Did Panda Express Discontinue Honey Walnut Shrimp? Examining The Fate of This Sweet and Savory Menu Item

Honey Walnut Shrimp has long been one of the most beloved menu items at Panda Express. The crispy, sweet shrimp bathed in a rich honey sauce and topped with crunchy walnuts has garnered a cult following among fans of American Chinese food. So when rumblings emerged that Panda Express was discontinuing the dish, it prompted distress and disbelief across social media.

In this article, we’ll explore the evidence surrounding whether Honey Walnut Shrimp has really left the Panda Express menu for good. We’ll examine customer reports, potential business factors, and clues from Panda Express itself to unravel the mystery of what happened to this iconic menu offering.

The Rumors Begin Swirling

In mid-2022, customers of Panda Express began reporting on social media and review sites that their local outlets had stopped serving Honey Walnut Shrimp. Reddit and Twitter posts described being informed by employees that the item had been discontinued nationwide.

Some Panda Express fans reacted with shock and disappointment at the thought of losing this menu staple. “No way, it’s one of their best dishes!” said one incredulous Redditor. The rumors fed fears that the pricey but popular shrimp dish was being eliminated as a cost-cutting measure.

With no official announcement or statement from Panda Express at the time, speculation mounted over whether Honey Walnut Shrimp was gone for good from locations across the country

Examining Potential Factors Behind the Discontinuation

While Panda Express remained silent about Honey Walnut Shrimp’s status on their menus, examining some key factors provides insight into why it may have been discontinued:

Ingredient costs – As a seafood menu item, Honey Walnut Shrimp comes with higher ingredient costs compared to chicken and beef dishes. With inflation impacting food costs, discontinuing a pricier menu item may have been viewed as an opportunity to reduce expenses.

Availability issues – Supply chain disruptions over the last couple years have caused ingredients like shrimp to have unstable availability. If keeping the dish in stock became difficult, removing it from the menu may have been necessary.

Low popularity – Though it has a devoted following, Honey Walnut Shrimp may not have been a top-selling menu item nationally. Panda Express could have chosen to ax a lower volume dish.

Menu simplification – Reducing menu complexity can benefit restaurant chains. Eliminating their least efficient or complex dishes to streamline operations may have been a factor.

While not definitive, these potential business drivers lend credence to the rumors of Honey Walnut Shrimp disappearing from Panda Express.

Scouring Panda Express Locations for Answers

With the company staying mum on the matter, Panda Express fans took it upon themselves to investigate the state of Honey Walnut Shrimp by directly contacting local restaurants.

Some reported being told by employees that the dish was discontinued nationwide and that locations were no longer able to order the ingredients to prepare it. But others shared experiences of locations still serving the shrimp dish as usual, creating confusion over whether its demise was consistent across all stores.

A few sleuths even asked Panda Express employees to check their internal systems for availability. While most stated the item was removed, some were able to find it still listed as active in their ordering system, though likely out of stock.

So while these location-specific reports were inconsistent, they did seem to corroborate rumors that Honey Walnut Shrimp had been taken off menus in at least some regions.

Panda Express Breaks Its Silence

After weeks of speculation while avoiding addressing Honey Walnut Shrimp’s status directly, Panda Express finally made an official statement on the situation to media in July 2022.

While not currently available nationwide due to supply constraints, Panda Express asserted that Honey Walnut Shrimp had not been permanently discontinued. The company indicated they hoped to reinstate the dish on menus once inventory issues were resolved, confirming its eventual return.

Panda Express also noted Honey Walnut Shrimp was still available in some markets based on supply, aligning with the mixed in-store reports customers encountered of its availability.

For devotees of the sweet shrimp dish, Panda Express’ statement came as a relief. While frustrating that it remained unavailable nationally, its eventual reintroduction seemed likely based on the company’s comments.

Tracking the Return of Honey Walnut Shrimp

Since Panda Express indicated Honey Walnut Shrimp’s removal was temporary, fans have kept watch for its return to restaurant locations. Some took to Reddit when they spotted the dish back on menus in their regions by late 2022, suggesting Panda Express had overcome supply challenges in certain areas.

Some eagle-eyed customers also noticed Honey Walnut Shrimp featured in Panda Express marketing materials again, hinting at its renewed nationwide availability. Still, the menu item remains absent from many restaurant locations at the time of this article’s writing based on customer reports.

For diehard lovers of Honey Walnut Shrimp, keeping an eye out for its availability at local Panda Express outlets is advised. While intermittent shortages may continue, Panda Express’ statements indicate the dish’s eventual return as supply chain issues ease over time.

What the Future Holds for Honey Walnut Shrimp

While Honey Walnut Shrimp’s disappearance from menus gave Panda Express fans a scare in 2022, the company’s statements have provided reassurance that this menu staple isn’t gone permanently.

However, its availability may continue to fluctuate in the near term if supply chain hiccups persist. Once conditions stabilize, Panda Express will hopefully reinstate Honey Walnut Shrimp across all locations to the delight of its enthusiasts.

Beyond supply factors, it remains to be seen if the dish will maintain sales volumes to justify keeping its position on menus once back in stock. Panda Express could evaluate customer demand before deciding whether to restore Honey Walnut Shrimp long-term.

Regardless of uncertainties looking ahead, Panda Express asserting Honey Walnut Shrimp will return once more gives hope that devotees will again be able to enjoy its sweet honey glaze and nutty crunch. Even with potential future availability fluctuations, this classic menu item appears poised to tantalize taste buds for years to come.