Vegan & Vegetarian Travel in China: Complete Survival Guide (2026)

Vegan and vegetarian travel in China is absolutely possible.

But if you're strict about avoiding animal products, you need to accept one reality upfront:

China is not "vegan-aware" in the way many Western countries are. That doesn't mean people don't care—it means the language, ingredients, and kitchen habits are different.

The goal of this guide is not to scare you. It's to give you a system that works:

• know where animal products hide in Chinese food,
• know what's usually safe,
• communicate clearly and politely,
• reduce cross-contamination risk,
• and always have a backup plan.

Quick Answer

• Animal products in China come mainly from hidden broths, lard, oyster sauce, chicken powder, and fish sauce.
• Your safest options are Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (100% plant-based), plain rice, steamed vegetables you watch being cooked, and hotpot with controlled ingredients.
• The biggest risk is not "obvious meat"—it's invisible broths and animal-fat cooking oil.
• Use the ordering card below, find Buddhist restaurants on your map app, and keep backup snacks.

Table of Contents

• Where Animal Products Hide in Chinese Food
• Chinese Label Cheat Sheet (Characters to Know)
• Safe Foods List (Low-Risk Picks)
• Danger Foods List (High-Risk Picks)
• Vegan Restaurant Ordering Card (Chinese + English)
• How to Order in Restaurants (Practical Strategy)
• Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurants (Your Safest Bet)
• Vegan Hotpot Playbook
• Supermarket Shopping Guide
• Hotel Breakfast Survival
• City-by-City Vegan Tips
• Regional Cuisine Guide
• Pack This: Self-Carry Food and Tools
• FAQ

Where Animal Products Hide in Chinese Food

To a local chef, "meatless" doesn't always mean "animal-product-free." Flavor is king, and animal-based ingredients are a common shortcut to deliciousness.

1. The Broth (高汤 - gāotāng)

This is the #1 offender.

Chefs often quickly blanch vegetables in a large, simmering master stock before stir-frying them. This stock is almost always made from chicken or pork bones. They may also add a ladleful of this broth to the wok for moisture and flavor.

Where this bites travelers:

• "vegetable" soups that taste surprisingly rich
• blanched greens (the quick-boil step uses the stock)
• noodle soups where the broth looks "clear"

2. Lard (猪油 - zhūyóu)

Traditionally, lard was the primary cooking fat for stir-fries in many regions. While vegetable oil is now more common, many traditional chefs still use lard to give vegetable dishes a richer flavor and aroma.

High-risk situations:

• older restaurants and street stalls
• regional cuisines (especially Sichuan, Hunan, Cantonese dim sum)
• fried rice and fried noodles (lard = better wok hei aroma)
• pastries and buns (lard makes flaky layers)

3. Chicken Powder & Bouillon (鸡精 - jījīng)

This is a powdered chicken stock used as a flavor enhancer, much like salt or MSG. It's sprinkled into almost everything.

Kitchen reality:

• restaurants use it by default
• it's cheap and effective
• even "vegetable" dishes get a sprinkle

4. Oyster Sauce (蚝油 - háoyóu)

Many savory brown sauces used on vegetables are based on oyster sauce, which is made from oyster extract.

Common dishes with oyster sauce:

• stir-fried leafy greens (especially with garlic)
• mushroom dishes
• tofu dishes with brown sauce
• any "sauce-heavy" stir-fry

5. Fish Sauce and Dried Seafood

Be wary of innocent-looking garnishes. Dishes are often finished with:

• dried shrimp (虾米)
• shrimp paste
• powdered scallops
• fish sauce (鱼露)

Regional alert:

• Cantonese cuisine uses dried seafood heavily
• Fujian and coastal areas love fish sauce
• Even "vegetable" dishes in these regions may have seafood undertones

6. Hidden Egg

Eggs appear where you don't expect them:

• fried rice (default ingredient)
• noodle wrappers (some contain egg)
• pastries and mooncakes
• "vegetarian" Buddhist mock meats (some use egg white as binder)

Chinese Label Cheat Sheet (Characters to Know)

Learn these characters to scan menus and product labels:

"Contains" (Danger)

