40 Easy Vegetarian Chinese Recipes To Make at Home (2024)

However delicious take-out is (and don’t get me wrong, it is DELICIOUS), it can be super unhealthy and expensive – which is why we thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of 40 mouthwatering Chinese vegetarian recipes for you to make yourself!

Now you can enjoy veggie Chinese dishes, made from scratch, with none of the high salt and fat levels, or chemical ingredients – much healthier and just as delicious!

A quick note: It’s important to note that many of these recipes are westernized versions of traditional Chinese recipes. For example, they use plenty of “western” vegetables (carrots, onions, tomatoes, broccoli) and cooking methods (deep frying) that rarely appear in Chinese cuisines.

We already covered pan-Asian stir fries in our 20 best vegetarian stir fry recipes compilation, so be sure to check that out as well, because a lot of those recipes are inspired by Chinese cuisine.

However, I thought I would branch out a bit and discover some more vegetarian dishes, not just stir fries.

So it’s time to look through my favourite vegetarian Chinese-inspired recipes!

Mains

We have tried to include a whole range of healthy vegetarian Chinese recipes for you to try out at home, from Chinese tofu to Chinese vegetarian noodles to noodle soups and omelettes (for an even wider range, try these vegetarian Asian meals). There will be something for everyone, I am sure.

You’d better send our apologies to your local takeaway – looks like you won’t be needing them anymore!

Bonus: spicy, crunchy, delicious

Fiery Dragon Noodles. Our tasty take on the insanely popular and easy spicy Asian dish. The perfect recipe for using up leftover pasta or noodles!

Bonus: packed with protein and vitamin-loaded veggies

Want a tasty veggie lunch that’s packed with protein? Look no further than our homemade vegetarian egg drop noodle soup that will tickle your taste buds!

Bonus: light, filling, and calorie-controlled lunch

Looking for healthy, straight forward lunch options? Try our ramen noodle salad – it’s veggie, high protein & gluten free.

Bonus: an easy, delicious, and versatile vegan recipe

Bring glory to the kitchen with this awesome Chinese inspired vegetable chow mein. Quick, tasty and full of veg, this delicious veggie chinese recipe will not disappoint.

Bonus: you can use any veg you have

Need to use some leftover rice and veggies? Rustle up some egg fried rice with this healthy vegetable fried rice recipe!

Bonus: far healthier and more delicious than pre-packed noodles

Looking for a healthy packed lunch to bring to the office? Try our easy homemade ramen in a jar – hot noodle soup in minutes!

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: light, tasty, and satisfyingly filling

This speedy and roasted creamy corn soup is here to show the world just how much vegan food rocks. Why should vegans have all the fun?!

Bonus: healthy, easy, and delicious with some basic ingredients

Delicious Fake Lo Mein, inspired by vegetarian chinese recipes, you’ll find all ingredients in a regular supermarket. Just as delicious as the original and ready in only 20 minutes.

Bonus: perfect leftover dish

Everybody should know how to make veggie fried rice. Hands down one of the most delicious and easiest ways to use up leftovers. Ready in max. 15 minutes!

Bonus: hot, flavourful, creamy

A delicious peanut sauce compliments this fantastic stir fry with simple to follow cooking tips. Beginner friendly and super quick to make! Try it now! 😉

Protein: 11g
Calories: 343kcal
Ready in: 60 minutes
Recipe by: HomeCookedRoots
Bonus: sweet, sticky, vegan

This vegan takeout inspired dish is tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet! A delicious, simple and gluten free weeknight meal.

Protein: 3g
Calories: 57kcal
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: IHeartUmami
Bonus: low carb, healthy, tasty

Shirataki Noodles recipe tossed with a wickedly delicious “peanut” sauce that’s oh-so creamy and nutty delicious! Best of all, this low carb konjac noodles recipe is no cook and with just 7 gram net carbs (more vegetarian low carb meal ideas here!)! Great hot summer recipes because it’s super tasty served cold!

Protein: 4g
Calories: 145kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: VegRecipesOfIndia
Bonus: lots of fresh veggies and vibrant spices

Hot and Sour soup is a spicy and hot soup made with mixed fresh vegetables, mushrooms, spices and soy sauce. It’s a popular soup from the Indo Chinese cuisine, and is very easy to make at home.

Protein: 14g
Calories: 343kcal
Ready in: 2 hours 35 minutes
Recipe by: WokAndKin
Bonus: delicious, traditional, festive

Lo Han Jai is one of the vegetarian chinese dishes that makes it to every Lunar New Year banquet! The Buddha’s Delight medley is slow cooked until perfectly moist then drizzled with a smooth tangy sauce, making it the most anticipated labor of love.

