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.
22 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
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
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
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
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
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
KAsoon
清炒竹笙
Stir-fried Bamboo Pith/Fungus
A delicate and elegant dish featuring bamboo pith (a type of edible fungus with a unique mesh-like texture), s…
2 net5 total3 fibre4 protein15 fat180 kcal
KAsoon
上汤芦笋
Asparagus in Superior Broth
Tender asparagus stalks lightly blanched and served in a delicate, savory superior broth, typically made from …
4 net8 total4 fibre5 protein10 fat150 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
凉拌腐竹
Cold Tofu Skin Salad
Shredded or sliced tofu skin (yuba) tossed in a refreshing, light dressing with garlic, light soy sauce, and s…
4 net6 total2 fibre25 protein20 fat300 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
豆豉鲮鱼油麦菜
Stir-fried A Choy with Dace Fish and Black Beans
Crisp A Choy (Chinese lettuce) stir-fried with savory canned dace fish, which is typically packed in oil with …
4 net8 total4 fibre15 protein28 fat320 kcal
KAsoon
清炒芥菜
Stir-fried Chinese Mustard Greens
A simple yet flavorful dish of fresh Chinese mustard greens, stir-fried rapidly with garlic and a dash of salt…
4 net7 total3 fibre5 protein18 fat200 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
清炒苦瓜
Plain Stir-fried Bitter Melon
Bitter melon slices stir-fried simply with garlic and a touch of salt. A classic, naturally low-carb vegetable…
5 net8 total3 fibre3 protein23 fat250 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
虾米炒丝瓜
Stir-fried Loofah with Dried Shrimp
A light and refreshing stir-fry of tender loofah gourd (also known as sponge gourd or angled luffa) with savor…
5 net9 total4 fibre25 protein48 fat550 kcal