Finding the best supermarket for vegan food in China depends less on whether a store carries vegan products and more on what kind of vegan shopper you are.
For expats living in China, two names often come up: Hema, also known as Freshippo, and City Shop. Both can be useful for stocking a plant-based kitchen, but they serve very different purposes.
Hema is built around convenience, technology, local Chinese grocery shopping, and fast delivery. City Shop has a stronger Western and imported-food focus, which can make it especially appealing when you're looking for familiar brands, imported ingredients, or specialty products.
So which is better for vegan groceries?
For everyday staples and value, Hema is usually the stronger choice. For imported Western products and harder-to-find specialty items, City Shop can be worth the higher price.
The best approach for many vegan expats isn't choosing one supermarket exclusively. It's knowing what to buy at each.
This guide compares Hema and City Shop by vegan selection, pricing, imported foods, convenience, fresh produce, packaged products, labels, and the practical realities of grocery shopping in China as a plant-based shopper.
Hema vs. City Shop at a Glance
If you want the quick answer, here's how the two stores generally compare:
| Category | Hema (Freshippo) | City Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday vegetables | Excellent | Good |
| Fresh fruit | Excellent | Good |
| Rice, grains and noodles | Excellent | Good |
| Tofu and soy products | Excellent | Good |
| Vegan Chinese ingredients | Excellent | Moderate |
| Imported vegan foods | Good | Excellent |
| Western brands | Moderate | Excellent |
| Specialty vegan products | Good, but varies | Good to excellent |
| Price | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Delivery convenience | Excellent | Good |
| App-based shopping | Excellent | Good |
| Expat familiarity | Good | Excellent |
| Best for | Everyday vegan groceries | Imported and specialty foods |
Availability changes by location, store size, season, and inventory. A product that appears in one Shanghai location may not be stocked at another, and online inventory can change quickly.
That makes one rule particularly important: don't assume that a supermarket's overall reputation tells you exactly what your local branch will carry.
What Makes a Supermarket Vegan-Friendly in China?
A vegan-friendly supermarket doesn't necessarily need a dedicated vegan aisle.
In China, some of the most useful vegan groceries are ordinary foods that happen to be plant-based: tofu, mushrooms, rice, noodles, vegetables, fruit, beans, seaweed, soy milk, nuts, seeds, and sauces.
For a regular vegan shopper, the more useful questions are:
- Can I find plant-based protein?
- Are there affordable fresh vegetables?
- Can I identify ingredients reliably?
- Are there dairy-free and egg-free packaged foods?
- Does the store carry vegan meat and milk alternatives?
- Can I find Western brands when I need them?
- How easy is delivery?
- Is the price reasonable for weekly shopping?
These questions reveal why Hema and City Shop can both be valuable, despite having different strengths.
Hema (Freshippo): Best for Everyday Vegan Grocery Shopping
Hema is Alibaba's supermarket concept, commonly known as Freshippo outside China. Its appeal is straightforward: it combines a physical grocery store with a highly integrated digital shopping experience.
For vegan expats, that matters.
Instead of treating grocery shopping as a weekly trip to a specialty store, Hema works well for building a plant-based kitchen around ordinary Chinese supermarket staples.
Why Hema Works Well for Vegans
The biggest advantage of Hema is breadth.
A typical Hema-style grocery selection can include fresh vegetables, mushrooms, fruit, tofu, soy products, grains, noodles, legumes, nuts, seeds, sauces, frozen foods, plant-based beverages, and prepared foods.
Not everything will be vegan, of course. But the underlying grocery selection contains many naturally plant-based foods.
For example, a vegan shopper might build a weekly basket around:
- Tofu
- Fresh mushrooms
- Bok choy
- Chinese cabbage
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Potatoes
- Rice
- Rice noodles
- Wheat noodles
- Edamame
- Soy milk
- Seaweed
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Fresh fruit
- Beans and legumes
- Plant-based meat products
- Vegan-friendly sauces and seasonings
That makes Hema particularly useful for someone who cooks at home.
