Bonchon vs Panda Express:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Panda Express had more branded searches than Bonchon among asian fast casual chains in the United States. Panda Express had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Bonchon had 246,000. Panda Express made up 74.8% of all asian fast casual chain searches we track, and Bonchon accounted for 2.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about asian fast casual chains, Panda Express appeared in three of the four answers and Bonchon in two. Panda Express was mentioned before Bonchon in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Panda Express, about 30 searches for every 1 for Bonchon
Who does AI mention more?
Panda Express, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Bonchon in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Panda Express, named ahead of Bonchon in every answer
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Top asian fast casual chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Panda Express was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Bonchon was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Panda Express was listed before Bonchon in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Panda Express1st
Sarku Japan2nd
Teriyaki Madness3rd
P.F. Chang's4th
Bonchon5th
Pei Wei6th
Noodles & Company7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Panda Express3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Sarku Japan3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Teriyaki Madness2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Bonchon2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Noodles & Company1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- P.F. Chang's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Pei Wei1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about asian fast casual chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Chinese fast food chain in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Asian fast casual chain in the US is best?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most popular Asian restaurant chains in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chinese food”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“asian restaurants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.
Is Bonchon or Panda Express more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bonchon and Panda Express by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven asian fast casual chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Panda Express, Bonchon. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Panda Express | Noodles & Company | P.F. Chang's | Teriyaki Madness | Bonchon | Pei Wei | Sarku Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 74% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 73.5% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 72.6% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 74% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 73.9% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 72.4% | 11.8% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 73.7% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 72.8% | 9.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 74.6% | 10% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 73.5% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 77.8% | 8.5% | 4.7% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 74.8% | 10% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
How has the Bonchon and Panda Express comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Panda Express was ahead of Bonchon in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bonchon’s share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States moved from 3% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Panda Express’ share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States moved from 74% to 74.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 7.5M.
How did search popularity change for United States asian fast casual chains in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Panda Express lost share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States, from 77.8% to 74.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Bonchon in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 301K to 246K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bonchon’s and Panda Express’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Bonchon
1 branded search term
- bonchon
Panda Express
1 branded search term
- panda express
Other head-to-heads among asian fast casual chains
- Panda Express vs Noodles & Company: compare popularity
- Panda Express vs P.F. Chang's: compare popularity
- Panda Express vs Teriyaki Madness: compare popularity
- Noodles & Company vs P.F. Chang's: compare popularity
- Noodles & Company vs Teriyaki Madness: compare popularity
- Noodles & Company vs Bonchon: compare popularity
Put your own brand in this comparison
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