Even though shôjin ryôrii is often assumed the same as vegetarian, it has its roots in religion, and the word shôjin ryôrii refers to the different ways of cooking and table manners that differ by religious branches, not only it being vegetarian meals. Some of the differences between vegetarian foods and shôjin ryôrii is that the usage of onions, garlics, or herbs and vegetables that have strong smells is avoided in addition to the avoidance of meat, and this is because consumption of those foods is believed to prevent one from focusing in Buddhist practices.
