I really like this place! The food was good, but more than anything the cozy vibes, cute panda art, and great service are why I can't wait to come back! Got the curry fried rice, tomato sizzling rice soup (love that sizzling crunchy rice hitting the hot soup!), and some very well piced Sapporos. On the whole the menu was really affordable and that makes me want to come back and try more dishes! read more

Panda Inn - Inside seating - Chinese Near Me - Aptos, California

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(Disclaimer: this review is based on a takeout order, so I can't speak to the in-restaurant service. And maybe other dishes are better, so take this with a grain of salt. Salt...haha.) I am so bummed. I was soooo busy that I hadn't eaten the day before and was craving Chinese food. A friend suggested we grab food and head to the beach, so I decided on Panda Inn, which I'd been wanting to try for some time now. I ordered Singaporean style rice noodles, which is said to be cooked with eggs, and vegetables, and curry sauce. That sounded delicious! On the phone, they asked what protein (ie, chicken, pork), so I chose tofu, which I didn't know at the time had an additional cost. It was +$3 for tofu! (He should have informed me, I think.) The order was prepared quickly and was hot. It was seasoned (salted), but there was no curry flavor (I was surprised to read this in the menu!) I also saw, smelled, felt, and tasted NO TOFU. *sigh*. It wasn't a huge deal, except that I really wanted some substance since that was the main thing I was eating in 2 days, that was what I ordered so I was expecting to see it, AND I had to pay extra for it! All in all, I was quite disappointed. read more

Panda Inn - Close-up of my 83. Singapore Style Thin Rice Noodles with no tofu. For $17+, it was small and simple, and I was still hungry. - Chinese Near Me - Aptos, California

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Got food to go for lunch. Ordering on line was confusing. Different sites, tried to call but no answer. Did on line finally. Pick up was good, except poor server was on a knee scooter, and someone behind register who didn't greet. Potstickers, pepper chicken wings, spicy chicken broccoli lunch combo and hot and sour soup. All just okay, chicken wings good. Will go again and hope for a better experience. I want to support them. read more

I've been looking for a great Chinese restaurant and finally found one-Panda Inn!! Love the easy access (one block from Highway 1) but I loved the food more. Wife and I went for lunch and she ordered eggplant and fried rice and I had the chicken chow mein with white rice and both were delicious. Since it was the lunch menu, both dishes came with soup and and egg roll. The service was attentive and friendly and we found out that the (new owner) may be selling. Oh no! I hope that (if it does sell) that the new owners keep the same friendly service and great food. If you're looking for something by the beach, this is a great go to spot! read more

Fresh, hot, and delicious. Great food! We order on a regular basis. We love the broccoli beef, fried rice, chicken salad. Really - all good. Great new owners. read more

This place has changed everything the quality is horrible. Second experience with new restaurant ownership was inedible undercooked noodles sauce so thick and flavorless frozen egg rolls and dumplings Don't waste your money. 1 star for waitresses she was good. read more

2nd time eating at Panda inn. It's my favorite Chinese restaurant so far in Santa Cruz area! Owner is lovely and very generous! Brought us some sizzling rice soup on the house!! All food was delicious and fresh ! It's in a weird spot and a little hard to see - but give it a try! You won't be disappointed! read more

This used to be a really good restaurant. Unfortunately not any more. Service was good food wasn't. They used to serve food with great depth of flavor but now it is just blah. The vegetables arent crispy and fresh tasting. Not a good experience. The waitperson was very nice tho. read more

so sad, it's getting worse I had been coming to this place since late 90s changed ownership twice and it has been down hI'll sad as it was a great fresh and organic Chinese restaurant read more

This place used to be awesome but has gone downhill both in terms of price, quality and friendliness of staff. They cut out their legendary corn chowder during Covid and it never came back. Now on owners who have recently done away with the Saturday lunch menu. Also owners appear to have left the place in the hands of a UCSC student at weekends who isn't very friendly. So we have gone from regulars with first owner to seldom visiting now. read more

This is some of the best Chinese food in the area. The food is fresh and flavorful, and the owner is friendly and working hard to meet the desires of her customers. From the wonton soup to the garlic eggplant, to the sweet and sour chicken to mixed veggies with tofu, everything is delicious! read more

