Vegetarian food is everywhere in Taiwan. As you travel around here, it’s super easy to find vegetarian restaurants. Many convenience stores even have special sections for vegetarian meals, and lots of spots offer vegetarian buffets with kind of creative dishes. Taiwan is definitely one of the most vegetarian-friendly places in the world , and a major suppliers of vegetarian meat products, too. It is truly a paradise for vegetarians!
People in Taiwan choose a vegetarian for many different reasons. Including health, environment concerns, religion beliefs, animal welfare, simply personal choice.
In the past, religion was one of the main reason people became vegetarian here. Traditionally religions vegetarians avoid the “five pungent vegetables”: green onion, garlic, garlic chive, scallion/shallot, and onion. Because these foods have strong flavor and smell, they are traditionally believed to break your focus during spiritual practice.
According to Taiwan’s FDA (Food and Drug Administration Department) rules, vegetarian foods are divided into five main types.
| Type | What they eat | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan (純素 / 全素) | No meat, eggs, dairy, or the five pungent vegetables | |
| Ovo-vegetarian (蛋素) | No meat or dairy, but eggs are okay | |
| Lacto-vegetarian (奶素) | No meat or eggs, but dairy is okay | |
| Ovo-lacto vegetarian (蛋奶素) | No meat, but eggs and dairy are okay | |
| Vegetarian with the five pungent vegetables (植物五辛素) | No meat, but eggs, dairy, and the five pungent vegetables are okay |
However, times are changing. Many people today aren’t eating vegetarian for religious reason, so they don’t need avoid garlic or onions. As more people want to eating healthy and just try to eat less meat, modern Taiwanese vegetarianism is becoming much closer to global definitions of “vegan” or “vegetarian.
Here’s a quick tip: if a product is labeled “素” (vegetarian), it means it doesn’t contain meat.However, if you’re vegan or have allergies, always double-check whether it contains eggs, dairy, or the five pungent vegetables.
Eating vegetarian has become a part of everyday life for many Taiwanese people. Even meat lovers eat vegetarian food from time to time , and regular restaurants are often happy change the food for you. As vegan and plant-based eating vegan become popular around the world, more and more international travelers and blogger are discovering that Taiwan is one of the easiest places in Asia to eat vegetarian.
Whether you are vegetarian for religious, health, environmental, or just the delicious food, Taiwan has something for you. From traditional temple meals to creative plant-based meats, Taiwan’s rich food culture makes it an amazing place to explore!