Panda Gourmet

I learned about this place through a local group and decided to give it a try. I have since eaten here multiple times, enjoying each and every one. The double cooked fish is to die for!! The portion size is fair for the price. When I order takeout, it's usually ready by the time I arrive at the restaurant, which is about 10 mins from my house. The couple of time I've eaten inside, the service was just ok. The inside of the restaurant looks like it hasn't changed in years, but it's not terrible. I think I just much prefer them for takeout because the service isn't great enough to warrant the experience. However, it's one of my top choices for takeout on a Friday night. Authentic cuisine, consistent quality, fair prices - what's not to love?

I didn't eat in the restaurant, ordered online and got it as delivery and I was SHOOK at how good this was. It was delivered piping hot, meaning they turned this food around immediately and props to the delivery driver as well!I had an inkling by looking at the menu that this would be pretty decent as it had more authentic items on the menu rather than American Chinese (no knock, a place and time for all things!!) and I was right. The cumin beef was delicious, spiced and tender. The eggplant had phenomenal flavor and the noodles had a delicious wok kiss of smokiness from the high heat. It is cooked generously in oil, but doesn't come across as greasy...but if you're not eating this every day it won't hurt you.This place was great and I will for sure be eating again!

Very tasty! The spicy chicken is indeed spicy with lots of peppers throughout. I ordered an extra rice because I didn't know it came with one. Egg drop soup was very good as well!

This place looks so suspicious on the outside but it was charming inside. We came on a Saturday for late lunch after spending a day at the arboretum and they were very understaffed but thankfully there weren't that many customers. Service isn't the best but they get the job done. This restaurant has some of the best authentic chinese food that I've had in DC, it's just a bit out of the way location-wise.In terms of food:- ***rougamo - a MUST! super crispy bun with juicy, fatty, and flavorful pork inside- **garlic stir fried green beans - I get this at every Chinese restaurant I go to and I was very satisfied with this one- *mapo tofu - this has legit Sichuan peppercorns in it and is deeply flavorful. I was sweating by the end- black pepper and salt calamari - I like the flavor and the crispy outside but I think I'll get the ribs or shrimp version of this next time- Singapore rice noodles - very flavorful and yummy; good as a carb side but not a must order - pickle and fish soup - this was a little too pickle-y for my liking. It was veryyy sour and salty- egg yolk custard buns - these were dry and not as yolky as I'd like; definitely pass on this

Ordered take out with very quick friendly service. A little expensive $40 with a moderate tip and tax for a combo lo mein and a hunan chicken. Avg serving size and chicken dish came with white rice. Both dishes had plenty of protein and pretty tasty really. I'd def eat there again. They had a fairly decent and good sized dining room.

Panda Gourmet is definitely a tucked away gem. Walking in, red table clothes, more Hanzi than English on the posters all around, and a lazy Susan on the big tables are all the markers of quality and ambiance I need to be ready for a feast. We were sat quickly by the friendly staff upon arrival in our pleasant surroundings. We had some recommendations from a friend so naturally over ordered. Their specialties, the Rou ga mo burger and cold Shaanxi noodles, each well deserve the full write up they get at the front of the menu - delicious. Twice cooked pork was very tasty with excellent sauce and leeks to accompany. The flavors were all there for the cumin lamb and ma po tofu, but I did feel each could have more of a kick - I'd encourage you to ask them to turn those up if you like spice. Dan Dan noodles and eggplant in spicy sauce were both on point. We were told we probably overdid it when asked but it's a testament to the food that only a few eggplants and some tofu remained. Pass on the custard buns, while it's nice to have something sweet, they were dry and a bit strange...can't win them all. In my and our friend's who recommended the spot opinions, skip the Americanized dishes. I'm sure they are probably great, but if you're here, it's time for Szechwan and you won't regret it.

My husband has been sick for the past week, and when he gets sick all he wants is Chinese takeout, especially egg drop soup. I have been wanting to try this place for years and have driven past it too many times to count. A sick husband was just the excuse I needed to cross this place off the list. First off - this place is semi-legendary in DC and has been around for ages. The fact it's in ...not the most beautiful...part of town, and in a motel no less, adds to its weird charm. Enough about the, um, unique, ambiance. Now, the food. It was bomb. We ordered my husband's beloved egg drop soup (which has tomatoes 'cuz that's how this place do), sesame chicken, mapo tofu, spicy wontons, and wonton soup. The husband devoured the unique tomato egg drop soup, and I destroyed the spicy wontons and wonton soup. This was also the first time I've had mapo tofu, and it won't be the last. Was it the absolutely best Chinese food I've ever had? No. But it's up there for some of the very best in DC. Will go again.

Rumor has it that Xi Jing Ping visits this restaurant when he comes to Washington DC, so that means this place must be legit right? RIGHT!!I didn't think much of it for a long time since it sorta looked like another takeout place that serves the local hotels, but my god, this place is delicious!It's such good Sichuan Cuisine, it's got me coming back again and again! Get the map tofu and the wood ear mushrooms and you won't regret it.I want to learn to copy these flavors, but perhaps their wok is just so seasoned, it's impossible.

Ok - so I've honestly turned my nose up at this place in recent years because it feels like people love it for the novelty (it's in a Days Inn motel) and not the food. But real talk, I ordered the cumin lamb, and I put in the notes: "I AM ASIAN PLEASE MAKE VERY SPICY" - and Panda Gourmet delivered. I was hurting, and it was so good. Their cumin lamb was so flavorful and sooooo spicy. It honestly rivals Bobs Shanghai in Rockville (which is very high praise because I'm obsessed with theirs). Panda Gourmet's mapo tofu is a lil weak, but next time, I'll put the same note on it too and maybe they'll kick it up a notch.

Panda Gourmet in DC is an absolute gem for those seeking authentic Chinese cuisine. Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior next to the gas station. The lamb skewers were well seasoned and grilled to perfection. But my favorite was the pita bread soaked in lamb soup - a great combination of flavors (i.e., garlic, cilantro, chili paste) The Rouga Mo Chinese burevening,ger was great too! The classic dish from Shanxi Province was bursting with savory goodness and made for an unforgettable culinary experience.I came with a large group (8 people), so the large lazy susans were a blessing, making the meal even more enjoyable as we shared the goodness with friends. We visited on a Saturday evening, and there was no wait. Overall, I am really glad to have found another authentic Chinese restaurant in DC!