China is home to 1.4 billion people, which has turned it into one of the most populated countries in the world. So, due to the high population, there is a lot of meat consumption as well, especially because Chinese cuisine heavily depends on meat as a protein in their dishes. However, what if China turned vegan?
Can you imagine its massive impact on the dairy and meat industry? It could even pave the way for other countries to follow its lead. If you are interested in knowing more about the rise of veganism in China, then keep reading and get an insight into what it’s like running a vegan eatery in this country.
Katerina/Pexels | While veganism isn’t the most popular concept as of now, it is slowly being introduced to the Chinese people
A Vegan Eatery In China
Along the Tucheng Gou river, you are destined to find a bunch of eateries that fill up the street with the delicious scent of authentic Chinese cuisine. It’s always rush hour during lunch times. Many people take some time out from their breaks and head to these eateries to grab their lunch. Sometimes, it is the young families that enjoy summer as they try out different food items that the eateries have to offer. Some people go for elaborate meals, while others go for a simple Lanzhou signature noodle dish, which consists of beef. However, the signature dish comes with a new vegan twist when it comes to this Lanzhou noodle eatery.
Baiyi Noodles
An eater named ‘Baiyi Lanzhou vegan Noodles’ is every vegan’s dream who wishes to try Chinese cuisine because here you get the chance to try the classic pulled noodles that come with broth, vegetables, and solidified gluten. Here you will find a wide variety of vegan dishes, from grilled tofu to vegan shelled shrimp. The restaurant is owned by a company called Baiyi, which originated from Lanzhou. It was started by Mr. He Jun, a professional in the restaurant industry with 20 years of experience. But, the change came after he became a vegetarian in 2010. This resulted in Mr. He Jun experimenting with food ingredients to find the perfect swaps for traditional Chinese dishes, and when he was ready to implement his learning, he launched Baiya in 2013.
Katerina/Pexels | Though it is obvious that Mr. He Jun’s restaurant hasn’t broken into the mainstream restaurant business, but it shows great potential
The Future Of Veganism In China
Now, China’s 3.5% population is currently labeled as vegetarians, which means that 50 million people in China lean toward the vegan lifestyle. While this demographic looks quite small compared to the rest of the population, it has opened doors for plant-based meat markets in China. There is also an increase in domestic brands of plant-based meat, and this conversation surrounding the vegan lifestyle has made its way into Chinese politics.
Brett/Pexels | The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Sun Baoguo supported the plant-based meat initiatives while addressing climate change
It is evident that China is the perfect market for vegan products, and these food items could do very well in the country too.
