金枝紅糟素肉圓, a vegan eatery nestled within the renowned Jiufen Old Street, offers a plant-based twist on the classic Taiwanese gelatinous dumpling known as 'ba-wan.' Menu offers Beyond dumplings, soup-based dishes like glass vermicelli and plant-based meatballs. Although the menu is primarily in Chinese, visual aids in the form of pictures are available for convenient ordering. Has non-vegan counterparts along the same street. To ensure in correct establishment, take a moment to confirm with the staff or keep an eye out for the adjacent Ci Hong, a vegan eatery identifiable by its distinctive red signage proudly proclaiming 'VEGAN.'
33 Reviews
First Review by Love@Sunshine
thetofutravellers
Points +6490
Small vegan place - Edit
This is a tiny restaurant on Jiufen‘s old street. It is completely vegan, which is wonderful. There is an English menu and there are pictures of the dishes on the wall. The staff were not welcoming, though, and the soup and vegetable balls which I ordered tasted quite boring.
Read moreIt‘s probably not a surprise in a place like Jiufen Old Street, but still it was a contrast to all the other restaurants and stalls we visited in Taiwan.
It is easy to find this place because there is a print out sign that says "vegan".
- Visited in October 2025 -
Updated from previous review on 2026-01-31
Pros: Completely vegan, Easy to find (look for sign), Several choices
Cons: Unfriendly service, Soup tasted quite boring
Guest
Greggco
Points +2442
Good - Edit
Very small shop, not exactly sure what it was, but the dumpling was pretty good 👍
Read moreGuest
GeanSaw
Points +79
Nice vegan red vinasse meatballs - Edit
Signature dishes are delicious. About S$2.50 - $3. Worth tasting!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-18
Pros: It’s a famous taiwan meat dish made in vegan., Good portion., Fast serving
Cons: Nil
Guest
Patatine
Points +2904
Good and cheap ;) - Edit
Very good for the stomach and very tasty ;)
Read moreGuest
Yolanda
Points +2460
Glad to have somewhere to eat - Edit
Jiufen old street is very busy, packed with tourists with many shop fronts selling pieces of dead animals. So it was a relief to pull in to this restaurant to get out of the masses of people and know the food will be ok for us as vegans.
Read moreThe food was basic Taiwanese soups with noodles and dumplings. We were grateful to have it.
The server wasn't very friendly and not at all helpful. We sat for ages before she came to serve us and we were the only customers in the place. I guess if I worked in Jiufen old street with its gazillion tourists, I doubt I would be all sunshine and light either.
This is very close to the vegan ice cream roll place so we went there afterwards for dessert.
Pros: good to get away from the crowds, it's vegan food, near the vegan ice cream place
Guest
majka24
Points +480
ADORED VEGAN MEATBALLS - Edit
the meatballs were soooo delicious I wish I could take them home haha! the rest of the options (the soup and other balls) super mediocre nothing outstanding. But the traditional meatballs are a must try no doubt ! also the the service was quite unfriendly, seemed quite annoyed about my questions and did not speak English (and not eager to use translator to communicate)
Read morePros: location on the jiufen old street, local treat - meatballs
Cons: rest of the menu hahah, unfriendly service
Guest
MiriWallich
Points +1652
Interesting dumplings - Edit
Tried the gelatinous dumpling and it was surprisingly good! The fake meat was so realistic and I enjoyed the chewiness of the dumpling, no idea what it was made of.
Read moreGuest
victoriaxX
Points +125
Amazing - Edit
Many vegan and cheap dishes. I love the mushroom ball soup!
Read moreGuest
petitevegan
Points +701
Good for trying vegan version of local delicacy - Edit
We tried the vegan version of the meat pie. I’m usually very open to trying local things and the meatball/meat pie itself was interesting and worth a try but the mock meat inside was not my fav (although I have to confess I’m in general not a fan of mock meat since they are highly processed and you have actually no idea what you are eating). We also had soups which I really don’t like. It was just a quite oily basic soup with no veggies nothing just the 4 mock meat kind of balls. So altogether I’d recommend this place to try the local dish but for me it was not a place to have a proper dinner.
Read morePros: Local dish to try
Cons: Very basic, nothing outstanding, Soup was very disappointing
Guest
DevonMcDonald
Points +82
Fabulous Vegan Meatballs and Soup Balls - Edit
We arrived just as they were closing up shop. These meatballs were phenomenal! The way they make the vegan Dumpling with medicinal mushrooms (and I think red bean?) mix was so savory. Right next door is a vegan eatery with noodles, sautés, rice dishes, faux meats. A few stalls down is the vegan ice cream wrap with peanut and cilantro. We are headed back there now! Get your shoes on! Let's go!
Read morePros: Vegan meat dumpling, Vegan meatball soup, Winter noodles
Guest
ndines
Points +833
Tasty vegan option in Jiufen! - Edit
This was my first time witnessing the abundance of fully vegan restaurants in Taiwan. Even a tiny, tourist spot like Jiufen had an eatery where I didn’t have to ask any questions! Another win for this beautiful country.
Read moreI was planning an evening of vegan grazing back in Taipei, so I only got the inexpensive plant meat on rice. Good flavor and a hell of a deal! The owners were very friendly, and it was a nice place to dry off after forgetting my umbrella during an unexpected downpour
Guest
MantaSteven
Points +215
So good 😋 - Edit
I bought one for takeaway on the way in, and I ate it in another restaurant with my non-vegan family. It was so good!
