Are Egg Rolls Vegan? Our Top Plant-based Picks

Egg rolls are a classic appetizer found in most Chinese takeout menus and restaurants, loved for their crispy shells and savory fillings. But if you’re vegan, you might assume they’re off-limits due to the word “egg” in their name.

Here’s the surprising truth: egg rolls don’t always contain eggs! While some versions use egg in the wrapper, the real reason most egg rolls aren’t vegan is because of their fillings, which often include meat or other animal-derived ingredients.

Despite this, vegan-friendly egg rolls do exist—if you know where to look. 

In this guide, we’ll explain why egg rolls are typically not vegan, what ingredients to watch out for, and where you can find vegan-friendly options or alternatives.

What Are Egg Rolls Made Of?

Egg rolls typically consist of two main components:

1. The Wrapper: Traditionally made with wheat flour, water, and sometimes egg for added elasticity. Not all egg roll wrappers include egg, but it’s best to check the ingredients.
2. The Filling: Commonly includes shredded cabbage and other vegetables, but many versions also include meat like pork, chicken, or shrimp.

While vegetables like carrots, onions, and cabbage are common, it’s the addition of animal products (meat, eggs, or even dairy) that makes most egg rolls unsuitable for vegans.

Why Are Egg Rolls Usually Not Vegan?

Here are the main reasons egg rolls are typically off-limits for vegans:

1. Meat Fillings: Pork, chicken, shrimp, or beef are commonly included in traditional recipes.
2. Egg in the Wrapper: Some wrappers use egg for flexibility or a glossy finish.
3. Cooking Methods: Even if an egg roll is plant-based, it may be fried in shared oil with non-vegan dishes, leading to cross-contamination.

Vegan Egg Rolls in Restaurants

Finding vegan egg rolls at Chinese restaurants can be tricky, but here’s what we discovered from popular chains:

1. Panda Express

• Egg Rolls: Chicken-based and not vegan.
• Alternative: Spring rolls! These are vegan-friendly, filled with cabbage, carrots, celery, and noodles, and made without eggs.

2. Pick Up Stix

• Egg Rolls: Chicken-based and not vegan.
• Alternative: Their spring rolls are a solid vegan option, offering vegetables like cabbage and carrots.

3. Pei Wei

• Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls: Neither are vegan, as both contain meat or eggs in the filling.

Vegan Egg Rolls in Grocery Stores

You might have better luck finding vegan-friendly egg rolls in the frozen aisle of your local grocery store. Here’s a rundown of some options:

1. Tai Pei

• Vegan-Friendly: Yes! Tai Pei offers vegetable egg rolls made with mung beans, cabbage, and carrots, wrapped in a wheat flour shell.

2. P.F. Chang’s

• Frozen Egg Rolls: Not vegan. Even their vegetable filling includes egg, and their restaurant spring rolls also contain eggs, milk, and shellfish.

3. Chung’s

• Egg Rolls: Not vegan, as the wrappers contain egg.

4. Whole Foods

• Vegan-Friendly Options: Yes! Whole Foods carries vegan egg rolls, often featuring unique ingredients and no animal products.

What About the Sauces?

Even if you find vegan egg rolls, don’t overlook the sauces they’re served with. Some sauces may contain animal products, such as:

• Soy Sauce: Typically vegan but check for added ingredients.
• Sweet and Sour Sauce: May contain non-vegan thickeners or broths.
• Hot Mustard Sauce: Usually vegan but worth verifying.

To be safe, always ask for sauce on the side and check the ingredients.

How to Be Sure Your Egg Rolls Are Vegan

Navigating menus or food labels can be challenging, but here are some tips:

1. Ask Questions: At restaurants, confirm with the staff or chef whether the egg rolls (and cooking methods) are vegan.
2. Check the Label: When buying frozen egg rolls, scrutinize the ingredient list for any animal-derived products.
3. Consider Cross-Contamination: Even vegan-friendly options may be fried in shared oil, which might not align with strict vegan standards.

Vegan-Friendly Alternatives

If finding vegan egg rolls feels like too much of a hassle, here are some similar vegan options to try:

• Spring Rolls: Often made without egg and filled with fresh vegetables.
• Homemade Egg Rolls: Make your own vegan egg rolls at home using egg-free wrappers and plant-based fillings like tofu, cabbage, and carrots.
• Vegan Dumplings: Many grocery stores and restaurants offer vegetable-filled dumplings as a delicious alternative.

Final Thoughts

While traditional egg rolls are rarely vegan due to meat fillings or egg-based wrappers, there are vegan-friendly options available if you know where to look.

Whether you’re exploring grocery store aisles for Tai Pei’s vegetable egg rolls, enjoying spring rolls at Panda Express, or whipping up homemade versions, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your craving for a crispy, savory appetizer—without compromising your vegan lifestyle.