Is it easy to be Vegetarian or Vegan in China?

[@thetempehtraveler]

I love seeing the two different perspectives and hearing about how veganism has gotten more accessible. I also love how my dog got a little moment in the video too. She’s such a star. 😊 “if they really care about, they won’t care what you eat.” - I love this!

[@GoYvon]

Welcome here and thanks for the comment! Your dog was so cute, she had to make a cameo! 😃

[@TriciawiththeTRUTH]

Being vegetarian in China in 2002 was interesting. When I asked for only broccoli, they would still bring me broccoli with little pieces of meat. I had to start saying, bring me vegetables only like a buddhist monk. That seemed to work. I enjoyed the Hupi dofu-something like Tiger Skin Tofu I think they called it? I had a lot of ShuTiao. Don't ask me how to pronounce that cuz I remember I couldn't get the tones right 😅 Other than that, I would get noodles on the street or in restaurants I'd get huluobo with oil and salt. That was on Hainan Island. Then in the north, I remember some street vendors with fresh, raw cold salads with sesame seeds-served in a clear plastic takeaway bag. So yummy! Ohh and that xigua zhi was bangin in the north too 😀

[@GoYvon]

The salad with sesame seeds sounds like something I would love! I recognize what you're saying about the broccoli coming with little pieces of meat. That has happened to me more than once.

[@kayapi5321]

I learned some new words just a few days ago, VEGAN and DAIRY, just saw it in your video, this unexpected sense of accomplishment is the happiest thing about learning English

[@GoYvon]

How cool that you learned some new words and that you are hearing them right away.

[@tsbelmer7265uuu]

Vegan is a form of practicing compassion. What better contribution can one give back to nature? Well done!

[@pbworld7858]

Veganism is not about being perfect, dietary wise, but trying your best in the given situation and learning from 'mistakes'. Thanks for this video. I just wish people had as much tolerance and understanding about veganism as they do about people who avoid certain food due to religion which always seems to get a pass.

[@jerichogirl30]

Great video and great topic! I would like to see more videos about your experience as a vegetarian in China (ex: what vegetarian dishes you are cooking, vegetarian restaurants in Beijing etc). Thanks! :) P.S. Planeteers!

[@GoYvon]

Thank you for the support! I'd suggest you follow me on Instagram (if you can) as I share more short clips and photos of my daily life there (which also means food).

[@ecychan1]

When I lived in Hong Kong, I liked to go to Chinese vegetarian restaurants for meals. Some of them served vegetarian dim-sums, and some even offered banquets. As far as I know, vegetarian restaurants are quite popular in southern China. Also many Buddhist temples offer vegetarian meals from simple dishes to exquisite feasts. I think northern China should also have (Chinese) vegetarian restaurants, as Buddhist people live all over the country. For everyday meals, vegetarian food stuffs are widely available in China. Besides numerous fresh varieties, you can find aisles and aisles of dried vegetarian stuffs in Chinese supermarkets.

[@GoYvon]

I would love to have some vegetarian dim-sum! Many restaurants have veggie dishes, but like someone commented earlier, they often contain animal fat. For people who are very strict it becomes a lot harder then.

[@veganinchina]

Thank you so much for inviting me on, Yvon! Happy to be a Planeteer :D

[@GoYvon]

Thank you for sharing your experiences and your tips!

[@nanobio1355]

Thanks for making this video! Great role models and planeteers!

[@GoYvon]

Thank you for supporting me by being a planeteer! 😀

[@darvislai4220]

Tx GoYvon..as a vegan who always look forward to travel to China, this content is so informative..tx a lot for sharing..keep up to be a vegetarian or vegan,,it's a good life style..

[@GoYvon]

Glad you found it informative! Thanks for the support.

[@eburneentertainment9903]

Buddhist temples often provide vegetarian dining to the public in China too, the price is usually cheap too

[@johnrogermaghuyop6106]

On point! And yeah hoping soon that Beijing will offer a plant-based Peking Duck! 🤭

[@GoYvon]

That would be amazing! Can't wait for the day that happens. 😉

[@kuankang1770]

The language speed you speak helps me a lot to get what you mean. I even think that I have a good ability of English listening,It's very comfortable!! But I know the truth is that not all the foreigner I meet speak like you. So ok, I will try more practice!! Finally， I hope you enjoy your life in China.

[@GoYvon]

Thank you for the kind feedback! I think I speak slower because English isn't my first language and I have also adjusted my speed to the people around me.

[@kuankang1770]

@@GoYvon So nice!

[@smwk2017]

In rural China, they often use animal fat to cook their vegetables. That is why the dishes taste so good.

[@iamcanadianedmonton]

my experience is that it was easy to order vegetarian dishes in china, though the menu was limited. whenever possible, i avoided meat when i traveled in china. i hope i could travel there again early next year 🙏🙏🙏. please covid, your time on earth is over 🙏🙏🙏love from canada.

[@GoYvon]

Yes, its time is definitely over!

[@TripBitten]

We need more vegans and vegetarians and planeteers to make this world a little better! 😉

[@GoYvon]

Yes! If we all do a little bit, that's going to make a big impact!

