Taiwan boasts the world’s third highest rate of vegetarianism, with 13% of its population identifying as vegetarians (吃素, chī sù). Rooted in historical and religious traditions, vegetarianism in Taiwan has evolved into various dietary practices.
For instance, 鍋邊素 (guō biān sù) allows individuals to consume food that has been cooked in a non-vegetarian dish. 五辛素 (wǔ xīn sù) permits the use of spices like onions and garlic, while 蛋奶素 (dàn nǎi sù) includes eggs and dairy in the vegetarian diet. In contrast, 全素 (quán sù) represents the strictest form of vegetarianism, excluding all animal products and spices.
Today, as health (健康, jiànkāng) and eco-friendliness (環保, huánbǎo) become increasingly important, vegetarianism is trending worldwide. In Taiwan, many restaurants, including fast food chains, have begun to feature innovative green menus, making Taiwan one of the most vegetarian-friendly countries in the world.
