Chinese keto guide
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408 dishes119 keto as served129 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Adapting Chinese cuisine to keto requires diligent menu navigation and explicit requests for sauce and starch modifications.
Top ingredients
Excellent traditional keto ingredients include various cuts of pork, chicken, beef, duck, seafood, and a wide array of non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, and mushrooms.
Danger zones
Watch out for hidden sugars and cornstarch in most sauces, deep-fried battered items, noodles, rice, dumplings, and starchy vegetables often used as fillers.
Best for
This cuisine is best for experienced keto dieters who are comfortable with explicit modifications and enjoy a variety of high-protein, vegetable-rich meals.
What to drink
Drinks you will see at Chinese restaurants, cafés and stalls, rated the same way as the food.
Order these
- KetoJasmine Tea mòlìhuā chá (茉莉花茶) · 0g net carbs as usually served
- KetoPu-erh Tea pǔ'ěr chá (普洱茶) · 0g net carbs as usually served
- Ask firstChrysanthemum Tea júhuā chá (菊花茶) · 10g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it without sugar ('bù jiā táng', 不加糖).
- Ask firstSoy Milk dòujiāng (豆浆) · 15g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it unsweetened ('wú táng', 无糖). Breakfast shops usually have both.
- Ask firstSavory Soy Milk xián dòujiāng (咸豆浆) · 15g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it without the fried dough ('bù yào yóutiáo', 不要油条).
- Ask firstHong Kong Milk Tea gongsik naaicha (港式奶茶) · 25g net carbs as usually servedAsk for 'zau tong' (走糖, no sugar). The evaporated milk still adds about 6g.
- Ask firstCoffee-Tea Mix yuenyeung (鴛鴦) · 25g net carbs as usually servedAsk for 'zau tong' (走糖, no sugar).
- Ask firstHong Kong Lemon Tea dung ling cha (凍檸茶) · 25g net carbs as usually servedAsk for 'zau tim' (走甜, no sweetness).
Skip these
- SkipSour Plum Drink suānméi tāng (酸梅汤) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order jasmine tea instead.
- SkipWinter Melon Tea dōngguā chá (冬瓜茶) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order jasmine tea instead.
- SkipGrass Jelly Drink xiāncǎo (仙草) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order jasmine tea instead.
- SkipHot Cola with Ginger jiāng zhǔ kělè (姜煮可乐) · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order pu-erh tea instead.
- SkipBubble Tea zhēnzhū nǎichá (珍珠奶茶) · 55g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order plain jasmine or oolong tea, 0% sugar, no toppings instead.
364 matching dishes · page 1 of 7
盐焗鸡
Salt-Baked Chicken
A classic Hakka dish where a whole chicken is marinated and then baked or steamed in a crust of coarse salt, r…
2 net2 total0 fibre75 protein48 fat750 kcal
樟茶鸭
Tea-Smoked Duck
A famous Sichuan dish where duck is marinated, hot-smoked over tea leaves and camphor wood, then steamed and d…
2 net3 total1 fibre60 protein65 fat800 kcal
清炖鸭汤
Clear Broth Duck Soup (Keto Modified)
A nourishing clear soup made with slow-simmered duck, typically with ginger and scallions. This dish is natura…
3 net5 total2 fibre25 protein45 fat420 kcal
烧肉
Crispy Roast Pork Belly (Siu Yuk)
A classic Cantonese delicacy featuring tender, succulent pork belly topped with a perfectly crispy, crackling …
3 net3 total0 fibre60 protein100 fat1200 kcal
花胶汤
Fish Maw Soup (Keto Modified)
A traditional and luxurious clear soup featuring rehydrated fish maw, known for its collagen content and delic…
3 net5 total2 fibre20 protein17 fat240 kcal
香煎鱿鱼配椒盐
Pan-Fried Squid with Salt and Pepper (No Coating)