[@artur-carneiro-RJ]

Vegan from brazil

[@GoYvon]

What is it like to be a vegan there? Do you think it is easy or is it challenging?

[@artur-carneiro-RJ]

@@GoYvon here in brazil, if you don't eat meat you are weak or gay. Religious say you don't do what God says etc. I'm an atheist and vegan and I've studied Chinese and Chinese culture since I was 16 I'm 32

[@hangzeng1491]

I think you can find safe vegan dishes in most Chinese Buddhist temples' restaurants.

[@GoYvon]

I should look into those types of restaurants and see where in Beijing I can find them.

[@kamifaye]

I went totally vegan overnight after seeing Cowspiracy, I had no idea what I was doing but knew I couldn't support those industries anymore or even place the death in my mouth... It's 100% possible to go vegan overnight, you just have to make the ethical connection first, then you can't even think of "gradually" stopping cruelty. Just like an abolitionist doesn't stop "gradually" support slavery over months or years, they stop because it's the right thing to do and they'll figure it out as they go along- but they recognize that supporting slavery is not an option anymore. I actually really recommend going head first into veganism

[@armchairwarrior963]

Chinese been vegetarians in the past up until recently. Literally because of money. Nobody could afford meat in the past. I myself and family members only ate meat literally once a year during new years. that was for decades. Only by the 90's things change.

[@mariarak8328]

How can I avoid pork fat and lard in vegetable dishes in China?

[@GoYvon]

That'll be a challenge! They use is a lot to flavor many of the dishes here. It would be best to ask (using a translation program / note with this written / typed in Chinese).

[@jimmychan9692]

Hi Yvonne, I would like to do my master's degree in the Netherlands. Can you recommend to me more Dutch KZbinrs speaking English in their channels? Thank you in advance:)

[@GoYvon]

Hi Jimmy, Not sure, to be honest. I know some Dutch KZbinrs who make content in Dutch, but don't know about many English speaking ones. I know Travel Vlog IV, by Ivana, she's based in India and of course Nikkie Tutorials. 😀

[@mingshili4101]

with Tofu and various types of veggies, i would say EZ in china.

[@GoYvon]

Yes, lots of tofu and veggie options. I feel that sometimes they do add pieces of meat to dishes with tofu or veggies.

[@mingshili4101]

@@GoYvon be mindful about ground meat and animal fat oil, my mom has been vegan for 50 years, and do ask all restaurants to avoid using animal products before you order, most of them provide this option, especially when you eat hotpot, most of them will use tallow or lard as soup base.

[@soonhenglim7986]

planeteers

[@shiningwarrior1957]

Nou vraag ik mijzelf af wanneer deze vlog is opgenomen. Je vorige vlog ging nl over de 'zero covid policy ' in China en nu zit je gezellig op een terrasje met een andere vlogger te praten,westerse engels sprekende mensen op de achtergrond die gemoedelijk een biertje drinken,een enkele chinees die langsloopt met een mondmasker op. Dit doet niet aan een strenge lockdown denken.

[@GoYvon]

Het gedeelte samen met Alex is 2 weken geleden opgenomen. Nadat ik dit heb opgenomen nam ik de video over Covid op. In die video vertelde ik dat er in sommige delen van China strenge lockdowns zijn, bijvoorbeeld in Shenzhen en Shanghai, maar dat de situatie in Beijing, waar ik ben, gelukkig enorm meevalt. Nu ik dit type is dat nog steeds zo. Hier zijn er de afgelopen 2 weken niet meer dan 10 nieuwe gevallen in de stad gevonden.

[@darthvadeth6290]

I don't get enough protein when I don't eat meat

[@GoYvon]

Tofu, beans, lentils, nuts & seeds have a lot of proteins in them.

[@darthvadeth6290]

@@GoYvon there aren't a lot of Chinese dishes with beans uh? You ever noticed that? I gotta look up some Mexican beans recipes

[@AmelieZh]

@@darthvadeth6290 豌豆杂面。。

[@EdwinaSY]

0:23 Your research 12 years ago must have been very limited. Vegetarianism (吃素) dates back thousands of years in China. Many people practice this lifestyle. Please learn more about the true history and culture before making broad statements. Because of this, I will not be watching the rest of this video.

[@HxH2011DRA]

Planeteers!

[@GoYvon]

Yeah! Appreciate the support!

[@wongchirick]

Planeteer

[@GoYvon]

Yeah! Thanks!

[@216dark2]

Me myself strongly oppose vegan or vegitarian in China. You got the luxury to become one of these because: 1. Your country became rich in food long time ago and you got a choice; 2. You became impractical and idealistic after long time expose to this luxury; Impractical things looks fancy but doesn't help. Looks how politically right things poisons EU. We don't need to stand out with such meaningless ways. We should stand out with our knowledge and wisdom. I hope the Chinese young generation don't be sheep and stop follow those "fancy ideas of living" from the west.

[@chow729]

Vegan is not about following trends nor is it a about life style choice, reflecting your economic flexibility. Being practical does not equat to avoiding following the crowd mantra. More over, living your life decisions in Avoiding pain and suffering on another being on Earth is a mindset not taken likely. You need compassion and tolerance. Before all this label, Vegan, Monks have endured these way of life for thousands of years.