As others have indicated, veganism isn't some new western inspired fad in China. Veganism has deep roots in China due to Buddhism. Strict Buddhists will be vegan and the Chinese new year meal is also traditionally vegan.
agree on the most part but in vast majority families, the chinese new year meal is traditionally everything but vegan. lol. china doesn't need anyone to lecture us on the virtue or benefits of vegetarian diets. many chinese people when they age naturally or consciously eat almost exclusively a vegetarian diet. my grandma was a perfect example... it's not because they adhere to a religious calling or a belief system, just that traditional chinese medical theory tells people when they age, a light (meaning less or no meat), plain diet is good for longevity and elder health, as simple as that...
The Daoists had a long history of veganism, before Buddhism. It's very likely vegetarianism among Buddhists was borrowed from the Daoists. Actually, Hinayana Buddhism don't have a strong vegetarian tradition, and many Bhikkus eat meat when they're given it. You see that in Myanmar and Thailand. But don't expect you to know all that.
@@Zerpentsa6598 there was no vegan group in history. They were they were vegans at best, it not consumed meat occasionally. Vveganism is so pathetic, they have to make up fake history. What a bunch of clowns.
Buddhists are almost never vegans, they are almost always vegetarian. The Buddhist rule is no killing for food. You need not kill the animal to drink the milk it gives. The first meal of the Lunar New Year is vegetarian, not vegan. It follows the Buddhist traditions of purifying the body and spirit for the new year and not killing animals on the first day of the year. I am almost completely positive that you do not understand at all that there is a massive difference between being vegetarian and being vegan.
Many young people in Shanghai are enthusiastic about accepting new things, and many middle-aged and elderly people, due to their Buddhist beliefs, also choose to eat vegetarian. Therefore, it is relatively easy to find a vegetarian restaurant in Shanghai. As one comment suggests, if you are in other cities in China, you can go to Buddhist temples, which usually offer vegetarian options to the public.
but Chinese Buddhist vegetarian recipes are not what they like to eat. It even looks or tastes yucky for them...lol...They like something like the Mediterranean diet or Indian curry. That's really not common in China.
@@computer-ot8si Indeed, most westerners are unable to accept Chinese vegetarianism, even if the vegetarian diet does not include animal fats such as lard.
I live in Prato where there's bigger Chinatown in Italy and work in Florence, for me is more easy be vegan in Chinese restaurant, more of dishes are cooked momently, you can explain the situation and replace ingredients you don't want to eat, by the way, wherever there's Xiao banzai, I love it
Can't talk about vegan culture in China without bringing up Mahayana Buddhism established in China for centuries. Unlike early Buddhism in India which had very little dogma about diet, Mahayana Buddhism was influenced by some Hindu-Brahmin and Jain religious dogma about dietary practices. Some Mahayana Buddhists in China adopt a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. Some won't even touch strongly sulphurous vegetables such as garlic, onions, chives, etc. Another consideration in China is the price of meat when it was a poor country with so many people. Also China suffered long periods of hard times due to natural disasters and wars. By consuming less animal fat, the Chinese used to enjoy better health. Centuries ago ingenious Chinese developed tofu as an alternate protein source. Chinese cooks from each region created varieties of delicious tofu dishes. That's a boon to soybean farmers around the world.
Tosh. Vegetarianism (synonymous with vaganism because they didn't have dairy and avoided eggs) in China started long before Mahayana Buddhism arrived in China. It was practised by the Daoists as well as by certain shamanic religions in China.
@@Zerpentsa6598 Rubbish. There is a difference between eating vegetarian as an ideology, versus eating vegetarian because meat is not affordable, like in the old days. In modern China eating meat is no longer out of reach, so ideology including religious beliefs is a factor.
@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 Everyone knows Buddhism is an imported philosophy from ancient India. It's not a home-grown Chinese philosophy. As for Taoism, it depends on which one: the philosophy of Lao Tzu, or the later folk religion with mythical deities.
In Chinese New Year, on the 1st day of New Year, Chinese people also eat Chinese buddhist vegetarian recipes (羅漢齋) in lunch. From ancient time to not long ago, about 100 years ago, most Chinese people ate vegetarian food only because of general poverty. They had fermented bean curd, fermented vegetables, sundried vegetables, fishes, century eggs, ... everyday. To eat sundried chicken, duck, ham only once or twice in a year as feast In old time, when someone celebrated birthday, all he could get was just one or two eggs painted with lucky red color only. Only now, perhaps since 1990s, Chinese people are so obsessive to eat pig meat.
I'm so confused that you mention nothing about Buddhism when it comes to vegan in China as a native Chinese. Buddhists started to be vegan around 6th century AC. Vegan cuisine has developed a long time in China. Vegan is nothing new in China. We translate “vagan” in to “素食” now, but traditionally we call it “素斋” or “斋饭”, and “斋” is about sacrifice or fete, which relates to Buddhism.
