would rate it as very mild, detecting just the slightest tingle of chili pepper heat. The flavor and sauce give it a good zing, but not enough to satisfy spice lovers.

Adding Chili Sauce Kicks Up the Heat

Luckily, Panda Express offers chili sauce packets to kick up any dish. I recommend asking for extra of these when ordering the Sizzling Shrimp. The chili sauce has a thinner consistency closer to a hot sauce. It provides a solid punch of spicy flavor that I would rate as a medium heat level.

Adding several packets of the chili sauce to the shrimp elevated it to a nice spicy dish. The chili sauce complements the Sizzling Shrimp well, merging its vinegar tartness and sriracha-like heat with the sweeter glaze on the shrimp. This combination really satisfied my craving for a spicy meal from Panda Express.

Other Opinions on the Spiciness

Reviewing spicy food is subjective so I checked around for other opinions on the Sizzling Shrimp’s heat level. On Reddit, most agreed the dish is mild without the chili sauce. Many appreciated the flavor but were disappointed it wasn’t very spicy on its own.

A few redditors did find it spicier than expected though, rating it a solid medium. Some theorized that location and who is preparing it in each restaurant may account for differences in spiciness. Several people also suggested trying it with the Mandarin Chili Sauce instead of the regular chili sauce for maximum heat.

Is Sizzling Shrimp Worth Ordering?

Though it may not reach the levels of heat that extreme chiliheads crave, the new Sizzling Shrimp at Panda Express is a tasty dish. The shrimp and vegetables are high quality with an appetizing sauce. Adding liberal amounts of the chili sauce can provide a satisfying spicy kick too.

I would recommend spicy food fans give it a try, but go in expecting a mild level of heat before the chili sauce. The dish makes a nice change from the usual chicken and beef entrees at Panda Express. It provides a lighter option packed with plump shrimp and fresh vegetables.

Just be sure to grab a handful of those chili sauce packets to spice it up. The regular chili sauce really complements the sweeter glaze and brings an enjoyable heat that lives up to the “Sizzling” name.

Tips for the Spiciest Experience

Here are my top tips to maximize the heat when dining on Panda Express Sizzling Shrimp:

• Request extra chili sauce packets with your order and use liberally. The chili sauce adds a medium spice level to balance the mild heat of the shrimp.

• For even more kick, ask for Mandarin Chili Sauce instead of regular chili sauce. Mandarin has a hotter pepper blend.

• Add a few dashes of the vinegar-based hot mustard sauce for a strong zing.

• Use one packet of chili oil in the entree for an extra oily, lingering burn.

• For three levels of spicy flavor, combine the chili sauce, chili oil, and hot mustard.

• Order the dish spicy by requesting it be prepared “extra spicy”. Its heat can vary depending on who is cooking.

• Avoid dousing the shrimp in sweet sauces like plum or sweet fire chicken. Those will counteract the spicy impact.

The Last Word

Panda Express’ new Sizzling Shrimp is a tasty limited time offering. But on its own, it is fairly mild in terms of heat despite the spicy branding. Adding the chili sauce kicks up the dish to a satisfying medium spice level for those craving some burn. Overall it provides a flavorful alternative loaded with shrimp and veggies, especially when amped up with chili sauce. Just don’t expect it to be extremely hot straight out of the wok. With the right sauces though, you can give this special a nice sizzle.