素

素 is typically used in conjunction with a term to mean vegetarian, e.g. 素菜 (sou choi) is vegetarian dish, 素餐 is vegetarian meal, 素食 is vegetarian food.

素 also means simple, plain, or clear, so 素月 is a bright and clear moon, 素顏 is face without makeup, and 素數 is prime number.

With a long history of Buddhism and people just not able to afford meat, Chinese cuisine traditionally excels in flavorful and textured vegetable dishes and also “mock” meats made from tofu and wheat gluten (yes, gluten).

Books

Vegetarian Chinese Soul Food by Hsiao-Ching Chou

Categories:

素

Yale:

sou