Is it convenient to be vegetarian or have dietary restrictions in China?
Being vegetarian is quite convenient in China. China has a strong vegetarian tradition (influenced by Buddhism and Taoism). Temple vegetarian meals and vegetarian restaurants are found everywhere in big cities, and most restaurants also offer multiple fully vegetarian dishes. The key is to be clear: in addition to saying "I am vegetarian," add a phrase like "I don’t eat meat, I don’t eat seafood, and I don’t use meat-based oil," because Chinese kitchens often use lard or chicken fat. If you want to avoid the five pungent vegetables (onions, garlic, chives, Chinese leeks, and shallots), you need to specify that clearly. Halal: In the northwest, Xi’an Muslim Street, Lanzhou, and Kashgar, there are many halal restaurants; just look for the “halal” label. Allergies: Peanuts, nuts, seafood in
Eating vegetarian is quite convenient in China. China has a deep-rooted vegetarian tradition (influenced by Buddhism and Taoism). Temple vegetarian meals and vegetarian restaurants can be found everywhere in big cities, and most restaurants also offer multiple fully vegan dishes. The key is to be clear: in addition to saying "I eat vegetarian," add a phrase like "I don't eat meat, I don't eat seafood, and I don't use animal fat for cooking," because Chinese kitchens often use lard or chicken fat. If you want to avoid the five pungent spices (onions, garlic, chives, leeks, and asafoetida), you need to specify that explicitly. Halal: In the Northwest, in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, Lanzhou, and Kashgar, there are many halal restaurants, just look for the "Halal" sign. Allergies: Peanuts, nuts, and seafood are common in Chinese cuisine; it is recommended to carry a Chinese allergy card and show it directly to the server when ordering, which is much more reliable than explaining verbally.