While exact figures on vegan and vegetarian diners in China are hard to come by, estimates suggest that around 4-5% of the country's massive population - approximately 56 to 70 million people - follow a plant-based lifestyle.
Regardless of the precise number, one thing is certain: the demand for plant-based food in China is surging, with the market experiencing rapid growth and offering vast opportunities for innovation and expansion. We bring to you five vegan restaurant chains to keep in mind for your next trip to China!
1. Su Man Xiang 素满香
Su Man Xiang is a vegetarian restaurant chain based in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Founded in 2012, the brand now has more than 100 vegetarian buffet restaurants in more than 30 cities across 10 provinces, with a total of more than 100 million people served.
Su Man Xiang 素满香 in Ningbo, Zhejiang
The restaurant uses a wide variety of fresh ingredients such as various vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes to create mouthwatering dishes. With an emphasis on healthy eating and environmental protection, it promotes the concept of vegetarianism. The interior decoration of Sumanxiang is usually designed to create a comfortable and relaxing dining atmosphere. It attracts not only committed vegetarians but also those who are eager to try healthy and novel vegetarian cuisine, providing them with a unique and enjoyable dining experience.
2. Qing Chun Perma 庆春朴门
Established in 2021, with the first restaurant located near Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Qing Chun Perma serves vegetarian dishes that draw on Chinese traditions, as well as Southeast Asian flavours. Currently, it has branches in many cities in China.
After gaining the 2023 must-eat restaurant and the fashion store of Hangzhou, Qing Chun Perma HZ was honored as the Recommended Restaurant by 2023 Michelin Guide. Most ingredients are organic, including naturally grown grains and rice. In the bright, airy space with an open kitchen, you can try the delicious, silky smooth hazelnut-brown rice milk. Fresh dim sum are hand-made to order, such as organic dark rye wonton drizzled with house-made chilli sauce.
Vegan dishes at Qing Chun Perma 庆春朴门
3. Kungdelin 功德林
Kungdelin, founded in 1922, is a renowned time-honored brand enterprise known as the originator of vegetarian cuisine. With the tenet of "spreading Buddhist teachings, advocating vegetarianism, refraining from killing, and freeing captive animals", its vegetarian dishes are based on Huaiyang flavor, incorporating the essence of various famous cuisines and adapting to the tastes of people in northern China, thus forming a unique style.
The ingredients are carefully selected and mainly consist of seasonal fresh produce. Western-style vegetarian dishes are also designed by inviting Western chefs. Its signature dishes include "King Kong Fire Cube", "Eighteen Arhats" and "Buddhist Mooncakes". Among them, the "King Kong Fire Cube" combines vegetarian culture with Buddhist culture, and the "Eighteen Arhats" follows the production requirements of pure Buddhist vegetarian dishes and is highly nutritious.
Kungdelin is headquartered in Shanghai and has branches in many places. Its vegetarian cooking technique was awarded the national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. In recent years, it has continuously innovated and developed with the help of new online platforms.
4. Tibetan Tea Vegan Hotpot一叶一世界
This distinctive vegan catering brand adheres to the concept of "One Leaf, One World; One Tea, One Enlightenment", ingeniously combining Tibetan tea with vegan hot pot. The Tibetan tea-based broth has a unique flavor and remarkable health benefits. Besides the classic Tibetan tea broth, there are also a variety of other flavors available, such as tomato and mushroom broths, to meet different customers' taste preferences. The ingredients mainly consist of fresh vegetables, mushrooms, bean products, and other vegan items, with an emphasis on seasonality and diversity. Paired with special dipping sauces, it further enhances the deliciousness.
The interior decoration of the restaurant is full of Zen charm, with wooden elements, soft lighting, and green plants complementing each other, creating a peaceful and elegant dining atmosphere. The service team is professional, enthusiastic, and attentive, striving to provide an excellent dining experience. Since its establishment, it has gained a good reputation and wide recognition due to its unique charm. It has opened multiple branches in many cities across the country and is constantly expanding its territory, actively spreading the culture of Tibetan tea vegan hot pot.
Tibetan Tea Vegan Hotpot一叶一世界 in Guangdong Province, Shenzhen
5. DuLi 度粒
DuLi opened in August 2020 on Donghu Road in Shanghai with a mission to provide uncompromising plant-based food. "Du" represents the City of Chengdu, implying the provision of Sichuan-style vegan food；"Li" symbolizes “谷粒 guli" (delicious grains in English). DuLi also represents delicious food goes into “肚里 duli" (stomach in English).
The restaurant constantly provides customers with distinctive and eye-catching fusion menus with regional characteristics: mixing Chinese and Western ingredients to create rich and layered vegan dishes, such as tom yum dumpling soup, bean curd avocado salad, and doubanjiang spaghetti.
DuLi's team
DuLi was selected as the best pure vegan restaurant for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by That's Shanghai.
Do you know any other veg-friendly restaurants and eateries in China? We'd love to hear from you! Share them below in the comments for those on the lookout for fresh, delectable recommendations!
