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Vegetarian Restaurant at the Wenshu Monastery

This restaurant is the only vegetarian restaurant that I know of in Chengdu. It is located within the Wenshu Buddhist Monastery, hence it is vegetarian. I’ll have to agree with the Lonely ...

This restaurant is the only vegetarian restaurant that I know of in Chengdu. It is located within the Wenshu Buddhist Monastery, hence it is vegetarian. I’ll have to agree with the Lonely Planet’s review which labels the cuisine as excellent. There is an enormous menu full of veggie and tofu dishes as well as many offering faux meat. The menu is in English too! Don’t be afraid of the spicy dishes which are measured with 1, 2, or 3 red peppers on the menu. I tried a few dishes that were of supposedly ’medium’ level spice and they were barely spicy at all.

Directions: The restaurant is inside the Wenshu Monastery on Xizhushi Jie, just off of Renmin Zhonglu. Entrance to the monastery is only 5 yuan. Once inside, walk towards the east side of the grounds (the right side) and you will find the restaurant in a few minutes. Buses 16 and 99 run along Renmin Lu, so hop off once you see the red walls of the monastery or see Xizhushi Jie (street).

 

Kohinoor Restaurant – Indian and Pakistani Cuisine

The fairly new Kohinoor Restaurant sits above the lobby in the Ramada Hotel. The food is typical Indian and Pakistani fare although not as spicy. However, the kitchen can surely add ...
The fairly new Kohinoor Restaurant sits above the lobby in the Ramada Hotel. The food is typical Indian and Pakistani fare although not as spicy. However, the kitchen can surely add some heat upon request.
 
As should be expected from a reputable hotel chain, the restaurant and hotel bathroom appear quite clean. Servers are attentive, perhaps due to the fact that this small restaurant was almost empty during our visit. Hopefully they become better known soon.
 
A typical meal for two costs about 100 to 150 yuan not including drinks.
 
How to Get There
 
Take the subway to Gulou (鼓楼) station and walk northwest for a few minutes on Zhongshan Bei Lu (中山北路) until you see the Ramada. Kohinoor is on the 2nd floor directly above the hotel lobby. 
 
Kohinoor offers free home delivery within 3 kilometers of their store.  If delivery is further than 3 kilometers away, the taxi fare will be added to the bill.

Yiye Yuan - New Chinese Food

Yiye Yuan provides an example of novel and modern Chinese food.  Their modern cuisine stands out from that of other Chinese restaurants. At Yiye Yuan cooking techniques are characterized by less oil and a variety of creative dishes.
 
At the time of writing, Yi...
Yiye Yuan provides an example of novel and modern Chinese food.  Their modern cuisine stands out from that of other Chinese restaurants. At Yiye Yuan cooking techniques are characterized by less oil and a variety of creative dishes.
 
At the time of writing, Yiye Yuan remained virtually unknown by the foreign crowd.  If you choose to try it out, pat yourself on the back for going where trendy locals would go… that is, if you can work your way around the outdated English menus.
 
Despite a rather noisy and often smoky atmosphere, Yiye Yuan is still small and cozy. In a break from the Chinese norm, most of the seating consists of 2 or 4 person booths. During supper time the restaurant often fills up quickly, so it is advisable to call ahead for reservations.
 
 
Mixed greens with three types of mushrooms.
Three types of mushrooms mixed with broccoli and other greens.
 
 
Pear soaked in red wine
Pear soaked in red wine.
 
 
Shrimp Balls
Sweet shrimp balls with... yellow stuff.
 
 
How to Get There
 
 

Indalo - CLOSED

This fantastic Spanish restaurant opened up in June of 2006, but still has quite a buzz about it. I have been to Indalo twice now, and was highly impressed with the décor, service (rare for Shanghai) and food both times! Although In...

This fantastic Spanish restaurant opened up in June of 2006, but still has quite a buzz about it. I have been to Indalo twice now, and was highly impressed with the décor, service (rare for Shanghai) and food both times! Although Indalo sits at a notoriously unlucky location, I think Indalo will survive in this hidden and serene spot on Sinan Lu, directly behind Fuxing Park and the craziness of Guandi and Park 97. Try Indalo for a romantic date, or with out of town visitors, this place is bound to impress!

