{"id":8632,"date":"2026-10-04T10:43:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T08:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maybayrestaurant.com\/?p=8632"},"modified":"2026-10-04T10:43:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T08:43:58","slug":"vietnamese-buddhist-cuisine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maybayrestaurant.com\/en\/archives\/8632","title":{"rendered":"Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine, origins and vegetarian dishes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine is not a recent trend born out of the popularity of plant-based eating in Europe. It is rooted in an ancient religious and family tradition \u2013 that of *\u0103n chay* \u2013 which has shaped life in pagodas and temple kitchens in Vietnam for centuries.<\/p>\r\n

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To understand this tradition is to understand why a vegetable stock, some tofu, shiitake mushrooms and a handful of aromatic herbs are all it takes to create a complete and flavourful meal. At M\u00e2y Bay in Vincennes, it is precisely this heritage that we serve, through a 100% vegetarian and vegan menu. Here\u2019s what this cuisine really entails: its vocabulary, its ingredients and its dishes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine, origins and vegetarian dishes<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Reading time: ~9 mins<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  1. What is Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine?<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  2. What does \u2018chay\u2019 mean in Vietnamese cuisine?<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  3. Why do people eat a vegetarian diet on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month?<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  4. What ingredients are used as meat substitutes in vegetarian cooking?<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  5. The most typical Vietnamese vegetarian dishes<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  6. Hu\u1ebf, Hanoi, H\u1ed9i An, Ho Chi Minh City: the geography of chay<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  7. Vegetarian, vegan, chay \u2013 how to make sense of it all<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  8. Is vegetarian cuisine nutritionally balanced?<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  9. Temple cuisine in Vincennes<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  10. Exploring Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine in greater depth<\/a><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  11. Frequently asked questions about Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    What is Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The origins and principles of Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine refers to the range of plant-based dishes associated with the practice of Mah\u0101y\u0101na Buddhism in Vietnam, which are collectively known as \u2018chay\u2019 cuisine. It is based on two central concepts of this school, compassion for living beings and non-violence<\/a>, karu\u1e47\u0101 and ahi\u1e43s\u0101. Academic studies on Vietnamese vegetarianism emphasise that this diet is directly linked to these principles, and that it is often accompanied by an element of mindfulness, with meals being regarded as a time for spiritual practice rather than merely a dietary constraint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    In practical terms, this cuisine has developed across three complementary spheres. Firstly, the monasteries, where monks and nuns create refined temple cuisine using simple ingredients. Secondly, families, who prepare meals without meat or fish on certain dates in the lunar calendar. Finally, there are the qu\u00e1n chay \u2013 urban vegetarian restaurants that have popularised chay cuisine amongst a much wider audience than just the practising community.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The available sources also point out that Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine has long been an integral part of the country\u2019s religious, family and culinary traditions<\/a>, and is not merely a contemporary trend linked to wellbeing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    What does \u2018chay\u2019 mean in Vietnamese cuisine?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    In Vietnamese, \u2018chay\u2019 means vegetarian. The word is used in several expressions that you\u2019ll come across all over Vietnam. \u2018\u0102n chay\u2019 means to eat vegetarian food, \u2018qu\u00e1n chay\u2019 refers to a vegetarian restaurant, and \u2018c\u01a1m chay\u2019 means a vegetarian meal or a vegetarian rice platter. The word is also added to the names of dishes to indicate the vegetarian version, as in \u2018ph\u1edf chay\u2019, \u2018b\u00fan chay\u2019 or \u2018b\u00e1nh x\u00e8o chay\u2019. This very simple structure explains why the menu at a Vietnamese vegetarian restaurant is easy to understand, even for a visitor who doesn\u2019t speak the language.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    \"Vietnamese<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    There is, however, one nuance worth noting. In common usage, \u2018chay\u2019 most often refers to a diet free from meat, fish and n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eafm (fish sauce), which is replaced by soya sauce. Many establishments associated with pagodas go a step further and also exclude eggs and dairy products, bringing their cuisine closer to a vegan diet. However, this practice varies from one restaurant to another, as noted by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. The term \u2018chay\u2019 is therefore a useful guide, but not a certification.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Why do people eat a vegetarian diet on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Most Vietnamese Buddhists do not follow a permanent vegetarian diet. Many practise it periodically, particularly on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month, which correspond to the new moon and the full moon. These two dates are key moments in religious life, devoted to making offerings and visiting pagodas. On these occasions, abstaining from meat symbolises a renewed commitment to non-violence in one\u2019s diet \u2013 a commitment within everyone\u2019s reach, including those who eat differently for the rest of the month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The effect is visible in public spaces. Official tourism sources note that the range of vegetarian options is increasing significantly in markets and restaurants during this period<\/a>, with some traditional establishments expanding their vegetarian menus as a result. The practice may also be permanent, gradual, or adopted in stages, depending on the level of commitment of each individual. This flexibility is an important feature of Vietnamese vegetarianism, which explains its spread far beyond monastic circles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Good to know<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    In Vietnam, asking for a meat-free dish does not guarantee that it is vegetarian, as the stock, paste or sauce may contain fish sauce or dried prawns. The phrase \u2018kh\u00f4ng n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eafm\u2019 is therefore just as useful as \u2018kh\u00f4ng th\u1ecbt\u2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    What ingredients are used as meat substitutes in vegetarian cooking?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Key ingredients and plant-based substitutes<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Vietnamese Buddhist cuisine does not seek to simplify recipes, but rather to recreate their textures and flavours using plant-based ingredients. Tofu provides a soft, creamy texture; seitan and wheat gluten add chewiness; shiitake and black mushrooms contribute umami; pulses provide plant-based protein; and Vietnamese herbs bring freshness. Plant-based substitutes are sometimes shaped and seasoned to resemble traditional dishes, which helps to preserve the familiar structure of the dishes whilst eliminating all ingredients of animal origin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The following table summarises the main categories of ingredients used in a Vietnamese Buddhist meal and their role on the plate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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    Category<\/th>\r\nCommon ingredients<\/th>\r\nCulinary role<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Plant-based proteins<\/td>\r\nTofu, seitan, wheat gluten, beans, peas<\/td>\r\nTo provide structure, texture and a source of protein<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Mushrooms<\/td>\r\nShiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, black mushrooms<\/td>\r\nTo add umami and a meaty texture<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Vegetables<\/td>\r\nCabbage, carrots, squash, aubergines, leafy vegetables<\/td>\r\nSide dishes, stir-fries, broths and salads<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Starchy foods<\/td>\r\nRice, rice vermicelli, noodles, sweet potato<\/td>\r\nEnergy content of the meal<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Herbs and spices<\/td>\r\nLemongrass, ginger, coriander, Thai basil, spring onions<\/td>\r\nFlavouring stocks and sauces<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Condiments<\/td>\r\nSoy sauce, soya paste, lime, chilli, peanuts<\/td>\r\nSeason with salt, add a splash of acid and spice it up<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
    Main categories of ingredients in vegetarian cuisine<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The most typical Vietnamese vegetarian dishes<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Some iconic dishes from Chay cuisine<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The chay tradition has produced vegetarian versions of almost all the classic Vietnamese dishes, from north to south. Here are the dishes you\u2019ll most commonly come across in a qu\u00e1n chay or at a Vietnamese Buddhist meal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n