Spring rolls are a popular appetizer found in many Asian restaurants. With their crispy, golden exterior and flavorful veggie filling, they seem like a safe choice for vegans.
But when it comes to Panda Express, the answer is a bit more complicated.
While the ingredients in Panda Express’ Vegetable Spring Rolls are fully plant-based, there is a major issue with cross-contamination during the cooking process.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s inside these spring rolls and whether they fit into a vegan diet.
Panda Express Spring Roll Ingredients
According to the Panda Express Allergen Guide, the Vegetable Spring Rolls do not contain eggs, dairy, or meat.
Ingredients
- Wheat flour
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Mung bean
- Green onions
- Vermicelli
- Garlic oil
- Ginger
- Sesame oil
- Dehydrated soy sauce
- Onion powder
- Sugar
- Spices
Allergens
- Contains wheat and soy
From a purely ingredient-based standpoint, these spring rolls are vegan-friendly. However, how they’re cooked is where things get complicated.
Cross-Contamination at Panda Express
Panda Express does not operate a fully vegan kitchen. Most locations use shared fryers for meat and plant-based items, which means spring rolls are often fried in the same oil as chicken, shrimp, and other animal products.
Why This Matters for Vegans
- If you strictly avoid cross-contamination, Panda Express spring rolls may not be suitable for you.
- If you’re comfortable with shared cooking surfaces, you may still choose to eat them.
Some locations may use separate fryers for vegan items like Beyond Orange Chicken and spring rolls, but this varies by location. It’s always best to ask before ordering.
Vegan Options at Panda Express
While the spring rolls come with a cross-contamination concern, Panda Express does offer several fully plant-based dishes.
Vegan Entrees
- Eggplant Tofu – A flavorful mix of eggplant, bell peppers, and tofu in a sweet and spicy sauce.
- Beyond the Original Orange Chicken – A plant-based version of the classic, featuring crispy Beyond Meat in Panda’s signature tangy sauce.
Vegan Sides & Appetizers
- Vegetable Spring Rolls (with cross-contamination risk)
- Super Greens – A mix of broccoli, kale, and cabbage.
- Steamed White Rice
- Steamed Brown Rice
- Chow Fun – Flat rice noodles (check with your location for possible cross-contamination).
- Chow Mein – Wheat noodles stir-fried with vegetables.
Vegan Sauces & Condiments
- Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Chili Sauce
- Hot Mustard
- Plum Sauce
- Potsticker Sauce
These sauces can add extra flavor to your meal and pair well with rice, noodles, or vegetable-based dishes.
Vegan Drinks at Panda Express
Panda Express also offers a variety of vegan-friendly beverages:
- Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
- Barq’s Root Beer
- Dr. Pepper
- Fanta (Orange, Fruit Punch, Strawberry)
- Fuze Lemon Black Tea, Fuze Raspberry Tea
- Glaceau Vitamin Water Zero
- Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea
- Minute Maid Lemonade, Minute Maid Light Lemonade
- Powerade Mountain Blast
- Sprite, Sprite Zero
- Passion Fruit Mango Black Tea
- Lemon Green Tea
- Sweet Tea
These options ensure you can enjoy a refreshing drink alongside your meal.
Final Thoughts
So, are Panda Express spring rolls vegan?
The answer depends on how you define veganism:
- Ingredients-wise, yes. The spring rolls do not contain any animal products.
- Cooking-wise, it’s complicated. They are typically fried in shared oil with meat products, which may be a concern for some vegans.
If cross-contamination is not an issue for you, you can enjoy them. If you prefer to avoid it, there are other fully vegan options at Panda Express, such as Beyond Orange Chicken, Eggplant Tofu, and Super Greens.