Chinese	Pinyin	English
肉	ròu	meat
猪	zhū	pork
牛	niú	beef
鸡	jī	chicken
鸭	yā	duck
鱼	yú	fish
虾	xiā	shrimp
蛋	dàn	egg
奶	nǎi	milk/dairy
猪油	zhūyóu	lard
高汤	gāotāng	stock/broth
蚝油	háoyóu	oyster sauce
鸡精	jījīng	chicken powder
鱼露	yúlù	fish sauce

"Safe" Indicators

Chinese	Pinyin	English
素	sù	vegetarian/vegan
纯素	chún sù	pure vegan
素食	sùshí	vegetarian food
斋	zhāi	Buddhist vegetarian
植物	zhíwù	plant-based
素油	sùyóu	vegetable oil

Safe Foods List (Low-Risk Picks)

These are your go-to options when you need reliable vegan meals:

Almost Always Safe

Food	Chinese	Notes
Plain steamed rice	白米饭	Universal safe carb
Steamed mantou (plain bun)	馒头	Usually vegan (check for lard)
Fresh fruit	水果	From fruit stands or supermarkets
Roasted sweet potato	烤红薯	Street food classic
Steamed corn	玉米	Street vendors sell this
Plain congee	白粥	Rice porridge, usually safe
Candied hawthorn	冰糖葫芦	Street snack

Usually Safe (With Verification)

Food	Chinese	Verify
Stir-fried greens	炒青菜	Ask: no lard, no oyster sauce, no broth
Tofu dishes	豆腐	Ask: no meat broth, no oyster sauce
Mushroom dishes	蘑菇	Ask: no oyster sauce
Eggplant dishes	茄子	Ask: no meat, no oyster sauce
Earth Three Treasures	地三鲜	Potato, eggplant, pepper—ask for vegan prep

Buddhist Restaurant Safe

Food	Chinese	Notes
Mock meat dishes	素肉	Made from tofu, seitan, mushrooms
Buddhist vegetable stir-fry	罗汉斋	Classic temple dish
Vegetarian dumplings	素饺子	Veggie-filled
Mock duck	素鸭	Usually seitan-based

Danger Foods List (High-Risk Picks)

These look vegetarian but usually aren't:

High Risk (Avoid Unless Buddhist Restaurant)

Food	Chinese	Hidden Issue
Vegetable soup	蔬菜汤	Chicken/pork broth base
Fried rice	炒饭	Egg, lard, chicken powder
Noodle soup	汤面	Meat broth base
Stir-fried greens	炒青菜	Oyster sauce, lard, broth
Mapo tofu	麻婆豆腐	Pork mince is standard
Hot and sour soup	酸辣汤	Egg, pork broth, pork strips
Spring rolls	春卷	Often contain pork
Dim sum	点心	Most items contain meat or lard

Sneaky Ingredients

Looks Like	Actually Contains
Clear vegetable broth	Chicken stock
"Vegetable" fried rice	Egg, chicken powder
Garlic greens	Oyster sauce
Crispy tofu	Fried in lard
Vegetable dumplings	Lard in wrapper

Vegan Restaurant Ordering Card (Chinese + English)

Print this or save it on your phone. Show it to the waiter or chef every time you order.

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For Strict Vegans

我吃纯素，不吃任何动物产品。

请不要放：肉、鱼、海鲜、鸡蛋、牛奶、蜂蜜。

请不要用：猪油、鸡精、高汤、蚝油、鱼露。

请用植物油炒菜。谢谢！

Translation:

• "I am a strict vegan and don't eat any animal products."
• "Please don't include: meat, fish, seafood, eggs, milk, honey."
• "Please don't use: lard, chicken powder, stock, oyster sauce, fish sauce."
• "Please use vegetable oil for cooking. Thank you!"

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For Vegetarians (Eggs/Dairy OK)

我是素食者，不吃肉和海鲜。

鸡蛋和牛奶可以。

请不要用猪油、高汤、蚝油。谢谢！

Translation:

• "I am vegetarian, I don't eat meat or seafood."
• "Eggs and milk are OK."
• "Please don't use lard, stock, or oyster sauce. Thank you!"