Tender squid rings or pieces pan-fried until slightly crispy, seasoned simply with a salt and pepper spice mix…
3 net4 total1 fibre40 protein35 fat480 kcal
椒盐排骨
Salt and Pepper Pork Ribs (Unbreaded)
Tender pork spareribs seasoned generously with a mixture of salt and pepper, often with garlic and green chili…
3 net5 total2 fibre55 protein60 fat750 kcal
盐焗虾
Salt-Baked Prawns
Whole prawns baked or pan-fried in coarse salt, often with ginger and green onions, focusing on the natural, s…
3 net3 total0 fibre50 protein25 fat450 kcal
紫菜虾米汤
Seaweed and Dried Shrimp Soup
A light and savory clear soup made with rehydrated dried seaweed, small dried shrimp, and often includes a whi…
3 net5 total2 fibre20 protein12 fat200 kcal
清蒸蟹
Steamed Crab
Whole crab steamed simply with ginger and scallions, allowing the natural sweetness of the crab to shine. Ofte…
3 net3 total0 fibre40 protein20 fat350 kcal
蒸水蛋
Steamed Egg Custard
A delicate and silky smooth steamed egg custard, usually seasoned lightly with soy sauce and a touch of sesame…
3 net3 total0 fibre20 protein18 fat250 kcal
蚝油生菜
Steamed Lettuce (no oyster sauce, with garlic oil)
Crisp lettuce quickly steamed to retain its texture, served with a simple dressing of garlic-infused oil and l…
3 net6 total3 fibre4 protein18 fat200 kcal
白灼虾
Boiled Prawns/Shrimp
Succulent prawns or shrimp, simply boiled or lightly steamed, served with a side of ginger-scallion dipping sa…
4 net5 total1 fibre45 protein12 fat300 kcal
脆皮鸡
Crispy Skin Chicken
A whole chicken prepared to achieve an incredibly crispy and golden-brown skin while keeping the meat juicy an…
4 net4 total0 fibre70 protein70 fat950 kcal
蛋花汤
Egg Drop Soup
A comforting, light chicken broth-based soup with ribbons of whisked egg, often garnished with scallions.…
4 net5 total1 fibre18 protein15 fat250 kcal
姜葱龙虾
Ginger Scallion Lobster (Keto Modified)
Fresh lobster (often wok-fried or steamed and then dressed) served with an aromatic sauce heavily featuring sl…
4 net5 total1 fibre70 protein38 fat650 kcal
清炒豆芽
Plain Stir-fried Bean Sprouts
Crisp and refreshing bean sprouts quickly stir-fried with garlic and a simple, light seasoning.…
4 net7 total3 fibre5 protein18 fat200 kcal
清炒虾仁
Plain Stir-fried Shrimp
Simply prepared, plump shrimp stir-fried with minimal seasoning to highlight its natural sweetness and tender …
4 net5 total1 fibre68 protein68 fat875 kcal
姜葱炒虾
Sautéed Prawns with Ginger and Scallions (Keto Modified)
Fresh prawns quickly sautéed or stir-fried with generous amounts of fragrant ginger and crisp green scallions,…
4 net5 total1 fibre50 protein38 fat550 kcal
肉碎蒸水蛋
Steamed Egg Custard with Minced Pork
A savory variation of steamed egg custard, topped or mixed with seasoned minced pork, enhancing both flavor an…
4 net5 total1 fibre35 protein28 fat400 kcal
咸鱼蒸肉饼
Steamed Minced Pork Patty with Salted Fish
A rustic Cantonese comfort food: a savory steamed patty made from minced pork, deeply flavored by pungent salt…
4 net5 total1 fibre50 protein55 fat700 kcal
咸蛋黄蒸肉饼
Steamed Pork Patty with Salted Egg Yolk (Keto Modified)
A savory and rich steamed patty made from finely minced pork, often seasoned with soy sauce and white pepper, …
4 net5 total1 fibre50 protein60 fat750 kcal
蒜蓉蒸扇贝
Steamed Scallops with Garlic (No Vermicelli)
Fresh scallops steamed with a generous topping of finely minced garlic, often with a drizzle of soy sauce and …
4 net5 total1 fibre35 protein28 fat420 kcal
清炒豆苗
Stir-fried Pea Shoots with Garlic
Young, tender pea shoots lightly stir-fried with abundant garlic. A popular and delicate green vegetable side …
4 net8 total4 fibre6 protein22 fat250 kcal
木耳炒肉片
