The neon sign flickered as afternoon shadows stretched across South Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. What customers expect—the familiar comfort of steam tables and orange chicken—has morphed into something gloriously unexpected: a 7-foot takeout box humming with karaoke energy and the scent of American Chinese cuisine.
This is “Pandaoke,” Panda Express’ latest cultural fusion experiment touring four U.S. cities this May and June. Part of their “Have You Eaten Yet?” campaign, it transforms the simple act of grabbing takeout into a 30-second musical performance inside a giant white box emblazoned with the iconic red logo—a concept that somehow makes perfect sense after your second helping of honey walnut shrimp.
The Sound of Comfort Food
“At Panda, we often ask a simple yet meaningful question: ‘Have you eaten yet?’—a phrase that expresses care in many cultures,” explains Andrea Cherng, Chief Brand Officer and daughter of founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng. The question feels like something your grandmother might ask before unleashing a feast that could feed your entire neighborhood.
A family of four squeezes into the booth, giggling as they scroll through the curated playlist. Their selection—a pop hit blasting from passing cars all week—transforms into something more intimate inside that cardboard cathedral. Their voices crack on the high notes. None of them hit the key change. It’s perfect.
The genius of Pandaoke lies in its accessibility—no liquid courage required, just 30 seconds of your time and an email address to receive your performance recording. Some opportunities you don’t realize you need until they present themselves: singing inside a giant takeout container certainly qualifies.
Cultural Harmony on the Menu
After Los Angeles (May 9-11), the tour hits Nashville (May 23-25), where hot chicken meets hot karaoke in a cultural mash-up as satisfying as sweet and spicy. Chicago’s event (May 30-June 1) brings deep-dish energy to the Addison Street location, while Austin’s vibrant food truck scene gets a stationary competitor when Pandaoke arrives on Airport Boulevard (June 6-8). Each location operates its karaoke booths from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., making lunchtime power ballads a very real possibility.
There’s something beautifully resonant about celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month through the twin universal languages of food and music. In both cases, the magic happens when traditions blend—a Chinese-American dish created specifically for American palates, a pop song belted out by someone who doesn’t speak the language but feels every note.
Those who purchase a Family Meal during event dates receive a “Pandaoke Kit” with a mini karaoke machine—while supplies last, of course. The thought of family road trips now featuring backseat renditions of hits performed by passengers hopped up on chow mein and fortune cookies feels both terrifying and oddly heartwarming.
This is exactly the point of Pandaoke: food, music, and maybe some fantastic cocktails, creating moments that transcend the ordinary. The honey walnut shrimp might be delicious, but the memory of singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” inside a giant takeout box will last considerably longer than the leftovers. Though to be fair, both are pretty satisfying.