Panda Inn has the best Chinese Food in Santa Cruz County! Their salt and pepper fish and four season beans are especially delicious, but we've loved all we've tried. The service is excellent as well: swift and served with a kind smile. A tasty and warm family business we highly recommend! read more

I have celiac disease and it's so hard to find gluten-free Chinese that's delicious and doesn't make me sick. Panda Inn is the only place where I've had both things (they have GF options for most dishes.) The food is so fresh and delicious! We usually get takeout or delivery through DoorDash but we've eaten there a few times and it's so cute and cozy. read more

HUGE BUMMER. I used to come here all of the time for home made pot stickers. Now they drop Costco dumplings in a deep fryer upon new ownership. I miss you Jason. read more

Panda Inn - Chinese Near Me - Aptos, California

I miss this place so much. Very good Chinese food. Not your average by any means. I'll have to put this on my list when I return to CA

3.5 star review. Mid. Ordered on doordash: Potstickers, Hot and Spicy Shrimp, General Chicken. Panda inn switched ownerships a bit before covid, and it seems that the quality has dropped off since them (according to other yelpers). I grew up going to this restaurant which was phenomenal in it's prime, so I just had to try it anyways. The spicy shrimp with water chestnuts was weird-- it was not spicy and tasted kinda like a sweet and sour sauce. Not salty enough, too watery and just disappointing in general. Generals chicken was standard good. Came with the sauce on the side so it didn't get soggy. Bonus points for that! Potstickers had thick chewy skin and a very meaty center. No veggies really, just pork. Pretty good! Overall decent... seems like Panda has turned into yet another mediocre chinese spot. Darn. read more

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So I haven't been back to Panda Inn since the last time about 6 months ago because my husband and I both got the runs. I really didn't wanna be a hater and refuse to give a rating 2 or lower because the food was always on point every time besides the last time but I feel like I need to advise people against ordering the 3 treasures. The 3 treasures is nice BUT the scallops tasted off (that slightly rancid flavor where it is past it's prime) and we both got the runs. It comes with chicken, shrimp, and scallops. All of the other ingredients were fine. Chow how is a wide flat stir fried noodle dish but you can see from the photos that it was mushy and overcooked. Ginger fish with broccoli was okay. Wonton soup is nice. I think a lot of businesses are struggling right now and the inventory is probably sitting around longer because of a decline in customers which is unfortunate but I guess the best way is to avoid ordering seafood? If we get takeout from here again we will stick to the popular classics like kung pao chicken, broccoli beef, and wonton soup to be on the safe side. read more

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Great Chinese food. Fast service. A cute local Chinese place for when you crave good quality, non greasy! chinese food read more

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Had the worst Chinese food ever. The pot stickers were at least a couple of days old, dark brown & dry as cardboard ... inedible!!! The fried rice was also overcooked & burnt in old oil... horrible old oil taste. Had the sizzling soup with 2 small prawns & a small piece of chicken You got to be kidding... I'd they keep this up they will be closed in 6 months read more

For all of you who are reading the most recent Yelp reviews in an effort to make an informed decision about patronizing this restaurant under new ownership, don't bother. The most recent reviews touting "best Chinese in Santa Cruz County" are seriously and inexplicably wrong. Last night, coming to the tail end of an exhausting work week, we decided to take a chance and order take out here. Decided to go very basic and order the typical dishes desired by most... Pot stickers - premade and fried, not steamed with the light dough but TOUGH and GREASY - YUCK Hot and sour soup - Odd smokey flavor yet watery, very little pork slices or tofu - DISAPPOINTING - Chinese chicken salad - Ingreditents lookd fine but then it comes with a KARO-like syrup (yes, I'm serious) with what looks like soysauce added to the syrup for a "dressing" that RUINS the salad experience. This needs to be served with Chinese hot mustard and an authentic sauce not to mention properly flavored chicken and served with more almonds or peanuts. Another major disappointment - Broccoli beef - Very MEH - 4 times the broccoli than beef, underwhelming with little flavor and watery sauce - BBQ pork fried rice - Red dyed pork pieces (made me immediately think of yesterday's news of FDA banning Red dye #3...could taste "5 spice" flavor, rice was somewhat decent but the bright red pork threw it all off This order was a $68 dinner (plus tax and tip separately) which was dumped. Some final notes - I have been into this place while waiting for food the last time we ordered (it was better a couple of months ago which is why we we decided to try again hoping for improvement) and observed the cashier and workers to be "trying" but it appears the efforts are not leading to more quality food. If you look at other recent reviews, many state that they are serving the same dishes as previous owners. They need to completely re-vamp their menu with quality and change their name - too much negativity associated with the previous ownership and make drastic changes in order for this restaurant to succeed. You're welcome. read more

