We’re officially entering the season where we follow the “Elf” diet: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and maple syrup. Throw a few Christmas cookies in there and you’ve got an inside look at our holiday plans.
When it comes to the holiday season, there can never be enough treats to try. We’re, of course, going to buy our favorites, like Pillsbury’s shape cookies or Reese’s trees, but there’s always room for a new holiday staple to join our Christmas wishlist—or, better yet, our loved ones’ wishlists.
If you weren’t able to snag one of Hershey’s ultra-exclusive Dubai chocolate-inspired bars for someone on your holiday list, there’s another new chocolate bar that will make the perfect gift for the fast food lover in your life.
That’s right, there’s a new candy collab that combines the flavors of fast food, specifically Panda Express, with decadent chocolate. Panda Express and chocolatier Compartés are releasing four chocolate bars inspired by iconic Panda Express dishes.
Panda Express and Compartés Debut New Chocolate Bars
Panda Express
We’ll admit, when we learned about this collab, our jaws hit the floor. But, upon a closer look, Panda Express chocolate isn’t as strange as it sounds.
Compartés has used the flavors of some of Panda Express’ most famed dishes, including the orange chicken, honey walnut shrimp, Kung Pao chicken, and fortune cookie, to inspire its chocolate bars. But, don’t worry, there’s no chicken or shrimp in the actual candy.
The Original Orange Bar is a milk chocolate bar filled with crispy rice, orange flavor, and spicy chili flakes. The Kung Pao Bar delivers heat with dried chili peppers, peanuts, and sea salt in dark chocolate. The Honey Walnut Bar has walnut and honeycomb pieces encapsulated in honey-flavored white chocolate. Lastly, the Fortune Cookie Bar features real pieces of Panda Express fortune cookies in white chocolate.
The Compartés x Panda Express chocolate bars are available to purchase now on Compartés’ site, where they’re sold individually for $11.95 each or in a gift set, which includes all four candy bars for $49.95. Additionally, on Dec. 5, at participating locations, customers who buy a two-item plate at Panda Express will receive a free Compartés Fortune Cookie bar with their meal.
Still skeptical? I tried the new Panda Express Compartés chocolate bars early, and here is my honest review.
My Honest Review of the Panda Express and Compartés Chocolate Bars
I was, of course, skeptical of a Panda Express chocolate collaboration, too, but Compartés’ artisan chocolate is so delicious that I knew the brand wouldn’t slap its name on something that was bad—and I was right.
First things first, the packaging is adorable and solidifies that the gift set would make a perfect holiday present. Though, it does trick your brain a little bit into thinking that the bar is orange chicken-flavored rather than inspired.
Surprisingly, all four bars were delicious. The Original Orange Bar was my favorite with a delicious blend of orange flavors and crispy texture. If you love those holiday chocolate-covered oranges, this is the bar for you.
The Kung Pao Bar was spicier than I anticipated. The heat is super strong—especially when you get a bite of all pepper—but paired with peanut and the rich dark chocolate, it has a good balance.
I’m not a huge white chocolate fan because I tend to find it too sweet. However, I found the Fortune Cookie Bar to be delicious. It’s sweet, yes, but the crunchy fortune cookie adds great texture and flavor without making it overly sweet.
The Honey Walnut Bar, on the other hand, is super sweet with the honeycomb and honey flavors. I still liked the taste, but wouldn’t be able to eat more than a small morsel.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the chocolate candies—and I would definitely eat them again. This partnership has officially redeemed 2025’s sweet-and-savory collabs after the Chocolate Barbecue Snickers Sauces.
