Panda Express and Its Empire of Orange Chicken | Eater

"An icon of the American mall food court since its founding at the Glendale Galleria just outside Los Angeles in 1983, this fast-casual chain has grown to more than 2,300 locations. Its signature sticky-sweet orange chicken—sold at a scale of over 110 million pounds a year—is built around a sauce made from a thickening starch, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, water, vinegar, and natural orange extract; the chicken is fried twice, tossed in a wok with the sauce, and finished with sesame oil for aroma and shine. The dish draws inspiration from the founders’ home region of Yangzhou, where sweet-and-sour flavor profiles are common, and the menu also features other popular items such as black pepper Angus steak and kung pao chicken." - Avery Dalal