Despite being known for char siu and roast duck, Hong Kong has a rich Buddhist vegetarian tradition dating back centuries. Around 21% of Hong Kong residents identify as Buddhist, creating a substantial demand for plant-based dining options. Traditional Buddhist cuisine (called "su shi" 素食) avoids all animal products and often recreates familiar meat dishes using ingenious plant-based techniques.
The result is a city where you can enjoy "fish" made from tofu, "char siu" crafted from wheat gluten, and dim sum that rivals any traditional version. Temple Street Night Market, in particular, has embraced this tradition while adding international vegetarian options that reflect Hong Kong's multicultural character.
Three Virtues Vegetarian Restaurant (三德素食館) - North Point
The undisputed champion of vegetarian dim sum in Hong Kong. This family-run restaurant has perfected the art of plant-based dumplings over decades. Their siu mai uses mushroom and water chestnut filling that's remarkably similar to traditional pork versions, while their char siu bao features perfectly spiced wheat gluten "pork" in fluffy steamed buns.
Must-try dishes: Fried cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), siu mai, char siu bao, lo mai gai (sticky rice in lotus leaf), and deep-fried radish pastry. The experience mirrors traditional dim sum service - you order from a pencil-and-paper menu, and dishes arrive in bamboo steamers.
Location: 1st floor, 395 Kings Road, North Point (near North Point MTR)
Hours: 10:30am-9:30pm daily (dim sum typically 11am-2pm)
Price: HK$20-40 per dish, cash or Octopus only
Vegelink - North Point
This membership-based restaurant (free to join) offers an extensive vegetarian dim sum menu with clear labeling for dairy-containing items. Their "beef" balls are phenomenally realistic, made from mushroom and plant protein. The atmosphere feels authentically local - expect to share tables with elderly Buddhist practitioners enjoying their weekend dim sum.
Insider tip: Arrive early or make reservations, as this spot gets extremely busy during weekend dim sum hours. The membership provides a small discount on already reasonable prices.
Temple Street Night Market offers surprising vegetarian options once you know where to look. The market's 28 food stalls near the Temple Street Archway include several serving excellent plant-based options alongside traditional meat dishes.
7-Eleven Cheong Fun: The Accidental Vegan Masterpiece
Don't overlook the humble 7-Eleven hot food counter. Their cheong fun (rice noodle rolls) are accidentally vegan and absolutely delicious. These silky rice noodles come smothered in peanut sauce, hoisin, chili oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds - a perfect combination of textures and flavors for under HK$15.
Pro tip: Available from 9am onwards at most 7-Elevens throughout Hong Kong. Perfect for breakfast or late-night snacking.
Street Vendor Vegetarian Skewers
Look for vendors grilling marinated tofu, eggplant, corn, and Chinese chives on open flames. These smoky, savory skewers cost around HK$10-20 each and make perfect walking food while exploring the market. The char and spice combinations rival any meat-based street food.
Mock Shark's Fin Soup
Several Temple Street stalls serve traditional mock shark's fin soup made from mung bean noodles and mushrooms. This dish has cultural significance while being completely plant-based, offering a taste of classic Cantonese cuisine without ethical concerns.
Tung Fong Siu Kee Yuen - Wan Chai (Since 1905)
Hong Kong's oldest Buddhist vegetarian restaurant has survived over a century by perfecting take-away dim sum and "mock meat" dishes. Their curry "chicken" is legendary among locals, made from carefully seasoned wheat gluten that achieves an remarkably authentic texture and flavor.
The shop specializes in portable vegetarian meals - perfect for taking back to your hotel or enjoying as a picnic in nearby Hong Kong Park. Their lo bak go (turnip cake) and ham sui gok (deep-fried glutinous rice dumplings) are particular standouts.
Location: 241 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Hours: 9:30am-9:30pm (dim sum sells out by early afternoon)
Budget: HK$15-30 per item
Branto - Tsim Sha Tsui
This Indian vegetarian restaurant near the Star Ferry pier offers respite from Cantonese cuisine while maintaining authentic street food vibes. Their masala dosa - a crispy fermented crepe filled with spiced potatoes - provides a completely different but equally satisfying vegetarian experience.
Essential order: Masala dosa, pani puri (crispy spheres filled with tangy water), and any of their dal preparations. Specify "no ghee" to ensure vegan preparation.
Jordan District Hidden Gems
The Jordan area surrounding Temple Street contains numerous family-run restaurants serving vegetarian versions of local favorites:
Kan Kee Vegetarian - Wan Chai
Located above the Bowrington Road cooked food market, this humble restaurant serves possibly the best vegan "spam" in Hong Kong. Their three-dish rice set meals cost just HK$50 - remarkable value in expensive Wan Chai.