Disappointing. Edible if desperately hungry but no flavor. Nothing tasted good: potstickers, vegetable rolls, wonton soup, cashew chicken. We nibbled then threw it all out. Not worth saving the leftovers. This was a take out order. Won't return. Ambiance is nice. read more

As of 2025 Panda Inn is under new ownership, have noticed a marked improvement in food quality, outside eating area is nicer. New server is nice too lunch is exceptionally good value I'd very much recommend. Only gripe is now they only offer hot and sour soup as part of lunch original owners also offered an amazing corn chowder option that alone was worth the visit. read more

Love this place! I consider it the best Chinese food in Santa Cruz County. I ordered the War Wonton Soup and BBQ Pork buns. They were delicious! We had take out. They are under construction, but are open for business. I will be back again soon. read more

Some of the worse Asian food we have eaten since we were there about 2 years ago. We thought we would give them another chance and what a mistake that was. The fried rice was burnt and the pork buns dry. The orange chicken had no flavor and the Mongolian beef was only slightly better. The front counter woman was rude and unfriendly with low effort to provide even basic service. When I called their local phone number after returning home it went immediately to voice mail saying the mailbox was full and there was no way to leave a message. It seems they were off-loading their bad food to the take-out patrons. We have lived in this county for over 40 years and believe in supporting local businesses. We have tried several times to contribute to this business by eating their food and often over the years have had the same results. At this point we just can't continue to support Panda Inn and will not be returning. Make your own decision about where to eat Chinese food in Santa Cruz County, but my suggestion if you are in Aptos is Hong Kong Garden in Seascape Village. read more

A friend and I came to have dinner here and it was good overall. The place wasn't super busy so we got a table immediately. The waitress (I didn't get her name) was very friendly and attentive. The ambiance was calm, a little dark but clean. I was a little disappointed on the pork fried wontons... I wish they made them with no filling. I wasn't a fan of the pork. The sizzling rice soup had a little burnt taste to it. I still ate it but I wish I would've said something. I feel bad sending food back when the staff is so kind. I was a huge fan of the pork fried rice and the chicken chow main!! A couple years back there was a Chinese restaurant in Watsonville called "Kings Garden" and it was very popular. It's since been closed. I've been on the hunt for a place with similar taste and I think I've found it! I would most def come back. I love Chinese food and this place is my favorite Chinese restaurant at the moment. read more

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Ordered here for take out for the first time. pros: -quick, -food was hot, -provided a lot of sweet and sour sauce cons: -given wrong order ( I ordered the hong kong style crispy noodles, and I got veggie chow mein) -veggie chow mein was very dry, plain, non flavored -shrimp with broccoli was disappointing, broccoli was mushy and old tasting -started to get stomach ache within 1 hour of eating the food I would not return. Maybe we ordered wrong food? and other items are good? Not sure, but I wouldn't risk it again personally just based on our experience unfortunately read more

I took my two kids for a weeknight dinner date at Panda Inn this week, based on a recommendation from a friend. All the dishes were great. Wor wanton soup was my favorite, with vibrant veggies and quality meat and shrimp. Our other dishes were excellent, hot and fresh, too. The new owner is so lovely, with her son working the front of the restaurant. We'll be back, soon! read more

Picked up takeout the other night for dinner and was pleased with the food. We placed the order online and it said it would be ready at a certain time. When we arrived, we had to wait 25 min after the specified time stated on the online order - it was very busy that night! There were guests coming in and out to pick up their to-go orders as well. We got the pork fried rice, egg rolls, shredded beef, and Mongolian beef. All were delicious! Overall, the food was great, average prices, and the staff is friendly! Only down side to my experience was the delayed pick up time, but I guess that just means a lot of people enjoy the food as well. I definitely want to come back to dine in! read more

