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What do Chinese restaurants offer the discerning vegetarian? I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately, because we’re going on a two week trip to Hong Kong, Macau and Beijing this October, and I’m going to have to do some serious research to find suitable eateries for vegetarian husband. I’ve been thinking about all the Chinese restaurants we’ve visited in London, and what dishes he particularly enjoys, so that I can find similar (or far better!) ones in China. Although I lived in Beijing for two years and have visited Hong Kong many times in the past, it’s been over a decade since my last trip, and I never had to worry about feeding a vegetarian!
Hardest part in China is that most restaurants cook using pig fat instead of oil, and a lot of vegetable dishes still have bits of meat in them. I tend to mostly eat at Muslim restaurants–try laohu cai for a great spicy veg dish.
For a nice restaurant in Beijing, try Restaurant of Hakka (I’ll look for business card for address later, but it was a little east of Forbidden City). Not sure if the Days Inn that moved across the street will influence the quality though.
Yes, I know! I try not to talk about that too much. It’s the same with dim sum, which is why it’s so tasty… Thanks for the Beijing recommendation, I’ll try and find it. I have an aunt who is Hakka, though I know very little about Hakka food, so it will be interesting to visit it. Have fun on your HK trip!
Helen Yuet Ling
I found it hard in HK. Most of the veggie restaurants that I found had unappealing food. I would eat in ordinary restaurants. At first they did not understand “vegetarian”. Then someone suggested I tell them that I am Buddhist. They do understand that and I had some wonderful mushroom dishes with the wonderful array of Chinese mushrooms and fungi, and tofu dishes, as well as many many vegetable dishes.
There is a wonderful vegetarian Indian in Kowloon in Lock St – Brantos. Wonderful food. Look up the address before you go, if you do, because it is on the first floor and hard to find from the street.
Also, in Soho there is a wonderful vegetarian western food place with rooftop dining. I will look for the address.
And finally, just sometimes, after weeks in HK, I would ache for some non-Cantonese food. Hard to imagine I know. I would just want a wonderful green salad. And I could get it in the pubs in Soho. Great food there, and salads to die for.
There is a great vegetarian restaurant in Yau Ma Tei called ‘Evergreen’ – I used to eat their often with colleagues, and as an avowed carnivore never felt I was missing out. Very delicious.
Here is a link I refer to when entertaining vegetarians in HK:
http://www.happycow.net/asia/china/hong_kong/kowloon/index.html
Hope this helps!
Really sorry to say I can’t find my stash of business cards from around China, which includes the restaurant in Beijing. Just looks for the Days Inn in the hutong neighborhood and it should be across the alleyway.
Also, be sure to try the Xinjiang barbecued eggplant–best eggplant I’ve ever had. No meat added.
VegeYum Ganga – thanks for the tips! I’d like to avoid going to any specifically vegetarian restaurants! Husband will have to make do with what I find suitable either on the menu or by asking the staff. Although we will go to a zai restaurant (at a temple probably) for some monks’ food. As you found out, Buddhist food can be delicious!
DSD – that’s useful to know, especially coming from a fellow carnivore! thanks also for the link, which I will check out…
China-Matt – don’t worry about the address, I’m sure my friends will know where it is. Xinjiang barbecued eggplant sounds heavenly. Thanks for that tip!