Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower Is Being Discontinued

Say goodbye to another Trader Joe’s fan favorite. Their Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower is officially being discontinued. This spicy, sticky, vegan-friendly frozen meal has been a fan-favorite since it hit freezers years ago, so this news has left loyal shoppers frustrated (and stocking up while they can).

The cauliflower dish which is a crispy tempura battered version of classic Kung Pao chicken, was one of the few ready-to-eat vegan entrées at Trader Joe’s that felt both satisfying and flavorful. It was beloved for its heat, crunch, and convenience, landing on countless “best of Trader Joe’s” lists over the years.

Why Trader Joe’s Keeps Discontinuing Your Favorites

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Trader Joe’s has a long history of pulling popular items from shelves with little notice. I actually have a full post all about (why Trader Joe’s discontinues your favorite products) here which includes insights into how their private-label system works, and why slow restocks often turn into full disappearances.

Is Trader Joe’s Moving Away from Vegan Options?

One theory floating around among shoppers (and even a few current insiders) is that some decision-makers at Trader Joe’s believe veganism is a fading trend, not a growing one. Whether that’s true or not, it’s hard to ignore that several of their longtime vegan staples have quietly vanished in the last couple of years.

Products like the vegan brioche, vegan whipping cream and now the Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower all gained cult followings, yet none seem safe from the chopping block. With plant-based eating still strong across major grocery chains, it’s an odd move that’s left many shoppers wondering what direction Trader Joe’s is really heading.

Stock up while you can.

If this was one of your weeknight go-tos, check your local store soon. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and based on history, there’s no guarantee it’ll come back.

For more on the bigger picture behind all these discontinued Trader Joe’s items, read my full post on why Trader Joe’s discontinues your favorites, it breaks down the real reasons and what might come next for vegan shoppers.