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Quick Phrases to Say

English	Chinese	Pinyin
I'm vegan	我吃纯素	Wǒ chī chún sù
No meat	不要肉	Bùyào ròu
No egg	不要蛋	Bùyào dàn
No lard	不要猪油	Bùyào zhūyóu
No oyster sauce	不要蚝油	Bùyào háoyóu
No chicken powder	不要鸡精	Bùyào jījīng
Use vegetable oil	用植物油	Yòng zhíwùyóu
Is this vegan?	这个是纯素的吗？	Zhège shì chún sù de ma?

How to Order in Restaurants (Practical Strategy)

Step 1: Choose the Right Restaurant Type

Your success rate depends heavily on restaurant choice:

Restaurant Type	Vegan Success Rate	Notes
Buddhist vegetarian	95%+	Your best option
Modern vegan cafes	90%+	In major cities
Hotpot (DIY)	85%	You control ingredients
Western restaurants	70%	Understand "vegan" concept
Regular Chinese	40%	Need full communication
Street food	20%	Hard to verify
Cantonese dim sum	10%	Almost everything has meat/lard

Step 2: Show Your Card First

Before looking at the menu, show your ordering card. This sets expectations and lets the staff think about what's possible.

Step 3: Ask About Specific Dishes

Point to a dish and ask:

这个菜用什么油炒？ (What oil is used to cook this?)

这个有没有放鸡精或高汤？ (Does this have chicken powder or broth?)

Step 4: Suggest Modifications

If a dish is close but not quite vegan:

可以不放蚝油吗？ (Can you not add oyster sauce?)

可以用植物油炒吗？ (Can you cook it with vegetable oil?)

Step 5: Confirm Before Cooking

Say: 确认一下，不放肉、蛋、猪油、蚝油、鸡精，对吗？

(Just to confirm: no meat, egg, lard, oyster sauce, chicken powder, right?)

Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurants (Your Safest Bet)

This is the only way to be 100% certain your food is safe.

How to Find Them

Search your map app (Baidu Maps, Amap) for:

• 素食餐厅 (sùshí cāntīng) — vegetarian restaurant
• 素菜馆 (sù cài guǎn) — vegetarian restaurant
• 斋饭 (zhāi fàn) — Buddhist vegetarian food

What to Expect

Buddhist vegetarian restaurants serve:

• Mock meats made from tofu, seitan, mushrooms, and wheat gluten
• Traditional temple dishes like Luohan Zhai (Buddha's Delight)
• Dim sum and dumplings with vegetable fillings
• Noodles and rice with vegetarian preparations

Price Range

• Budget: ¥20-40 per person
• Mid-range: ¥50-100 per person
• Upscale: ¥100-200+ per person

Egg Warning

Some Buddhist restaurants use eggs in certain dishes (for binding mock meats). If you're strict vegan, still ask:

这个有没有蛋？ (Does this contain egg?)

City Recommendations

City	Recommended Buddhist Restaurants
Shanghai	Wujie Vegetarian, Godly Vegetarian
Beijing	King's Joy, Veggie Table
Guangzhou	Tianchu Miaoxiang
Chengdu	Wenshu Temple vegetarian
Hangzhou	Lingyin Temple vegetarian

Vegan Hotpot Playbook

Hotpot is excellent for vegans—you control exactly what goes in.

Step 1: Choose Your Broth

Request a mushroom broth (菌汤锅底) or tomato broth (番茄锅底).

⚠️ Avoid: spicy broth often contains beef tallow (牛油) or lard.

Ask: 这个锅底有没有动物油？ (Does this broth base contain animal fat?)

Step 2: Order Vegan Ingredients

Safe picks:

• Leafy greens (青菜)
• Mushrooms (蘑菇、金针菇、香菇)
• Tofu varieties (豆腐、冻豆腐、豆皮)
• Potato slices (土豆片)
• Winter melon (冬瓜)
• Lotus root (藕)
• Corn (玉米)
• Noodles (面条) — verify egg-free

Step 3: Dipping Sauce Station

Most hotpot places have a DIY sauce bar. Build your own:

• Sesame paste (芝麻酱) — usually vegan
• Chili oil (辣椒油) — verify no lard
• Soy sauce (酱油)
• Vinegar (醋)
• Garlic (蒜)
• Cilantro (香菜)
• Green onion (葱)

⚠️ Avoid: oyster sauce and pre-mixed sauces at the bar.

