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.
16 matching dishes
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
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
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
KAsoon
香煎马鲛鱼
Pan-fried Mackerel
Fillet of mackerel, a fatty and flavorful fish, pan-fried to a golden crisp. Seasoned simply with salt and pep…
0 net0 total0 fibre35 protein32 fat450 kcal
KAsoon
盐焗鸡脚
Salt-Baked Chicken Feet
Chicken feet seasoned with salt and spices, then 'baked' in a bed of hot salt until tender and flavorful. Rich…
2 net2 total0 fibre35 protein30 fat450 kcal
KAsoon
脆皮乳鸽
Crispy Skin Roasted Squab
A whole roasted squab (young pigeon) known for its remarkably crispy, savory skin and tender, juicy dark meat.…
3 net3 total0 fibre75 protein60 fat850 kcal
KAsoon
椒盐鸭舌 (无裹粉)
Salt and Pepper Duck Tongue (Unbreaded)
Succulent duck tongues seasoned generously with a savory blend of salt and white pepper, then pan-fried or dee…
3 net3 total0 fibre50 protein60 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
紫菜排骨汤
Seaweed and Pork Ribs Soup
A clear, comforting soup featuring tender pork ribs simmered with dried seaweed (nori/laver). The seaweed impa…
3 net6 total3 fibre40 protein48 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
腊味合蒸
Steamed Assorted Cured Meats
A classic Hunan dish showcasing various types of cured and smoked pork (e.g., cured pork belly, cured sausage,…
3 net5 total2 fibre60 protein100 fat1100 kcal
KAsoon
脆皮大肠
Crispy Fried Pork Intestines
Pork large intestines are meticulously cleaned, braised until tender, then deep-fried to achieve a wonderfully…
4 net4 total0 fibre40 protein65 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
脆皮猪手
Crispy Pork Knuckle
A whole pork knuckle (trotter), first tenderized by boiling or braising, then roasted or deep-fried until the …
4 net4 total0 fibre90 protein80 fat1100 kcal
KAsoon
猪肚汤
Pork Tripe Soup
A comforting clear soup featuring tender pork tripe (and sometimes pork bones or lean pork) simmered with whit…
4 net5 total1 fibre35 protein28 fat400 kcal
KAsoon
孜然羊排
Spicy Cumin Lamb Ribs
Succulent lamb ribs seasoned generously with cumin, chili powder, Sichuan peppercorns, and other spices, then …
4 net6 total2 fibre55 protein90 fat1000 kcal
KAsoon
老黄瓜汤
Old Cucumber and Pork Rib Soup
A nourishing Cantonese clear soup made by slow-simmering mature (old) cucumber with pork ribs. The cucumber ad…
5 net8 total3 fibre30 protein28 fat400 kcal
KAsoon
麻辣猪脑花
Spicy Braised Pork Brains
Creamy pork brains braised or gently steamed in a fiery Sichuan-style sauce with chili oil, Sichuan peppercorn…
5 net7 total2 fibre30 protein50 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
榄菜蒸鳗鱼
Steamed Eel with Preserved Olives
A delicate and flavorful dish featuring steamed eel, topped with a savory paste of preserved olives (榄菜). The …
5 net7 total2 fibre45 protein60 fat700 kcal