Protein: 18g
Calories: 310kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: VeganPunks
Bonus: really simple cooking process

Sticky tofu with a vegan Szechuan sauce makes for an amazing midweek dinner. It only takes 20 minutes to cook and minimal effort! It uses actual Szechuan peppercorns that complements a sweet and spicy sauce to make a delicious Szechuan tofu dish.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: CookRepublic
Bonus: quick, delicious, vegan dinner

A vegan version of the authentic Chinese Mabo Dofu, this Mushroom Ma Po Tofu cooks in under 30 minutes and is a delicious light weeknight meal for the whole family (for more vegan chinese recipes, click here).

Protein: 26g
Calories: 526kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: RunningToTheKitchen
Bonus: the recipe comes together very quickly

Enjoy your favorite Chinese takeout meal with a vegan twist in this Kung Pao chickpea recipe (and if this sounds good, try some of our other favorite vegan chickpea recipes here). The sauce is a perfect recreation with tons of bold flavors making this dish taste just like the original with a simple protein swap!

Protein: 28.2g
Calories: 518kcal
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: LiveEatLearn
Bonus: perfect for entertaining your friends

This vegan beef and broccoli recipe is ready in under 35 minutes! It’s also high in protein with over 28 grams of protein per serving!

Protein: 10g
Calories: 372kcal
Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: VeggiesDon’tBite
Bonus: perfect crispiness combined with the sticky orange sauce

This vegan orange cauliflower recipe is the perfect copycat for orange chicken. It’s crispy but baked, has a healthy dose of veggies and tastes incredible!

Protein: 5g
Calories: 234kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: MyDaintyKitchen
Bonus: crispy, tasty, spicy

Chinese bhel is a popular indo-chinese street food in Mumbai and is crispy in texture. This makes a perfect evening snack recipe.

Protein: 15g
Calories: 345kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes (prep time 25)
Recipe by: YupItsVegan
Bonus: crispy tofu, full of protein

Crispy baked tofu is tossed with sweet and spicy peanut sauce and served with fresh herbs and pickled shallots, for an Asian-inspired peanut tofu recipe that’s fresh and flavorful. If you’re wondering how to make peanut tofu that rocks, you’ve come to the right place!

Protein: 15g
Calories: 162kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: WhiskAffair
Bonus: fluffy, versatile, healthy

Make this homemade crispy and fluffy Chinese egg omelette, Egg Foo Young at home in under 15 minutes. Add veggies or meat of your choice to make it super filling.

Protein: 6g
Calories: 174kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: iFoodReal
Bonus: a perfect combination of crunchy vegetables that are easily accessible

20 Minute crunchy Asian Chopped Salad with colorful red cabbage, lettuce, edamame beans, cilantro and easy Asian salad dressing. A crunchy, fresh, and flavorful salad recipe ready so fast!

Protein: 6.3g
Calories: 247.6kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: SavoryBitesRecipes
Bonus: sweet, chewy, spicy

This General Tso’s Cauliflower is sweet and spicy, deep fried cauliflower chunks further tossed in a deliciously quick and easy General Tso sauce recipe,which is the vegetarian cousin of famous North American Chinese takeout menu dish Orange Chicken- the best vegan General Tso recipe!

Protein: 20g
Calories: 418kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: SulaAndSpice
Bonus: healthy, tasty, easy

A healthier vegetarian alternative to the classic deep-fried egg roll. A delicious take on a classic chinese vegetable recipe.

Protein: 7g
Calories: 438kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: GreedyGirlGourmet
Bonus: a quick and simple flu-busting recipe with an authentic taste

Done in 20 minute vegan Chinese wonton soup that tastes as good as the traditional version. Gluten-free and made without commercially bought stock/ bouillon cube OR hours of making homemade stock! A great flu fighter thanks to the ginger and garlic!

Starters, sides, and snacks

We’ve got a section on veg Chinese starters because if you’re anything like me, these might even be your favourite part of the menu!

This section includes veggie Chinese recipes for a lot of the classics, like spring rolls, potstickers, and bao buns.

Bonus: a nutritious and weight loss friendly snack

Try this oriental-inspired smashed cucumber and edamame recipe, a quick high-protein snack to have at home or on the go (and if you like that, why not try our other healthy vegetarian snacks here!)!

Bonus: many variations (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mauritian, and more)

More high-quality protein and flavour? Check. These flavourful soy sauce eggs with jammy yolks are beyond addictive!

Protein: 3g
Calories: 88kcal
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: MyPurePlants
Bonus: aromatic and flavorful vegetable dumplings

Try these delicious, crispy vegan rice paper dumplings where we used shredded king oyster mushrooms as a perfect alternative to vegan duck. These cute dumplings are the easiest way to enjoy Chinese potstickers gluten-free even if it is not folded but rolled.

Protein: 3g
Calories: 129kcal
Ready in: 60 minutes
Recipe by: MyPlantifulKitchen
Bonus: healthy, easy, delicious

Chinese steamed yam cake, also known as taro cake, is a popular Asian dim sum dish. It is naturally vegetarian, and really easy to make.