Step 4: Avoid Cross-Contamination

If dining with meat-eaters:

• Request separate pots (分锅)
• Use separate chopsticks for raw and cooked items
• Cook your vegetables first, before meat enters the pot

Supermarket Shopping Guide

Chinese supermarkets have great vegan options once you know what to look for.

Best Supermarket Chains

• Freshippo/Hema (盒马) — best for imported vegan products
• Ole' — high-end, international selection
• City Super — Hong Kong chain, good vegan range
• Carrefour (家乐福) — decent international section
• Walmart (沃尔玛) — familiar layout

Safe Packaged Foods

Product	Chinese	Notes
Plain tofu	豆腐	Multiple firmness levels
Soy milk	豆浆	Often sweetened
Rice	大米	Bag it yourself
Instant noodles	方便面	Check for egg and meat seasoning
Nuts	坚果	Good snacks
Dried fruit	干果	Watch for additives
Seaweed snacks	海苔	Usually vegan
Crackers	饼干	Check ingredients

What to Check on Labels

Look for: 成分 (chéngfèn) — ingredients list

Scan for: 肉, 蛋, 奶, 猪油, 鸡精 (meat, egg, milk, lard, chicken powder)

Convenience Store Picks

7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and local convenience stores have:

• Onigiri (rice balls) — some veggie options
• Steamed buns — check filling
• Fresh fruit
• Nuts
• Plain bread (check for eggs/milk)

Hotel Breakfast Survival

Hotel breakfast buffets are tricky. Here's how to navigate them.

Usually Safe

• Fresh fruit
• Plain congee (白粥)
• Steamed rice
• Steamed vegetables (ask staff about preparation)
• Plain bread/toast (check for eggs/butter)
• Cereal with soy milk (if available)
• Coffee/tea

Risky Items

• Fried rice (egg, lard)
• Noodles (broth, egg)
• Dim sum (meat, lard)
• Pastries (butter, eggs, lard)
• Stir-fried dishes (oyster sauce, lard)

Pro Tips

1. Ask the chef: Point and ask 这个是纯素的吗？ (Is this vegan?)
2. Request custom cooking: Some hotels will make plain stir-fried vegetables on request
3. International hotels: Better at understanding "vegan" concept
4. Keep backup: Always have snacks in your room

City-by-City Vegan Tips

Beijing

• Strong Buddhist restaurant scene
• International restaurants understand vegan
• Street food: be careful with lard
• Try: King's Joy (high-end vegetarian)

Shanghai

• Best city for vegans in China
• Many dedicated vegan cafes
• International food scene
• Try: Wujie, Hunter Gatherer

Guangzhou (Canton)

• Most challenging for vegans
• Cantonese cuisine uses lots of seafood/lard
• Seek out Buddhist restaurants
• Dim sum: almost impossible to find vegan options

Chengdu

• Sichuan cuisine uses lots of lard and meat
• BUT Buddhist temples have great vegetarian food
• Hotpot: request mushroom broth, verify no beef tallow
• Try: Wenshu Temple area

Hangzhou

• Buddhist influence from Lingyin Temple
• Good vegetarian restaurants near West Lake
• Tea houses serve vegetarian snacks
• Try: Lingyin Temple vegetarian restaurant

Xi'an

• Muslim influence means less pork, more lamb
• Street food uses animal fat heavily
• Look for Buddhist restaurants
• Noodle soups: usually meat broth

Hong Kong

• Excellent vegan scene
• Western and Asian vegan restaurants
• Happy Cow app works well here
• Try: Grassroots Pantry, Mana!

