Flow is an important parameter in scientific research and industrial production. Vortex flowmeter is a common type in many flow measuring instruments. As fiber Bragg grating (FBG) has the characteristics of high sensitivity, small size and strong electromagnetic interference resistance, vortex flow sensing technology based on FBG is of important research significance. The sensing mechanism of FBG vortex flow is summarized, and the changes of fluid state and lift force downstream of the vortex generator are analyzed. In addition, four key problems (the vortex properties, vortex signal processing, pipeline vibration elimination and small flow measurement) under the action of the basic vortex generator are analyzed and extracted based on the research achievement. Finally, the optical suppression of interference signal, vortex flow measurement of small diameter pipeline, FBG sensing package and sensitization are summarized and looked forward to. The possible research direction in the future is also put forward, in order to develop a new vortex flowmeter.