Panda Express Vegan Options (2025 Ultimate Guide)

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Updated for 2025

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.

I know dining out as a vegan can sometimes be challenging, so I am happy to share this vegan guide for those wanting to avoid animal ingredients, limit meat consumption, and learn how to eat vegan at Panda Express.

If you like Applebee’s check out their vegan options.

Before I show you the vegan options at Panda Express for 2025, please take a quick second to subscribe to my Intentionally Eat newsletter. It contains tips and recipes to help you live your healthiest life. You’ll also get a free acid/alkaline chart to show you which foods you should eat for optimum health.

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 is growing 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.

• Beyond Orange Chicken 
• Eggplant Tofu

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.

If you like Shake Shack check out their vegan options. If you prefer, here’s a listing of Wendy’s vegan options.

FAQ’s

What is dairy free at Panda Express?

You can find the dairy free options by going to their nutritional information and seeing the above recommendations.

Is Panda Express Chow Mein healthy?

Panda Express Chow Mein is a popular side dish, but its health depends on your perspective. Let’s break it down:

• Calories: A serving of Chow Mein contains 510 calories.
• Fat: It has 20 grams of fat.
• Carbohydrates: The 80 grams of carbohydrates come from the noodles and sauce. If you’re watching your carb intake, this might be a concern.
• Protein: On the positive side, it provides 13 grams of protein.
• Sodium: However, the 860 milligrams of sodium is quite high.

Chow Mein is a flavorful and filling option, but it’s not the healthiest choice due to its high calorie and sodium content. Consider other sides like steamed vegetables or super greens if you want a lighter alternative. 

Is Panda Express Chow Mein Vegan? Vegetarian?

Good news! The chow mein is an option for vegan customers as well as vegetarians. 

Is Panda Express Healthy?

There are definitely healthy options. Look at the above recommendations to make a healthy choice.

Update for 2025

In July 2024, the chain reintroduced Beyond The Original Orange Chicken at hundreds of U.S. locations, and by October 2024, this popular plant-based entrée became available at over 600 locations nationwide.

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​Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a medical professional. The information provided on this blog is based on my personal experiences and research as a vegan recipe enthusiast. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. The recipes and tips shared on this blog are meant for general informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always prioritize your health and well-being by seeking personalized guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.