 

Some of my favorites dishes include:

Shrimp and garlic tapas

Calamari

Boar stuffed mushrooms

Chicken and sausage Paella or “Paella de Pollo y Chorizo” (135RMB): If the staff asks you how you would like it cooked, go with the authentic Spanish style and leave it a little under cooked by Chinese standards.

 

With a couple classes of sangria or wine, (Indalo boasts an excellent selection with about 25 well priced wines by the glass), a hearty dinner for two will cost about 400RMB.

 

How to get there: Indalo is smack in the middle of the Huangpi and Shaanxi Lu stations on Metro Line 1. From either stop to the restaurant will take about 20 minutes. I recommend a cab, but if you are determined to walk, Sinan Lu is one block east of Ruijin Lu and Indalo is located on Xiangshan Lu, one block north of Fuxing Lu.

Fo Shan Yuan Vegetarian Buddhist Restaurant

This is one of those vegetarian restaurants that serves rabbit food which tastes as good as meat and potatoes.  With more than one hundred dishes on the menu, from imitation meatballs or fish to vegetable and tofu dishes, you’ll have no difficulty choosing something you’ll sure...
This is one of those vegetarian restaurants that serves rabbit food which tastes as good as meat and potatoes.  With more than one hundred dishes on the menu, from imitation meatballs or fish to vegetable and tofu dishes, you’ll have no difficulty choosing something you’ll surely enjoy.  And the good news is I translated their menu for them, so you can order without difficulty.  Free buddhist literature and posters are available at the restaurant. If that’s not enough, you can actually go to the restaurant and in the morning and eat for free with the monks.  I definitely recommend this restaurant.

 

Vedas

Vedas is the snazzy Indian food restaurant in town. I have never heard a single complaint about it, and there is no question that the food is amazing. Only 3 blocks away from

Vedas is the snazzy Indian food restaurant in town. I have never heard a single complaint about it, and there is no question that the food is amazing. Only 3 blocks away from Indian Kitchen, you might choose Vedas over Indian Kitchen if you want to impress a visitor who knows his or her Indian cuisine, or prefers a more serene atmosphere. Dishes averages about 10RMB higher than those at Indian Kitchen, but for connoisseurs of Indian cuisine, the extra 10RMB might make all the difference.

 

I love the Palak Paneer (spinach and Indian style cheese), and it’s always the most popular dish at my table. For meat lovers, the Tandoori dishes and Chicken Tikka Masala are both wonderful. 

 

Reservations are essential, especially on weekends!

 

How to get there: Take Subway line 1 to Hengshan Road Station. Exit onto Yongjia Lu. Then head east on YongJia Lu, then take a right on WuLuMuQi Lu. Take a left on Jianguo Xi Lu, the restaurant will be on the right side. The restaurant is about 10 minutes walk from the subway station.

Lu Residence Restaurant

A feast at the recently restored Lu Residence Restaurant makes one feel like an important dignitary or foreign merchant visiting Yangzhou during the Qing Dynasty. The setting and menu are completely traditional, if only spruced up a few notches. Sure, there are traces of kitsch, but it is a uniqu...

A feast at the recently restored Lu Residence Restaurant makes one feel like an important dignitary or foreign merchant visiting Yangzhou during the Qing Dynasty. The setting and menu are completely traditional, if only spruced up a few notches. Sure, there are traces of kitsch, but it is a unique dining experience nonetheless. Lu was an incredibly wealthy merchant during the Qing Dynasty. He built this residence - the largest in Yangzhou - with the intention of hosting large gatherings. Perfect for a larger group, the recent renovations focused on the original high ceiling dining halls, and the restaurant is now an interesting series of these halls that largely dominate the complex as a whole. Come here to dine, but then be sure to walk around the residence as a distraction. By the entrance is an impressive museum of Yangzhou cuisine complete with plastic mold dishes, old cooking utensils, and everything one could possibly want to learn about the local cuisine. English captions are a plus too.

Bubba's

Bubba’s Texas style BBQ just opened up in Hongqiao – much to the disappointment of all of those that live in Puxi. Still, the authentic BBQ is definitely worth the drive, so if you are feeling...