Panda Inn used to be the best Chinese restaurant in the county. The last three times I've ordered from them. It has been horrible so I will not be ordering again. The sauce is almost completely watery on every dish with zero flavor. The potstickers are always overcooked. I ordered cashew beef. Don't get cashews. The flavor of the rice now taste old. We used to about die for the chicken curry rice. It now is so heavily handed with the curry powder. You can almost taste the powder in your mouth. I called today after my last attempt eating there and asked if they had a new Cook in the last year I was told yes I explained all the quality problems with their food. She didn't really seem to care and said thank you for your opinion offered nothing to fix the food. So I contacted Uber eats and I got my money refunded. I don't know what happened to the old cook at that restaurant is no longer the same and has probably now become the worst Chinese restaurant in the county. read more

Delicious! Obviously freshly made, not frozen. Very kind new owners, family business. We ate there, nice and clean. They were busy with take out orders! Mentioned having challenges with new website and online ordering giving them enough time to get orders out, so give them grace to get this figured out! Worth the wait, we'll be back! read more

NEW OWNERS AT PANDA INN! So much better. I've been very disappointed this last year, so the new owners are a breath of fresh air. They are very nice, and the food already tastes so much fresher. Looking forward to seeing their new menu next month. They let us try a new dipping sauce for their egg rolls and it was just the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. read more

Terrible! Will not eat there anymore. Sad because have been going there since the 80's. T be honest Panda Express is way better and cheaper no joking. Got the won ton soup today and was not good not at all like it used to be. Aldo got the gong bay chicken and the sauce was gelatinous, like too much starch was used to thicken it or something. Also got the veggie chow mien and I ate a few bites and I seriously threw the whole container in the garbage. :( I thought for 50$ this would make for 2 nights of food for myself but I'm going to throw the rest of the leftovers away can't do it! So sad! I'll never eat there again. RIP Panda inn it was nice back in the day to enjoy. read more

This is one of our go to Chinese food restaurants I love the steam pork buns. They're amazing the best yet and I always get DoorDash with them. read more

I've been coming here since the 90s. It's always been good. On our last trip, last week for dinner, we noticed our servers were very warm and friendly. We also thought our food was extra good. We suspected new owners and we were right! So make sure you check out Panda Inn because I enjoyed my experience here more than ever under the new ownership. Tomato base sizzling rice soup, veggie egg rolls, broccoli and cashew and the crispy fish were all delicious. read more

I love their food but they make no effort to provide gluten free dishes l could eat. Why not have one dish gluten free and l would return immediately? read more

I went to eat in person there yesterday. Good service at the lunch special hour with quite a few choices: I wanted the Kung Pao Chicken and the other order was the Mongolian Beef. Both come with rice and soup, and also water and tea service. **Although I love the interior of the Panda Inn, the music was terribly intrusive, not pleasant at all. I would suggest just to not have that elevator-type soundtrack. Or else, get some good Chinese music in the background. :) read more

I got takeout, so I will not be commenting on the service or the ambiance. The food was yuck. I got the house fried rice and it had sautéed spinach, dried out egg, 3 shrimp, and overly sweetened pork. I am new to the area and had low expectations, but I was just baffled by the grossness. read more

Panda Inn - a bowl of rice and vegetables - Chinese Near Me - Aptos, California

The service was ok. When first seated by the door it was extremely drafty. Asked to move mote indoor. The broccoli beef was in bean sauce. Way too salty. Dissapointed that the only thing I tasted was the salty sauce. read more

So delicious! My mom hadn't eaten there in a while and now it's so good! I recommend the eggplant with black bean sauce. The new owners are so kind and their efforts are appreciated. read more

Food is ok. Nothing special. From what the locals tell me, it isn't as good as in the past. I would just call it average. Better than Panda Express, but nothing really special. Service was quick for the take out, but I got there at 5. So an early order. The cashier, order taker, waitress was very busy with phone orders and take out, but she managed well. The food was ok. Nothing to rave about, but eatable none the less. The chicken tasted old like it had been prepared earlier in the day and added to our chicken dish. Again, it was just ok. Can't say much about the ambiance since I ordered take out. At 5 there was one couple sitting at a table. I'll go back, but am still in search of something a little more special. read more