Read moreI wanted to buy another on the way back out to the tour bus, but somehow I missed it because the street was very busy and it was raining. 😔😥😭
Tips: 1 is not enough
Guest
frankjr
Points +297
Vegan Taiwanese Meatball - Edit
I tried the Taiwanese meatball per recommendation of a guide I was with, and it was excellent! At first sight, I wasn’t sure that I would like the gelatinous texture around the vegan meat, but I did! I regretted not buying the whole pack that they sold to take back to Taipei.
Read morePros: Unique, Delicious, Great snack
Guest
SophieSchmailzl
Points +477
Must try - Edit
Confirmed with the owner that everything is vegan.
Read moreThe fake meat in Taiwan still freaks me out.
The flavor is so good and good price for the area
Guest
PatrickvanderLinde
Points +2084
Interesting and tasty - Edit
I tried the vegan version of the red vinasse meat ball, a Taiwanese dish featuring meat balls in a glutinous gelatinous bubble. I think the vegan meat was quite good! The gelatine was maybe somewhat too chewy for me and it could have a little bit more taste. But for 60TWD I would really recommend giving it a try. Really nice snack after hiking. Do take care as this outlet also has a non-veg restaurant almost just across from it.
Read morePros: Cheap, Interesting
Guest
GrayHorwitz
Points +2282
Authentic, cheap, delicious, and unique - Edit
Amazing dumplings; went back for more later in the day. 60twd (usd$2) for a pretty filling snack. Will hopefully swing by tomorrow too on our way back from the mountains.
Read moreJamchiller
Okay Gray! Please be careful in the mountains. I read it can get quite cold up there so make sure you have layers. I worr about you sometimes when you do things like this, but your dad says it's just the vigour of youth. love you XX mum
Read moreGrayHorwitz
😘
Read moreGuest
lydiab96
Points +1454
Simple but effective - Edit
No idea what I ate but it was hot, tasty and cheap so I’m happy.
Read moreGuest
Cqveggiefinds
Points +11610
A Vegan Delight on Jiufen Old Street - Edit
Important to note that Jinzhi has both **fully-vegan** and **fully non-vegan** outlets along Jiufen Old Street! Please make sure to ask the staff before proceeding to dine-in.
Read moreA standout vegan restaurant nestled in Jiufen Old Street, is a must-visit for those exploring the vibrant culinary scene of the area. The star of their menu is undoubtedly the signature 'ba wan,' a unique dumpling that boasts a disk-shaped form, translucent appearance from sweet potato starch, and a delectable filling, served with a perfect balance of sweet and savory sauce.
Traditionally containing a mixture of pork, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms, Jinzhi's vegan adaptation skillfully replaces the pork with a plant-based alternative, preserving the desired chewiness and bite. A visit to the restaurant provides a fascinating spectacle as the kitchen crew diligently prepares the ba-wan in large batches, steaming them right at the shop front.
In addition to the ba-wan, Jinzhi offers another culinary delight in the form of homemade meatballs, crafted from a medley of vegetables, mushrooms, and soy, served in a clear soup. The soups and meatballs, while distinctively milder in flavor compared to the ba-wan, showcase the restaurant's commitment to providing a diverse and satisfying vegan dining experience.
Overall, dining at Jinzhi is a delightful journey for the taste buds, offering a unique blend of traditional flavors and modern, plant-based innovations. Highly recommended for both vegans and non-vegans alike.
Pros: All vegan, Traditional Meals, Affordable
Cons: Limited seating
Guest
vandermost
Points +1381
Not the biggest fan - Edit
Tried the “comprehensive pill soup” and the dumpling meatballs. Wasn’t bad but also wasn’t great. Good place to try the veganized meatballs if you’re after that
Read moreGuest
nishaaa
Points +8607
must try - Edit
i loved the vegan version of the taiwanese meatball it has a unique texture and was delicious! the soup was okay
Read moreGuest
frankensteinsmonster
Points +1824
Jin-teresting but not delicious - Edit
Jelly/sticky rice wrapped vegan meat was interesting to try as a typical Taiwanese dish but didn't taste great. So much jelly! And so chewy!
Read moreGuest
Thespypon
Points +96
Very good Hand made Muchroom ball - Edit
Hand made Muchroom ball
Read moreGood texture and taste
Pros: Hand made Muchroom ball
Guest
clamchow
Points +1516
Good “meatballs” - Edit
Their noodles and meatballs are good. I didn’t like their fish balls as much.
Read moreGuest
sara.g
Points +60
Unique and delicious red vinasse balls - Edit
If you go to Jiufen this is the only vegetarian place you will find. Must try the red vinasse vegetarian meatball, it's an speciality that you will only find in Jiufen! Quite special but really unique and delicious! They don't have a big variety of food but at least they have english menu.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-02-02
Pros: Delicious and unique vinasse balls, English menu, Only vegetarian restaurant in Jiufen
Cons: A bit expensive but it's just the normal in Jiufen, Not many options, Small portions
Guest
el-obi
Points +65
Good veggie restaurant - Edit
The food was good, the red stuff was the best. The soup was okay.
Read moreGuest
Tuulia.
Points +883
Quite okay veggie food. (Try the Red Vinasse Meatball) - Edit
The taste of the food was okay but the portions were really small.
Read morePros: taste was good
Cons: no english spoken, little english translation in menu, small portions
Guest
TinaCheong
Points +485
Vegan friendly - Edit
When I came here the lady working here even made sure we were here for “vegetarian” food! Now my chinese isn’t very good so all I did was point to the picture and the lady understood me. The food cane out quick and fresh, and was pretty delicious. It was a quick and satisfying meal.
Read morePros: Quick service , Good price
Guest
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