11 Vegan Chinese Foods (With Weight Loss Tips)

There are a countless number of dishes that can be considered Chinese food and many of them are great for anyone looking to get into a Vegan diet.

Chinese chefs are amazing at making vegan food as tofu is such a crucial aspect to their cuisine.

I’ve eaten a lot of Asian foods and, without a doubt, Chinese food takes the crown when it comes to their versatile veggie and tofu dishes. 

It can be daunting to look for Vegan friendly items when you are looking to eat Chinese food or even Asian food in general.

So, we gathered a list of 12 Chinese foods and their calorie counts to discover what the best Vegan dishes Chinese chefs have to offer. 

11. Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots 

Taking our number 12 spot, we have Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots.

Bamboo is a food that is great when it is braised and has the consistency of somewhere between crunchy and creamy.

This dish is great for anyone looking for a healthy vegan alternative to classic Chinese dishes as the Bamboo can act as a replacement for meats such as chicken or beef. 

This dish is seasoned with soy sauce, rock sugar, and sesame oil. It’s a very simple combination of ingredients but packs a punch when it comes to flavor.

This is usually served as a side dish to supplement a meal and can be eaten with rice or lettuce wraps. 

It can be difficult to know if these are vegan if you order them at a Chinese restaurant so here is a recipe that you can use if you want to make it at the safety of your own home. 

https://thewoksoflife.com/braised-spring-bamboo-shoots/

Now, let’s take a look at the calorie contents and see what goes inside a typical Bamboo Shoot dish. 

For every 3 grams of fat, there are 20 grams of carbs and 4 grams of protein.

Not bad at all as this dish is full of fibers and can satisfy you with a small amount of it.

Vegetables are always recommended in any type of diet that you dive into.

They’re full of fibers and allow you to be full which is an extremely important aspect when staying lean and healthy. 

10. Chinese Cucumber Salad

If you enjoyed pickled vegetables then this is definitely the dish for you.

Chinese cucumber salad is usually made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili flakes. This makes for an acidic, spicy, and savory flavor within every single bite that you take.

The ingredients are so simple but you really get some awesome flavors that can’t be beat. 

These are usually Vegan no matter where you get them.

You can ask the waiter specifically if the dish made in their restaurant is vegan or you can make them at your house with a couple of very simple ingredients.

Here is a recipe that we found that is super simple to follow and loaded with delicious taste. 

https://www.abeautifulplate.com/chinese-cucumber-salad/

Now, let’s take a look at the calories and what goes into a typical cucumber salad. 

For every 0 grams of fat, there are 13 grams of carbs and 1 gram of protein.

It’s a pretty awesome dish and is something that you can eat with no guilt.

Chinese cucumber salad, in my opinion, is a dish that is paired amazingly with another heartier dish as it is more of an appetizer or side dish that enhances flavor. 

Just like kimchi, we always seem to have a jar of this made in the house. It’s an awesome dish that really goes well with anything savory. 

9. Crispy Salt & Pepper Tofu

As I said in the intro, Chinese chefs cook tofu in many amazing and delicious ways. Crispy Salt & Pepper Tofu is our first tofu dish and is a dish that is very traditional to the Chinese.

It is made by frying tofu in peanut oil and is then seasoned with soy sauce, rice wine, and salt to finish. 

This dish is savory and spicy but the best part about it is the crunch factor that you get from this dish.

It can be a heavy meal especially when eaten with rice so our recommendation is to wrap this in some lettuce or eat it with a fresh salad. 

There is a lot of fat that comes from the peanut oils so you have to be careful when eating too much of these.

It’s a very easy dish to overeat as it is very addicting so make sure you eat these delicious tofu cubes in moderation.

Here is a recipe that we found that is super simple to follow. 

https://kirbiecravings.com/crispy-salt-and-pepper-tofu/

Let’s take a look at the nutrition facts and what goes in a typical Crispy Salt & Pepper Tofu dish.

For every 21 grams of fat, there are 14 grams of carbs and 12 grams of protein.

21 grams of fat is a little heavy so you want to make sure you avoid eating too much of this food, as mentioned before.

However, in moderation and added to something like a salad, this dish is both healthy and extremely flavorful.