Protein: 2g
Calories: 110kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: CubesnJuliennes
Bonus: tasty, crispy, delicious

Crispy and golden on the outside, filled with a tantalizing mix of vegetables and served with a savory dipping sauce, this is one starter that is sure to satisfy everyone! Classic vegetarian chinese food, which you can now make at home.

Protein: 1g
Calories: 69kcal
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: ThePeskyVegan
Bonus: flavourful aromatics and the unique blend of spices

Stir-fried cucumber combines aromatic ingredients with Chinese five spice to create a tasty side dish that’s both vegan and gluten-free.

Protein: 3g
Calories: 88kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes
Recipe by: GreedyGirlGournmet
Bonus: perfect make-ahead recipe, freezes well

An easy matcha bun (Chinese mantou bao) recipe which only requires 1 proof (1 rise), along with a mantou FAQ section on how to use a metal steamer (instead of the traditional bamboo steamer) and why your naturally vegan matcha buns aren’t smooth.

Protein: 1g
Calories: 42kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes
Recipe by: CilantroAndCitronella
Bonus: you can change up the filling as you like

These vegan potstickers are better than takeout with a tasty mushroom and veggie filling and homemade wonton wrappers to ensure that they’re vegan! Once you’ve mastered these bad boys, you’ll never order takeout again!

Protein: 7g
Calories: 228kcal
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: BraisedAndDeglazed
Bonus: you can change up the filling as you like

This Chinese style sautéed baby broccoli with garlic, chili and lemon is super tasty. It’s vegan, light on calories and a healthy choice to mix into your dinner rotation.

Protein: 3g
Calories: 84kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: DelightfulPlate
Bonus: can be enjoyed on their own or with soy milk

These fried dough sticks (Quẩy/Youtiao) are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Learn the foolproof method to make them at home (it’s easier than you may think). No baking ammonia is needed!

Ready in: 8 minutes
Recipe by: ThriftyJinxy
Bonus: packed with vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and have anti-inflammatory properties

Give your body a boost of health benefits in the most delicious way, with our Copycat Panda Express Super Greens Recipe!

Protein: 5g
Calories: 113kcal
Ready in: 2 hours 5 minutes
Recipe by: LikeHotKeto
Bonus: surprisingly sweet keto-friendly snack

This wonderful and popular Chinese snack is easily made: just by boiling peanuts in water with warm spices, they get super tender and naturally sweet – without any sugar added!

Ready in: 2 hours 35 minutes (15 minutes prep time, 1.5 hours proofing)
Recipe by: Mayuri’sJikoni
Bonus: healthy, soft, versatile

Healthy, steamed, fluffy, soft, delicious veggie bao buns. Perfect as a starter or as a light meal. Use a filling of your choice.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: MyDaintyKitchen
Bonus: easy, crunchy, tasty

Crispy & easy to make veg chinese starter made with cabbage, refined flour and deep fried.

Vegetarian Chinese Recipes FAQ

Want to know more about vegetarian Chinese food? Read on!

Which Chinese dishes are vegetarian?

Chinese dishes featuring vegetables, noodles, rice and tofu are vegetarian. They’re actually the mainstays of Chinese cuisine and are available in almost all Chinese restaurants.

Is Chinese vegetarian food healthy?

Yes, Chinese vegetarian food is generally healthy. It often uses tofu, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms and water plants which are all healthy and nutritious ingredients.

However, you should consider the amount of oil and sodium in some dishes and try not to turn them unhealthy by adding too many processed foods.

Check out this article on the benefits of a vegetarian diet to get more info about healthy eating as a vegetarian.

Is lo mein vegetarian?

Traditional lo mein often contains some type of meat or seafood and is not vegetarian. But it can be easily made vegetarian by replacing the meat with tofu or some other plant-based protein.

The sauce also makes lo mein non-vegetarian but you can easily skip the fish sauce (or oyster sauce) and customize it to your needs. Check out this vegan lo main for inspiration!

What Chinese dish has lots of vegetables?

Chinese stir fries usually have lots of different vegetables: Chinese cabbage, bok choy, bean sprouts, cucumbers, carrots, daikon radish, eggplants, bamboo shoots, snow peas, Chinese broccoli, bell peppers, green onions and more.

There are plenty of recipes to use up whatever vegetables you have in the fridge with different proteins and sauces. This peanut stir fry might be a perfect idea!

The origin of fake meat

Many people in China practice Buddhism, and, although not all Buddhists must be vegetarian, many monks practice vegetarianism.

Therefore many traditional Buddhist meals are vegetarian.

This is why tofu, and in fact, vegetarian meat substitutes in general, can be traced back to Chinese Buddhists hundreds of years ago! Cool right?

‘Buddha’s delight’ is a great example of a traditional vegetarian Chinese recipe that has come from Buddhism, eaten around the lunar New Year.

Hope you enjoyed looking through and trying out these delicious Chinese food recipes. Let me know in the comments which of the recipes you like best!