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Best Buddhist Fried Rice in Chicago

“No onion, no garlic — ginger, scallion greens only, and a wide mix of vegetables carry the entire dish instead.”

Buddhist Fried Rice

What the real thing tastes like

Chinese Buddhist temple cooking avoids the 'five pungent vegetables' (onion, garlic, and related alliums) entirely for religious reasons, so this fried rice relies on ginger, the green tops of scallions (not the alliumy white base), and a wider variety of vegetables and mushrooms to build savoury depth without any of the ingredients most fried rice depends on.

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People trying it for the first time are often surprised how much flavour is achievable without onion or garlic at all, crediting the mushroom variety and soy seasoning for carrying the dish. It's become popular with people avoiding alliums for digestive reasons as much as for religious ones.

Order it here when it has

  • surprisingly flavourful without alliums
  • naturally vegan
  • good for allium sensitivity

Walk away when you see

  • missing onion depth for some
  • needs a well-stocked vegetable mix
  • can taste plain if under-seasoned

Restaurant-level rankings for Chicago land as the Polydish review engine processes this city's reviews. Explore the dish itself while you wait —

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