Stir-fried Pork Slices with Wood Ear Mushrooms (Keto Modified)
Thin slices of pork stir-fried with crisp and earthy wood ear mushrooms. A simple yet satisfying dish that can…
4 net9 total5 fibre30 protein50 fat420 kcal
蒜蓉空心菜
Stir-fried Water Spinach with Garlic
Fresh water spinach (also known as morning glory) quickly stir-fried with generous amounts of minced garlic in…
4 net8 total4 fibre3 protein25 fat250 kcal
清汤牛腩
Beef Brisket Clear Soup (No Noodles/Radish)
Tender beef brisket simmered in a clear, flavorful broth with aromatic spices. A light yet satisfying soup tha…
5 net7 total2 fibre55 protein30 fat520 kcal
卤牛筋
Braised Beef Tendon (Keto Modified)
Tender, flavorful beef tendon, slow-braised in a savory liquid until gelatinous. Typically served cold as an a…
5 net7 total2 fibre30 protein25 fat300 kcal
凉拌海蜇
Cold Shredded Jellyfish Salad (Keto Modified)
A refreshing cold appetizer featuring crunchy shredded jellyfish tossed in a light, tangy dressing. Naturally …
5 net7 total2 fibre5 protein25 fat280 kcal
蒜蓉西兰花
Garlic Broccoli
Fresh broccoli florets stir-fried with abundant garlic until tender-crisp. A simple, healthy, and commonly ava…
5 net10 total5 fibre7 protein24 fat280 kcal
手撕包菜
Hand-Torn Cabbage with Chili
Cabbage is hand-torn (believed to yield a better texture) and quickly stir-fried with dried chilies, garlic, a…
5 net10 total5 fibre4 protein28 fat300 kcal
香菇鸡汤
Mushroom Chicken Soup
A nourishing clear broth soup with tender chicken pieces (often on the bone) and aromatic shiitake mushrooms, …
5 net7 total2 fibre40 protein35 fat480 kcal
清炒大虾
Plain Stir-fried Prawns with Garlic
Large, succulent prawns quickly stir-fried with aromatic garlic in a light, savory seasoning.…
5 net6 total1 fibre45 protein55 fat700 kcal
口水鸡
Saliva Chicken (Sichuan Poached Chicken with Chili Oil)
Tender poached chicken, usually dark meat, served chilled and drenched in a vibrant, spicy, savory, and numbin…
5 net7 total2 fibre48 protein38 fat550 kcal
椒盐九肚鱼
Salt and Pepper Dory Fish (No Flour Coating)
Pieces of tender dory fish (also known as Bombay duck) seasoned with a savory salt and pepper mix, then typica…
5 net6 total1 fibre45 protein50 fat650 kcal
豉汁凤爪
Steamed Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce (Keto Modified)
A popular dim sum dish featuring tender, gelatinous chicken feet braised and then steamed in a savory fermente…
5 net7 total2 fibre25 protein40 fat400 kcal
姜葱鸡
Steamed Chicken with Ginger Scallion Sauce (Keto Modified)
Succulent whole or half chicken gently steamed to retain moisture and flavor, then topped with an aromatic sau…
5 net6 total1 fibre65 protein48 fat700 kcal
豉汁蒸鱼头
Steamed Fish Head with Fermented Black Beans (Keto Modified)
A classic Cantonese dish featuring a fish head steamed to perfection with fermented black beans, ginger, garli…
5 net7 total2 fibre35 protein30 fat380 kcal
蒜蓉蒸丝瓜
Steamed Luffa Gourd with Garlic
Delicate luffa gourd slices, lightly steamed with fragrant minced garlic and a drizzle of soy sauce and sesame…
5 net8 total3 fibre3 protein22 fat250 kcal
豉汁排骨
Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce (Keto Modified)
Savory and intensely flavored pork spare ribs, often cut into bite-sized pieces, steamed with fermented black …
5 net7 total2 fibre45 protein68 fat800 kcal
肉碎蒸豆腐
Steamed Tofu with Minced Pork (Keto Modified)
Silken or soft tofu delicately steamed and then topped with a flavorful, savory mixture of minced pork, often …
5 net7 total2 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
芦笋炒牛肉
Stir-fried Beef with Asparagus
Lean beef slices stir-fried with crisp asparagus spears, garlic, and ginger in a light savory sauce, offering …
