Vegetarian Chinese Recipes
Chinese vegetarian cooking is never bland: mapo tofu's mala, potato shreds' crunch, smashed cucumber's cool bite, egg fried rice's wok aroma — 17 meatless recipes, each labeled vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free.
Vegetarian Recipes
Braised Tofu (红烧豆腐)
红烧豆腐 (Braised Tofu (红烧豆腐)) · hóng shāo dòu fu
Cold Wood Ear Mushroom (凉拌木耳)
凉拌木耳 (Cold Wood Ear Mushroom (凉拌木耳)) · liáng bàn mù ěr
Cucumber Scrambled Eggs Recipe | Quick 15-Min Chinese Home Cooking
黄瓜炒蛋 (Cucumber Scrambled Eggs Recipe | Quick 15-Min Chinese Home Cooking) · huáng guā chǎo dàn
Egg Fried Rice (蛋炒饭)
蛋炒饭 (Egg Fried Rice (蛋炒饭)) · dàn chǎo fàn
Garlic Chives Scrambled Eggs Recipe | Chinese Scrambled Eggs with Chives
韭菜炒蛋 (Garlic Chives Scrambled Eggs Recipe | Chinese Scrambled Eggs with Chives) · jiǔ cài chǎo dàn
Garlic Romaine (蒜蓉油麦菜)
蒜蓉油麦菜 (Garlic Romaine (蒜蓉油麦菜)) · suàn róng yóu mài cài
Home-style Tofu (家常豆腐)
家常豆腐 (Home-style Tofu (家常豆腐)) · jiā cháng dòu fu
Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)
麻婆豆腐 (Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)) · má pó dòu fu
Oyster Sauce Lettuce (蚝油生菜)
蚝油生菜 (Oyster Sauce Lettuce (蚝油生菜)) · háo yóu shēng cài
Scallion Oil Noodles (葱油拌面)
葱油拌面 (Scallion Oil Noodles (葱油拌面)) · scallion noodles
Scallion Pancakes (葱油饼)
葱油饼 (Scallion Pancakes (葱油饼)) · cōng yóu bǐng
Smashed Cucumber (拍黄瓜)
拍黄瓜 (Smashed Cucumber (拍黄瓜)) · pāi huáng guā
Spicy Sour Potato Shreds (酸辣土豆丝)
酸辣土豆丝 (Spicy Sour Potato Shreds (酸辣土豆丝)) · suān là tǔ dòu sī
Stir-fried Bok Choy (清炒小白菜)
清炒小白菜 (Stir-fried Bok Choy (清炒小白菜)) · qīng chǎo xiǎo bái cài
Vinegar Cabbage (醋溜白菜) — Northeastern Sweet-Sour Stir-Fry
醋溜白菜 (Vinegar Cabbage (醋溜白菜) — Northeastern Sweet-Sour Stir-Fry) · cù liū bái cài
Seaweed Egg Drop Soup (紫菜蛋花汤)
紫菜蛋花汤 (Seaweed Egg Drop Soup (紫菜蛋花汤)) · zi cai dan hua tang
Tomato Egg Drop Soup (番茄蛋花汤)
番茄蛋花汤 (Tomato Egg Drop Soup (番茄蛋花汤)) · fan qie dan hua tang
Learn the Basics First
Vegetarian Chinese Food: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chinese food vegetarian-friendly?
More than it looks. Many classics are already meatless — mapo tofu, smashed cucumber, scallion pancakes, braised tofu. The trap is hidden non-vegetarian seasonings: oyster sauce, fish sauce, and some chicken stocks. Check labels or ask for the vegetarian version.
Can mapo tofu be made vegan?
Yes. Swap the ground pork for mushrooms or soy crumbles, and replace any chicken stock with mushroom water or plain water. The mala — Sichuan peppercorn + chili oil — carries the dish; you won't miss the meat.
How do Chinese vegetarian dishes avoid tasting bland?
Three tricks: wok hei from a hot pan, umami from fermented ingredients (doubanjiang, fermented bean curd, soy sauce), and texture contrast (crunchy vegetables + silky tofu + chewy wood ear). Every dish here hits at least two of the three.
What tofu should I use for vegetarian stir-fries?
Firm or extra-firm for stir-fries and braises — it holds its shape and browns. Silken is for soups and steamed dishes. Press firm tofu for 20 minutes before pan-frying if you want a golden crust.
Do Chinese vegetarian dishes have enough protein?
Yes, when you build the plate right. Tofu, eggs, and edamame are the obvious ones, but don't skip scallion pancakes and noodles — wheat has protein, and the egg fried rice here pairs rice protein with egg. Two or three dishes from this page easily cover a meal's protein needs.