8. Eggplant String Bean Stir Fry 

Eggplant is a delicious vegetable when stir fried and, I have to say, Chinese chefs win when it comes to Eggplant dishes.

What makes Eggplant String Bean Stir Fry so special is the texture of the eggplants and how it pairs with the garlic and savory seasonings. 

The eggplant gets creamy and chewy while the green beans add the crunch factor to the dish.

This is a very savory dish and is amazing when paired with rice or other veggies.

Here is a recipe that you can follow if you want to make this at home. 

https://www.chinasichuanfood.com/eggplants-and-green-beans/

Let’s take a look at the calorie content and what goes inside a typical eggplant dish. 

For every 28 grams of fat, there are 12 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of protein.

This dish is a little high on the fats so make sure to, once again, eat this dish in moderation. 

What I like to do with Chinese eggplant dishes is to add them as a topping for salads or soups.

I never overeat on them as I know these are fried and can lead to some weight gain if eaten too much. Moderation is key for this delicious dish. 

7. Tiger Skin Pepper 

Tiger Skin Peppers offer a deep flavor that features it’s darkened skin and roasted garlic.

It’s an amazing dish for anyone looking for some Chinese food in their lives. It is a dish made with soy sauce, garlic, black vinegar, and sugar. Here is a recipe that you can follow and make at home. 

https://thewoksoflife.com/tiger-skin-peppers/

Let’s take a look at what goes inside a typical Tiger Skin Pepper dish

Not bad at all! Tiger Skin Pepper, like most Chinese veggie dishes, has a very savory and garlicky flavor.

It’s best eaten with some Jasmine rice and can really fill you up without too much guilt.

You should definitely add this to your weekday meals as it is both delicious and healthy. 

6. Vegan Dan Dan Noodles

If you’ve ever heard of Dan Dan noodles then you probably get the concept of peanut sauce in a savory noodle dish.

That’s essentially what Dan Dan noodles are. Dan Dan noodles is a very complex dish with a ton of different flavors that make it what it is. 

These flavors come from delicious ingredients such as ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine, peanut butter, hot chili oil, celery, mushrooms, and scallions.

This makes a very savory and creamy dish that really differentiates itself from the typical Chinese noodle dish.

The best part about a typical Dan Dan noodle dish, however, is that most of the time, it’s vegan!

Here is a recipe for you to make at home if you’re craving them. 

https://pickledplum.com/vegan-dan-dan-noodles/

Let’s take a look at the calories and what goes inside a typical Dan Dan noodle dish. 

For every 16 grams of fat, there are 50 grams of carbs and 11 grams of protein.

Not bad at all for such a flavorful dish. These noodles are really heavy so the good thing about them is that it fills you up very fast.

Our tip here is to add some higher protein meals before or after you eat this as a meal. There’s a lot of carbs in here so adding some protein to your day is much needed. 

5. Kung Pao Tofu

Just like many other Chinese dishes, Kung Pao Tofu is savory with a ton of different underlying flavors that make it what it is.

Kung Pao Tofu is made by frying tofu in peanut oil and flavoring it with light and dark soy sauce and some sesame oil to finish.

The result is this creamy tofu dish that has savory and slightly sweet flavors added to it. It’s great to eat this with rice as its salt content can be paired with a nice neutral base. 

Here is a recipe so you can try to make it for yourself at home! 

https://under500calories.com/recipe/4ae98-vegan-kung-pao-tofu

Let’s take a look at the nutrition facts and see what goes inside a typical Kung Pao Shrimp dish. 

For every 21 grams of fat, there are 13 grams of carbs and 20 grams of protein.

This is awesome because it can be hard to get your protein as someone who is on a Vegan diet.

Tofu is a great source of protein and, in my opinion, is one of the best things that you can add for yourself. Try this dish out and you won’t be disappointed. 

4. Sweet Potato Balls

It’s time for some dessert and what better way to enjoy some dessert than some Sweet Potato Balls.

The first time I had this was actually in a Night Market in Taiwan.

I was so interested in seeing what the texture was like and it’s just as you imagine it to be. Springy, chewy, and crispy all at the same time. 