Bubba’s Texas style BBQ just opened up in Hongqiao – much to the disappointment of all of those that live in Puxi. Still, the authentic BBQ is definitely worth the drive, so if you are feeling a little homesick for a truly American meal, this locale is the answer to your problem.

 

The feel is 100% America with country music playing in the background, peanuts on all of the tables (shells SHOULD be thrown on the floor), and a simple menu with great food and beer.  Bubba’s is even working with an American importer to offer some amazing American micro brews, so beer lovers should keep an eye out. The owner actually went to the trouble of having an authentic smoker from Texas sent to Shanghai, so customers are guaranteed nothing but the best. The BBQ sauce is the owner’s family recipe, and it will knock your socks off.

 

I love the ribs, the pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw. YUM.

 


Sorry, no subway will help you, so taking a taxi is the easiest way. The restaurant is next to the Hongqiao Marriott on Hongqiao Lu.

Mesa

Connected to one of my favorite bars, Manifesto, Mesa is an equally cool Australian influenced restaurant which attracts an upscale Shanghai crowd. I had been looking forward to checking this place ...

Connected to one of my favorite bars, Manifesto, Mesa is an equally cool Australian influenced restaurant which attracts an upscale Shanghai crowd. I had been looking forward to checking this place out, so I may have hyped it up a little too much in my mind. With that said, I have to say I was a little disappointed with my meal, and I think about half the table was as well. 

 

The ambiance is a little cold, yet sophisticated with great floral arrangements and cool lighting. The simplicity is nicely contrasted with the plush bar upstairs. I definitely recommend having a drink at the bar first and then heading to the restaurant. 

 

Our meals in general, as I said before, were mediocre – but the Sea Bass and risotto was delicious, as was the steak.  Everyone else was happy enough to finish their meal, but don’t get too adventurous with your selections. Choose dishes you know you will like on the menu, and you’ll be happy. I have heard nothing but good things from other Mesa customers. Be sure not to skip cocktails, they’re delicious (I like the mango martini the best!)

 

When the bill comes, expect about 300-400 RMB per person, with appetizers and a drink.

 
Making reservations in advance at Mesa is certainly recommended.

 

Take Metro Line 1 to Changshu Rd station. Exit onto Changshu Rd and walk north.  Take a right on Julu Lu about 10 minutes later. Mesa is on the right side of the street just before the intersection with Fumin Lu.

Xinjiang Flavor Restaurant

Xinjiang Autonomous Region forms the northwest part of China and represents a culture quite different from that of the Han Chinese. The Xinjiang Flavor Restaurant (loosely translated) serves tasty dishes that demonstrate just how different the Islamic Uyghur culture of Xinjiang is. Any foreigne...
Xinjiang Autonomous Region forms the northwest part of China and represents a culture quite different from that of the Han Chinese. The Xinjiang Flavor Restaurant (loosely translated) serves tasty dishes that demonstrate just how different the Islamic Uyghur culture of Xinjiang is. Any foreigner living or traveling in China has not truly tasted ‘yang rou chuan’ （lamb-kebabs）, until they have tried them Xinjiang style. For only 1 Yuan each, large lamb skewers are served en masse and with a smile from the friendly, although sometimes pushy Uyghur staff. Be sure to wash down the lamb with some fresh Naan bread, prepared on location, and some Xinjiang style fried rice which includes small lamb chunks and carrots.
 
There is no English spoken at the restaurant and no English on the menus. It is not a big problem though, because there are only four main items to worry about, and three of them are prepared out front in plain view of the patrons, so a basic pointing charade will do the trick for those who do not speak any Chinese.
 
羊肉串，yang rou chuan, lamb kebabs
囊饼，    nang bing, Xinjiang sesame bread
手抓饭，shou zhua fan, Xinjiang fried rice with lamb chunks
大盘鸡，da pan ji, ‘big plate of chicken’ – spicy chicken with assorted vegetables
 
One recent meal for 8 of us cost 68 yuan. Another meal for 10 of us cost 76 yuan. The restaurant is certainly affordable. I really enjoy eating here if you couldn’t already tell.