Where to Find the Best Vegetarian and Vegan Burgers in Beijing
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Whether you're a long-time vegan or just dabbling with plant-based dining, you'll have no beef with these vegetarian and vegan burgers in Beijing.
Note: We have tried to mark whether each burger is vegetarian or vegan but if you're on a strict diet (and want to, for example, make sure that the cheese used doesn't include rennet) it's best to check with the restaurant before you dine.
Arrow Factory's Double smeesh seitan burger (RMB 64)
Arrow Factory: Double Smeesh Seitan Burger, RMB 64 (vegan)
Arrow Factory are big champions of plant-based cuisine, coming out with plenty of creative dishes in recent years. This burger combines seitan, a type of vital wheat gluten, with chickpeas and black beans for a full slate of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins and minerals. The "smeesh" in the name refers to their vegan melted cheese, which creates a nicely messy eating experience just like a dairy cheeseburger. This isn't even Arrow Factory's only vegetarian burger: we're also big fans of their 'Pulled Jack' which is made with jackfruit, and so meaty it's been known to fool avowed carnivores.
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Cannon's: Cauliflower Veggie Burger, RMB 42 (vegetarian)
Cannon's have plenty of creative burger options on their menu, including this meat-free number, which features a thick slice of deep-fried cauliflower dressed in spicy Buffalo-style sauce, with lettuce, tomato, and all the usual trimmings.
Side Street's Country Roads (RMB 58)
Great Leap Brewing: Eggplant Zucchini Parmesan, RMB 45 (vegetarian)
Some (probably many) would argue that this is a sandwich, not a burger but it's so delicious that we're throwing it in anyway. Thick slices of breaded, fried eggplant and zucchini are stuffed into a baguette spread with pesto, mayo, and lashings of marinara sauce. Ask for extra napkins.
Home Plate BBQ: Black Bean Burger With Honey Mustard, RMB 45 (vegetarian, can request vegan)
Home Plate is known for its many meaty offerings but vegetarians aren't left out either thanks to this hearty black bean burger. Black beans are packed with protein, so you definitely won't be hungry after this one (especially if you get a side of french fries and Carolina vinegar slaw). Ask if you want to have the burger made vegan.
Jing-A: "Where's the Meat?" Burger, RMB 50 (vegetarian) (pictured at top)
Jing-A's take on a veggie burger (recently revamped by new chef Simone Thompson) features a meaty portobello mushroom, smoked tofu, American cheese, and plenty of their secret recipe special burger sauce. We also love the sour and slightly spicy house pickles that are served alongside.
Lush: Tofu Burger, RMB 45 (vegetarian, can request vegan)
Wudaokou stalwart Lush offers a range of hearty burgers to soak up their plentiful booze, including their veggie tofu burger, which comes topped with sautéed mushrooms and your choice of ranch or barbecue sauce.
Side Street's Hutong Hipster (RMB 48)
Side Street: Hutong Hipster, RMB 48 (vegan)
Side Street's menu is an eclectic mix of Indian-inspired bar food, including their two meat-free burgers. The vegan Hutong Hipster features a potato and spinach patty paired with a combination of tamarind chutney and spicy mint chutney. Or try the vegetarian Country Roads (RMB 58), one of the only burgers in Beijing made out of paneer. Additionally, starting Jul 11, Side Street will be offering 20 percent off veggie/vegan dishes every Thursday.
Slow Boat's Dongsi Doufu Burger (RMB 45)
Slow Boat: Dongsi Doufu, RMB 45 (vegetarian)
Slow Boat offers a few veggie and vegan burger options but we're particular fans of the classic Dongsi Doufu, which has been a menu favorite for several years now. Even if you think you don't like tofu, you'll love this crisply-fried smoked tofu patty with its topping of spicy sriracha-honey aioli. Note that all veg burgers are buy-one-get-one-free at both Slow Boat locations every Monday (with purchase of any drink).
Veggie Table's Mushroom burger (RMB 68)
Veggie Table: Mushroom Burger, RMB 68 (vegan)
Plant-based burgers often play on some variety of beans or pulses but long-time veggie stalwart The Veggie Table change things up a bit with a burger made primarily of savory shiitake mushrooms. The burger is served in a wholewheat bun to give it a bit of extra heft.
Zerogo: Avocado Tofu Burger, RMB 68 (vegan)
Avocado fans will love Wangjing restaurant Zerogo's signature burger, which comes stacked with half a perfectly ripe avocado on top of a breaded patty made of tofu, whereas the cheese-free "cheese" sauce made entirely from cashews flavored with lemon and miso adds a nice umami element to proceedings.
Ahem... it's not gourmet, but even KFC are making veggie burgers now.
Images courtesy of Jing-A, Arrow Factory, Side Street, Slow Boat, Dazhong Dianping
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