As a popular Chinese restaurant chain, PF Chang’s offers a variety of dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options. For vegans or vegetarians dining at PF Chang’s, an important question is whether one of their most popular meatless dishes, the Stir Fry Eggplant, is vegan friendly.
Ingredients in PF Chang’s Stir Fry Eggplant
According to the PF Chang’s menu, the main ingredients in their stir fry eggplant dish are:
- Eggplant
- Red bell peppers
- Green onions
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Soy sauce
These ingredients are all plant-based. However, when examining the full preparation of the dish, there are a few other ingredients that need to be considered regarding vegan diet restrictions:
Oyster Sauce
PF Chang’s Stir Fry Eggplant is cooked with oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is a common ingredient in Chinese cooking that contains oyster extracts. Since oysters are animal products, oyster sauce is not vegan.
Chicken Stock
PF Chang’s uses chicken stock in the preparation of their Stir Fry Eggplant. Chicken stock is made by simmering chicken bones, meat, and vegetables in water. This makes it non-vegan.
White Rice
The Stir Fry Eggplant is served with white rice. PF Chang’s states that their rice contains butter. Since butter is made from dairy, this makes the rice non-vegan.
Conclusion
Based on an analysis of the ingredients, PF Chang’s Stir Fry Eggplant is not vegan due to the use of oyster sauce, chicken stock, and butter in the preparation. The eggplant, peppers, garlic and other veggies are vegan, but the way PF Chang’s completes the dish incorporates non-vegan ingredients. Those following a strict vegan diet would need to request modifications or substitutions to make this dish fully plant-based and vegan friendly.
Modifications to Make PF Chang’s Eggplant Vegan
For vegans who want to enjoy PF Chang’s Stir Fry Eggplant, there are some modifications that can be requested:
- Ask for no oyster sauce
- Request the dish be prepared with vegetable stock instead of chicken stock
- Substitute rice with brown rice or fried rice with no egg or butter
PF Chang’s chefs should be able to accommodate these requests to allow vegan customers to enjoy the flavors of this popular meatless dish. Some pre-planning and clear communications with the server or chef will be required to ensure a properly veganized Eggplant Stir Fry.
Nutrition Info for PF Chang’s Eggplant Stir Fry
Here is the nutrition information for PF Chang’s Eggplant Stir Fry based on the standard preparation with rice and oyster sauce:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 |
| Fat | 9g |
| Sodium | 1020mg |
| Carbs | 89g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 6g |
| Protein | 11g |
Some key highlights:
- 480 calories per serving
- 89 grams of carbohydrates
- 11 grams of protein
- 1020 milligrams of sodium
The eggplant and vegetable ingredients provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese. However, the high sodium content primarily comes from the oyster sauce and chicken stock.
Eggplant Stir Fry at Other Restaurants
For those looking for a vegan Eggplant Stir Fry dish, many other Chinese restaurants offer this meal without animal products. Some options include:
Buddha’s Belly
Their Spicy Eggplant Stir Fry is prepared with a vegan oyster sauce substitute and served with brown rice. Their chefs can also modify dishes to suit dietary needs.
Vegetarian Delights
This all vegan Chinese restaurant offers a sauce-free Vegetable Eggplant Stir Fry featuring fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions. Diners can request sauces on the side.
Crystal Jade
While not all locations have vegan sauces, some of their kitchens can make Eggplant Stir Fries without oyster or fish sauce and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
Other Vegan Options at PF Chang’s
For those who enjoy PF Chang’s, there are several completely vegan menu items available:
- Vegetable lettuce wraps
- Coconut curry vegetable soup
- Buddha’s Feast tofu stir fry
- Garlic snap peas
- Vegetable lo mein
With some modifications, PF Chang’s can be a great option for vegans. Discuss the menu ahead of time and communicate specific dietary needs with your server for the best experience.