Panda Express Vegan Options (2025 Ultimate Guide)

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How to Navigate Panda Express Vegan Options

Are you a vegan looking for delicious options at Panda Express?

Do you crave familiar favorites like fried rice or kung pao chicken but want to stay true to your plant-based diet?

With the growing demand for vegan choices, Panda Express is stepping up its game. But navigating their menu can be tricky.

This guide will help you decipher what's truly vegan at Panda Express and satisfy your cravings with every bite.

Explore the expanding world of Panda Express vegan options with this Ultimate Guide. Discover delicious plant-based dishes that satisfy your cravings with every bite.

Before losing 125 pounds, I enjoyed eating fried rice and kung pao chicken, which I washed down with a large soda and followed up with a fortune cookie.

Now that I have lost weight and started enjoying a vegan diet I pay close attention to vegan food offered at chain restaurants.

Panda Express Vegan Options

Panda Express serves American Chinese Cuisine, and select locations may serve different plant-based items for a limited time. Be sure to check with your local Panda Express for vegan dishes , as there isgrowing demand.

When faced with meat, animal broth, and eggs, navigating menu options can become challenging. Making mindful choices can be even tougher when you’re hungry. How can you satisfy your hunger while staying true to your dietary preferences? Follow this guide, and I’ll show you how.

Panda Express’ website has a “nutritional information” link at the bottom of the home page. It lists nutritional and allergen information. However, there isn’t a specific menu with vegan and vegetarian options, so this guide is a valuable resource for eating vegan at Panda Express.

Keep in mind that they say, “Panda prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment, and therefore allergens could be present in any entree,” which means there could be cross contamination if you’re a strict vegan, and that bothers you. It’s always a good idea to ask before ordering a vegan meal.

Panda Express’ website states the following menu items are vegan-friendly options.

Appetizers

It might not be extensive, but Vegetable Spring Rolls are a tasty choice. Actually, the veggie spring rolls are the only plant-based alternative.

Vegetable Spring Rolls

Sauces and Dips

Panda Express locations offer a variety of sauces, all of which are vegan. Feel free to load up and enjoy!

Teriyaki
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Chili Sauce
Potsticker Sauce
Hot Mustard
Soy Sauce
Plum Sauce

Main Course

Finding vegan entrees at Panda Express is limited, but the fast-food chain does offer a couple. As of September 2022, Beyond the Original Orange Chicken is here for a limited time. The vegan orange chicken features meat-free chicken morsels crafted from faba bean protein, coated in a crispy batter, and drenched in a tangy orange sauce.

The Eggplant Tofu is a beloved plant-based entrée, but its availability varies by location. It features golden tofu, eggplant, red bell peppers, and a delectable sweet and spicy sauce.

Sides

Several side dishes are viable for someone enjoying a plant-based diet. The fast food chain omitted the chicken broth, so you can choose noodles or steamed rice.

Brown rice
White rice
Chow mein

Vegetables

Although the choices are limited, the best option is a mix of steamed broccoli, kale, and cabbage called Super Greens.

Super Greens

Desserts

In addition to the fortune cookie, Panda Express’ Apple Pie Roll is accidentally vegan. It’s a new menu item that debuted in the fall of 2023 for their 40th anniversary. The ingredients include wheat flour, apple, sugar, water, soybean oil, modified food starch, corn starch, wheat gluten, cinnamon, salt, and xanthan gum. While Panda Express doesn’t officially label it vegan-friendly, it contains no animal-derived ingredients. However, keep in mind that there might be cross-contamination. If you’re comfortable with that, you and your taste buds can enjoy this sweet treat!

Apple Pie Roll
Fortune Cookie

Beverages

There are many vegan-friendly drinks to choose from at Panda Express.

Soft Drinks & Juices

Panda Express offers Coca-Cola Products, as well as Powerade, Vitamin Water, Seagram’s Ginger Ale, Hi-C, Gold Peak teas, Fuze teas, Fanta, and Minutemaid Lemonade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the vegan-friendly appetizer options at Panda Express?

Panda Express offers one plant-based appetizer option: Vegetable Spring Rolls. These spring rolls are a tasty choice for those looking for a light and savory starter.

Which main course options are suitable for vegans at Panda Express?

While vegan entrees are limited, Panda Express currently offers two choices. The "Beyond the Original Orange Chicken" features meat-free chicken morsels crafted from faba bean protein and coated in a crispy batter, drenched in a tangy orange sauce. Another option is the "Eggplant Tofu," which features golden tofu, eggplant, red bell peppers, and a sweet and spicy sauce. However, please note that the availability of these items may vary depending on your location.

What vegan-friendly drinks are available at Panda Express?

Panda Express offers a variety of vegan-friendly beverages, including Coca-Cola products, Powerade, Vitamin Water, Seagram’s Ginger Ale, Hi-C, Gold Peak teas, Fuze teas, Fanta, and Minutemaid Lemonade.

Conclusion

Panda Express, while known for its American Chinese cuisine, offers a surprisingly growing number of vegan options. From the classic Vegetable Spring Rolls to the exciting new Beyond Orange Chicken, there's something to satisfy every craving.

Even though finding fully dedicated vegan entrees can be challenging, the availability of sides like Super Greens and a delicious plant-based dessert like the Apple Pie Roll make it easier than ever to enjoy a satisfying meal. Don’t forget to ask about cross-contamination if you have strict dietary requirements.

The next time you find yourself craving Panda Express, remember that delicious and convenient vegan options are just a few questions away. With a little exploration, you can discover a world of plant-based possibilities at this popular chain restaurant.