Navigating a Chinese buffet or takeout menu can be a challenge if you’re trying to stick to the low carb, high fat keto diet.
Although loaded with veggies, many Chinese dishes are often made with noodles and rice, starchy and sugary sauces, or battered and fried meats that can pack on the carbs.
These foods are difficult to include in a keto diet, which typically restricts your carb intake to no more than 50 grams of total carbs or 25 grams of net carbs — which is total carbs minus fiber — per day.
Fortunately, several Chinese dishes are ideal for keto dieters. While it’s hard to give firm carb counts on these foods because their preparations vary between restaurants, they’ll be your best bets for takeout, buffet, or sit-down Chinese dining.
You can also try making these dishes at home, giving you more control over the ingredients used and final carb count.
Here are 15 keto-friendly Chinese foods, along with some helpful tips on how to reduce the carbs in Chinese food.
- Egg foo young
- Boiled or steamed seafood
- Egg drop soup
- Moo shu pork
- Beef and broccoli
- Pork belly
- Stir-fried mushrooms
- Sautéed green beans
- Chicken and broccoli
- Steamed vegetables
- Hot and sour soup
- Kung pao shrimp
- Baked fish
- Stir-fries
How to make Chinese food keto-friendly
Here are four strategies to make or order keto-friendly Chinese food.
- Remove the rice and noodles
- Avoid thick, sugary sauces
- Avoid breaded and water-velveted meats
