Today, the vegan food scene is rife with products like burgers, nuggets, sausages, and meatballs—all of which are hailed for their ability to not just look like meat, but also cook and taste like meat, too. But while plant-based protein may seem new and innovative to many Western consumers, it actually has a very long history in the East. According to Taste, in the 10th century, in China, tofu-based vegetarian meat was often referred to as “small mutton” because it tasted similar to sheep meat.
This appetite for meat alternatives was largely linked to the rise of Buddhism in China, which originated during the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). Monasteries would provide monks with strictly vegetarian food, but visitors would receive a banquet of delicious meats, only they weren’t really meats at all—they were totally plant-based. This is how the tradition of vegan meat began.
Hundreds of years after the Han Dynasty, in 1849, the very first Chinese restaurant opened in the US. After that, more restaurants started springing up across the country, many opened up by Chinese people who had headed to the US amid the gold rush. This birthed a boom in demand for Chinese cuisine, and today, according to the Chinese American Restaurant Association, there are more than 45,000 Chinese restaurants in the US. Many of them offer vegetarian meat and plant-forward dishes on the menu, but some have gone even further and are totally vegetarian or vegan.
If you want to sample delicious Chinese vegan food for yourself, here, in no particular order, we’ve gathered some of the tastiest spots across the US.
Spicy Moon
1 Spicy Moon
New York, NY
Spicy Moon has four New York City locations, in the East Village, the West Village, Chelsea, and the Bowery. All offer an array of Sichuan dishes, including Mapo Tofu, Crispy Eggplant, Peppercorn Brussel Sprouts, and Pea Leaves With Garlic. If you’re not local to any of the outposts, you can also order some of the chain’s signature sauces on Goldbelly, like the mouthwateringly good Vegan Chili Crisp.
FIND IT HERE
Pow Pow
2 Pow Pow
Washington, DC
If you’re looking for a tasty bite in DC, then Pow Pow has two spots: one in the H Street Corridor and one in Franklin Square. As well as its popular range of Chinese dishes—think Sichuan Dumplings and Disco Stick Egg Rolls—the restaurant also serves fare inspired by Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.
FIND IT HERE
Veggie House
3 Veggie House
Chicago, IL
Located in Chicago’s Chinatown, Veggie House isn’t totally vegan, but it is 100 percent meat-free. Dishes like the Veggie House Soy Beef served in zingy chili garlic sauce, and deep-fried Salt & Pepper Pumpkins are not to be missed.
FIND IT HERE
House of Fortune
4 House of Fortune
Chino, CA
Find the popular vegan Chinese restaurant House of Fortune in Chino, San Bernardino County. As well as deliciously indulgent dishes like deep-fried soy cheese wontons, you can find a range of vegetarian meat dishes on the menu, including Crispy Goose and BBQ Pork.
FIND IT HERE
Stone Monkey
5 Stone Monkey
San Diego, CA
Plant-based pop-up Stone Monkey specializes in bringing the “flavors of Shanghai” to the streets of San Diego, which involves serving everything from crispy Scallion Pancakes to Pork Dan Dan Noodles to Kao Fu Seitan. Keep an eye on its Instagram page to find out where it’s going next!
FIND IT HERE
Men & Beasts
6 Men & Beasts
Los Angeles, CA
It might not be obvious at first glance, but everything at Men & Beasts is 100 percent plant-based—yes, even the cheese rangoons, pork dumplings, and bao beignets. Stop by for a dinnertime feast, or visit on the weekend for brunch and a range of freshly made, delicious modern Chinese dishes.
Find it here
Vegan Tree
7Vegan Tree
Matawan, NJ
Vegan Tree keeps its mission simple: to serve its local neighborhood delicious, expertly prepared vegan Chinese cuisine. Its standout dish is the Vegan Tree Fried Noodles, cooked in a rich, house-made savory sauce. If you’re in the mood for fusion, you can also branch out to options like vegan BLT wraps or Beyond Burgers at this fully plant-based spot.
