Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor. Lipid metabolism disorders contribute to the occurrence, development, and metastasis of gastric cancer. Modulating the relevant targets in the lipid metabolism process and blocking the energy metabolism of gastric cancer may become a potential treatment approach. Currently, the complex mechanism by which lipid metabolism affects the progression of gastric cancer has gradually become a new research hotspot and needs to be further explored. This article systematically discusses the role of abnormal lipid metabolism in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer from aspects such as lipid metabolism pathways, lipid metabolic reprogramming, as well as the impacts of genes and Helicobacter pylori infection on lipid metabolism, with the aim of further understanding the impact of lipid metabolism on gastric cancer and providing new perspectives for targeted lipid metabolism-based treatment of gastric cancer.