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If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that Taiwan (and especially Taipei) stands out as one of the most welcoming places for plant-based food in East Asia. Thanks to the influence of Buddhism, vegetarian restaurants are as abundant as the temples you can see in Taiwan, so the next step to vegan was not a difficult one for Taiwanese people.
What’s more interesting is that many religious vegetarians don’t eat the “five pungent spices” (onions, garlic, scallions, chives and leeks). This is why you might find that waitstaff remind you about these spices in your meal. If you’ve spent any time eating in the vegetarian restaurants of Hong Kong or Mainland China, this won’t come as a surprise to you.
In recent years, the non-religious vegan movement has spread to Taiwan, making vegan restaurants surge to the point that PETA named Taipei as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in Asia in 2016. Even among Taipei’s famous night markets, you will usually find numerous vegan street food stalls – a rarity in East Asia!
The vegan and vegetarian food scene in Taipei is ever-changing with many closing down during Covid or new ones popping up in the places you least expect. That’s why we’re here to show you the best vegan restaurants in Taipei right now – and we’ll update as and when necessary.
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1. Local Cuisine
Chao
Aside from the tasty food, Chao is one of the best vegan restaurants in Taipei on account of the design. It’s in the style of the Taiwanese “Re-chao” image; think bold, LED neon signs, lots of deep reds, and harsh metal tables. It’s perfect for an Instagram photo, and it’s a great way for vegans to experience the atmosphere of a Taiwanese Re-chao which would traditionally involve a lot of meat.
“Re-chao” (熱炒), which literally translates to “hot stir-fry,” is a Taiwanese dining style where friends gather late at night and order many dishes to share around a large table while drinking beer. It’s unlike the typical “one person, one dish” style of ordering. Chao is one of the few vegan restaurants that opens late (until 11 pm) so you can enjoy this quintessential Taiwanese experience .
The hard part is making decisions on what to eat on this abundant menu with your friends. But you could always consult the staff on what to order for an optimal Taiwanese “Re-chao” experience. For English speakers, Chao will provide you with a list of their most popular dishes. If, like me, you feel you’re missing out on the best of Taiwanese cuisine, Chao is here to fill that void. From dry fried noodles with beef to my personal favourite: smashed stinky tofu with chopped up youtiao (Chinese fried bread).
Laishin Vegetarian
Now there are no shortage of restaurants in Zhongshan selling dumplings and noodles. But Laishin Vegetarian might just be one of my favorites in all of Taipei.
Before we get onto the food, it’s worth mentioning the staff here are extremely friendly. They speak great English and you’ll find an English menu too.
As vegetarians or vegans traveling in East Asia, we’re usually restricted to a simple mixed vegetable dumpling. At Laishin, you’ll be offered at least eight dumpling types, including: pumpkin, radish and gourd. You’ll notice the dumpling wrappers are a different colors. Feel free to ask the staff about this, and they will explain to you how they make this using a mixture of carrots, turmeric, and other natural colorings. If, like me, you’re keen to try as many different kinds as you can, the staff will gladly prepare you a mixed bowl. Don’t miss out on their homemade chili sauce, which you can get at the condiment counter.
The noodle dishes here are also extremely tasty. I love the spicy (numbing style) and sesame sauces. It’s easy to tell the noodles are clearly handmade, which adds that extra tastiness.
I’ll be honest: you really need to order both noodles and dumplings. I appreciate this sounds like a heavy meal, but this may be the best vegan meal in Taipei.
If you come here for lunch, you’ll probably find it at the back of the store one of the staff members hand making dumplings. In case it isn’t yet clear, it truly doesn’t get fresher than this!
Miao Guanyin (妙觀音)
Miao Guanyin is a vegetarian chain with a few stores around Taipei. My local go to has always been the North Zhongshan branch, which is small, cozy and an ideal escape for a warm bowl of soup.
For those who feel they’re missing out on Taiwanese staples, Miao Guanyin is here to reassure you. Thanks to this excellent chain, you can still have a quick, easy and extremely typical Taiwanese lunch in a purely vegan environment. The menu is large but you’ll find everything from braised noodle soups to stinky tofu in various forms. For something a little different try the dumplings in MaLa (spicy) sauce.
Most menus have some English, but the staff will usually have some photos on hand for you to point at.
Vege Creek
Vege Creek is a DIY Taiwanese-style noodle restaurant for a quick, vegan eat. With six branches across Taipei, it’s convenient for vegan noodle lovers. At Vege Creek, you’re the master of your noodle meal. What we mean to say is there are no set dishes here; instead, you handpick your preferred ingredients. The prices differ based on your selections.
Vege Creek’s noodles are much loved by the Taiwanese vegan community, and for good reason: the food is consistently good, making it one of the best vegan restaurants in Taipei.
The ingredient-picking process is fun and simple: fill up your tote bag with fresh veggies, tofu, plant-based meats, and noodle choices, then hand it over to the counter for cooking. Can’t decide? No worries! Truly, whatever combination you choose promises a delicious meal.
What’s even better is that there’s an array of sauces, spices, toppings that elevate your noodles to the next flavor level.
