WORLD’S ECO-LIFE
Taiwan's No-Meat Vegetarian Food
The Republic of China
At first glance, this dish in the picture looks like an ordinary hamburger. Actually, it is made from soy beans. In the Republic of China, Buddhist influence is strong and this dish is called “vegetarian food.” Needless to say, it does not use meat, fish, eggs, and even animal grease. It is completely vegetarian. Vegetables, dried bean curds, beans, wheat-gluten bread and so forth are cooked to taste like meat and fish dishes. It is eaten by many people. If you walk on the streets of Taipei, you will see signs of restaurants specializing in vegetarian food. Even in regular restaurants, if you ask for vegetarian food, they will serve it to you. Vegetarian diet has taken roots in the food culture of the Republic of China.
At the spiritual training seminars held three times in a year by the Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China Missionary Headquarters, vegetarian food is served. In recent years, an increasing number of members have changed their diet from meat-based to vegetarian, after hearing lectures which recommend reducing meat-based diet.
In Taiwan, there is a wide variety of delicious vegetarian dishes other than the above-mentioned soy bean hamburgers. Won’t you come to Taiwan for a visit?
Chen Bor Horng, Chief Secretary, Seicho-No-Ie Republic of China Missionary Headquarters