The trick is in that uniquely Chinese ingredient of wheat gluten. The gluten is protein extracted from wheat. It can be molded into any shape, so in form and texture can mimic meat. This means that Chinese vegetarian cooking also includes a full helping of "poultry," "red meat," and "fish" dishes.
麵筋是從小麥中篩洗出的蛋白質，可以做成各種形狀，無論在外形或口感上，都可做得很像肉食，所以中國素食中雞鴨魚肉俱全，連滿漢全素席都端得出來。