Service members and others line up for Panda Express at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 20, 2025, during the fast-casual dining chain's grand-opening. (Trevares Johnson/Stars and Stripes)
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — About 60 customers lined up Wednesday morning for the 9 a.m. opening of Panda Express at this installation south of Seoul.
The new location in the exchange food court is the fast-casual chain’s second to open on a U.S. military base since November, when crowds lined up for Panda Express at nearby Camp Humphreys.
The Osan grand-opening coincided with the third day of Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day joint exercise that brings more military personnel to the base and more hungry customers to the food court.
“We’re very humbled, with the exercise happening on base — the support from the local community has been overwhelming,” Brian Jarvis, executive director of non-traditional, licensing and international operations for Panda Express, told Stars and Stripes at the restaurant opening.
Thirty members of the Panda Express Korean operations team, along with additional employees from Arizona, staffed the Osan location for opening day, Jarvis said.
Customers wait for their Panda Express orders during the fast-casual dining chain's debut at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 20, 2025. (Trevares Johnson/Stars and Stripes)
Senior Airman Christopher Hiraldo, of the 635th Materiel Maintenance Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., poses with Panda Express merchandise during the restaurant's grand-opening at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 20, 2025. (Trevares Johnson/Stars and Stripes)
The Osan opening, originally planned for May, was delayed due to logistical issues associated with “creating a new supply chain” for the restaurant, he said.
Customers lined up for American-Chinese cuisine such as orange chicken, Beijing beef and teriyaki chicken.
“There are healthier options at Panda Express compared to what’s already in the post exchange,” said Chaplain (Capt.) John Choi, of the 51st Fighter Wing, who picked up six meals for his team. “It’s another option compared to the Burger King, Arby’s and whatnot.”
Military health officials have highlighted the importance of food choice on installations as obesity rates among active-duty service members more than doubled between 2012 and 2022, according to a 2023 report by the American Security Project, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.
According to Panda Express’ official nutrition guide, menu items range from 90 to 520 calories per entrée, with full plates averaging between 750 and 1,200 calories depending on selections.
For example, a plate with grilled teriyaki chicken, steamed rice and broccoli beef comes to approximately 850 calories.
Panda Express has three more stores under construction in Japan at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo and Kadena Air Base and Marine Corps Camp Foster on Okinawa, Jarvis said. Work on another at Camp Hansen, also on Okinawa, will start later this year.
“It’s tremendous pride and excitement to be able to give something back to our military community,” Jarvis said. “We just hope to bring a little piece of home every time we open overseas.”