Sweet Potato Balls are made with a mixture of sweet potato, tapioca flour, and cornstarch.

It’s then formed into a ball and is fried in some oil. It’s super flavorful and is a great dessert if you’re someone who’s cemented in Vegan foods.

Here is a recipe for you to try it out at home! 

https://www.nyonyacooking.com/recipes/sweet-potato-balls~8by-0Zng

Let’s take a look at what goes inside a typical Sweet Potato Ball and what the calories are. 

For every 14 grams of fat, there are 10 grams of carbs and 4 grams of protein.

Not bad considering this is a dessert option. Once again, these are very filling and are hard to eat a lot of.

It’s a great food where you can just enjoy the flavors of and not feel too stuffed. 

Our tip here is to avoid overeating on this. It’s a bit addicting and can really be hard to put down so limit yourself to 4-6 max! 

3. Vegetable Porridge 

Porridge is a versatile dish that can take on so many different flavors when served.

Chinese Vegetable Porridge is no different as it has a ton of different ingredients that make it so great.

The main flavorings that go in it are garlic, ginger, vegetable broth, a mixture of 9 kinds of mushrooms, and soy sauce. 

You can have an awesome, complex flavor profile that goes beyond your typical congee dish.

It’s like congee on steroids. Here is a recipe so you can try making it on your own! 

https://www.theworktop.com/breakfast-brunch-recipes/vegetable-congee/

Let’s take a look at what goes inside a typical Chinese Vegetable Porridge. 

For every 2 grams of fat, there are 30 grams of carbs and 10 grams of protein.

This is probably the most balanced dish out of all the choices that we have left here.

There are only 2 grams of fat for every 10 grams of protein consumed. This is a great meal to be had all throughout the week! 

Our recommendation with this dish is to add a ton of awesome pickled veggies such as kimchi or the cucumber salad mentioned above.

You won’t be disappointed! 

2. Vegan Spring Rolls

Chinese are the creators of egg rolls and are definitely the masters at making them.

Their vegan twist on a traditional spring roll is also amazing and should get more recognition for how delicious they are.

The fillings are made with garlic, cabbage, carrots, soy sprout, and sometimes tofu. 

The ingredients are then wrapped in a spring roll pastry and fried under some peanut oil.

Delicious and great to eat for anyone on a vegan diet. Here is a recipe you can follow if you want to try to make this dish at home. 

https://simpleveganblog.com/simple-vegan-spring-rolls/

Let’s take a look at the calories and its macronutrient ratio. 

For every 2 grams of fat, there are 10 grams of carbs and 2 grams of protein.

These are great to eat and are so satisfying. Our tip here is to limit yourself to 6-7 spring rolls.

They’re extremely delicious, which is why it earns its number 2 spot, but don’t contain enough protein for you to stay healthy. 

Pair this with a high protein food like tofu or lentils and you’ll be good to go. 

1. Vegetable Dumplings

There is absolutely nothing better than a Chinese style vegetable dumpling when it comes to eating your favorite Vegan foods.

Whether it’s fried or steamed, these vegetables are amazing due to both their flavor or texture profiles. 

The dough is made from flour and hot water and is usually homemade which offers an amazing chewy texture that can’t be beat.

The insides are usually stuffed with garlic, chives, cabbage, carrots and shitake mushrooms.

They are then seasoned with Shaoxing wine, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and soy sauce. 

This is a great food to make at home or to order at any Chinese restaurant that serves dumplings.

Here is a recipe so you can make it in the comfort of your own house. I would totally recommend you try! 

https://thewoksoflife.com/vegetable-dumplings/ 

Let’s take a look at the calories and what goes inside a typical vegetable dumpling. 

For every gram of fat, there is 7 grams of carbs and 2 grams of protein.

This is great as there is really no fat when eating these dumplings and you can eat them without guilt.

Many of the dishes we’ve mentioned in this article are things that need to be paired with another dish in order to be complete.

Chinese Vegetable Dumplings, however, can be eaten on their own and is a complete meal as itself. 

There it is! 

11 Chinese Vegan dishes that you can eat without any fear.

Check out our other articles if you’re interested in healthy asian foods and diet tips so you can stay in shape and get fit.

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