Is it vegan? 7 Chinese dishes that are completely plant-based
Vegans should be aware that the terms vegetarian and vegan are often interchangeable in Chinese restaurants
As more Hongkongers follow a vegan diet, vegan eateries are becoming more plentiful. Many vegan eateries offer Westernised and/or Asian-fusion dishes. Similarly, for vegan recipes online, a search on the internet brings pages of non-Chinese recipes.
Vegans may run into challenges when ordering Chinese vegan dishes because the terms vegetarian and vegan are used loosely, and sometimes interchangeably, in the Chinese language. A common assumption is that Chinese vegetarian dishes are also vegan because the foods are free of animal products. However, there are vegetarian dishes that use ingredients containing egg and/or milk which are not part of a vegan diet.
To see what vegan Chinese dishes look like, here are my top picks when eating out or cooking at home.
Appetiser: marinated lotus roots
My first recommendation is a healthy appetiser, marinated lotus roots with garlic and vinegar. These lotus roots are served cold and are packed with 4 grammes of dietary fibre for every 10 slices. Having a few slices sets the tone for the rest of the meal.
Appetiser: three flavoured medley
Unlike the lotus roots, the three flavoured medley is a great alternative to a crunchy appetiser. A platter filled with a mix of savoury marinated tofu and bean curds, and of sweet and sour gluten pieces, you is likely to wake your palette for the entrees.
Entrée: braised tofu