As the date approaches for The Beijinger’s 2023 Juicy Burger Fest, it seems like the right time to shine a light on vegan burgers in and around the capital. While options abound for plant-based meat burgers—especially in recent years—it can be surprisingly difficult to find the once familiar (but seemingly obsolete) veggie patties. Below you can find a few of our favorite veggie burgers in Beijing, plus one wild card option.
Hutong Hipster at Side Street
Side Street has long been a mecca for meat-free diners in Beijing; the menu is consistently evolving and clearly differentiates between vegan and vegetarian. The ‘Hutong Hipster’ has been a mainstay over the last five years and it’s easy to see why. After an extensive search throughout the city, I believe I have found the best veggie burger.
If you’ve ever been to Mumbai and indulged in the city’s favorite street food, this is the closest thing we have to vada pav in the capital. Like the beloved Indian dish, the core ingredient in this veggie patty is potato; but unlike the traditional recipe, spinach is added which gives it a darker hue. Whether it’s the spinach or perhaps chickpea flour, the texture of this burger is sturdier than the street food which inspired it and doesn’t suffer from the mushiness that afflicts many of the old-school veggie burgers. Stacked with tomato segments, onion slices, and a wedge of lettuce, the competing tamarind and mint sauces provide contrasting flavors and a lingering kick of spice.
Priced at RMB 55, it’s the most affordable burger on the menu. Vegetarians can also opt to try the ‘Country Roads’ burger at RMB 65.
Side Street (Jianguomen branch)
Bldg N28 2/101-102 17 Jianguomen Waidajie (behind Nola), Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街17号楼2/101-102 （Nola后面）
Hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
Phone: 15920694920
Side Street (Jiaodaokou branch)
113-02 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区交道口东大街113-02
Hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
Phone: 15920694920
Vegabomb Burger at Tribe
Let’s be honest; Tribe is not really the place to get your fast-food fix. Whether vegan or not, it’s not going to meet the requirements of anyone looking for a greasy burger or a fry-up. The menu is meticulously manicured to appeal to those either on a health kick or persistently healthy eaters. That being said, they are one of a select few restaurants in Beijing to offer a classic veggie burger, and it’s good!
The ‘Vegabomb Burger’ (RMB 68) is a remarkable feat in that it manages to sneak in more vegetables than a standard salad. The patty itself is made predominantly of quinoa and black beans but also includes chia seeds and almonds, making it a fantastic source of plant-powered protein. The burger is served open-faced, and the patty is topped with guacamole and an array of pickled vegetables: cucumbers, red peppers, onions, and carrots. The in-house tofu ‘vagen’ sauce adds a creamy addition—much like mayonnaise would—while the contrasting colors of Boston lettuce make this burger the most visually appealing of the three listed.
While less firm than the aforementioned ‘Hutong Hipster,’ it’s still not mushy and remains robust from first to last bite. The aesthetics are impressive and the nutritional benefits are definite, but the burger’s flavor is milder in comparison. The ‘Vegabomb Burger’ would appeal more to the type of diner looking for a vitamin infusion than someone with a hangover looking for a greasy fix.
Tribe Organic
Unit L-BS-51A, Bldg 9, Solana Mall, Chaoyang District
朝阳区蓝色港湾9号楼L-BS-51A号
Hours: 10am-8.30pm (Mon-Fri); 10am-9pm (Sat-Sun)
Phone: 010-59056256
Mediterranean Burger at The Veggie Table
As many restaurants and establishments shut down and open up along Wudaoying Hutong, The Veggie Table remains firmly in business. Offering cuisine from around the world, the restaurant gives many first-time vegan visitors to Beijing their first glimpse of meatless meals in the capital.
For the first time in my quest, I stumbled upon a restaurant that provided diners with competing options in the classic veggie burger category. I went with the ‘Mediterranean Burger’ but the ‘Shitake Shroom Burger' may warrant an additional visit. At 98 RMB, this was the priciest burger on the list, but it did come with sides: sweet potato fries, salad, tortilla chips, and pickled carrots. As the restaurant is vegetarian, vegan diners need to forego the potato salad that comes standard with this burger, and as always, double-check with the staff.
The patty itself is speckled with black and grey from a medley of minced mushrooms and served on a bed of lettuce and sliced tomatoes; red onion strips are stacked on top, while ketchup is served on the side. The flavor itself is quite good, with the mushrooms doing much of the heavy lifting and imparting umami and earthy tones; the taste is bold rather than mild, but the texture is the main letdown here. While the aforementioned burgers managed to keep their shape and remain firm throughout, applying even the slightest pressure to the buns resulted in a smooshed patty almost immediately.
The Veggie Table
19 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区五道营胡同19号
Hours: Daily, 11am-9pm
Phone: 010-64462073
WILDCARD – Falafel Burger at The Local
I was unable to try this one as the sauce that comes standard with the burger is yogurt-based. After reaching out to the owner, Kenn, he mentioned that it “might be a good idea to change the sauce on the falafel burger to vegan as well.”
After roughly three years stuck outside of China due to Covid, Kenn is currently revamping the restaurant’s menu as a whole. “I’ve actually wanted to add an old-school veggie burger for a while. It seems like everyone has gone in the direction of the plant-based meats though,” he said.
The Local Bar & Grill
1/F, 101, Southeast of Zone E, Bldg 80, Courtyard No. 4, Gongti Beilu
朝阳区工体北路4号院80号楼E区东南侧第一间101一层
Hours: Daily, 11am-2am
Phone: 010-65919525
The Beijinger's 2023 Juicy Burger Fest is happening on Friday, Jul 7 from 3pm-9pm and Saturday, Jul 8-Sunday, Jul 9 from 11am-9pm at Xidianjiyi FunsTown in Gaobeidian. Standard early bird tickets start at RMB 25/person and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the poster.
READ: All the Newbies Bringing Their Best to Juicy Burger Fest '23
Images: RJ Fry