To eat vegetarian in China, learn key phrases like 'wo chi su' (I am vegetarian). Many Buddhist restaurants offer excellent meat-free options, though always clarify if dishes contain hidden meat, lard, or oyster sauce.
How to eat vegetarian and vegan in China — key phrases, hidden animal products, Buddhist restaurants and safe dishes.
Eating vegetarian or vegan in China is very doable — but it helps to know the right phrases and where the hidden animal products hide.
Buddhist vegetarian tradition
China has a 2,000-year Buddhist vegetarian tradition, and most cities have vegetarian restaurants (素菜馆) — often near temples. They serve mock-meat dishes, tofu, mushrooms and vegetable stir-fries that are genuinely vegan.
What to say
A few key phrases transform your experience:
- 我不吃肉 (wǒ bù chī ròu) — I don't eat meat
- 我吃素 (wǒ chī sù) — I eat vegetarian
- 不要肉 (bú yào ròu) — no meat
- 不要鸡蛋 (bú yào jīdàn) — no egg
- 素菜 (sùcài) — vegetarian dish
Show these on your phone at the canteen or restaurant — most chefs will adapt a dish for you.
Hidden animal products to watch
- Fish sauce and oyster sauce are used in many 'vegetable' dishes — say 不要蚝油
- Chicken broth is the default base for many soups — ask for clear water or tomato base
- Pork fat is used for stir-fry flavor in some regions — specify 植物油 (vegetable oil)
- Bone-based soups in noodle dishes — ask for vegetable broth
Where to eat safely
- Buddhist vegetarian restaurants near temples — fully vegan
- International supermarkets (Ole, City Shop) stock plant-based products
- Tofu and gluten dishes at any canteen — specify no meat, no fish sauce
- Vegetable dumplings (素饺) — confirm they contain no egg or shrimp
- Muslim noodle shops will make a vegetable noodle soup if you ask
Apps
- HappyCow lists vegetarian and vegan restaurants in major Chinese cities
- Dianping filters by 素食 (vegetarian)
Vegan staples you'll love
- Mapo tofu (without pork), dry-fried green beans, braised eggplant, garlic broccoli, tomato egg (skip egg), scallion pancakes (check for lard), vegetable fried rice (no egg), cold sesame noodles
Being vegetarian or vegan in China takes a little extra explaining at first, but the vegetable cuisine is one of the best in the world — and you'll eat better than you expected.
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Last updated 9 Sept 2026
