Here is the complete Panda Express gluten-free menu.
There really isn’t much available here, even if you just need something small. If you’re looking for gluten-free options, we’d suggest eating somewhere else.
Panda Express Gluten-Free Menu 2024
Sides
- Brown Steamed Rice
- White Steamed Rice
Sauces
- Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Chili Sauce
- Hot Mustard
- Plum Sauce
Drinks
- All drinks are gluten-free.
Panda Express History
Panda Express is a Chinese themed fast-food restaurant chain that was founded in October 1983 in Glendale, California. The original proprietors were Andrew and Peggy Cherng. Currently, the company is headquartered in the township of Rosemead, California, their goal being to draw people together to enjoy the best of Chinese cuisine in an enjoyable atmosphere.
It all started when Andrew Cherng opened the first restaurant and invited Peggy to customize its operating systems to ensure they delivered the best in terms of food and service. By 1987, they had developed a signature dish known as Orange Chicken thanks in part to their seasoned chef Andy Kao. This dish is inspired by the original flavors of the Hunan Province and it features crispy chicken bites dipped in sweet, curried orange sauce.
Apart from Orange Chicken, the chain also serves other Asian inspired dishes such as Beijing Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Firecracker Chicken Breast. There are also combo meals that can be served together with various side dishes such as fried rice, chow mein, steamed rice or mixed vegetables. No artificial additives are added to Panda Express meals and everything is natural, nor does the company purchase ingredients from suppliers who add enhancers such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) prior to delivery.
Presently, Panda Express has approximately 1,900 restaurants spread across 50 states in the United States, including other jurisdictions such as the District of Columbia, Canada, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Korea and the UAE. Unlike other restaurant chains, this company doesn’t offer franchise opportunities to the public. All outlets are company owned and managed. Despite these policies, the company still stands as the largest Chinese fast food chain in America. In 2014, Panda Express sold an estimated 67.9 million pounds of Orange Chicken. The company’s most profitable food court is in Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Hawaii where they make over $4 million annually in sales. They still continue to open new restaurants to date.
Sources
- Panda Express Allergen Menu
- https://www.pandaexpress.com/ourfamilystory
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panda_Express
If this Panda Express gluten-free menu was helpful or if you find something inaccurate please let us know below.
Not happy with the Panda Express menu? Let them know we want healthier gluten-free options. Contact Panda Express
Panda Express Gluten-Free Menu
- Gluten-Free Options
Summary
The only gluten-free food item Panda Express offers is a side of rice. If your looking for gluten-free options, we’d suggest eating somewhere else.
The employees boldly told me that their Teriyaki Chicken has no wheat. Teriyaki and soy sauces are made with wheat. So there is absolutely nothing other than steamed rice that a gluten-free person can eat in Panda Express. This restaurant chain needs to add a selection of GF items to their menu for the growing GF market.
I agree 100% Linda. What a lot of these fast food chains don’t realize is that all it takes is one family member that has an intolerance or Celiac, and they will lose that entire family’s business forever. And autoimmune diseases are only on the rise. Hopefully Panda Express will one day have some gluten-free options.
Does teriyaki chicken have wheat in it?
According to Panda Express’ allergen guide, the Teriyaki Chicken isn’t gluten-free.
I agree. They should have gluten free options for customers! 👎
I am sad, I wish there was a gluten-free option outside of rice. Our business will need to go elsewhere.
I agree with Brian, we were big fans of Panda. When my Son got diagnosed with celiac disease all I look for now is food places with gluten-free options. Panda Express has non. I can make white rice at home. Now all our family can no longer eat at Panda.
Sorry to hear that Abby. Ya, I don’t think these places realize just how much business they are losing. Sure, it might cost them an extra $0.20 or something for a gluten-free alternative and reworking their procedures a bit with their staff. That’s better than losing entire families who have a person with an intolerance or Celiac. Hopefully more places will weigh the pros and cons in a more logical manner. I used to love Panda Express before I developed my UC. :(
Does Panda have gluten free orange chicken
Yes it does, The manager “Lily” told me many time that the Orange chicken has no wheat and is completely GF!
I just ate there and got orange chicken. I’m currently in the bathroom, sick because of gluten.
Hey Lexy,
Sorry to hear you got sick. According to the Panda Express website, the Orange Chicken is not gluten-free. That’s why I don’t have it listed. The people above are wrong, and I wouldn’t trust what the employees at Panda Express say, because they probably don’t actually know the ingredients.
I’m sorry she told you that! According to the Nutrition & Allergen Information online for Panda Cafe, every main dish has gluten! Only brown and white steamed rice do not.
The order Kellie made (below) would probably be the best you can do. Kikkoman makes a gluten-free Soy sauce that is delicious, even better than the standard one with gluten. So you could take some with you if you order the chicken with no sauce.
I’m here now at a Panda Express. I’m getting white rice and steamed broccoli and the teriyaki chicken without the teriyaki sauce. Apparently they can grill the chicken and then add the teriyaki after…so just ordered it plain. Will see!
Thanks for nothing panda:) so many ppl eat gluten free.. I have RA . You are losing business.
Wow calm down you obviously don’t know anything bc there is some options of GF things to eat!
What u don’t know or understand is that people with celiac develop other food intolerance. It started for me gluten, then dairy, then corn sounds easy huh but corn syrup and corn starch is the preservative in the US. I think that is what they are trying to state where if this was Europe there aren’t all these preservatives and chemicals in food. 10 years ago it was rare to even hear of a peanut allergy now really take a moment before you jump down peoples throat and think of the 10 common allergens and it’s all due to chemicals and trying to make food last 1 to 2 years instead of days or weeks. No other country will trade with us because of our shady food practices here in the US food for thought…Educate before u spew hate learn b4 u burn just saying. Lol
Panda Express was my last great refuge from fast food. My family are pretty healthy eaters and have not eaten fast food for years due to how it reacts with our digestives system, and over-all health. In the last several years we can not tolerate even most casual dining. Unfortunately, after the recent removal of my gallbladder, I have become lactose and gluten intolerant. I have tried to continue eating at Panda Express, but it is too painful to eat and they offer no real gluten-free options. I have been eating here about every two weeks on average for the last two years. I guess am now forced to stop completely. I can make my own rice at home. Sad.
Please have some gluten and soy free options. I thought the greens were ok and bought some and then realized they aren’t. Crazy.
Hey Denice,
Ya it’s frustrating that Panda doesn’t offer some gluten-free options. I used to eat at Panda a lot through college. But since I had to go gluten-free due to allergy, I’ve never been able to eat there again.
I know this is a thread at least a year old but I just wanted to say that being someone who has eaten gluten and dairy free for 8 years (also refined white sugar, corn syrup, potassium sorbate, nitrates, cured meats, cantaloupe, maple, artificial sweeteners and “natural” flavorings, msg – among other things – all are out of my diet): I used to love Panda as well but I have found that some Chinese restaurants are completely dairy free and msg free with a lot of gluten free options. You just have to ask them. I get items I used to get at panda that taste slightly differ but are still really good. Also you can look into little sauces you can bring with you when you go out and make a kit