7 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Chongqing: From Vegan Hot Pot to Temple Dining
Looking for vegetarian food in Chongqing? Explore 7 places for vegan hot pot, affordable vegetarian buffets, Buddhist temple dining, and Western-style salads.
Chongqing is famous for its spicy hot pot, but there's more to the city's food scene than meat and chili oil. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking for a lighter meal, you'll find several options around the city, from traditional Buddhist temple restaurants to modern plant-based dining and Western-style cafés.
If you're looking for vegetarian restaurants in Chongqing, here are seven places to consider, including affordable buffets, creative vegetarian cuisine, and restaurants near the popular Jiefangbei shopping district.
Susu Fufu: Vegan Hot Pot in a Taoist Temple
Location: Donghua Temple, Yuzhong District
Best for: Experiencing Chongqing hot pot without meat
Hot pot is one of the essential food experiences in Chongqing. For travelers who want to try it without eating meat, Susu Fufu offers a plant-based alternative in a traditional Taoist temple setting.
The restaurant offers set menus at different price points, with two main broth options. The mushroom broth is savory and mild, while the clear-oil spicy broth delivers a more traditional Chongqing hot pot flavor.
The restaurant is located within a Taoist temple complex, where visitors can also explore the courtyard, garden, and other traditional spaces.
Good to know: The broths are relatively mild once you start cooking vegetables and other ingredients. Adding soy sauce and seasoning to your dipping sauce can help enhance the flavor.
Su Su Su: Affordable Vegetarian Buffet Near Jiefangbei
Location: 4th Floor, Theme Post Office, No. 3 Minquan Road, Yuzhong District
Best for: Affordable Chinese vegetarian food in central Chongqing
Su Su Su is a budget-friendly vegetarian buffet close to Jiefangbei, one of Chongqing's main shopping and sightseeing areas. It's a convenient choice if you want a filling meal without spending too much.
The buffet features a rotating selection of Chinese dishes, including stir-fried vegetables, tofu, rice, noodles, soups, porridge, and traditional snacks. Some dishes have familiar Sichuan-style flavors, while others are milder.
With a wide variety of dishes to choose from, it's a good place to sample different types of Chinese vegetarian food in one meal.
The advertised price is around RMB 20 per person with an in-store coupon. Prices and promotions may change, so check the current offer before visiting.
Good to know: The restaurant can get busy around lunchtime and dinner. Some dishes may contain eggs or other ingredients unsuitable for vegans, so check with the staff if you follow a strict plant-based diet.
Yiduo Langhua: Creative Plant-Based Chinese Cuisine
Location: B1, Jingxinyuan, No. 23 Huayi Road, Yubei District
Best for: Creative vegetarian dishes and a peaceful dining atmosphere
Yiduo Langhua Pure Vegetarian Restaurant offers a more refined approach to vegetarian dining in Chongqing.
The menu combines traditional Chinese cooking with contemporary influences, featuring vegetable dishes, mushroom-based creations, plant-based soups, and other meat-free options. Dishes are individually ordered or available as set meals rather than served buffet-style.
The restaurant's Chinese-inspired interior features greenery, quiet tea spaces, and private dining rooms. It offers a relaxed atmosphere for a meal with friends or family.
Prices average around RMB 80 per person. The flavors tend to be mild and balanced, making this a good alternative to Chongqing's famously spicy cuisine.
Good to know: The restaurant describes its food as vegan, without eggs or dairy. If you have strict dietary requirements, confirm ingredients and cooking practices with the restaurant.
Vegetarian Restaurants at Huayan Temple and Ciyun Temple
For travelers interested in Chinese Buddhist culture, temple vegetarian restaurants offer a different way to experience local food. Two options worth considering are Huayan Temple in Jiulongpo District and Ciyun Temple in Nan'an District.
Huayan Temple Vegetarian Restaurant (Xiangjichu)
Location: Huayan Scenic Area, Jiulongpo District
Best for: Traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine
Located within Huayan Temple, Xiangjichu serves traditional Chinese vegetarian dishes in a setting connected to Buddhist culture.
The restaurant is known for its traditional architecture and peaceful surroundings. Its menu features tofu, vegetables, mushrooms, and other plant-based ingredients prepared in a Chinese style.
Reported specialties include Huayan crispy rice, black bean tofu pudding, and sesame-oil noodles.
It's a good option if you're planning to visit Huayan Temple and want to include a vegetarian meal in your itinerary.
Location: No. 1 Haishi Road, Nan'an District
Best for: Temple dining and traditional Chinese vegetarian dishes
Ciyun Temple is another place to consider if you're interested in Buddhist vegetarian food.
One distinctive feature of Chinese Buddhist vegetarian cooking is the use of plant-based ingredients to recreate familiar meat and fish dishes. These dishes may resemble traditional Chinese recipes in appearance and flavor while using vegetarian ingredients instead.
Affordable temple meals have been reported here, although prices and availability may change.
Check current opening hours and restaurant arrangements before visiting, especially if you're making a special trip.
Dietary note: Buddhist vegetarian food is not necessarily vegan or free from garlic, onions, and other alliums. If you avoid specific ingredients, confirm the restaurant's practices before ordering.
Bowltai and Mates: Western-Style Food with Vegetarian Options
Location: Guotai Plaza, Jiefangbei, Yuzhong District
Best for: Salads, brunch, and groups with different dietary preferences
If you're looking for familiar Western-style food after several days of Chongqing hot pot and local Chinese dishes, Bowltai and Mates are convenient options in the city center.
Both restaurants offer a mix of dishes, including vegetarian-friendly choices alongside meals containing meat and other animal products. This makes them useful for groups where some people eat vegetarian food and others don't.
Bowltai (Guotai Plaza)
Bowltai is a convenient option for a casual meal while exploring Jiefangbei. Its menu includes Western-style dishes and lighter options, such as salads.
Mates offers Western-style food, including salads and other lighter meals, alongside more substantial options. It's worth considering if you want an alternative to traditional Chinese cuisine while staying in central Chongqing.
Dietary note: Neither restaurant is exclusively vegetarian. Salads and vegetable dishes may contain cheese, eggs, meat-based dressings, or other animal products. Check the ingredients before ordering if you need a fully vegan meal.
Final Thoughts: Where to Find Vegetarian Food in Chongqing
The best vegetarian restaurant in Chongqing depends on your budget, dietary requirements, and the kind of dining experience you prefer.
For vegan hot pot: Susu Fufu offers a plant-based way to experience Chongqing's signature dish.
For an affordable meal: Su Su Su serves a wide selection of Chinese vegetarian dishes near Jiefangbei.
For creative plant-based cuisine: Yiduo Langhua is a good option for a quieter, more refined dining experience.
For traditional temple food: Consider the vegetarian restaurants at Huayan Temple and Ciyun Temple.
For Western-style meals: Bowltai and Mates offer vegetarian-friendly options in the Jiefangbei area.
One final tip for vegan travelers: Chinese dishes that appear vegetarian may still contain eggs, dairy, animal-based stock, or other animal products. If you follow a strict vegan diet, explain your dietary requirements clearly and confirm the ingredients before ordering.
