In a city like Shanghai, it’s easy to succumb to the all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunches, lunches and dinners around town. If you’ve been involved in one too many gorgefests lately, take a trip to one of Shanghai’s best health havens, Anna Maya. Founder Kazu Koikeda hails from Japan, and her menu takes inspiration from many different types of cuisine. But the nourishing dish that keeps us coming back is the avocado and beetroot donburi (RMB65). Even our meat-loving friends can’t get enough. Traditionally, donburi is a Japanese rice bowl dish topped with fried meat and eggs. In this version, warm brown rice is used and the meat and dairy are replaced with chunks of fresh beetroot and creamy avocado, all drenched in lemon juice with lightly toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Subtly added soy sauce gives it a salty kick. It all comes together as a completely balanced dish. The warm brown rice mixes perfectly with the cold vegetables; the tangy lemon juice works in harmony with the sweet beetroot; the creaminess of the avocado melts in with the stickiness of the brown rice. Each element has a yin to its yang. It’s a dish to philosophize over and you’ll be finding yourself doing it here often–it’s what we call the “Anna Maya effect.”

DETAILS

What: The avocado and beetroot donburi

Where: Anna Maya Vegetarian Cafe | 3 Taojiang Lu 桃江路3号

How much: RMB65 - includes green salad and vegetables of the day

Tel: 6433-4602

See more great dishes around town:
City Deli’s Turkey Avocado Sandwich
Table No. 1’s Fruits and Flowers Dessert
Dong Bei Ren’s Ganguo Mushrooms
The Apothecary’s Charcuterie Plate
The Specialty Shanghai Wonton Shop's Wonton Soup