Regional Cuisine Guide

Cantonese (广东菜)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Hardest)

• Heavy use of oyster sauce, dried seafood, lard
• Dim sum nearly impossible for vegans
• Best option: dedicated Buddhist restaurants

Sichuan (四川菜)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Lots of meat and lard
• Spicy dishes often contain beef tallow
• Mapo tofu always has pork
• Better option: mushroom hotpot

Hunan (湖南菜)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Very meat-heavy cuisine
• Smoked meats are signature
• Lard commonly used
• Few naturally vegan dishes

Jiangsu/Shanghai (江浙菜)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

• Uses sugar and soy sauce
• Many vegetable dishes possible
• Watch for oyster sauce and broth
• Better options than Cantonese

Northern Chinese (北方菜)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

• Wheat-based (noodles, dumplings, buns)
• Less seafood influence
• Watch for lard in pastries
• Vegetable dumplings possible

Xinjiang (新疆菜)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

• Muslim-influenced, no pork
• But heavy on lamb
• Naan bread often vegan
• Vegetable skewers (verify no animal fat)

Pack This: Self-Carry Food and Tools

Essential Snacks

• Protein bars
• Nuts and trail mix
• Dried fruit
• Instant oatmeal packets
• Nut butter packets
• Crackers

Useful Tools

• Translation app (Baidu Translate works offline)
• Happy Cow app (for finding vegan restaurants)
• Ordering cards saved on phone
• Photos of your dietary requirements
• Small container for carrying snacks

Supplements to Consider

• B12 (hard to get enough in China)
• Protein powder
• Multivitamin

FAQ

Is China a good destination for vegans?

Yes, with preparation. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants are excellent. Major cities have growing vegan scenes. But everyday restaurants require careful communication.

Can I find vegan food everywhere in China?

In major cities, yes. In smaller towns and rural areas, you'll rely more on rice, fruit, and self-carried snacks. Buddhist temples often have vegetarian food even in small towns.

Do Chinese people understand "vegan"?

The concept of "纯素" (pure vegetarian/vegan) exists, but it's not mainstream. Most people understand "不吃肉" (don't eat meat) but may not think about hidden ingredients like broth or lard. That's why the detailed ordering card is essential.

Is tofu always vegan in China?

Plain tofu (豆腐) is vegan. But tofu dishes in restaurants often include oyster sauce, chicken powder, or are cooked in lard. Always verify preparation.

Can I trust "vegetarian" menu items?

No. A "vegetable" dish or "vegetarian" label doesn't guarantee vegan or even vegetarian preparation. Hidden broths, oyster sauce, and lard are common. Always ask specifically.

What about Buddhist mock meats?

Most are vegan, made from tofu, seitan, or mushrooms. However, some use egg white as a binder. Ask: 这个有没有蛋？ (Does this contain egg?)

How do I handle dinner invitations?

If invited to a restaurant:

• Offer to suggest a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant
• If they choose the restaurant, show your card early and ask for help ordering
• Focus on dishes you can verify
• Bring backup snacks

Is hotpot safe for vegans?

Hotpot is one of the best options because you control ingredients. But verify:

• Broth base (no beef tallow or lard)
• Dipping sauces (no oyster sauce)
• Cooking utensils (avoid cross-contamination)

What about bubble tea and drinks?

• Basic milk tea uses dairy
• Many shops offer non-dairy options (oat milk, soy milk)
• Tapioca pearls are usually vegan
• Fruit teas are generally safe
• Ask: 可以用豆奶/燕麦奶吗？ (Can you use soy milk/oat milk?)

Are instant noodles vegan in China?

Most are not. Common issues:

• Seasoning packets contain chicken powder or beef extract
• Some noodles contain egg
• Read ingredients carefully
• Safest: plain noodles with your own seasoning

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Final Tips

1. Lower your expectations for variety — you may eat similar foods repeatedly, and that's OK
2. Buddhist restaurants are your sanctuary — find them first in each city
3. Communication is everything — your ordering card is your most important tool
4. Keep snacks handy — you'll have moments when safe food isn't available
5. Be gracious — chefs may not understand, but most will try to help if you're polite
6. Celebrate wins — when you find a great vegan meal, enjoy it fully

Vegan travel in China rewards the prepared. With the right tools and mindset, you'll discover incredible plant-based food and have a memorable journey.

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