Veggienius Taichung, Fancy Veggie Restaurant

Last Updated on 2024-04-12

Typically, the vegetarian options served at restaurants include bean buns, tofu, and vegetarian meat. Mushroom pasta suitable for vegetarians is also available. In Veggienius Taichung (不葷主義茶餐廳), patrons have the opportunity to savor a variety of cuisines, including Hong Kong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang, all prepared in vegetarian versions. Even if you are not a vegetarian, you will be surprised by the offerings at Veggienius. There are two locations, one in Taipei and the other in Taichung.

Veggienius Taichung Transportation & Parking Lot

Veggienius Taichung is conveniently situated at the intersection of Gonyi Rd and Dachang St, adjacent to one of my preferred dining spots, Yiji Sushi. Nearby, you’ll find several paid parking lots, and the restaurant is just a brief 2-3 minute walk away. Alternatively, you can reach the restaurant by taking bus routes No. 23, 27, 72, 81, or 107, and alight at the “Gongyi Dongxing Rd. Intersection” stop. Veggienius will be visible as soon as you disembark from the bus!

The restaurant’s exterior boasts a simple yet elegant white facade, with a century-old egg tree planted nearby. Upon stepping inside, guests are greeted by a modern design aesthetic, featuring ample wooden furniture that creates a cozy, homely atmosphere.

Veggienius Menu and Meals

“Even strangers will fall in love with our vegetarian cuisine at first sight” is the slogan of Veggienius. Being raised by a vegan grandmother, I’ve grown accustomed to seeking out restaurants that offer vegetarian options whenever we dine out together. These establishments typically feature tofu, fresh bean curd sheets, and mushrooms as meat substitutes. Veggienius, renowned for its exceptional reviews, piques my curiosity. I wonder how they manage to craft vegetarian dishes that mimic the textures and flavors of non-vegetarian fare so convincingly.

📃Veggienius Menu: See on official facebook

Veggienius primarily offers ovo-lacto vegetarian and vegan meals. If the dishes contain eggs or milk, they will be specifically marked on the menu. Therefore, if you are not an ovo-lacto vegetarian, you can easily avoid them. The typical serving size of most meals accommodates 2 to 3 individuals. It is highly recommended to invite 3 to 5 people to enjoy a variety of dishes here. If there is a larger group, it is advisable to make a reservation for a private box in advance.

Bean Curd with Mushroom NT$ 120

Bean curd, also known as baked spongy gluten, is a spongy variety of fried wheat gluten commonly used in Chinese cuisine, particularly in vegan dishes. At Veggienius, it’s expertly prepared with shiitake mushrooms and coated in a delightful sweet and salty sauce. The result is a dish with a texture and tenderness reminiscent of oil-fried gluten, making it a perfect appetizer to complement any meal.

Loofah Xiao Long Bao NT$ 130（3粒）

Xiao long bao at Veggienius are meticulously handmade by the chefs right in the restaurant. The delicate outer skin is so thin that you can see the fillings as soon as it’s served. Filled with a combination of loofah and stock jelly, these dumplings boast a wonderfully juicy texture. The fresh and sweet loofah soup inside ensures that these vegan xiao long bao are just as satisfying as their non-vegan counterparts.

Steamed Vegetable Dumpling NT$ 130（3 pcs）

The outer skin of the steamed dumplings is as thin as xiao long bao, while the fillings consist of pickled cabbages, mung bean noodles, and shredded tofu.

While some may appreciate the savory and sweet flavors of this dish, personally, I’m not a fan of pickled cabbages, so it’s just okay for me.

Tofu Pudding with Pumpkin Puree NT$ 160（4 pcs）

I’ve had tofu pudding before, but it didn’t quite suit my taste.

However, at Veggienius, they serve tofu pudding with homemade golden pumpkin sauce on top. It’s smooth and offers a delightful salty-sweet flavor. This dish not only erased my previous dislike for tofu pudding but also left me enjoying it happily. It’s a fantastic pumpkin dish to try, especially if you’re not particularly fond of pumpkin.

As for my food preferences, I’m generally not picky, but my mom tends to prepare dishes in the simplest way possible to preserve the original taste. Unfortunately, about 90% of the pumpkin dishes she makes are simply steamed pumpkin, which doesn’t appeal to me at all.

