Vegan & Vegetarian Guide
Plant-based dining options and tips for vegans in Shenzhen
100+
Buddhist Restaurants
20+
Vegan Cafes
¥30-80
Avg. Meal Cost
50+
HappyCow Listings
Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurants
Affordable and widely available
Good News for Vegetarians!
What to Expect
- • Buffet-style or menu ordering
- • Mock meats that taste amazing
- • Usually very affordable (¥20-40)
- • Often near temples or in malls
Look For
素
sù - means "vegetarian"
Note
Recommended Restaurants
Our top picks for vegetarian dining
Pure Lotus (净心莲)
Futian District
Upscale Buddhist vegetarian with stunning presentations. Famous for their creative mock meat dishes.
Gaia Veggie Shop
Shekou, Nanshan District
Modern vegan cafe popular with expats. Great salads, smoothies, and Western-style dishes.
Loving Hut (爱家素食)
Multiple locations
International vegan chain. Consistent quality, affordable prices, and diverse menu options.
Veggie World (素世界)
Luohu District
Traditional Chinese vegetarian buffet. Pay by weight, great variety, very affordable.
Finding More Options
Popular Areas for Vegan Food
Western-style options in urban areas
Where to Find Them
Shenzhen's expat-friendly areas have several Western-style vegan cafes:
Nanshan
Most options
Futian
CBD area
Shekou
Expat hub
OCT
Creative district
Pro Tip
Useful Chinese Phrases
Essential phrases for ordering food
wǒ chī sù
I'm vegetarian
bú yào ròu
No meat
bú yào dàn
No eggs
bú yào nǎi
No dairy
yǒu sù shí ma
Do you have vegetarian food?
chún sù
Vegan (pure vegetarian)
Pro Tip
Dining Tips
Use HappyCow
Best app for finding vegan food
Ask our guides
We know the best spots!
Try mock meats
Chinese mock meats are incredible
Be specific
Always clarify your dietary needs