5 net9 total4 fibre50 protein38 fat580 kcal
韭菜炒鸡蛋
Stir-fried Chinese Chives with Eggs
A simple and nutritious home-style dish made by quickly stir-frying fresh Chinese chives with scrambled eggs, …
5 net8 total3 fibre35 protein50 fat600 kcal
豉汁炒鳝鱼
Stir-fried Eel with Fermented Black Bean Sauce (Keto Modified)
Fresh eel segments stir-fried with fragrant fermented black beans, ginger, and garlic. Eel is a fatty fish tha…
5 net7 total2 fibre30 protein40 fat450 kcal
清炒虾仁西葫芦
Stir-fried Shrimp with Zucchini
A light and healthy stir-fry combining tender shrimp and fresh slices of zucchini, simply seasoned with garlic…
5 net8 total3 fibre40 protein28 fat420 kcal
清炒冬瓜
Stir-fried Winter Melon
Lightly stir-fried pieces of winter melon, offering a subtle flavor and tender texture. Often cooked with garl…
5 net7 total2 fibre2 protein25 fat280 kcal
上汤娃娃菜
Baby Cabbage in Supreme Broth (no starch)
Delicate baby cabbage leaves cooked simply in a savory, clear chicken or pork bone broth.…
6 net10 total4 fibre7 protein20 fat250 kcal
蒜蓉芥兰
Chinese Broccoli with Garlic
Fresh Chinese broccoli (gai lan) quickly stir-fried or steamed and tossed with plenty of minced garlic and a l…
6 net12 total6 fibre7 protein38 fat400 kcal
蟹肉羹
Crab Meat Soup (no starch)
A delicate and savory soup featuring generous flakes of fresh crab meat, often enhanced with wisps of egg whit…
6 net7 total1 fibre35 protein25 fat400 kcal
豆腐鱼头汤
Fish Head Soup with Tofu
A nourishing and light soup featuring fish head (often fried lightly first for flavor) simmered with soft tofu…
6 net8 total2 fibre50 protein28 fat450 kcal
姜葱炒蟹
Ginger Scallion Crab
Fresh crab pieces wok-fried with aromatic ginger and scallions. The sauce is typically light, focusing on the …
6 net8 total2 fibre55 protein40 fat600 kcal
姜葱田鸡
Ginger Scallion Frog Legs
Tender frog legs stir-fried or steamed with fragrant ginger and fresh scallions in a light savory sauce.…
6 net7 total1 fibre45 protein38 fat550 kcal
豉油王大虾
Pan-fried King Prawns with Superior Soy Sauce
Large, succulent prawns pan-fried to perfection and then tossed in a simple yet flavorful 'superior soy sauce'…
6 net6 total0 fibre55 protein28 fat500 kcal
麻油鸡
Sesame Oil Chicken
Tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich broth flavored predominantly with ginger and toasted sesame oil. This…
6 net7 total1 fibre60 protein35 fat580 kcal
麻油黄瓜拌鸡丝
Shredded Chicken and Cucumber Salad with Sesame Oil
A light and refreshing cold appetizer featuring shredded poached chicken breast and crisp julienned cucumber, …
6 net8 total2 fibre40 protein25 fat400 kcal
夫妻肺片
Sliced Beef and Offal in Chili Sauce
A classic Sichuan cold appetizer featuring thinly sliced beef, tripe, and sometimes tendon, tossed in a spicy,…
6 net8 total2 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
蒜泥白肉
Sliced Pork with Garlic Sauce
Thinly sliced, tender boiled pork belly, typically served cold and topped generously with a savory, spicy, and…
6 net8 total2 fibre35 protein55 fat650 kcal
蒜蓉茄子
Steamed Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (No Sugar/Starch)
Tender steamed eggplant slices, often presented beautifully, topped with a savory and aromatic garlic-infused …
6 net12 total6 fibre4 protein32 fat350 kcal
酸菜牛肉
Stir-fried Beef with Pickled Greens
Tender slices of beef stir-fried with tart and savory pickled mustard greens, often with chili and garlic for …
6 net10 total4 fibre45 protein42 fat600 kcal
苦瓜炒蛋
Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Egg
A common home-style stir-fry combining thinly sliced bitter melon with scrambled eggs. Known for its unique bi…
6 net10 total4 fibre20 protein35 fat400 kcal