An error in our July issue and Beijing's best vegetarian restaurants
In the July issue of the Beijinger, as part of the Talk about Town column entitled Meat-Free Philosophy (p21), founder of the Vegan Social Club Chris Barden was quoted as saying: "Chinese people don't understand vegetarianism."
Unfortunately, this is incorrect; Barden was misquoted and was actually making the point that veganism (not vegetarianism) is sometimes misunderstood in many places – including China, which has a long history of vegetarianism.
We apologize for the mistake and want to use this occasion to offer up some suggestions for those interested in discovering the best vegetarian restaurants in Beijing.
Beijing's Vegetarian Top 10
Voted "Best Vegetarian Fare" in our 2008 Reader Restaurant Awards. Run by monks, their creative dishes will leave you with a full stomach and a clear conscience - and a considerably lightened wallet.
Fluffy rabbits jubilantly hop around the grounds of this Buddhist temple’s elegantly converted front courtyard. Large variety of imitation meat dishes, such as Lingering Aftertaste (RMB 26), a vegan version of mala beef jerky, will deliciously flummox your meat radar.
3. Elaine's Vegetarian Restaurant and Bar 素心小筑
Elaine's quaint little garden supplies generous portions of Chinese vegetarian fare. The imitation meat dishes are popular with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners. Take a look at the full review here.
More than the sum of its parts, Vanilla Garden is a great place to enjoy vegetarian cuisine, sip imported organic coffees and herbal teas, or just hang out. Also boasts helpful and attentive staff, an English menu, desserts, and wireless Internet access. Location 2 calls itself Lily Vegetarian but it's run by the same people.
5. Still Thoughts Vegetarian Restaurant 静思素食坊
A clean, calm and cozy vegetarian oasis that forgoes the hype for thoughtfully prepared mock meats and other vegetarian dishes.
6. Xu Xiang Zhai Vegetarian Restaurant 叙香斋
Vegetarian gormandizers delight at the glorious all-you-can-eat buffet (lunch RMB 48, supper RMB 58). Their a la carte is also very good.
7. Cat 猫
Eat like a Buddhist here and enjoy the simple and pure pleasure of an organic, healthy vegetarian meal.
8. Qibaochi Shisu Huayuan 七宝池蔬食花园
Just north of the Sihui subway stop, Yuanyang Tiandi is home to quite a few foreigners. Those who know the residential complex are likely to have seen a pig running about the place digging up plants and generally making a nuisance of itself. The pig belongs to this vegetarian restaurant and seems to casue the hairdressers next door no end of trouble. I’ve never eaten there, but according to a colleague the taro soup is worth a go. Located just past the south exit to Yuanyang Tiandi, the first exit you see after walking north from the Sihui subway stop and crossing the railway tracks. By the DVD store. More details and address in Chinese available here.
9. Woxing Wosu 我行我素
About a five minute walk east along Pingan Dadao from the southern end of Nanluogu Xiang, this vegetarian restaurant offers up a wide selection of mock meat favorites. They also have an extensive range of teas. For listing details see Local Noodles.
10. Gongdelin 功德林
Spread over two floors, the restaurant’s wide, comfy chairs are a highlight, while the service is hands-down excellent. In keeping with the “looks like meat but actually isn’t” theme that is so common in Beijing’s vegetarian haunts, Gongdelin’s menu is heavy on faux rou items like vegetarian “pork” balls (RMB 38 and bbq “lamb” kebabs with cumin (RMB 38).
58 Qianmen Dajie, Chongwen District. (6702 0867)
崇文区前门大街58号
