Vegetarian Food in China

Somehow, I have never had any trouble finding vegetarian food …be it Croatia, Iceland, Thailand or China. I had heard harrowing stories about visiting china as a vegetarian.  I just got back after almost a week in Beijing and loved sampling the food there…it was so fresh and delicious.

There was plenty available for vegetarians and I enjoyed the local flavours. While the case might be different for smaller cities in China where few people know English and even fewer understand the concept of vegetarianism, Beijing was surprisingly awesome for a vegetarian foodie!
Here are some tips to help you enjoy some vegetarian food while you are in Beijing…

1. Use the internet: Refer to www.happycow.net. The website lists down vegetarian restaurants in any city. Scroll through it and you will find plenty in Beijing, especially around the tourist areas.
2. Write it down: Ask a local to write ‘vegetarian- no fish, no sea food, no meat’ in Chinese/Mandarin on a piece of paper so that you can show it to the waiters in the restaurants; not all people know and understand English and this piece of paper can be very useful. Remember, Google translate does not work in China.
3. ‘Monk-ing around’: Ask/search for ‘monk food’ or ‘temple food’. This is food without any meat, poultry or fish and contains ‘mock meat’. Usually, such restaurants are close to temples and monasteries. It is best to ask your hotel/hostel about their location and try eating here the day you visit the temple.
   
   

   Mock meat preparation

4. Dumplings to the rescue: Try the dumplings… you cannot come back from China without having any! Join a dumpling making class and make your own vegetarian dumplings.
   
   

   Learning to make dumplings…

   My favourite place is Din Tai Fung, the Michelin stared restaurant chain, which has outlets across Asia. You will always find a few vegetarian dishes on the menu … and it’s very affordable considering its reputation of being one of the best.
   

   Dumplings at Din Tai Fung

5. Customise your hot-pot: Add what you like in the hot pot… mushrooms, tofu, vegetables… you really make your own dish in this case. It is one of the healthiest options that you have while in China.
   
   

   Vegetables for the hot pot

6. Vegetables for the vegetarians: Stir fried vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, potatoes and mushrooms are available in plenty. They make a filling and healthy meal when accompanied with white rice.
   
   

   Veggies!!!

7. International food chains: If you are craving some bread that isn’t usually available in local Chinese restaurants, which almost always serve rice, make your way to one the many international chain restaurants… Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee… enjoy a cupcake or a sandwich with a cup of coffee.
   
   

   Bread at a coffee shop

8. Fresh produce: Fruits are awesome in China! The country is big and produces some delicious fresh produce, which is easily available at grocery stores and near tourist attractions. I sampled some plums and peaches… sweet, juicy and delicious!
   
   

   Juicy peaches

9. Desserts: If you have a sweet tooth, the Chinese desserts are worth sampling. However, be aware that they are not cloyingly sweet…and are very different from Indian desserts.
   
   

   Sweet Bao

   The bao with sweet red bean is totally fit for vegans. If you do eat eggs, you can try some cakes, biscuits and ice creams too.
   

   Local dessert… vegetarian and eggless!

10. Cook your own meal: If you are just too fussy about what you want to eat, stay in a hostel with a kitchen or rent an apartment so that you can cook as per your taste.

There…see, so much for a vegetarian to try in Beijing! Bon apetit amigos!