Hema Vegan Products: What to Look For
The exact selection changes, but Hema can be a good place to look for both basic ingredients and increasingly common plant-based alternatives.
Search categories rather than relying only on the English word "vegan."
Useful terms can include:
- 素食 — vegetarian food
- 素 — vegetarian/vegetarian-style
- 植物肉 — plant-based meat
- 植物奶 — plant milk
- 豆奶 — soy milk
- 豆腐 — tofu
- 豆制品 — soy products
- 无乳 — dairy-free
- 不含乳制品 — contains no dairy products
One important warning: vegetarian does not always mean vegan.
A product labeled vegetarian may contain milk, eggs, honey, or another animal-derived ingredient. If you're strictly vegan, ingredient checking is still necessary.
Hema Is Especially Strong for Fresh Produce
For many vegans, fresh produce represents the biggest portion of the weekly grocery bill.
This is where Hema can have a major advantage.
Chinese supermarkets are often excellent sources of vegetables and fruit, and Hema's model makes it easy to combine fresh produce with pantry staples in one order.
Instead of making a separate trip for tofu, vegetables, noodles, fruit, and plant milk, you can often put everything into one shopping basket.
For people working long hours or living in large Chinese cities, that convenience is more than a minor benefit.
Hema Delivery Is a Major Advantage
Hema's digital-first approach is one of the reasons it stands out among Chinese supermarkets.
For an expat, grocery delivery can eliminate one of the biggest frustrations of shopping in an unfamiliar food environment: physically searching several stores for basic ingredients.
It's particularly useful when you already know what you need.
For example, if your weekly vegan grocery list includes tofu, spinach, mushrooms, rice, bananas, soy milk, noodles, and a plant-based protein, a delivery-oriented supermarket can be much easier than visiting several specialty stores.
This is one reason Hema often wins the best supermarket for vegan food China question for everyday shopping, even if it isn't the strongest option for every specialty product.
City Shop: Better for Imported Vegan Foods
City Shop has a different identity.
With a strong emphasis on imported groceries and Western-oriented products, City Shop can be especially useful for expats who want ingredients that are familiar from home.
That distinction matters for vegan shoppers.
You may be able to find plant-based milk, vegan snacks, imported pasta, Western breakfast foods, specialty sauces, meat alternatives, packaged foods, and other products that aren't as consistently available in mainstream Chinese supermarkets.
Why Expats Like City Shop
City Shop can reduce some of the guesswork involved in finding Western grocery products in China.
If you're looking for a specific style of pasta, imported cereal, packaged snack, Western condiment, dairy-free product, or familiar brand, City Shop is often worth checking.
The tradeoff is price.
Imported products usually cost more than comparable locally produced foods. Shipping, distribution, import costs, brand positioning, and exchange rates can all contribute to a higher shelf price.
For that reason, City Shop may make more sense as a specialty grocery stop rather than the only supermarket for your vegan household.
City Shop Shanghai and Vegan Shopping
For people searching specifically for City Shop Shanghai, the store can be particularly useful when your plant-based diet includes imported products.
Shanghai has one of China's largest and most diverse international communities, so expat-focused grocery stores have a natural role in the city's food ecosystem.
A vegan shopper might use City Shop for:
- Imported plant milk
- Western vegan snacks
- Specialty pasta
- Imported grains
- Breakfast products
- Vegan-friendly sauces
- Meat substitutes
- Imported frozen foods
- Dairy-free packaged foods
- Familiar Western brands
But availability is highly product-dependent.
Don't build your entire weekly meal plan around finding a specific imported vegan product. Imported inventory can disappear, change brands, or vary between locations.
Hema vs. City Shop: Which Is Cheaper for Vegans?
Hema is generally the better choice for keeping the cost of a vegan grocery shop under control. City Shop is generally more expensive because of its emphasis on imported products.
That doesn't mean City Shop is always expensive across every category.
The biggest price difference tends to appear when you're comparing imported packaged foods with locally produced alternatives.