I wonder about that too. Does it go to the same extent? Like in buddhism are you also opposed to something like using pork fat. How about stuff like leather? Like i wonder if they are just similar or if i can really say "if it's buddhist, then it's also vegan" as a 1:1 kind of thing.
In fact, Chinese people, especially intellectuals, have in-depth ideas of both Chinese and Western cultures. Their adaptability is beyond imagination. Most of them don’t show it, because modesty is a tradition.
Indeed, China doesn't boast as many of those 'Western fashion' vegan restaurants. Once you venture beyond your comfort zone, you'll discover a wider array of vegan choices in China. There's no need to insist on consuming environmentally harmful avocados or exploiting the third world with quinoa, as they are indeed not so readily found.
Vegan and vegetarian are two different categories. Vegan doesn't eat animal dairies product like cheese, milk, egg, etc. whereas vegetarians can eat animal dairies product. If vegetarian (by Buddhists and Vedic Dharma (Hindu) followers), they will not eat egg, garlic and onion.
chinese definition of a vegetarian diet has never included cheese, milk or eggs to begin with. to make a point of vegan vs vegetarian in china only shows lack of knowledge or a preachy attitude. lol
oyster sauce is recently invented thing. It was accidentally invented in coastal district in Guangdong province of China and then got the push from Hongkong, macau or nearby area to get popularity around the world. It's not generally existing in ancient China. Fermented soy sauce has longer history.
As others have indicated, veganism isn't some new western inspired fad in China. Veganism has deep roots in China due to Buddhism. Strict Buddhists will be vegan and the Chinese new year meal is also traditionally vegan.
Buddhists are not vegan, liar
agree on the most part but in vast majority families, the chinese new year meal is traditionally everything but vegan. lol. china doesn't need anyone to lecture us on the virtue or benefits of vegetarian diets. many chinese people when they age naturally or consciously eat almost exclusively a vegetarian diet. my grandma was a perfect example... it's not because they adhere to a religious calling or a belief system, just that traditional chinese medical theory tells people when they age, a light (meaning less or no meat), plain diet is good for longevity and elder health, as simple as that...
The Daoists had a long history of veganism, before Buddhism. It's very likely vegetarianism among Buddhists was borrowed from the Daoists. Actually, Hinayana Buddhism don't have a strong vegetarian tradition, and many Bhikkus eat meat when they're given it. You see that in Myanmar and Thailand. But don't expect you to know all that.
@@Zerpentsa6598 there was no vegan group in history. They were they were vegans at best, it not consumed meat occasionally. Vveganism is so pathetic, they have to make up fake history. What a bunch of clowns.
Buddhists are almost never vegans, they are almost always vegetarian. The Buddhist rule is no killing for food. You need not kill the animal to drink the milk it gives. The first meal of the Lunar New Year is vegetarian, not vegan. It follows the Buddhist traditions of purifying the body and spirit for the new year and not killing animals on the first day of the year. I am almost completely positive that you do not understand at all that there is a massive difference between being vegetarian and being vegan.
Many young people in Shanghai are enthusiastic about accepting new things, and many middle-aged and elderly people, due to their Buddhist beliefs, also choose to eat vegetarian. Therefore, it is relatively easy to find a vegetarian restaurant in Shanghai. As one comment suggests, if you are in other cities in China, you can go to Buddhist temples, which usually offer vegetarian options to the public.
but Chinese Buddhist vegetarian recipes are not what they like to eat. It even looks or tastes yucky for them...lol...They like something like the Mediterranean diet or Indian curry. That's really not common in China.
@@computer-ot8si Indeed, most westerners are unable to accept Chinese vegetarianism, even if the vegetarian diet does not include animal fats such as lard.
我不是素食主义者，但是几千年以来中国的僧人都是吃素
I live in Prato where there's bigger Chinatown in Italy and work in Florence, for me is more easy be vegan in Chinese restaurant, more of dishes are cooked momently, you can explain the situation and replace ingredients you don't want to eat, by the way, wherever there's Xiao banzai, I love it
Amazing! 😍 I've been interested in Chinese Cuisine ever since I became Vegan back in Janurary 2021!
Can't talk about vegan culture in China without bringing up Mahayana Buddhism established in China for centuries. Unlike early Buddhism in India which had very little dogma about diet, Mahayana Buddhism was influenced by some Hindu-Brahmin and Jain religious dogma about dietary practices. Some Mahayana Buddhists in China adopt a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. Some won't even touch strongly sulphurous vegetables such as garlic, onions, chives, etc. Another consideration in China is the price of meat when it was a poor country with so many people. Also China suffered long periods of hard times due to natural disasters and wars. By consuming less animal fat, the Chinese used to enjoy better health. Centuries ago ingenious Chinese developed tofu as an alternate protein source. Chinese cooks from each region created varieties of delicious tofu dishes. That's a boon to soybean farmers around the world.
