24 best vegan Chinese recipes that taste better than takeaway meals

Take your taste buds on a culinary journey across China and discover the best vegan Chinese recipes you can try at home

Despite being famed for signature dishes such as chicken chow mein and egg fried rice, Chinese cuisine is full of delicious meat-free options for vegans. 

China has a centuries-old love affair with food items like rice, noodles, tofu, legumes and a great variety of vegetables, which means vast swathes of Chinese dishes are already vegan, while some of the meaty and non-vegan dishes are quite easy to switch up into a delicious plant-based alternative.

It’s one of the most popular international cuisines in the world — statistics show that Chinese eateries are the most common restaurants found in the top visited cities in the world¹.

And it’s not hard to see why, as Chinese cuisine offers a great variety of dishes that pack in so much flavour, while many of the dishes are full of fibre and nutrients and are a great healthy option. 

Veganism and vegetarianism in China

Chinese vegetarianism first began to emerge in the Spring and Autumn period, thanks to Confucian and Taoist practices of asceticism from approximately 770 BCE.

This was bolstered when Buddhism spread throughout China during the Tang dynasty ((618–907 CE), with the philosophy emphasising compassion and nonviolence towards all beings, human or animal. 

When China became The People’s Republic of China in 1949, meat consumption became more common for Chinese citizens, as it became more affordable and seen as a luxury item.

However, since the 2010s, vegetarianism and veganism began growing in a second wave as a response to the crises in the country of materialism, health, and climate change. In 2021, the China Vegan Society was founded. 

Today, it is estimated that four-five per cent of China’s population is either vegetarian or vegan. And, as the second most populated country on Earth with around 1.4 billion inhabitants, that means around around 56-70 million people follow a veggie lifestyle.

China also represents 53% of the international meat substitute market, worth an estimated $16 billion, a lot of that being soy and plant milk products. 

You may have heard of the book The China Study (plus the full title, The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health).

The book found that the population of rural parts of China has some of the lowest rates of illness and disease due to its heavy reliance on plant foods such as vegetables, rice and legumes, versus the more meat-heavy diets found in Western countries such as the USA and the UK where rates of chronic illness and disease are much higher.

While the term ‘vegan’ is actually relatively new in China, the country has one of the richest histories of celebration and high consumption of plant-based foods. 

So, with that said, let’s dive into some tantalising vegan Chinese recipes you can try at home.

1. Vegan Tofu ‘Egg’ Fried Rice

As the perfect accompaniment to any vegan Chinese meal, there could be only one for our opening salvo – vegan ‘egg’ fried rice. Any notion of chicken or cruelty involvement is removed thanks to the addition of tofu, which makes a perfect replacement for egg in this vegan dish.

It’s presented in stunning golden colour with health-giving turmeric, and the kala namak is the secret ingredient to give it that signature egg fried rice style flavour. Crispy seitan pieces send this veganised Chinese recipe to the next level.

2. Vegan Steamed Bao Buns

With evidence the cute little buns date all the way back to 400 BCE, from Northern China during the Three Kingdoms period, why should vegans be denied the joy of bao buns?

Often containing dairy milk and meats such as pork, we eschew those for soya milk, and some gorgeous ingredients like bamboo shoots, ginger, and mushrooms. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and some soy sauce for dipping is all you need to enjoy these soft, pillowing buns. 

3. Crispy Cauliflower Chinese-Style Pancakes

Now you don’t have to wait until Shrove Tuesday to tuck into some vegan pancakes! This duck-free version of the popular Chinese recipe is a delectable delight.

You can serve them up as a side or starter when cooking up a Chinese meal, or they make a wonderful light lunch. The crisped-up cauliflower pieces bring a brilliant dimension to the pancakes, and the hoisin-inspired sauce is so delicious and thick.

4. Vegan Wonton Soup

Not only is wonton a very satisfying word to say, but this wonton soup is also full of satisfaction.

We’ve filled these vegan wontons with soy mince to make this dish an absolute delight for meat-free eaters. These soya dumplings will bob atop your homemade soup, a vegetable broth made from sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and more.

5. Vegan Prawn Toast

With tofu spread over crispy fried bread and a deft dusting of sesame seeds, this vegan take on prawn toast might just be better than the original! It’s a great accompaniment for a homemade vegan Chinese feast, but it also works brilliantly as part of a finger food spread.

The crumbled nori throws in a hint of seafood to the tofu, bringing the flavour of prawns – without any harm caused.

