Vegan Options at Panda Express

Panda Express is one of the few big US chains where you can put together a full, hot vegan plate rather than a pile of sides. The base options are vegan, a couple of sides are vegan, and if your location carries Eggplant Tofu, you even get a proper entree. We checked the current vegan lists in October 2026.

What's vegan at Panda Express

How Panda Express went (partly) vegan

Until 2019, nothing at Panda Express was reliably vegan. The chow mein and Eggplant Tofu both contained chicken broth or animal-based seasoning. In February 2019, Panda reformulated both dishes to remove those ingredients and said they'd be at all its 2,000-plus locations. Super Greens and the steamed rice were added to its plant-based list at the same time.

The catch is that the Eggplant Tofu has quietly dropped off menus at many locations since then. It's still listed as a vegan entree, but PETA and Go Dairy Free both note that only some restaurants carry it.

How to build a vegan Panda plate

Panda's ordering system is simple: pick a base, then pick one, two or three entrees depending on the size.

Plate with Eggplant Tofu: 1. Base: half chow mein, half steamed brown rice. 2. Entree: Eggplant Tofu. 3. Second entree (if you get a Plate): Super Greens.

Plate without Eggplant Tofu: 1. Base: chow mein or steamed rice. 2. Entree: Super Greens. It can be used as an entree, not just a side. 3. Add: a couple of vegetable spring rolls.

What to say: "A Plate with half chow mein and half white rice, Eggplant Tofu and Super Greens, please." If they're out of Eggplant Tofu, ask for double Super Greens.

Is the Eggplant Tofu vegan?

Yes. It's lightly browned tofu with eggplant and red bell peppers in a sweet and spicy sauce. Since the 2019 recipe change it contains no animal ingredients.

It's not always easy to find. Panda doesn't run the same menu everywhere, and Eggplant Tofu is one of the dishes some restaurants have dropped. The Panda Express app shows each location's menu, so check there before you go. If you love it, a homemade version with crispy baked tofu is a fair substitute.

Is Panda Express chow mein vegan?

Yes. Panda's chow mein is stir-fried wheat noodles with celery, onions and cabbage. PETA notes the noodles contain no egg, which isn't true of every chain's chow mein. It's a good, filling base and pairs well with any of the vegan sauces.

Sauces

Panda has a decent range of packet sauces, and most are vegan.

What's not vegan at Panda Express

• Fried rice: contains egg. This is the most common mistake.
• Every chicken, beef and shrimp entree, including Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Broccoli Beef and Honey Walnut Shrimp.
• Cream Cheese Rangoons: dairy.
• Chicken potstickers and egg rolls.
• Limited-time items: Panda releases new entrees regularly. Assume they're not vegan unless the allergen guide says otherwise.

Drinks

Panda serves fountain sodas, which are vegan, plus a range of bottled drinks that varies by location. Anything creamy may contain dairy, so check before ordering. See our guide to Coca-Cola if you're curious about soda ingredients.

Cross-contact

Panda Express is upfront about this. The chain says it doesn't claim any item is vegetarian or vegan, because the kitchen shares woks, utensils and fryers. A reader comment on Go Dairy Free reported that Super Greens are cooked in the same wok as a beef dish, with the wok cleaned in between. The spring rolls are likely fried in shared oil.

For most vegans these are notes, not deal-breakers. If you're avoiding cross-contact strictly, the steamed rice is your safest option.

Gluten and allergy notes

• Gluten: chow mein and spring rolls contain wheat, and soy sauce usually does too. Steamed rice and Super Greens are better bets, but cross-contact is likely.
• Soy: Eggplant Tofu and most sauces contain soy. The steamed rice is soy-free.
• Allergens vary: Panda's allergen guide is the final word, and recipes can differ by region.

Panda Express in the UK and Ireland

There's no Panda Express in the UK or Ireland as of October 2026. Panda operates in the US and a handful of other countries, including Canada and Mexico. If you're in Ireland or the UK and want something similar, a local Chinese takeaway can usually make a tofu and vegetable dish with plain rice or noodles. Ask about egg in the noodles and fish or oyster sauce in the stir-fry sauce.

Alternatives

If there's no Eggplant Tofu near you, Chipotle has Sofritas, a braised tofu filling, and Taco Bell makes vegan swaps easy. Our vegan fast food guide has the best order at 15 chains. For tofu basics at home, start with Tofu 101.

The bottom line

Panda Express is one of the better US fast-food chains for vegans. Chow mein or steamed rice with Super Greens and a couple of spring rolls is always available. If your location has Eggplant Tofu, you've got a proper plate. Just say no to the fried rice and the Rangoons, and grab a fortune cookie on the way out.