Tosh. Vegetarianism (synonymous with vaganism because they didn't have dairy and avoided eggs) in China started long before Mahayana Buddhism arrived in China. It was practised by the Daoists as well as by certain shamanic religions in China.
@@Zerpentsa6598 Rubbish. There is a difference between eating vegetarian as an ideology, versus eating vegetarian because meat is not affordable, like in the old days. In modern China eating meat is no longer out of reach, so ideology including religious beliefs is a factor.
@@stanbimi
Taoism predates the arrival of Buddhism in China.
@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 Everyone knows Buddhism is an imported philosophy from ancient India. It's not a home-grown Chinese philosophy. As for Taoism, it depends on which one: the philosophy of Lao Tzu, or the later folk religion with mythical deities.
Usually when I want vegan foods, I go to the temple.
It’s good to know that there are a lot of vegetable dishes on the menus in China. Sounds easier than I thought it would be. Thanks for the video
Vegan isn't my thing but I'm surprised China has such a nice vegan restaurant.
india, china and taiwan is biggest vegan country. very easy to find vegan restaurant on that place
In Chinese New Year, on the 1st day of New Year, Chinese people also eat Chinese buddhist vegetarian recipes (羅漢齋) in lunch.
From ancient time to not long ago, about 100 years ago, most Chinese people ate vegetarian food only because of general poverty.
They had fermented bean curd, fermented vegetables, sundried vegetables, fishes, century eggs, ... everyday.
To eat sundried chicken, duck, ham only once or twice in a year as feast
In old time, when someone celebrated birthday, all he could get was just one or two eggs painted with lucky red color only.
Only now, perhaps since 1990s, Chinese people are so obsessive to eat pig meat.
As Chinese eat more meat their life expectancy becomes longer! 😅
@@Anonymous------ That's an interesting question to ask ChatGPT.
@@computer-ot8si
No need to ask any bot, it's a confirmed fact that as people eat more meat the longer their life expectancy!
Actually, if you can't find a vegan restaurant in a Chines city, you can try your luck in a Buddhist temple.
Better still, a Daoist temple.
I'm so confused that you mention nothing about Buddhism when it comes to vegan in China as a native Chinese. Buddhists started to be vegan around 6th century AC. Vegan cuisine has developed a long time in China. Vegan is nothing new in China. We translate “vagan” in to “素食” now, but traditionally we call it “素斋” or “斋饭”, and “斋” is about sacrifice or fete, which relates to Buddhism.
I wonder about that too. Does it go to the same extent? Like in buddhism are you also opposed to something like using pork fat. How about stuff like leather? Like i wonder if they are just similar or if i can really say "if it's buddhist, then it's also vegan" as a 1:1 kind of thing.
And Taoism as well.
Great video!
In fact, Chinese people, especially intellectuals, have in-depth ideas of both Chinese and Western cultures. Their adaptability is beyond imagination. Most of them don’t show it, because modesty is a tradition.
Indeed,
China doesn't boast as many of those 'Western fashion' vegan restaurants.
Once you venture beyond your comfort zone,
you'll discover a wider array of vegan choices in China.
There's no need to insist on consuming environmentally harmful avocados
or exploiting the third world with quinoa,
as they are indeed not so readily found.
I also am a veganisam before period
Vegan and vegetarian are two different categories. Vegan doesn't eat animal dairies product like cheese, milk, egg, etc. whereas vegetarians can eat animal dairies product. If vegetarian (by Buddhists and Vedic Dharma (Hindu) followers), they will not eat egg, garlic and onion.
chinese definition of a vegetarian diet has never included cheese, milk or eggs to begin with. to make a point of vegan vs vegetarian in china only shows lack of knowledge or a preachy attitude. lol
Before the modern period, vegetarians in China didn't touch dairy products.
Vegans also don't use animal products like leather, or products tested on animals!
If you want to check where have vegan restaurant in the city. I think it is easy now. Only check your app. Like 美团 app
Nice
What about the sauces they use in cooking, do they use oyster sauce or anything that contains murdered sea creatures?
All foods contain murdered bacteria! 😢
oyster sauce is recently invented thing. It was accidentally invented in coastal district in
Guangdong province of China and then got the push from Hongkong, macau or nearby area to get popularity around the world.
It's not generally existing in ancient China.
Fermented soy sauce has longer history.
in us? have tried in hillbilly part of world? ha.........................................................