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.
23 matching dishes
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
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
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
清炒包菜
Stir-fried Cabbage
Simple and fresh, thinly shredded cabbage quickly stir-fried with garlic and a light seasoning. A staple low-c…
6 net10 total4 fibre4 protein25 fat280 kcal
拍黄瓜
Smashed Cucumber Salad
Crisp, refreshing smashed cucumber pieces, dressed with garlic, soy sauce, black vinegar, and sesame oil. A po…
7 net10 total3 fibre4 protein28 fat300 kcal
凉拌木耳
Wood Ear Mushroom Salad
Chewy, crunchy wood ear mushrooms, typically blanched and tossed in a savory and tangy dressing with garlic, c…
7 net11 total4 fibre5 protein29 fat320 kcal
罗汉斋
Stir-fried Tofu & Low-Carb Vegetables (Keto Modified)
A classic vegetarian dish featuring fried tofu combined with a medley of various vegetables, typically in a li…
9 net15 total6 fibre25 protein35 fat450 kcal
KAsoon
瑶柱扒芦笋
Asparagus with Dried Scallops
Fresh, crisp asparagus spears stir-fried or blanched and then topped with a savory sauce made from rehydrated …
4 net8 total4 fibre20 protein28 fat350 kcal
KAsoon
白灼生菜
Blanched Lettuce (with Garlic Oil Dressing)
Fresh lettuce briefly blanched to tender-crisp perfection and typically dressed with a light, savory dressing,…
4 net7 total3 fibre3 protein18 fat200 kcal
KAsoon
上汤芥兰
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) in Superior Broth
Fresh, vibrant Chinese broccoli (gai lan) blanched and served in a rich, umami-laden 'superior broth,' typical…
4 net8 total4 fibre10 protein20 fat250 kcal
KAsoon
瑶柱扒菜心
Braised Choy Sum with Dried Scallops
Fresh choy sum (Chinese flowering cabbage) braised until tender, topped with a flavorful sauce made from rehyd…
5 net10 total5 fibre10 protein18 fat220 kcal
KAsoon
豉汁炒凉瓜
Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Black Bean Sauce
Sliced bitter melon stir-fried rapidly with pungent fermented black beans, fresh garlic, and sometimes a hint …
5 net9 total4 fibre5 protein28 fat300 kcal
KAsoon
清炒菜心
Stir-fried Choy Sum with Garlic
Fresh choy sum (a popular leafy green Chinese vegetable with a slight sweetness and crisp texture) quickly sti…
5 net9 total4 fibre4 protein18 fat230 kcal
KAsoon
蒜蓉娃娃菜
Garlic Stir-fried Baby Napa Cabbage
A simple yet flavorful stir-fried dish featuring tender baby napa cabbage (wawacai) wok-tossed with generous a…
6 net10 total4 fibre5 protein20 fat250 kcal
KAsoon
豉椒炒青椒
Stir-fried Green Peppers with Fermented Black Beans (Keto Modified)
Crisp green bell peppers stir-fried with fragrant fermented black beans (douchi) and garlic. A savory and arom…
6 net10 total4 fibre4 protein25 fat280 kcal
KAsoon
腐乳通菜
Stir-fried Water Spinach with Fermented Tofu
Fresh water spinach stir-fried with savory, pungent fermented tofu (fu ru), aromatic garlic, and a hint of chi…
6 net10 total4 fibre8 protein28 fat300 kcal
KAsoon
干烧杏鲍菇
Dry-braised King Oyster Mushrooms
Meaty king oyster mushrooms dry-braised with garlic, ginger, and a savory, slightly spicy sauce until tender a…
8 net12 total4 fibre12 protein30 fat350 kcal
KAsoon
酸辣海带丝
Spicy and Sour Kelp Strips
A refreshing cold appetizer made with thinly sliced kelp (seaweed) strips, tossed in a tangy and spicy dressin…
8 net12 total4 fibre5 protein22 fat250 kcal
KAsoon
醋溜白菜
Vinegar Stir-fried Cabbage
A northern Chinese specialty featuring wok-fried Napa cabbage (or similar) with dried chilies, garlic, and a t…
9 net15 total6 fibre5 protein25 fat300 kcal
KAsoon
香菇扒油菜
Braised Shiitake Mushrooms with Bok Choy
Whole shiitake mushrooms braised until tender, served with crisp steamed or stir-fried bok choy in a light, sa…
10 net15 total5 fibre8 protein25 fat300 kcal
KAsoon
腐竹炒丝瓜
Stir-fried Sponge Gourd with Tofu Skin
A light and refreshing vegetarian stir-fry featuring tender sponge gourd (loofah) and protein-rich tofu skin, …
10 net15 total5 fibre15 protein35 fat450 kcal