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The Local Vegan’s Guide to the Best Vegan Restaurants in Taipei

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4 months ago

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.

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. At the very least, there should be green beans and sweet and sour “pork” on the table.

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. 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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