How To Order Vegan at Panda Express (Ultimate Guide)

Eating vegan at Panda Express is easier—and tastier—than you might think! They’ve got some great plant-based picks that are quick, flavorful, and super satisfying. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or planning your next takeout night, you’ll find options that make it easy to stick to your plant-based goals. And here’s some exciting news: their Eggplant Tofu is making a comeback at even more locations for a limited time, so be sure to keep reading for all the details!

From colorful veggie stir-fries to filling sides and tasty sauces, Panda Express has more to offer than you might expect. You can mix and match to create a meal that’s fresh, flavorful, and 100% vegan. We’ll walk you through the menu so you know exactly what to order—and how to customize it your way. Whether you’re a longtime vegan or just curious to try something new, this guide will help you enjoy every bite at Panda Express.

Scroll a little further and then order your food, my friend! Did you know that we have a whole series of vegan fast food guides to help you find the best options at each location? Take a peek if you’re in need of a quick vegan meal on a road trip or with fast food-loving friends!

Table of Contents

Hot on the Menu: Plant-Based Eggplant Tofu at Panda Express!

Eggplant Tofu is the latest plant-based hero at Panda Express, and trust me, it’s a game-changer. The eggplant is tender and soaks up all the savory sauce. The tofu gives it a nice, soft bite, making it filling and fun to eat. It’s all cooked fresh and tastes like it was homemade—without any weird substitutes.

Vegan Eggplant Tofu at Panda Express next to a drink and take out box.

What’s cool is how easy it is to order. Just ask for the Eggplant Tofu as your main or pair it with steamed rice, chow mein noodles, and veggies. It’s friendly for vegans and great for anyone trying something new. Plus, it’s a smart pick if you’re on the go but still want a satisfying and healthy vegan meal.

We’re Missing the Vegan Orange Chicken

Panda Express made a big step forward for plant-based eaters when they launched their vegan orange chicken! The dish, called Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, first showed up nationwide on September 7, 2022—but only for a limited time. Sadly, it’s no longer on the menu right now. It was super popular during the first test run, with many locations selling out before most vegans even got a chance to try it.

Vegan Orange Chicken at Panda Express Beyond Meat Photo

This tasty option was made with Beyond Meat’s chicken tenders and had the same sweet and tangy flavor as the classic version—just without the animal products. The best part? The orange sauce was completely honey-free and even better than the original! We’re still crossing our fingers that Panda brings it back (and keeps it around for good next time).

How to Navigate the Menu at Panda Express

Luckily, the options for ordering vegan at Panda Express are not as scarily scarce as they once were. Back in the day, there was chicken broth or eggs in nearly every menu except for steamed white rice. But no longer! This Chinese kitchen restaurant started adding more fantastic plant-based meat options, and here are some solid suggestions on how to order as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Except for sides and beverages, there is pretty much only one option in each category on the menu. So, make it easy on yourself by ordering these items:

Appetizer: Vegetable Spring Rolls
Entree: Eggplant Tofu (available at even more locations!)
Vegetable: Super Greens
Side: Choose a rice (brown or white) or noodle bowl (or both, if you’re really hungry)
Sauces: Any and all!
Beverage: Your choice
Dessert: Fortune Cookie or Apple Pie Roll

Panda Express Vegan Options

Panda Express has a handful of vegan-friendly options that are easy to find and tasty, too. This quick guide shows you what to order and how to keep your meal 100% plant-based.

Entrees

Eggplant Tofu (browned tofu, eggplant, and red bell peppers in a spicy sauce; now available at MORE locations)
Chow Mein (stir-fried noodles with cabbage, onions, and celery)
Chow Fun (available at select locations)

Appetizers

Vegetable Spring Rolls (cabbage, celery, carrots, green onions, and Chinese noodles in a wonton wrapper)

NOTE: At some locations, you can add mushrooms, green beans, tofu, or vegetable protein to the spring rolls. The wrappers do not contain eggs.

Sides

Super Greens (steamed broccoli, kale and cabbage)
Brown Steamed Rice
White Steamed Rice

Sauces

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

Dessert

Fortune Cookie
Apple Pie Roll (flaky vegan-friendly crust filled with baked apple pie filling)

Vegan-Friendly Beverages

Barq’s Root Beer
Black Tea
Crafted Beverages (Peach Lychee Refresher, Mango Guava Tea, Pomegranate Pineapple Lemonade)
Fountain Drinks (Coca-Cola Brands)
Fruit Refreshers
Fuze Teas
Glaceau Vitaminwaters
Gold Peak Teas
Hi-C Fruit Punch
Minute Maid Lemonades
Powerade
Seagrams’ Ginger Ale
Sweet Tea

Panda Express FAQs

Does Panda Express Use Chicken Broth in Their Menu Items?

Nope! Thanks to years of campaigning from organizations like PETA and Vegan Outreach, Panda Express has not used chicken broth in their dishes since February 2021. Woo-hoo!

Are the Noodles at Panda Express Vegan?

Yes! The noodles contain no eggs or other animal products. But, be aware that all of the vegan-friendly food options are cooked in the same wok as foods that contain meat. Panda Express has mentioned that they wipe the woks out well between uses, but they do share the same surface. If you are not comfortable with the possible cross-contamination, it might be best to avoid this fast food restaurant all together.

What’s Not Vegan at Panda Express?

The Hot and Sour Soup contains eggs, Fried Rice – contains eggs, and the Chocolate Chip Cookies contain eggs, milk, and butter. NOTE: Most of the foods that are available at Panda Express contain wheat and soy. If you are sensitive or allergic to either of these elements, you might want to avoid visiting this fast food restaurant for now.

Helpful Hints When Ordering Vegan at Panda Express

Browse the Panda Express menu before ordering.
If ordering Panda Express online or through a delivery service, make sure you clearly specify any substitutions you would like. Especially concerning sauces and meats. If you’re worried that your request may not be honored (or seen by the server at Panda Express), it might be a better idea to go there directly to order.
Check out the Nutrition and Allergen Information page to make sure that you are purchasing a vegan-friendly item. The menu items offered at Panda Express do change and the informational charts seem to be updated regularly.
Be careful when new and exciting seasonal products are offered at Panda Express. Double check the allergens and ingredients PDFs to make sure the item is vegan before purchasing.

Creating a Kinder and More Accessible Panda Express

Panda Express is yet another great example that when we ask; companies listen. Vegetarians and vegans have been asking for vegan options on the menu for this quick-stop, Chinese takeout restaurant for over a decade. And finally we have them. Your voice matters, so we hope this inspires you to use your voice to make a difference!

You can always write to, call, or contact the managers of any location to make our requests.

What are your favorite items on the new vegan menu at Panda Express? Let us know on on Instagram (@Vegan), Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

Hungry for more? Subscribe to the World of Vegan weekly newsletter and join our community of over 1 million plant-passionate peeps on Instagram (@Vegan), Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

At the time of this article, the foods mentioned above are vegan. Since restaurants constantly update their menus and add or take away items, please keep this in mind when ordering your food. There may be new items that are vegan at Panda Express and not listed or items listed here as vegan, which are no longer vegan. Take care to double-check.