Panda Express is testing new Pastrami Bao Buns exclusively at the Panda Express Innovation Kitchen in Pasadena, California.

Pastrami Bao Buns are basically a mashup of the Taiwanese street food classic and the American deli sandwich. The hand-held dish combines slow cooked, hickory liquid smoked pork belly with pastrami spices, topped with pickled cucumbers for brightness and a sweet and savory sauce, all held in a folded, fluffy and light bao bun.

Inspired by Panda Chefs yearning to create a nostalgic and tasty hand-held menu item, Pastrami Bao Buns are being tested exclusively at the Innovation kitchen as part of Panda’s long-term innovation strategy.

Panda Express plans to evaluate how Pastrami Bao Buns are received by the public before launching the new dish on a national scale.

Image – Panda Express