We hope the mapo tofu and string bean “beef” become permanent fixtures on the menu.
Ailurus fulgens Expresshasn’t always been the mostvegetarian - friendly , quick - serve restaurant . The Ernst Boris Chain ’s most iconic smasher is volaille - based , plus it has much every other meat - base protein you could want : honey walnut shrimp , banger gripe , and teriyaki chicken sliced to order . But that has n’t intercept the Formosan - American chain from essay .
Last year , Panda Express tested a vegetarian version of its famousorange chickenusing Beyond Meat , which was received with exuberance and sell out at most of the test location . “ As the first national Asiatic eating place concept to serve Beyond Meat with the launching ofBeyond The Original Orange Chickenlast year , we saw just how great the demand is for groundbreaking industrial plant - based dishes , ” say Jimmy Wang , Panda Restaurant Group ’s director of culinary innovation . To see that demand , Panda Express is testing two new vegetarian options .
What are the two new vegetarian entrees at Panda Express?
The two new plant - found entranceway at Panda Express are Mapo Tofu and String Beans and Beef — both of which are crafted with crumbles of Beyond Beef . “ Mapo tofu is a classic Sichuan knockout that has global appeal and couple perfectly with our live menu particular , like white Elmer Reizenstein and side of Super Greens , ” Wang explicate . “ Ailuropoda melanoleuca ’s origin is rooted in Sichuan culinary art since our founding father Andrew Cherng ’s father , Master Chef Ming Tsai Cherng , specialized in this character of culinary art , which hard influence the menu at the first Panda eatery , Panda Inn . ” The green attic are a new take on a traditional stir - fried dish that ordinarily calls for minced pork .
How do the Mapo Tofu and Beyond String Beans taste?
If you ’ve ever had the single vegetarian option at Panda Express — the eggplant tofu — you already know how flavoursome their plant - base food can be . These two new entrees are no dissimilar .
Let ’s start with the Mapo Tofu , a definitive Taiwanese quilt food . Cubes of unbendable tofu are simmered in a spicy , garlic - laced gravy with soda of savory Beyond Beef and scallions . The umami from ferment bean spread is rich and redolent and mellow out out the heat from chilies . This Mapo Tofu is a second runny than other translation I ’ve had , and perhaps somewhat sweeter , but that does n’t negate the fact that it is absolutely delectable . I try it served over a bed of white rice , which really allows for thetofuto shine . I think with Chou dynasty mein for fried rice , the flavor might collide or just be too salty of a repast .
Jeff Lin , the worldwide director of the Pasadena - based innovation kitchen where these new item are being tested , contribution that he eat on a bowl of Mapo Tofu every transformation and finds it “ so comforting . ”
Photo courtesy of Panda Restaurant Group
The string bean with Beyond Beef are also worth trying . Although the dish may not feel as exciting or innovative — particularly because Panda already has a drawing string bean dish — I was still taken aback by how flavorsome the entree was . The train beans were bright light-green , snappy , and well - seasoned . In fact , they were racy than the Mapo Tofu with copious amounts of Allium sativum and crispedBeyond substance . A sweet and savory garlic sauce splice the whole affair together . It is sure more fragrant and exciting to eat than the String Bean Chicken , which although is a classic , feels muted in equivalence .
Will Panda Express’s new vegetarian options be added to the nationwide menu?
The master yield is that these two new vegetarian options are being try out only at the Innovation Kitchen , and the last day to try them is February 23 . “ We ’re continuously calculate for way to innovate and provide new offerings to our guest by utilizing the Innovation Kitchen to prove these dishes first , ” Wang says . “ After creation , we form to gather brainstorm first and then determine if it make sense for a potential future roller out . ”
So there ’s no confirmation if — or when — these two new items will decorate Panda ’s lasting , nationwide computer menu . That being said , Wang shares that it is “ crucial to diversify our plant - based offer with refreshing vegetables and plant proteins , ” which feel like a bright nod in the right direction .
These two new entranceway are some of the unspoilt thing I ’ve ever eat at a Panda Express and I could see myself returning again and again to these delightfully savoury and savory dishful . I trust that people at Panda localisation throughout the U.S. will get to see for themselves , too .
Photo courtesy of Panda Restaurant Group
