Quick Answer
How to Say “Vegetarian” in Chinese
Learn how to say “I’m vegetarian” in Chinese and what to ask restaurant staff about meat broth, lard, oyster sauce, and other hidden animal ingredients.
Quick answer
The most useful way to say “I’m vegetarian” in Chinese is:
我是吃素的。
Wǒ shì chīsù de.
I am vegetarian.
But a vegetable or tofu dish may still contain meat broth, lard, oyster sauce, fish sauce, minced meat, dried shrimp, or animal-based seasonings.
If your diet is strict, tell staff exactly what you do not eat.
What do you need?
Already know what you want to order?
Choose the card that matches your diet.
Vegetarian Restaurant Card
Eggs & dairy are OK
我是吃素的，不吃肉、鱼和海鲜。
I am vegetarian. I do not eat meat, fish, or seafood.
请做菜时不要使用以下食材或调料：
Please do not use any of the following ingredients or seasonings in my dishes.
肉、肉末
Meat or minced meat
猪油或其他动物油
Lard or other animal fat
肉汤、骨头汤或用肉、骨头熬制的高汤
Meat broth, bone broth, or stock made with meat or bones
蚝油
Oyster sauce
鱼露
Fish sauce
鸡精、鸡粉或其他含动物成分的调味料
Chicken bouillon, chicken powder, or other animal-based seasonings
虾皮、虾米
Dried shrimp
鸡蛋和奶制品可以。
Eggs and dairy are OK for me.
如果不能确定，请帮我问一下厨师；如果还是不能确认，请直接告诉我，谢谢！
If you are not sure, please check with the kitchen. If it still cannot be confirmed, please tell me. Thank you!
Not sure what to order?
Scan the menu, add your dietary restrictions, and narrow down dishes that may better fit your needs.
CanIEatChina.comVegan Restaurant Card
No animal-derived ingredients
我是纯素食者，不吃任何动物来源的食物。
I am vegan. I do not eat any animal-derived foods.
请做菜时不要使用以下食材或调料：
Please do not use any of the following ingredients or seasonings in my dishes.
肉、肉末
Meat or minced meat
鱼和海鲜
Fish or seafood
猪油或其他动物油
Lard or other animal fat
肉汤、骨头汤或用肉、骨头熬制的高汤
Meat broth, bone broth, or stock made with meat or bones
蚝油
Oyster sauce
鱼露
Fish sauce
鸡精、鸡粉或其他含动物成分的调味料
Chicken bouillon, chicken powder, or other animal-based seasonings
虾皮、虾米
Dried shrimp
鸡蛋
Eggs
牛奶、奶油和其他奶制品
Milk, cream, and other dairy products
蜂蜜
Honey
如果不能确定，请帮我问一下厨师；如果还是不能确认，请直接告诉我，谢谢！
If you are not sure, please check with the kitchen. If it still cannot be confirmed, please tell me. Thank you!
Not sure what to order?
Scan the menu, add your dietary restrictions, and narrow down dishes that may better fit your needs.
CanIEatChina.comNot sure what to order?
Use Can I Eat This? China to scan the menu, add your dietary restrictions, and quickly narrow down dishes that may better fit your needs.
Scan menu → Add dietary restrictions → Narrow down your options → Confirm with staff
Scan a Chinese MenuRestaurant recipes vary. Confirm anything important with restaurant staff or the kitchen.
Quick questions
有肉或肉末吗？
Yǒu ròu huò ròumò ma?
Does it contain meat or minced meat?
用了肉汤、骨头汤或肉类高汤吗？
Yòng le ròutāng, gǔtou tāng huò ròulèi gāotāng ma?
Does it use meat broth, bone broth, or meat-based stock?
是用猪油或其他动物油做的吗？
Shì yòng zhūyóu huò qítā dòngwù yóu zuò de ma?
Is it made with lard or another animal fat?
有蚝油或鱼露吗？
Yǒu háoyóu huò yúlù ma?
Does it contain oyster sauce or fish sauce?
如果不能确定，可以帮我问一下厨师吗？
Rúguǒ bù néng quèdìng, kěyǐ bāng wǒ wèn yíxià chúshī ma?
If you are not sure, could you please check with the kitchen?
Why “I’m vegetarian” may not be enough
Restaurant recipes vary.
A dish that looks vegetarian may still use animal fat, broth, sauces, seasonings, or meat or seafood for flavoring.
If your diet is strict, say exactly what you avoid.
Language and ingredient sources
- Chinese Language Institute — How to Eat Vegetarian in China — vocabulary, the phrase 我是吃素的, and restaurant-use context.
- China Vegan Society — How do you say vegan in Chinese? — explains why 素 and 素食 do not by themselves distinguish vegetarian from vegan.
- China Vegan Society — How do I order vegan food in China? — examples of animal-derived broths, fats, sauces, seasonings, and garnishes worth checking.