Consider two different shopping baskets.
A Budget-Friendly Hema Vegan Basket
You might buy:
- Rice
- Tofu
- Seasonal vegetables
- Mushrooms
- Noodles
- Bananas
- Soy milk
- Sweet potatoes
- Edamame
- Peanuts
These are ordinary grocery products with relatively broad availability.
A Specialty City Shop Basket
You might instead buy:
- Imported oat milk
- Imported vegan cheese
- Western cereal
- Imported pasta
- Specialty vegan snacks
- Imported meat alternatives
- Western sauces
The second basket is likely to cost considerably more.
The lesson isn't that City Shop is bad value. It's that imported convenience comes with a premium.
For a long-term expat, using local supermarkets for your basic vegan diet and reserving specialty stores for imported treats can make a noticeable difference to your monthly grocery budget.
Which Store Has Better Vegan Protein?
For inexpensive plant-based protein, Hema has an important advantage: traditional Chinese soy foods are everywhere.
Tofu is only the beginning.
Depending on the store and region, look for:
- Firm tofu
- Soft tofu
- Dried tofu
- Tofu skin
- Edamame
- Soy milk
- Soy products
- Beans
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Mushrooms
These foods can form the foundation of a high-protein vegan diet without relying heavily on expensive imported meat substitutes.
City Shop becomes more attractive if your definition of vegan protein is specifically Western-style plant-based meat.
You may find imported or international brands that aren't consistently stocked at mainstream Chinese supermarkets.
For most everyday vegan meals, however, tofu and other soy products are inexpensive, versatile, and easy to incorporate into Chinese cooking.
Where Should Vegans Buy Plant Milk in China?
Plant milk is one of the categories where the difference between local and imported shopping becomes particularly obvious.
Hema may carry soy milk and other plant-based beverages, with availability varying by store and location.
City Shop may have a wider selection of imported plant milks, including familiar Western brands.
When comparing products, don't look only at whether the front of the package says "plant-based."
Check the ingredient list.
Some plant-based beverages are naturally vegan, while others may include ingredients that strict vegans prefer to avoid. Flavorings and additives can also differ substantially between products.
For everyday use, locally produced soy milk can be much more economical than imported alternatives.
For a specific brand or flavor, City Shop may be worth the extra expense.
How Easy Is It to Identify Vegan Food in China?
This is one of the biggest challenges for expats.
Chinese food labeling isn't necessarily designed around the same vegan terminology used in the United States or Europe.
A package may not have a large English-language "VEGAN" label. Instead, you may need to examine the Chinese ingredient list.
This becomes particularly important with:
- Sauces
- Instant noodles
- Dumplings
- Bread
- Cookies
- Chocolate
- Prepared foods
- Seasonings
- Soup bases
- Meat substitutes
Some apparently plant-based foods can contain milk powder, egg, animal fats, seafood ingredients, or other animal-derived components.
If you're new to grocery shopping in China, learn a small set of Chinese food terms and keep them on your phone.
For strict vegans, also pay attention to words associated with eggs, dairy, meat, fish, and seafood.
When in doubt, a translation app can help, but don't treat machine translation as infallible when an ingredient is important to your dietary requirements.
Is Hema or City Shop Better for Vegan Meal Prep?
For meal prepping, Hema is usually the better starting point.
Meal prep depends on inexpensive staples and reliable access to fresh food.
Imagine preparing five lunches around:
- Rice
- Tofu
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Carrots
- Edamame
- A spicy sauce
You don't need a specialty vegan supermarket to make that work.
Hema can provide most of the ingredients in one shopping trip or delivery order.
City Shop becomes more useful when you're trying to add specific imported ingredients to the meal plan.
For example, you might buy your vegetables, tofu, rice, and noodles from Hema, then pick up a particular imported sauce or specialty vegan product from City Shop.
That hybrid strategy can offer the best combination of convenience, variety, and price.
Best Supermarket for Vegan Food China: Choose Based on Your Shopping Style
There isn't one universal winner.
