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12 Delicious and Healthy Vegan Chinese Recipes You Must Try

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By Courtney Davison,

Vegans looking for mealtime inspiration can find an endless supply in China, where chefs have been coming up with delicious and innovative ways to enjoy plant foods for thousands of years. Throughout the country’s myriad cuisines, you’ll find plenty of vegetable-forward dishes that are either already vegetarian by default or can easily be made so with a few minor adjustments. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite vegan recipes that adapt Chinese dishes for a whole-food, plant-based diet. From simple veggie sides to hearty stir-fries, you’ll find plenty to love in this lineup.

Sweet and Sour Vegetable Soup in a white bowl with a soup spoon on a black granite countertop

Sweet and Sour Vegetable Soup

Set your taste buds all a’tingle with this flavorful soup. Shiitake mushrooms bring umami undertones, which play nicely off sweet notes from maple syrup and the spicy kick of Sichuan pepper flakes. If you prefer less heat, you can omit the pepper.
Oil-Free Farro Fried Rice in a white skillet with a wooden serving spoon

Oil-Free Farro Fried Rice

This whole-food, plant-based riff on a takeout favorite uses the water-sauté technique in place of oil and opts for farro instead of white rice. The fiber-rich whole grains will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.
A plate of six bok choy halves in ginger garlic sauce

Bok Choy in Ginger-Garlic Sauce

This fan-favorite recipe takes just 20 minutes and one pan to make. The crunchy-tender bok choy leaves sop up the savory ginger-garlic sauce, for a mouthwatering side you’ll want to make weekly.
An inviting bowl of Szechwan Stir-Fry featuring wheat berries, cherry tomatoes, broccolini, and water chestnuts on a grey counter with a glass of lime water and chopsticks beside it.

Szechwan Stir-Fry

This spicy stir-fry packs in a medley of colors and textures, with fork-tender eggplant, crunchy water chestnuts, and just-cooked broccoli rabe. You’ll want to add this one to your 30-minute meal arsenal.
Quick Congee

Quick Brown Rice Congee

Congee is a rice porridge often eaten for breakfast, but we love digging into a bowl of this comforting goodness any time of day. This whole-food, plant-based version uses brown rice instead of white; the added fiber content will help you feel full longer.
Chinese Cabbage Salad

Chinese Cabbage Salad

This colorful cabbage salad will make a memorable side dish for your next vegan Chinese feast. Writes one fan, “It was amazing—delicious, yet light. A new favorite.” Be sure to chop all the ingredients finely so that you get a little bit of everything with every bite.
Stir-Fried Noodles with Veggies in a case-iron pan, with a small bowl of freshly cut chives to the side

Stir-Fried Noodles with Veggies

Brown rice noodles get coated in a whole-food, plant-based version of Chinese brown sauce. Crunchy snow pea pods and carrot strips add a delightful contrast of textures. Writes one fan, “Awesomely good! It definitely has rich flavor.”
A wide-rimmed brown bowl of Chinese Noodles in Ginger Garlic Sauce next to a blue cloth napkin

Chinese Noodles in Ginger Garlic Sauce

Use any whole grain noodles you like in this easy dish, which the whole family will enjoy. Writes one fan, “It was very colorful and has a very good flavor.”
Sweet Potato and Shiitake Mushroom Dumplings on black and gold plates with a small bowl of soy sauce against a green tabletop

Sweet Potato and Shiitake Mushroom Dumplings

These potsticker-style dumplings take some time to make, but they are well worth the effort. A succulent filling of mushroom and sweet potato gets tucked into a delicate homemade dough. Make extras and freeze them for an easy, healthy weeknight meal or appetizer.
Sichuan Eggplant with Potatoes in a black bowl with a metal spoon against a green background

Sichuan Eggplant with Potatoes

This mouthwatering side features perfectly tender eggplant, which maintains its purple hue when you steam it before sautéing. Mashed fermented black soybeans add bold umami flavor to the sauce.
Sautéed Chinese Greens Trio

Sautéed Chinese Greens Trio

Three different kinds of leafy Chinese greens come together in this vibrant dish, which features mushrooms for added flavor and heartiness. “Awesome! Nutritious and full of taste!” writes one reviewer.
Five-Spice Stir-Fry in a wide-rimmed serving bowl with chopsticks resting across

Five-Spice Stir-Fry

Ready in just 30 minutes, this oil-free stir-fry is bursting with fragrant flavor. Use any whole grain you like.

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About the Author

Forks Over Knives Managing Editor Courtney Davison with cliffs and beach in the background

About the Author

Courtney Davison

Courtney Davison is Forks Over Knives’ managing editor. A writer and editor on a wide range of subjects, she co-wrote a nationally syndicated advice column from 2016 to 2018 and co-authored the 2018 book Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice from Dear Annie. She is a longtime vegan and in her free time enjoys trying new recipes and spending quality time with her cats. Find her on LinkedIn.
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