6. Vegan Crispy Chilli Beef

Crispy goodness is becoming a running theme here, and this vegan take on crispy chilli beef is no exception. Because spice, crunch and meaty texture should not be for meat eaters only! 

Here, we hail seitan, the wheat-based meat replacer that’s packed with protein. There are some dishes that are so delightful that they really affirm the decision to go vegan, and this is one of them.

Chinese five-spice, chilli flakes, soya sauce, and fresh ginger will make you feel like an emperor.

7. Vegan Sweet & Sour Tofu Balls with Vegetable Fried Rice

Nobody combines sweet and sour flavours better than Chinese cuisine, it’s one of the tenets of Chinese cooking that it’s famous for. In this vegan take on the classic dish, succulent tofu gets the sweet and sour treatment, cooked to be lovely and crispy (of course).

It’s served with vegetable fried rice, while the tofu balls are housed in a crispy golden batter, so they’re soft and squidgy on the inside with a crunchy exterior.

8. Vegan Wontons

You knew dumplings were going to make an appearance sooner or later, and they’re popping up here in the form of this vegan wontons recipe.

Wontons first appeared in Chinese historical writings from Yang Xiong, the philosopher and poet who lived between 53 BCE – 18 CE, so munch down on a piece of foodie history.

Typically containing a combination of meat and veggies, these wonderful wontons bring much-needed dumpling joy without any harm to animals.

9. Char Siu Tofu Noodles

Chinese food and noodles: it’s a love story. And it’s a love story that’s taken the whole world with it. It’s even believed that noodles inspired European travellers to go home and create spaghetti once back in Italy.

Noodles originated during the Han Dynasty, which means people have been enjoying noodle dishes for more than 4000 years! Here’s a fresh, vegan take on a classic Chinese recipe.

10. Layered Vegan Jujube Cake

And for this entry, let them eat cake! Specifically, jujube cake. What’s a jujube when it’s at home, I hear you ask? It’s a fruit native to China that is also known as the Chinese date, or red date. Growing of the fruit in the U.S. then commenced 175 years ago.

It can either be small and cherry-sized or grow to the size of a plum! It’s the superstar of this layered cake, combining its sweet fragrance with creamy coconut. Besides being vegan, it’s also gluten-free so is perfect when catering to mixed diets. Get ready to wow friends and family with this one.

11. Vegan Hakka Noodles

Time for a stir-fried Indo-Chinese dish! Hakka noodles are refined wheat noodles that are cooked al dente in a wok (we won’t tell if you don’t have one though), traditionally cooked with heaps of veggies, plus oil and soya sauce to give it an irresistible umami flavour.

Sriracha, rice wine vinegar and spring onions complete an unbelievable flavour profile, while a sprinkle of roasted cashew nuts give it an added crunch that’s too tempting not to try. 

12. Vegan Duck Pancakes with Jackfruit

We have another duckless wonder for you here as we venture back into pancake territory. This time, jackfruit is here to save the day, lending its sweet and tangy flavour and meaty texture to make this classic dish vegan-friendly.

Also adding fresh and punchy flavours the vegan duck pancakes are spring onion, cucumber, and hearty hoisin sauce. 

13. Vegan Smoked Tofu & Pak Choi

If you were eagerly awaiting the arrival of pak choi, that time has arrived. The Chinese cabbage is a firm favourite across East Asian cuisine as it’s a big vegetable that packs big flavour, as well as being full of fibre, antioxidants and vitamins. This dish makes the stunning choice of pairing pak choi with smoked tofu dressed in sesame seeds to create a dish that’s tangy and tasty in equal measures.

If you’re feeling extra peckish, add some rice noodles to make it even more delightful. Combining sweet spicy, smokey and salty notes, it’s unlikely this dish will be a one-off for you.

14. Vegan Sweet and Sour Fakeaway

With sweet and sour being one of the most go-to Chinese dishes on a takeaway menu, it’s only fair that a dazzling vegan take is in the world for the plant-based people, and this one rings the ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ monicker true.

It’s loaded in protein thanks to soya chunks, also known as textured vegetable protein (TVP), it’s packed with veggies. We recommend pairing it with the fluffiest white rice you can get your hands on to enjoy a true takeaway experience in the comfort of your own home. 

15. Vegan Bao Buns with Tempeh, Peanuts and Zingy Red Cabbage Slaw

The red carpet is rolled out once again for the celebrities of the foodie world that are bao buns. This time, they are made as lavish as you can imagine with protein-packed peanuts and tempeh, with wonderfully tangy red cabbage slaw.