The best supermarket depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
Choose Hema If You:
- Cook most meals at home
- Want affordable fresh produce
- Eat tofu and other soy foods
- Prefer Chinese ingredients
- Want convenient grocery delivery
- Shop frequently
- Want to control your grocery budget
- Need rice, noodles, vegetables, fruit, and pantry staples
Choose City Shop If You:
- Prefer imported Western products
- Miss familiar brands from home
- Want specialty packaged foods
- Look for imported plant-based products
- Don't mind paying more for convenience
- Live near a City Shop location
- Need a particular imported ingredient
Use Both If You:
- Are a long-term vegan expat
- Cook mostly from scratch
- Want to save money without giving up imported favorites
- Need both Chinese staples and Western specialty products
For many expats, this third option is the most practical.
A Smart Vegan Grocery Strategy for Expats in China
Instead of asking which supermarket is universally better, divide your shopping list into three categories.
Category 1: Buy Locally
Purchase these from Hema or another mainstream Chinese supermarket:
- Rice
- Fresh vegetables
- Seasonal fruit
- Tofu
- Soy products
- Noodles
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Mushrooms
- Beans
- Nuts
- Basic seasonings
These foods tend to be affordable and widely available.
Category 2: Compare Prices
For these products, check both stores:
- Plant milk
- Vegan meat
- Granola
- Pasta
- Breakfast cereal
- Snacks
- Sauces
- Frozen foods
- Packaged protein products
You may discover that a locally produced brand is dramatically cheaper than an imported equivalent.
Category 3: Buy as Specialty Items
Use City Shop when you're specifically looking for:
- A familiar imported brand
- A particular Western ingredient
- Specialty vegan snacks
- Imported dairy-free products
- Products that are difficult to identify or source elsewhere
This approach prevents your grocery bill from turning into an import-food bill.
Other Ways to Find Vegan Food in China
Supermarkets are only one part of the picture.
For vegan expats, local produce markets, Chinese supermarkets, specialty health-food shops, international grocery stores, and online grocery platforms can all fill different gaps.
Restaurants and dedicated vegetarian establishments can also be useful for discovering unfamiliar ingredients.
If you're interested in plant-based living beyond food, The Dharma Store offers vegan-themed organic cotton apparel inspired by mindfulness, compassion, and ethical living.
The key is not to expect one store to carry everything.
China's grocery ecosystem is broad, and the most successful expat shoppers tend to build a flexible routine rather than rely on one supermarket.
Common Vegan Grocery Problems in China and How to Solve Them
"I Can't Find Anything Labeled Vegan"
Don't assume the food isn't available.
Start with naturally vegan ingredients such as tofu, vegetables, rice, noodles, fruit, mushrooms, beans, and soy products.
Then learn the Chinese terminology for vegetarian and plant-based foods.
For packaged products, inspect the ingredients rather than relying entirely on front-of-package claims.
"The Vegan Product I Bought Has Milk or Egg"
This is a common reason to be cautious with products marketed as vegetarian.
Check the ingredient list every time you try a new packaged product.
If you are allergic to dairy or eggs rather than simply avoiding them for ethical reasons, be especially careful about manufacturing statements and possible cross-contact.
"Imported Vegan Food Is Too Expensive"
Build your meals around local ingredients.
Tofu, rice, vegetables, noodles, mushrooms, fruit, and soy products can provide a diverse vegan diet without depending on imported specialty products.
Then use imported foods selectively.
Think of vegan cheese or imported snacks as specialty purchases rather than dietary necessities.
"I Can't Find My Favorite Brand"
Expect some variation.
Imported grocery inventory can change. A product that was available last month may not be available this month.
Rather than relying on one brand, identify two or three acceptable substitutes.
This is particularly useful for plant milk, meat alternatives, sauces, cereal, and packaged snacks.
"I Don't Know If a Chinese Product Is Vegan"
Start with the ingredient list.
If you're unsure, look for obvious animal-derived ingredients and learn the Chinese terms associated with meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs.
