Being vegan in Kaohsiung is not the easiest, as most of the local food includes meat or fish. In a regular restaurant, you can find some side dishes that can be made vegan; otherwise, it is better to go directly to a vegan or vegetarian restaurant.
WHERE TO STAY IN KAOHSIUNG
JÒHŌ Hotel was one of our favourite hotels in Taiwan. It is one of the best-rated hotels in Kaohsiung. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The hotel is very clean and in a good location. One of our favorite aspects of the hotel was the staff – they are friendly and helpful, making you truly feel welcome.
The best part about JÒHŌ Hotel in Kaohsiung is that they served us a delicious two-course vegan breakfast. You just need to tell the staff that you are vegan. If you are eating plant-based, this is the best hotel in Kaohsiung for you. Look at how amazing our breakfast was every day:
BEST VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN KAOHSIUNG
Here is our list of the best vegan restaurants in the city. Kaohsiung may not look like the best destination for plant-based eaters, but we found some great options.
MOTTAINAI PLANT-BASED WHOLE FOOD CAFE
This is an all-vegan modern cafe in Kaohsiung, located next to the Pier 2 area. Some dishes are also gluten-free.
You can have maple teriyaki tempeh skewers or mashed potatoes with mushrooms. They offer salads, burgers, and our favorite – kimbap, with three options: classic, kimchi, and teriyaki chickpea tempeh kimbap. You can also enjoy vegan desserts without refined sugar or artificial flavors.
HI-LAI VEGETARIAN IN KAOHSIUNG
It is a vegetarian restaurant chain found in many big cities in Taiwan, including one in Kaohsiung. They focus on using organic and local ingredients for their dishes, and most of their food is plant-based.
You can try different types of dim sum and other traditional dishes. Their desserts are also amazing. It is one of our favourite options in Kaohsiung.
HAGI SOYMILK RAMEN – VEGAN KAOHSIUNG
It is a vegan ramen restaurant in Kaohsiung where you can enjoy several types of ramen. Our favorite is the soy miso ramen.
The restaurant has a nice vibe, and an English menu is available.
LONGQUIAN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
It’s a great vegetarian restaurant in Kaohsiung with mostly vegan dishes. Just make sure to check for eggs before you order. The owner is friendly and helpful, but ordering might be a bit tricky without an English menu.
The food is delicious and reasonably priced. The lunch menu is limited, but there are more options available for dinner.
RICHVEGE IN KAOHSIUNG
If you are looking for a restaurant with vegan and organic options in Kaohsiung, this is the place for you. The restaurant is nice and bright. You can choose your ingredients, and some of the vegetables are even organic.
Do not miss trying the rice with mushrooms—it is a highlight. Richvege is an excellent spot for a healthy meal.
YE SHU SHU SHI AMERICAN RESTAURANT VEGAN KAOHSIUNG
It is a vegan restaurant in the city that offers a Western-style menu. You can enjoy dishes like plant-based seafood risotto, spaghetti with pesto, burgers, sandwiches, and many other options.
They also have vegan milk tea and coffee on their menu. It’s a great place to try something new.
VEGAN KAOHSIUNG: TO BE SMOOTHIE
It is a trendy cafe in the city offering plant-based smoothies, smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and fresh salads.
It is a great place to enjoy something refreshing in the summer heat.
DOUBLE VEGGIE IN KAOHSIUNG
It’s a buffet restaurant in Kaohsiung with lots of food options. Most dishes are vegetarian, and they also have tasty vegan choices.
It is not the most affordable option, but it is great if you are staying in JÒHŌ Hotel because it is just a few minutes away. Just keep in mind that Double Veggie has better vegan options for lunch and dinner than for breakfast.
There is also a Ruifeng Night Market, one of the best night markets in Kaohsiung to visit, but we are not sure if there are any vegan food options there, so don’t go hungry. It is a great experience to visit this night market and see how locals spend their evenings.
WHAT TO DO IN KAOSHIUNG
There are a few things worth visiting on your trip to Kaohsiung. One of our favourites is the Sanfong Temple. It is a peaceful temple in the middle of the city where you can see locals who come to pray, burn incense, and make offerings. The temple is very picturesque with beautiful red lanterns.
One of the most important places to visit in Kaohsiung is the Lotus Pond. There, you will find the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the Spring and Autumn Pavilions.
A day trip to remember is to go to Cijin Island. It is located just a short ferry ride from Kaohsiung. This little island feels like a world away. You can rent a bike there and explore the area. There are also a few cute cafes in the area.
The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is located outside the city. The complex is so big that you need a few hours to explore, but if you get hungry, there is also a vegetarian restaurant offering vegan dishes.
If you would like to learn more about where to go and what to see in the city, check out our guide about the top 9 things to do in Kaohsiung.
Kaohsiung is the biggest city in the South of Taiwan. The ideal time to stay in the city is for two or three days. This is just the right time to visit the most important sights and experience some of the local culture. Everything is easily reachable by public transport.
Even better options would be to have a rented motorbike so you can experience more if you do not have a lot of time in the city. You just need to learn a few traffic rules that apply only to motorbikes.
SEE ALSO: Where to Eat Vegan in Taipei: A Guide to the Best Spots