Chinese Vegetarian Food

Most Chinese vegetarians are Buddhists, following the Buddhist teachings about minimizing suffering. In addition, many Yoga practicers in China are vegetarians or vegans. Nowadays, in order to keep health and fit, more and more Chinese people who are not vegetarians or vegans, tend to eat vegetarian food from time to time. Therefore, vegetarian food is common and readily available in China, though Vegetarianism is only practiced by a relatively small fraction of the population. Moreover, an Emphasis on Fresh Vegetables Makes Chinese Cuisine Perfect for Vegetarians. The mainstays of Chinese cuisine - noodles, rice, tofu, and vegetables - are all present in vegetarian cooking. It just takes some effort and a bit of flexibility to find fine vegetarian food in many restaurants which are not vegetarian restaurants.

Besides large varieties of vegetables, Chinese vegetarian food often applies Tofu (bean curd), dry bean curd, nut, mushroom, fungi and alga as its ingredients. Interestingly, you will frequently find dishes resembling a type of meat or seafood. For example, in Fried Mock Oyster, mashed tofu pieces are shaped like an oyster. Besides good taste, Chinese vegetarian food pays a great emphasis on displaying a harmonious balance of colors and textures as well as flavors.

Here is a list of common Chinese vegetarian dishes and/or street food, including names in Chinese, Pinyin and English.

Pinyin                                     English Name                                 Chinese Name

wo wo tou                       North-eastern steamed corn bread       窝窝头

dou sha bao                  Sweet bun with red bean paste inside   豆沙包

bai cai mu er                 Cabbage and Mushrooms                        白菜木耳

nan gua gua jiang        Pumpkin candy                                          南瓜挂浆

liang ban huang gua   Cold Cucumber Salad                               凉拌黄瓜

cui pi dou fu                  Crispy-Skin Tofu                                         脆皮豆腐

jia chang dou fu            Home-style Tofu                                         家常豆腐

ma la dou fu                  Hot Pepper Tofu                                        麻辣豆腐

di san Xian                      Eggplant with Chilli and Potato                地三鲜
 
Xianggu Youcai           Sautéed Cabbage with Mushrooms         香菇油菜
suan ni bo cai              Garlic Fried Chinese Spinach                     蒜泥菠菜

jinzhengu ban huanggua  Golden Needle Mushrooms & Cucumber  金针菇拌黄瓜