Deep Fried Pastry with Shredded Radish (3 pcs)

This is a classic dim sum dish!

You must try it, and be sure to eat the deep-fried pastry with shredded radish as soon as it’s served.

The perfectly roasted puff pastry, abundant shredded radish in every bite, and the rich white sesame seeds sprinkled on the bottom layer add to the aroma. The texture is layered, and you can taste the freshness and sweetness of the shredded radish. I believe this is a must-try dish.

Sichuan Boiled Vegetarian Beef NT$ 480

The boiled vegetarian beef is made with vegetarian meat slices, but the taste is really great!

The boiled vegetarian beef isn’t just about the vegetarian meat; it also features a rich soup base made with soybean sprouts, nappa, bamboo shoots, potatoes, celery, and other ingredients. These are stir-fried and then combined with chili bean sauce, chili oil, dried chili, peppers, zanthoxylum bungeanum, and more. The resulting flavor is reminiscent of dishes I’ve enjoyed in Sichuan restaurants, and it pairs perfectly with rice.

Oh, and it’s about medium spicy.

Vegetarian Fish with Pickled Cabbage and Chili NT$ 480

Have you seen these snow-white pieces of fish? Well, they’re not actually fish at all; they’re made with yam and hericium erinaceus. Surprisingly, they taste just as soft and smooth as real fish.

The soup base is prepared with pickled cabbage, sauerkraut, soybean sprouts, napa cabbage, and bamboo shoots. The salty aroma and acidity from the sauerkraut impart richness to the soup, making it perfect for those who enjoy stronger flavors.

San Bei Hericium Erinaceus NT$ 380

The hericium erinaceus, braised beforehand, are incredibly smooth and tender, making them easy to enjoy. They’re stir-fried with sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice wine, resulting in a delicious flavor profile and a rich, satisfying texture.

The key components of San Bei Hericium Erinaceus include hericium erinaceus, wild rice bamboo shoots, ginger, peppers, and basil.

Loofah with Vegetarian Crab Roe NT$ 350

Loofah with vegetarian crab roe is primarily stewed with loofah, tofu, and salted egg yolk. The eggs and tofu are first fried and then combined with loofah and salted egg yolk, resulting in a dish with a rich texture that pairs wonderfully with rice!

For those who prefer milder flavors and don’t enjoy spicy food like the boiled beef and fish with pickled cabbage and chili mentioned earlier, this dish is a perfect choice as a side dish!

Having accompanied my vegetarian grandmother on many dining outings, I’ve always sought out special vegetarian restaurants to enjoy delicious meals. However, Veggienius stands out as the most impressive among them. Although my mom and grandma tend to be frugal, even they are impressed by the dishes at Veggienius Taichung, although they do find them a bit pricey.

Personally, while I do think the prices are on the higher side, I believe they are justified given that the menu goes beyond typical Taiwanese vegetarian fare to include dim sum, Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, and more. At Veggienius Taichung, vegetarians can explore a variety of cuisines, while non-vegetarians can enjoy the experience of trying vegetarian dishes that are so realistic, they may be mistaken for meat. The prices reflect the skill of the chef, making it a worthwhile dining experience overall.

🚩Veggienius Taichung｜Facebook

⏰Business Time：11:30~15:00；17:30~21:30
📍Address：No. 21, Section 2, Gongyi Rd, Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 408（Google Map）
☎️Phone：04－23238111
🔖Tips：Veggienius Taichung only accepts cash, no credit card/ debit card!

Hi BFFs!
The article may contain affiliate links, and we welcome you to book accommodations or purchase tickets through the links in the article or below. Rest assured, it won’t affect the price for you, but it would give us a small commission to support us in creating more great content. Thank you so much for your support!

✒︎ Flights: Skyscanner
✒︎ Accommodations: Booking.com, Agoda
✒︎ Tickets: Klook, KKday, Get Your Guide
✒︎ Car Rentals: Rental Car

✔︎ Shh! Just Tell You exclusive travel discount code.

All opinions on this website are 100% personal and I only recommend products or itineraries that I trust. Please refer to the “Disclosure and Public Welfare Program” section for more details. If you have any questions, please click on the social media icons below to contact me, or email 📧 to [email protected].

All copyrights of the blog’s texts and images are reserved. Link sharing is welcome. © 2018-2023 Shh! Just Tell You.