For packaged products that are important to your diet, take a photo of the ingredient list and translate it carefully.
How to Save Money on Vegan Groceries in China
Eating vegan in China does not have to mean spending a fortune on imported health foods.
In fact, some of the cheapest supermarket staples are naturally vegan.
A budget-conscious weekly grocery list might focus on:
- Rice
- Tofu
- Seasonal vegetables
- Noodles
- Potatoes
- Mushrooms
- Beans
- Edamame
- Bananas and other seasonal fruit
- Soy milk
- Peanuts or other nuts
- Basic Chinese seasonings
Then add more expensive imported products selectively.
This approach has another advantage: it makes you less dependent on finding a dedicated vegan supermarket in China.
You can build meals from ordinary grocery ingredients almost anywhere.
What About Vegan Meat?
Plant-based meat is becoming increasingly visible in China's food market, but it should be viewed as one option rather than the foundation of a vegan grocery strategy.
Hema may carry plant-based meat products depending on location and current inventory. City Shop can be useful for imported or Western-style alternatives.
Prices can vary substantially.
If you're trying to eat vegan on a budget, compare the cost per serving with tofu, beans, lentils, and other traditional plant proteins.
For many shoppers, the cheaper option is also the more versatile one.
Tofu can be stir-fried, baked, grilled, added to soup, crumbled into a filling, or used in countless other dishes. A premium imported meat substitute has a much narrower role.
Best Supermarket for Vegan Food China: Final Verdict
So, what is the best supermarket for vegan food in China?
For most vegan expats, Hema is the better all-around supermarket for regular grocery shopping.
Its combination of fresh produce, tofu and soy products, Chinese pantry staples, plant-based options, competitive pricing, and convenient delivery makes it especially practical for everyday life.
City Shop is the better choice for imported vegan groceries and Western-oriented specialty products.
If you want familiar brands, imported plant milk, specialty snacks, Western packaged foods, or particular international ingredients, City Shop can fill gaps that a mainstream Chinese supermarket may not.
The smartest strategy is often to use both.
Buy your foundation at Hema: vegetables, fruit, tofu, rice, noodles, mushrooms, soy products, and other everyday ingredients.
Use City Shop selectively for imported products that genuinely improve your diet or make life in China feel a little more familiar.
That gives you the biggest advantage of all: a vegan grocery routine that is affordable, convenient, varied, and realistic for long-term life in China.
FAQ: Vegan Grocery Shopping in China
What is the best supermarket for vegan food in China?
For everyday vegan grocery shopping, Hema (Freshippo) is often the better overall choice because it offers fresh produce, tofu, soy products, grains, noodles, and other affordable plant-based staples. City Shop is stronger for imported and Western-oriented vegan products.
Is Hema good for vegan food?
Yes. Hema can be very useful for vegan shoppers, particularly those who cook with fresh Chinese ingredients. Look for tofu, soy products, vegetables, mushrooms, fruit, rice, noodles, plant-based beverages, nuts, beans, and other naturally vegan foods.
Does City Shop sell vegan products?
City Shop can be a useful source of imported vegan and dairy-free products, including packaged foods, plant-based beverages, snacks, sauces, and meat alternatives. Selection varies by location and inventory, so specific products are not guaranteed.
Is vegan food expensive in China?
It can be inexpensive if you base your diet around local foods such as rice, tofu, vegetables, noodles, mushrooms, beans, fruit, and soy products. Imported vegan brands and specialty plant-based foods are generally more expensive.
How do I find vegan food in Chinese supermarkets?
Learn basic Chinese food-label terminology and check ingredient lists carefully. Don't assume that a product labeled vegetarian is vegan, because it may contain milk, eggs, or other animal-derived ingredients.
Where can expats buy vegan groceries in Shanghai?
Hema and City Shop are two useful options, but neither needs to be your only source. Local Chinese supermarkets, produce markets, specialty grocery stores, and grocery delivery services can provide additional vegan staples and specialty products.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding dietary or health concerns.