Skip to main content

Where to Eat Vegetarian Chinese Food in Los Angeles

Support Provided By
"Beef" noodle soup at Bean Sprouts | Photo by Clarissa Wei

At most Chinese restaurants, eating vegetarian is nearly impossible. Even the stir-fried vegetable dishes at most Chinese restaurants are often flavored with shredded pork or a couple handfuls of dried shrimp. Abstaining from meat isn't a common thing in China, unless you follow certain schools of Taoism or Buddhism. For those folks, vegetarianism is part of the religion and there are entire restaurants catered to their demographic. You won't find skimpy salads though. Chinese vegetarian restaurants are masters of the art of faux meat. You'll also be hard-pressed to find allium vegetables like garlic, onions, leeks, Chinese chives, and scallions at these places, too. It's believed that these vegetables stir up the passions and attract evil.

Vegetarian Chinese is not a cuisine for everyone, but if you're curious, or are vegetarian and have a strong hankering for Chinese food, here are five great places:

Bean Sprouts: Asian Fusion
Bean Sprouts is a Taiwanese vegetarian cafe with a bit of a Western flair. Noodles seem to be their specialty. Taiwanese beef noodle soup is the star dish here which is loaded with turnip, bok choy, pickled veggies, and beef-flavored seitan. Zha jiang mian is also available -- it's a dry noodle dish stir-fried with ground "pork" and flavored with fermented soy beans. You can barely tell it's vegetarian. Finish it all off with their signature rainbow roll, which is packed with lettuce, shredded carrots, and alfalfa sprouts. 103 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, (626) 254-8708.

Photo by Kristie Hang

Bodhi Veggie Cuisine: Best Value
Bodhi is perhaps the most popular vegetarian Chinese destination in the San Gabriel Valley. Lunch comes with soup and rice, which is ideal for a single diner or those who don't want an elaborate family-style affair. They're best known for their eggplant with tofu and the crispy fried "chicken" with basil. They're also a strictly no-MSG restaurant. 3643 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770; (626) 569-9888.

Dim Sum | Photo by Fine Garden

Fine Garden Vegetarian: Dim Sum
Fine Garden is known for their impressive repertoire of vegetarian dim sum -- a rotating selection of 30-some items. All the classics are there: har gow, siu mai, BBQ "pork" bun. The meat is made with soy and while you can tell the difference, it's the closest to the real thing you'll get in Los Angeles. They also have a patio for those who enjoy dining outside. Best of all, dim sum is available all day long. 841 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776;
(626) 282-2282.

Fish | Photo by Clarissa Wei

Happy Family: Buffet
It's no secret that buffets are well-loved and welcome within the Chinese community. Happy Family fulfills that need in the vegetarian niche with their all-you-can-eat menu that clocks in at below $15. Give the crispy "fish" a try. It's made with beancurd and wrapped with seaweed, which is supposed to look like the skin of the fish. The dish is topped with fermented beans for flavor and a sprig of cilantro. 500 N. Atlantic Blvd., Suite 171, Monterey Park, (626) 282-8986.

Vege Paradise | Photo by Clarissa Wei

Vege Paradise: Family-Style
Vege Paradise is the place to go if you have a large group of vegetarian eaters and want a more formal affair. It's family-style here and recently, they launched a Japanese portion of the menu with vegetarian rolls and even "eel" teriyaki. Opened in the early 1990s, Vege Paradise was one of the first Chinese vegetarian restaurants in town. Give the kung pao "chicken" a try. It tastes and looks exactly like chicken. 140 W. Valley Blvd., Suite 222, San Gabriel, (626) 280-5998.

Support Provided By
Read More
In “Obet and Del’s: The Coffee Shop Changing the Game in Hollywood” host Rosey Alvero sits down to talk with coffee shop owner Heather Knox.

Sip, Snack and Stroll Your Way Through Thai Town and East Hollywood (But First, Coffee)

Explore Thai Town and East Hollywood with all of its delicious, boozy and vintage offerings. But before you start wandering, charge up with a coffee from Obet & Del's, a neighborhood coffee haven serving up café drinks inspired by Southeast Asian culture.
In “Los Originales Tacos Árabes de Puebla: Trying the Secret Family Recipe” host Rosey Alvero carves a special blend of meats and spices on a roasting spit.

Get a Taste of the 'Secret Sauce' Behind Tacos Árabes, Plus Other Boyle Heights Flavors and Diverse Cultural Influences

Meet the generation of the Villegas family that's continuing the tradition of bringing Middle Eastern-influenced Mexican cuisine to Boyle Heights out of the Los Originales Tacos Árabes de Puebla food truck.
In "Alchemy Craft: Beers and Wine in Montebello" host Rosey Alvero makes signature cocktails and toasts Barney Santos from Alchemy Craft.

Mixology Magic at Alchemy Craft, Plus More to Experience in Montebello

When you're visiting Alchemy Craft in Montebello, featured in Episode 1 of Season 3 of the PBS SoCal Original digital series "SoCal Wanderer," you can also hit up the other vendors at the BLVD MRKT food hall where the craft cocktail bar is located. And if you go for Sunday brunch, you can also catch some lowriders cruising down Whittier Boulevard.