After so many years of strip mall Chinese "chow mein" to get truly authentic food gives me joy

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.

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

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.

If you are looking for great authentic Chinese food then this is your place. If you are looking for a classy ambience and good service- maybe not so much. It's a bit out of the way in NE and lodged between a Days Inn motel and a gas station which doesn't look promising but the food was insanely good. They are really understaffed and you'll definitely see a cat roaming around inside the restaurant but I think that added character!

Y'all. A restaurant share the parking lot of a gas station behind the Days Inn wasn't necessarily a place I was on a rush to visit. But after YEARS of having the place on my list, I finally stopped by this weekend. We had the fried rice and beef and peppers and were really surprised at how good and authentic the food was. I will most certainly be returning, for the lunch special.

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!

This place was everything I wanted it to be. Food was absolutely amazing. I will be craving the double cooked pork everyday. Spicy wontons we're also amazing. Service was very quick and dining area was spacious

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.