Ah Po Tofu Fa - Lamma Island
Take a ferry to peaceful Lamma Island to try Hong Kong's best tofu pudding (tofu fa). This silky, custard-like dessert topped with brown sugar syrup represents the pinnacle of simple, traditional vegetarian sweets. The elderly vendor has been perfecting this recipe for decades.
Mango Pudding and Fresh Fruit
Many Temple Street dessert stalls offer excellent mango pudding made with coconut milk instead of dairy. Fresh fruit vendors throughout the night market provide perfect palate cleansers between savory dishes.
Useful Cantonese Phrases:
• "Ngo sik zaai" (我食齋) - "I eat vegetarian"
• "Fei dung mat caan ban" (非動物餐飯) - "Non-animal products"
• "Yao mo su sik?" (有冇素食?) - "Do you have vegetarian food?"
Payment and Timing:
Most traditional vegetarian restaurants accept cash only, though some take Octopus cards. Dim sum service typically runs 11am-2pm, while night market stalls operate 6pm-midnight. Arrive early for the best selection, especially at popular dim sum restaurants.
Buddhist Restaurant Guidelines:
Look for "素食" (su sik) signs indicating Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. These establishments are typically vegan by default, avoiding dairy, eggs, and even pungent vegetables like garlic and onions. However, it's worth confirming if you have strict dietary requirements.
Luen On "Roast Meat" Restaurant - Peng Chau Island
This fascinating restaurant kept its original name and signage after completely converting to vegetarian cuisine. The story reflects Hong Kong's changing food culture - locals continued patronizing their favorite restaurant even after the complete menu transformation. Their three-dish rice sets cost just HK$44 and provide an authentic village dining experience.
Wet Market Treasures
Hong Kong's traditional wet markets often house small vegetarian stalls in their cooked food centers. These family-run operations serve simple, honest vegetarian meals to market workers and early morning shoppers. Prices rarely exceed HK$40 for substantial meals.
For self-catering or emergency meals, Hong Kong supermarkets offer surprisingly good vegetarian options. Taste, Park'n'Shop, and Wellcome stock instant vegetarian noodles, fresh tofu, and during Buddhist holidays, pre-made vegetarian dishes at their hot food counters.
Traditional wet markets provide the freshest vegetables and often feature homemade tofu shops where you can buy premium tofu by the kilogram at bargain prices.
Under HK$50 per meal:
• 7-Eleven cheong fun: HK$12-15
• Set meals at Kan Kee Vegetarian: HK$50
• Temple Street vegetarian skewers: HK$10-20 each
• Wet market cooked food centers: HK$30-40
HK$50-100 per meal:
• Three Virtues dim sum (3-4 dishes): HK$60-80
• Tung Fong take-away selection: HK$50-90
• Branto set meals: HK$70-100
Buddhist holidays and festivals often bring special vegetarian offerings to markets and restaurants. Chinese New Year sees temporary stalls selling traditional vegetarian festival foods, while mid-autumn festival brings unique vegetarian mooncakes.
Summer brings excellent fresh fruit to night market stalls, while cooler months are perfect for hot tofu puddings and warming noodle soups.
Suggested day itinerary:
Morning (10am-12pm): Dim sum at Three Virtues Vegetarian in North Point
Afternoon (2pm-4pm): Take-away shopping at Tung Fong Siu Kee Yuen in Wan Chai
Evening (6pm-9pm): Street food exploration at Temple Street Night Market
Night (9pm-11pm): Dessert and late-night snacks around Jordan district
This combination provides exposure to traditional Buddhist cuisine, historic establishments, modern street food culture, and local neighborhood dining - a complete vegetarian Hong Kong experience in one day.
While Temple Street provides an excellent introduction to Hong Kong's vegetarian scene, the city offers countless other opportunities. Mong Kok's Ladies Market area contains several Buddhist restaurants, while outlying islands like Lamma and Cheung Chau offer peaceful vegetarian dining with ocean views.
The key to discovering Hong Kong's best vegetarian food lies in understanding that plant-based cuisine isn't alternative or health-focused here - it's traditional, culturally significant, and absolutely delicious. From Temple Street's bustling night market energy to quiet Buddhist restaurants perfecting century-old recipes, Hong Kong offers vegetarian experiences you'll find nowhere else in the world.
Ready to explore more of Hong Kong's incredible food scene? Check out our complete Temple Street food guide and Jordan district dining recommendations for even more culinary adventures.
Visitors and locals alike congregate in the evenings in Hong Kong's last remaining Night Market. The Night Market at Temple Street has been a fixture of the Jordan/Yau Ma Tei district since at least the 1920s and probably before.
Today it boasts market stalls with fashions and accessories, seafood and claypot rice in traditional Dai Pai Dong restaurants, fortunetellers and tarot card readers, and Cantonese Opera singers. Nowhere else in Hong Kong is such an interesting cross section of Hong Kong culture, cuisine, commerce and society to be found.