With Korean flavors gaining popularity, Panda Express will roll out a Kobari Beef dish to its restaurants across the country on Sept. 22.
The new dish includes slices of marinated beef tossed with wok-seared mushrooms, leeks, onions and red bell peppers and topped with a "Kobari sauce" designed to evoke the sweet, smoky and spicy flavors of Korean barbecue.
Though Panda Express’s menu has ventured outside the flavors of China, the Kobari Beef is the first Korean-style dish served by the 1,300-unit quick-service chain.
“We want to share the unique flavors of Asian-style barbecue and are excited to bring a first-of-its-kind flavor profile to our guests at Panda Express,” Andy Kao, the chain’s executive chef, said in a statement. “Guests are in for a bold new experience.”
Priced at a recommended $2.90 for a single and $8.90 for a large a la carte serving, the Kobari Beef will roll out as a limited-time offer, replacing the Thai Cashew Chicken introduced during the third quarter.
The launch will be supported by new commercials featuring talking panda bears Eddie and Tom-Tom. In addition, the company has declared Sept. 29 “Free Kobari Beef Day,” and Facebook friends can receive a coupon for a free serving.
Thien Ho, a spokeswoman for Panda Express parent Panda Restaurant Group, based in Rosemead, Calif., said the new beef dish has tested well in various regions and has a good chance of being added to the core menu.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