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Yuan Su Vegetarian
8 Yuan Su Vegetarian
Portland, OR
Portland, OR, is known for its thriving vegan food scene, so it makes sense that if you’re in the area and in the mood for plant-based Chinese food, the city won’t disappoint. Check out Yuan Su Vegetarian for dishes like Veggie Seafood With Tofu Soup and Veggie Shredded Pork With Shredded Bean Curd.
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Garden Wok
9 Garden Wok
Tarzana, CA
If you happen to be in the greater Los Angeles area and a craving hits for a Chinese banquet, then you should absolutely head down to Garden Wok in Tarzana. Treat yourself to the Buddha’s Feast, which consists of plant-based versions of chicken, beef, and shrimp alongside several tofu dishes.
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Unit Su Vege
10 Unit Su Vege
Philadelphia, PA
For more than a decade, the chef at Unit Su Vege has been dedicated to crafting delicious, meat-free Chinese dishes, and it shows. While some of the dishes on the menu are vegetarian, there are plenty of 100-percent vegan options to choose from, such as Veggie Steak in Black Pepper Sauce, Kung Pao Dried Tofu, and Curry Potato.
FIND IT HERE
Bodhi Kosher
11 Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant
New York, NY
Spicy Moon isn’t the only standout vegan Chinese restaurant in New York. Another favorite with many locals is Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant, which is loved for dishes like Cha Shui Bao, Fried Sticky Rice Dumplings, and plant-based BBQ Meat.
FIND IT HERE
Chef Kenny’s
12 Chef Kenny’s Asian Vegan Restaurant
Las Vegas, NV
If you’re a vegan meat-lover, then Chef Kenny’s Asian Vegan Restaurant in Las Vegas will absolutely not disappoint. The range of choices includes everything from Spicy Vegan Crispy Beef to Veggie Geese to Black Pepper Beef Strip. There’s a reason why this place has earned a reputation as one of the go-to plant-based spots in Sin City.
FIND IT HERE
Loving Hut/Instagram
13Loving Hut
Multiple Locations
Originally founded in 2008 in Taiwan, Loving Hut has become an international favorite when it comes to vegan dishes. With locations across the US, the menu includes several Chinese-inspired delights, including Golden Rolls and Chow Mein.
FIND IT HERE
Garden Fresh
14Garden Fresh
Mountain View, CA
There’s a lot happening in this corner of Silicon Valley, but don’t overlook Garden Fresh—one of the best Chinese spots in town that also happens to be fully vegan. Settle in for a feast of crispy sesame “chicken,” Szechuan eggplant, vegetarian “beef” with broccoli, and plant-based ribs, and then finish things off with a refreshing lychee tea.
Find it here
Lotus Vegetarian
15 Lotus Vegetarian
Brooklyn, NY
As you’d expect, the menu at Lotus Vegetarian is packed with vegan options. Head to the popular Brooklyn spot to try everything from black pepper seitan and mango soy protein to General Tso’s “chick’n” and Peking duck, plus much more. If you’re in the mood for fusion, you can also sample Japanese-inspired dishes like salmon teriyaki and udon noodle soup.
Find it here
Vegan Deadly Sins
16 Vegan Deadly Sins
Sacramento, CA
Family-owned Vegan Deadly Sins proves that indulgent Chinese comfort food can be completely plant-based. The Sacramento favorite serves everything from Orange Vegan Chicken and General Tso’s Vegan Chicken to Braised Vegan Spareribs and Mongolian Vegan Beef, alongside crispy starters like golden wontons and salt-and-pepper fried taro. If you’re craving noodles, don’t miss the Spicy Tan Tan Noodles or Vegan Chicken Chow Mein, and be sure to finish with sweet sesame balls or one of the shop’s colorful oat milk boba teas.
Find it here
For more vegan restaurants, read:
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
