Panda Express teamed up with Beyond Meat to launch a vegan version of its fan-favorite Orange Chicken.
Although vegan food choices are already available in the popular American Chinese fast food restaurant such as vegetable spring rolls and eggplant tofu, the company is continuously looking for ways to give their customers variety.
“As the creator of The Original Orange Chicken, Panda has significant brand equity in this staple American Chinese comfort food,” Executive Director of Culinary Innovation at Panda Express, Jimmy Wang, said in a statement. “We know guests’ tastes and preferences have evolved and [they] look to us for variety.”
Photo: Instagram/officialpandaexpress
Named “Beyond The Original Orange Chicken,” the upcoming vegan-friendly dish will feature bite-sized pieces of Beyond Chicken that’s wok-tossed in the signature sweet and spicy orange sauce of Panda Express.
“Beyond The Original Orange Chicken is unlike any plant-based chicken dish you’ve had before,” Beyond Meat said. “The irresistibly crunchy and tangy plant-based version of Panda’s most popular entrée is a brand-new plant-based chicken innovation co-developed with and found exclusively at Panda Express.”
The introduction of Beyond The Original Orange Chicken marks the first time for an Asian American restaurant in the USA to add a dish made in partnership with Beyond Meat to their menu. Wang added that Panda Express is on a “journey to offer more diverse and plant-based options, while still delivering comfort and crave-ability in innovative ways.”
The dish will be available in select stores in New York City and Southern California for a limited time starting July 26, 2021.