While the small, plastic-looking bags used for wrapping ingredients might raise environmental concerns, Vege Creek tries their best to align with sustainability by using biodegradable plastics.
2. Western Cuisine
Mixigan
“Mixigan” is the Taiwanese take on a mix of Mexican cuisine and vegan food. When it comes to the pick of sauce and flavor, Mixigan stands toe-to-toe with any American or Mexican restaurant.
No matter whether it’s tacos, nachos, mac and cheese, or hamburgers, you’ll be amazed at how convincing the meat, dairy, and egg substitutes mimic the flavors and textures. The juicy chili burger will make you wonder if it’s even vegan.
My personal favorite dishes are the nachos and Vonnie’s veggie bowl. These two meals are large and full of sauce. Both are with amazing avocado and vegan sour cream that’ll leave your palate very satisfied.
Unlike most restaurants, you don’t have to wait for the waiter to order. This restaurant is entirely self-service, from ordering your food on a machine, to taking the plates on the shelf.
Although the food is delicious, the dining space is quite small with only one tiny round table for each person. This is because Mixigan focus primarily on takeaways and maintains a fast-food feel. All of this is to say that it’s not suitable for a meal with a group of friends. If you go alone, try to avoid it during peak hours.
Red Room Rendezvous
Red Room Rendezvous is more than just a vegan restaurant: it’s an artistic hub where artworks are showcased, live music performances are held, and the diverse cultures of Taiwan are celebrated. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for events like open mic that’ll make your dining experience just that bit more exciting.
Whether you prefer having handcrafted beers or a full meal, this creative bistro offers homemade burger patties with rich and creamy vegan cheese. Their cuisine selection spans from Western to Taiwanese to Mediterranean fusion, adding an artistic, creative touch to every meal.
Baganhood
Low-key luxury, comfortable and diverse are the three words to describe this restaurant.
There are a variety of options but expect mostly Western cuisines with some Asian cuisines. I recommend ordering a vegan cinnamon roll topped with soy ice cream that’ll wrap up the experience with perfect sweetness. During weekends, make sure to make a reservation beforehand to secure seats.
Local tip: The pizzas aren’t that big in Baganhood so you might want to order a bit more.
There’s also a space inside the restaurant that has shelves filled with vegan drinks, cheese, and plant-based meat for you to buy when waiting for the meal to arrive.
3. Asian cuisine
好想吃冰 日式蔬食 (I want to eat ice, Japanese vegetarian food)
One of my favourite things about the high density of vegetarian restaurants in Taipei is that they aren’t limited solely to Taiwanese food. Don’t get me wrong, of course, the Taiwanese vegan food is some of the best quality in town. But I am always surprised that you can also find a number of other cuisines, including one of my favourites: Japanese. Yes, you read that correctly. In the heart of Zhongshan you can find an entirely vegetarian Japanese restaurant. I’m talking sitting on the floor and all.
This isn’t your regular vegan sushi house, but rather a deep dive into the best of Japanese cuisine. The menu is large but features both photos and English subtitles. You’ll find a selection of curries, omelette and other bowls all of which come with the option of omni-fish, mock chicken or other mock meat.
If you have a sweet tooth, this restaurant also offers shaved ice dessert and other vegan goodies.
The menu makes clear which items are vegan, as well as those which contain cheese and eggs.
4. Cafes
About Islander
Whether you’re thinking of working remotely in a café or catching up with friends, About Islander is one of the best vegan restaurants in Taipei (more specifically, one of the best vegan cafes in Taipei) – and it’s all gluten-free! It’s a bit far from the city center, but definitely worth a visit.
This cozy café offers carefully chosen ingredients which makes up a selection of drinks, main dishes, and a a few desserts. While the meals may appear simple, they will surprise you with rich flavors that leave you eager to return.
A must-try dish is their signature neko manma, a Japanese-style rice topped with a tasty sauce and savory toppings.
For dessert, don’t miss out on their famous vegan cheesecake, available in either strawberry or mango flavors depending on the season. The strawberry one stands out from other vegan desserts I’ve eaten in Taiwan. Its creamy texture with subtle coconut undertones melts in your mouth, the base is perfectly crisp and there is a generous helping of fresh strawberries in the cake.
Local tip: If you’re thinking of catching up with friends here, this place is small, so your chats might end up being the main attraction.
And with limited staff, your meals may take some time to be served, so it’s better to come if you have enough time.
Vegan Resort
Vegan resort is sort of a vegan cafe fused with a vegan salon. Yes, you didn’t read it wrong: not only can you enjoy great vegan food, you can also curl, dye, and cut your hair in an organic, cruelty-free salon.
The salon service can only be reserved. Remember to send a message to reserve if you’re going for your hair as well.
What makes this restaurant special is that the chefs use creative methods to make vegan Taiwanese traditional dishes, like a traditional oyster omelette. If you don’t dare to eat real oysters, vegan ones are a delicious substitute!
This will quickly become your regular vegan cafe in Taipei (if you’re making the right choice to move to the city) because of the reasonable price – and its drinks and desserts keep me here with my laptop for hours. It also has a semi-outdoor area that has larger tables, so it’s great to come with friends to have a chat.
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