panda chinese spare ribs

This post brought to you by Panda Express. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.

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So as you know, Panda Express has launched a menu item that marries together my two favorite types of cuisine: Chinese food and barbecue. The Panda Express Chinese Spare Ribs are only available for a limited time, which obviously meant that I needed to go try them out RIGHTTHISVERYSECOND. I gathered my crew for the earliest possible time we could all get together (5-year-olds can have surprisingly busy schedules, you know) and we made our way over.

When we arrived at Panda Express, we realized that we were not the only ones “in the know” about this totally awesome new menu item. There were 7 people in line ahead of us! Then I looked over at the “online order” pickup area…just one incredible smart individual stood there, picking up his order (which was no doubt full of those Chinese Spare Ribs). Learn from my mistake, friends, and Order Online the next time you want to go to Panda Express. Even if you want to dine in, it will save you some time and ensure that you don’t have to watch 4 of the 7 people in front of you order exactly what you want and break out into a sweat, fearful that your culinary dreams will not be fulfilled.

I may have REALLY wanted to try those ribs. Just sayin’.

But there was no cause for concern, as Panda Express had anticipated the mad rush of people who would fall in love with this item. They had plenty of Chinese Spare Ribs on hand, and I got to place my order. It took some serious restraint to photograph them before eating them, as they smelled just as good as they looked.

The flavors were totally awesome (it’s a marinade of sesame oil, mirin, red chil bean paste, garlic and red peppers) and the meat was very tender, thanks to the 5 hour slow-cooking process.

Tim ordered the Chinese Spare Ribs, too, because OBVIOUSLY that is the item that cannot be denied on the menu right now! We got teriyaki chicken for the girls, and they liked it, but very quickly started asking to try the Chinese Spare Ribs, which honestly surprised me. And of course, they liked it, too! Even Nathan from WannaBite.com has great things to say about these yummy ribs!

If you want to find out more about Panda Express dishes, visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And don’t forget to check out their Pinterest page for some great DIY ideas!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $25 gift card to Panda Express so that you can treat your family to some seriously yummy food! To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me why you are excited to try out the new Panda Express Chinese Spare Ribs. Good luck! The contest ends at 11:59pm ET on April 22nd. A winner will be drawn from eligible entries (don’t forget to leave your email address so you can be contacted!). Open to residents of the United States 18 and over. Limit one entrant per household, please. Stuff Parents Need is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

This post brought to you by Panda Express. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.

As someone who spent 10 years of her life in Memphis, Tennessee, home of the best barbecue on the planet (#sorrynotsorry North Carolina, Texas and Kansas City), I consider myself to be a bit of a barbecue snob. When I find a good barbecue joint, I become very loyal to that location (I have found one and only one barbecue establishment that’s up to snuff here in Chattanooga, so far).

I also am extremely partial to Chinese food. It is my go-to comfort food of choice and my very favorite take out option. I would pick it over pizza any day of the week!

So what do these two things have in common? Panda Express! Everyone’s favorite quick-serve Chinese food restaurant has just launched, for a limited time only, Panda’s Chinese Spare Ribs! undefined

Panda Express may be a restaurant where you can get your food quickly, but that doesn’t mean the ribs were cooked fast. Instead, these Chinese Spare Ribs are slow cooked for 5 hours, which is exactly how you need to do it for ribs, friends. You want that meat to pretty much fall off the bones. So the cooking style sounds right to me, and the marinade sounds out-of-control AWESOME! Sesame oil, mirin, red chili bean past, garlic and red peppers all join forces to make a sweet and spicy sauce that will set those ribs free!

So obviously I am headed to Panda Express ASAP to try these ribs. You probably don’t need an excuse to get yourself to your nearest location, either, but just in case you do, think about which friend of yours has a birthday coming up. This will be the perfect birthday treat! A trip to Panda Express for the Chinese Spare Ribs could also be in order for Father’s Day or upcoming graduations. You can even place your Order Online if you want to be super efficient or pick up an amazing meal to go.

I can’t wait to try out this crazy awesome marriage between my two favorite types of cuisine. I’ll be letting you know exactly what I think. Bring your A game, Panda Express. I’m certainly bringing mine! And also perhaps a bib…

If you want to learn more about Panda Express dishes, visit the Panda Express Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites! And for some yummy DIY ideas, head to the Panda Pinterest page!

Panda Express Chinese Spare Ribs: My Thoughts After Trying This New Menu Item (Giveaway!)

My Two Favorite Cuisines Joined Forces and I Am In Panda Express Heaven!!!!