11 Vegan Chinese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What Chinese meals are vegan? ›

There is a common misconception that Chinese cuisine is not very vegan-friendly…and the truth is, it can be very heavy on chicken, pork and seafood. While it's easy enough to swap out animal ingredients from most recipes, there are actually a fair few traditional recipes that are in fact 100% plant-based.

The Chinese word for vegan is 纯素食者 (chún sù shí zhě) literally “a pure vegetable-ist” or “a pure vegetarian”. The word for vegetarian is 素食者 (sù shí zhě) literally “a vegetable-ist”. The 纯 “chún” (pure) defines the difference between vegan and vegetarian.

The further refinement of white rice does not exclude it from being considered vegan. Many vegans prefer white rice because it cooks quicker, has a softer texture, and takes on the flavors of whatever it's cooked with.

When dining out, Middle Eastern restaurants offer the most consistently vegan-friendly menus. Nearly everything that isn't meat is commonly vegan, especially falafel, hummus, tahini dressing, tabbouleh salad, and lavash bread or pita.

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

Yes, absolutely! Rice is a common grain in all cooking and has a significant place in the plant-based world too. Some rice dishes may not be suitable for vegans though, so if you're eating out or following a recipe make sure there are no meat, fish or other animal products being used before you tuck in!

Excluding any spring rolls that contain seafood or meat, the answer is generally yes, spring rolls are vegan-friendly. The dough is simply made from flour, water and salt and vegetable fillings are nearly always 100% plant-based.

Here are some examples: Vegetable Spring Rolls - Spring rolls are a popular appetizer in Chinese cuisine and can be filled with a variety of vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts. Mapo Tofu - Mapo Tofu is a spicy and flavorful Sichuan dish made with tofu, mushrooms, and a spicy bean sauce.

Vegetables: Cabbage and mushrooms are standards in the classic moo shu recipe. I've also added carrots. Sauce: Made with soy sauce, water, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch. Mandarin Pancakes: For authentic moo shu, take the time to make the moo shu pancakes but if you don't have the time you can sub flour tortillas.

How to order vegetarian food in Chinese? ›

Veganism has been gradually gaining popularity in China, and there are indeed options available for both locals and tourists seeking vegan food. Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu have seen an increase in vegan restaurants and options due to a growing awareness of plant-based diets.

Some estimates have suggested that 4-5% of China's population identifies as vegetarian or vegan. With a population of over 1.4 billion, this translates to anywhere from 56 to 70 million people.

Considered a specialty in Chinese cuisine, Dim Sum, comprised of a variety of steamed and fried foods like dumplings, rolls, and buns, can also provide a wealth of dairy-free options. Steamed vegetable dumplings, for instance, are a delicious, dairy-free favorite.

Ramen, udon, somen, soba, glass noodles, naengmyeon, and rice noodles are all typically made vegan-friendly, but naturally, there may be some variation between brands so always check the ingredients list just to be safe!