Bao buns may sound daunting to make at home, but this easy bao bun recipe puts that misconception to bed. 

16. Vegan Salt and Pepper ‘Prawns’

If you’re making a finger food spread for a party and next something with extra ‘wow’ factor, then stop scrolling right now.

Seitan is the super ingredient here to ensure no prawns are harmed in the making of this appetiser. The salt, pepper, and vegan fish seasoning give a delicious seafood-style taste, without removing any fishy friends from the ocean.  

17. Vegan Stir Fry with Roasted Sweet Potato and Orange & Ginger Sauce

This is another Chinese vegan recipe that superbly balances sweetness and spiciness to create a dinner that’s truly a taste sensation. It’s also guilt-free — sometimes these dishes use high-sugar sauces.

However, the blended orange and apricots harness the vitality and power of fruit to deliver an oozing, sticky sauce that you will want to revisit time and time again.

Add to that sweet potato, tenderstem broccoli, courgette and more, and you’ve got the most wonderful combination of fibre, nutrients, and deliciousness.

18. Vegan Chinese Slaw

This recipe proves that coleslaw neither has to contain egg mayonnaise or be dull! This vegan and Chinese recipe brings bundles of fresh zest to the table, with white cabbage, carrots and onion.

Set it on top of ripe avocado and you’ve got yourself a first-class ticket to creamy and crunchy heaven. Other suggestions are to serve inside an Asian-inspired plant-based burger or hot dog.

19. Vegan Peking Mushroom Pancakes

We’re not done with you yet, pancakes! This time, mushrooms are the superstar of this vegan Chinese recipe. Again, this dish that can make for something yummy and light, or as part of a broader Chinese feast.

The chestnut mushrooms are served up sticky and sweet in an unforgettable fashion, and the pancakes are once again drizzled in hoisin sauce. Your housemates will be peeking around the corner to see what you’re making as soon as they catch the scent. 

20. Baked Vegan Spring Rolls

Spring rolls, it just had to be! One of China’s most popular culinary exports to the world, here is a sumptuous plant-based take on the classic food item in this vegan Chinese recipe.

The delicious flavour profile is a relatively simple combination of garlic, soy sauce and ginger. The wrapped-up cabbage, beansprouts, onions, and carrots give this a wonderful fibre factor.

21. Vegan Tofu in Black Bean Sauce

Tofu has ‘OG’ status in both the vegan community and Chinese cooking. Thus, it’s a pretty natural fit for any vegan Chinese recipe, no less so than in this cruelty-free version of a Chinese takeaway classic.

It’s chock-full of veggies, a rick black bean sauce, and tender tofu which is the star on show.

Best of all, it’s a budget-friendly dish with affordable items available at supermarkets, saving you an expensive trip seeking out a specialist shop.

22. Vegan Hot and Sour Soup

Scan through almost any Chinese takeaway menu and your eyes will spot hot and sour soup. Oh so tangy and oh so flavourful, this vegan version of the Chinese recipe hits that sweet satisfaction with tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables.

It’s a hearty broth that is lovely and thick thanks to cornflour, and eschews any egg potentially found that might be found in other hot and sour soups.

23. Vegan Pak Choi with Chilli, Garlic and Ginger Butter

Pak choi, also known as bok choy, is a variety of cabbage, originating in China.

It’s delicious when added to stir-fries, but equally delicious when served as the star of the dish, as in this recipe.The leafy vegetable can be steamed, simmered in water, or stir fried, and works well with flavours like ginger, chilli and garlic.It makes an ideal accompaniment to a wide range of Chinese-inspired dishes.

This quick and simple way of cooking pak choi makes a delicious side for a main dish as the strength of the chilli, garlic and ginger is well balanced by the acidity of the lemon.

24. Vegan Garlic & Chilli Tofu

High in protein, big on flavour and quick to cook, this delicious vegan garlic and chilli tofu is perfect for a midweek meal or as part of an Asian feast at the weekend.

Brimming with protein, the tofu here is served to crispy perfection. To crisp it up, you’ll be coating the tofu in cornflour and frying in oil, or you can opt for an air fryer if you’d prefer a less oily dish.

We recommend serving it with the zingy Asian slaw recipe shared above as the balance of sweet and acidic flavours is a match made in heaven. Sprinkle some peanuts over the top to give it added crunch and you’re on to a winner!

Ready for another culinary journey? Pack your bags as we’re heading off to India, taking you on a tour of the best vegan Indian recipes.

Featured photo © Vegan Food & Living