Pei Wei Menu Prices 2026: Noodles, Bowls, Stir-Fry & More

Pei Wei is a fast-casual chain, so prices sit above fast food but below full-service restaurants. A bowl or wok'd dish runs $12.99–$14.99 nationally as of May 2026. The most popular item, Mongolian Beef & Broccoli, is $14.99. Pad Thai is $13.99. Orange Chicken is $13.49. A complete meal (entrée + appetizer like lettuce wraps + drink) runs approximately $20–$30 per person. Kids' meals are $6.49–$6.99. Prices vary by market — urban and airport locations typically run $1–$2 higher than suburban stores.

Yes — Pei Wei was founded in 2000 as P.F. Chang's fast-casual spin-off brand, designed to serve wok-fired Chinese-American food faster and at a lower price point than P.F. Chang's China Bistro full-service format. The two brands shared ownership (P.F. Chang's China Bistro Group) until 2019, when they were separated — Pei Wei was acquired by private equity investors and now operates as an independent company. The Chicken Lettuce Wraps on Pei Wei's menu are a direct inheritance from P.F. Chang's most famous dish. The two brands no longer have a corporate relationship, but the culinary DNA is shared.

For a first visit, the top three Pei Wei dishes to try are: (1) Mongolian Beef & Broccoli ($14.99) — the chain's #1 most-ordered item; a savory-sweet, slightly saucy beef dish that showcases the wok-fired technique. (2) Pad Thai ($13.99) — Pei Wei's version of the Thai noodle classic is well-executed for fast casual; rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts, peanuts and tamarind sauce. (3) Chicken Lettuce Wraps ($10.99) — the starter that links Pei Wei to P.F. Chang's DNA; savory diced chicken in lettuce cups with a hoisin-soy sauce. The Thai Iced Tea ($3.99) is the top recommended drink pairing.

Yes — most Pei Wei dishes can be ordered at different heat levels. When ordering, you can specify mild, medium, hot or extra hot. The scale applies to dishes that have a chili component: Kung Pao Chicken, Spicy Cashew Chicken, Dan Dan Noodles, Thai Basil Chicken and others. Mild preparations remove most of the chili heat while preserving the savory sauce flavors. Extra hot adds significantly more chili — more intense than the standard preparation. Heat customization is one of the Pei Wei features most appreciated by regulars, since it lets the same dish work for heat-averse guests and spice-seekers alike.

Yes — Pei Wei has good plant-based options. Tofu is available as a protein substitute in any wok'd dish. Fully vegan items include the edamame ($4.49), vegetarian fried rice ($12.49), steamed rice side ($2.99) and the cauliflower fried rice with tofu. The Sesame Ginger Tofu Salad ($11.99) is vegetarian. Most Pei Wei sauces contain soy sauce (which is vegan), but some contain oyster sauce — confirm with the restaurant for specific vegan sauce options. Note that woks may be shared across proteins — cross-contact risk for strict vegetarians or vegans.

Pei Wei went through a significant restructuring in 2019–2021: the brand separated from P.F. Chang's, closed underperforming locations, and shifted its strategy. The chain's U.S. restaurant count dropped from a peak of ~230 locations to approximately 100 by 2026. That said, Pei Wei is still operating — it has stabilized its footprint and continues to open new locations in markets where it performs well. The brand also expanded its virtual kitchen and delivery presence significantly during the restructuring. For the latest location count and nearest store, use the official locator at peiwei.com.

Pei Wei offers four protein choices for wok'd dishes and bowls: Chicken (sliced or cubed breast — included in base price), Beef (tender sliced — +$1), Shrimp (wok-fired — +$1), and Tofu (firm, wok-fried — included, vegan). Chicken is by far the most popular — roughly two-thirds of Pei Wei orders use chicken. Shrimp is the most popular premium protein. Most dishes on the menu can be made with any of the four proteins, with beef and shrimp priced slightly higher. The Dan Dan Noodles traditionally come with ground pork — ask for a protein substitution if preferred.

Both are fast-casual Asian chains, but they differ significantly in food quality, price and style. Pei Wei uses a wok-to-order model — your dish is cooked fresh to order in a wok. Panda Express uses a cafeteria-style batch cooking model — items are pre-cooked and held in warming trays. As a result, Pei Wei's food is generally fresher but takes longer. Pei Wei is also more expensive: a Pei Wei bowl runs $13.99–$14.99 vs. Panda Express's 3-Entree Plate at $13.40. The menus overlap in some areas (Orange Chicken is on both menus), but Pei Wei has more Thai-inspired dishes (Pad Thai, Thai Basil) and a broader Asian fusion range. Panda Express has about 2,200 U.S. locations vs. Pei Wei's ~100.