Chinese Vegetarian Food

Most Chinese vegetarians are Buddhists, following the Buddhist teachings about minimizing suffering. In addition, many Yoga practicers in China are vegetarians or vegans. Nowadays, in order to keep health and fit, more and more Chinese people who are not vegetarians or vegans, tend to eat vegetarian food from time to time. Therefore, vegetarian food is common and readily available in China, though Vegetarianism is only practiced by a relatively small fraction of the population. Moreover, an Emphasis on Fresh Vegetables Makes Chinese Cuisine Perfect for Vegetarians. The mainstays of Chinese cuisine - noodles, rice, tofu, and vegetables - are all present in vegetarian cooking. It just takes some effort and a bit of flexibility to find fine vegetarian food in many restaurants which are not vegetarian restaurants.

Besides large varieties of vegetables, Chinese vegetarian food often applies Tofu (bean curd), dry bean curd, nut, mushroom, fungi and alga as its ingredients. Interestingly, you will frequently find dishes resembling a type of meat or seafood. For example, in Fried Mock Oyster, mashed tofu pieces are shaped like an oyster. Besides good taste, Chinese vegetarian food pays a great emphasis on displaying a harmonious balance of colors and textures as well as flavors.

Here is a list of common Chinese vegetarian dishes and/or street food, including names in Chinese, Pinyin and English.

Pinyin English Name Chinese Name

wo wo tou North-eastern steamed corn bread 窝窝头

dou sha bao Sweet bun with red bean paste inside 豆沙包

bai cai mu er Cabbage and Mushrooms 白菜木耳

nan gua gua jiang Pumpkin candy 南瓜挂浆

liang ban huang gua Cold Cucumber Salad 凉拌黄瓜

cui pi dou fu Crispy-Skin Tofu 脆皮豆腐

jia chang dou fu Home-style Tofu 家常豆腐

ma la dou fu Hot Pepper Tofu 麻辣豆腐

di san xian Eggplant with Chilli and Potato 地三鲜

Xianggu Youcai Sautéed Cabbage with Mushrooms 香菇油菜
suan ni bo cai Garlic Fried Chinese Spinach 蒜泥菠菜

jinzhengu ban huanggua Golden Needle Mushrooms & Cucumber 金针菇拌黄瓜