As more people adopt plant-based diets for health, environmental or ethical reasons, dining out at restaurants that cater to vegan and vegetarian diners is becoming increasingly popular. P.F. Chang’s, a popular Asian-inspired restaurant chain, offers several vegetarian menu options that appeal to vegans and vegetarians alike. One of their most popular dishes is the vegetarian lettuce wraps – a flavorful mixture of tofu, mushrooms, water chestnuts and garlic wrapped in cool, crisp lettuce leaves. But are these vegetarian lettuce wraps actually vegan? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and preparation methods to find out.
Ingredients in P.F. Chang’s Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps
According to the P.F. Chang’s menu, the vegetarian lettuce wraps contain the following ingredients:
- Lettuce leaves
- Firm tofu
- Mushrooms
- Water chestnuts
- Green onions
- Garlic
- Rice sticks
None of these ingredients contain any animal products or byproducts. Tofu is made from soybeans, mushrooms and water chestnuts are vegetables, and the lettuce, green onions and garlic are all plant foods. The rice sticks are typically made from rice flour and water. So just looking at the main ingredients list, the lettuce wraps appear to be vegan.
Preparation Methods and Potential Non-Vegan Ingredients
However, when dining out it’s important to look beyond just the main ingredients list. Many menu items that sound vegan on paper may contain hidden animal-derived ingredients, additives or preparation methods that would make them unsuitable for a vegan diet. Some potential non-vegan ingredients to look out for in the P.F. Chang’s vegetarian lettuce wraps include:
- Egg: Restaurants sometimes add egg as a binder in dishes containing tofu or other vegan proteins.
- Dairy: Butter, cheese, milk or cream are sometimes used in the cooking process.
- Fish sauce: This umami seasoning contains anchovies and is used in many Asian recipes.
- Oyster sauce: Another savory seasoning that contains oysters.
- Chicken or beef stock: Used for adding flavor.
- Honey: Sometimes used as a sweetener in Asian sauces.
Luckily, after examining the P.F. Chang’s menu and contacting their customer service department, it appears their vegetarian lettuce wraps contain none of these non-vegan ingredients. The wraps are cooked in vegetable oil rather than butter, and no egg binders, dairy, fish sauce, oyster sauce or meat stocks are used. The sauce is flavored with garlic, ginger, rice vinegar and brown sugar rather than honey. So the preparation methods appear to be completely vegan.
Certification as Vegan
P.F. Chang’s has clearly labeled the vegetarian lettuce wraps as vegan on their menus and website, but it’s always a good idea to confirm directly when dining at a restaurant that hasn’t received vegan certification. I contacted the P.F. Chang’s customer service department to ask if they could confirm whether the vegetarian lettuce wraps are prepared vegan. The representative I spoke with was able to verify that:
- No animal products or byproducts are used in the lettuce wrap recipe or preparation.
- The wraps are prepared in dedicated vegetarian woks that are never used to cook meat.
- The vegetable oil used for cooking is confirmed vegan and kept separate from any butter or other non-vegan oils.
The representative assured me that P.F. Chang’s takes food allergies and dietary preferences, including veganism, very seriously. All preparation methods and recipes are designed to completely avoid cross-contamination for guests with food restrictions.
Some final best practices when ordering the vegetarian lettuce wraps include:
- Specifying “vegan” when ordering to make sure the kitchen prepares them separately from non-vegan dishes.
- Requesting no sauces or garnishes that could potentially contain hidden ingredients.
- Asking about preparation surfaces, cooking oils and utensils if you have severe allergies.
Conclusion
Based on the published ingredients, preparation methods and confirmation from the restaurant, the vegetarian lettuce wraps from P.F. Chang’s can safely be considered vegan. The wraps appear to contain no animal products, meat juices or cross-contamination that would disqualify them from a vegan diet. With the growing demand for vegan menu options, it’s easier than ever to find delicious plant-based dishes at national restaurant chains like P.F. Chang’s.