Thanks to Dashiwujie, Shanghai’s Buddhist jet set now have a place to eat. This upscale vegetarian spot was created by the team behind Vegetarian Lifestyle and is ideal for anyone who loves food or animals. With a focus on local and sustainable organic ingredients, the six-level townhouse possesses an ambience that gourmet-minded vegetarians crave but rarely encounter.

The restaurant boldly serves no alcohol, but it more than makes up for it in the kitchen. The extensive menu is an eclectic mix of Asian and Western cuisine and is conveniently presented on an iPad 2.

We started with the fresh and playful peach gum and grapefruit (RMB36). Bite-sized servings of ruby red grapefruit and peach are served on top of Thai basil. Each mouthful is an explosion of tangy, tart and sweet—just the thing to kick start the taste buds into gear.

The stir-fried apricot abalone mushrooms with spicy vegetarian seafood sauce (RMB58) was recommended to us by several of the wait staff. Using traditional Chinese flavors and an XO sauce base, the dish was quickly devoured by the table.

We were in awe of the deep-fried seaweed roll in kimchi sauce (RMB58). A vegan play on crispy skinned salmon, the dish is a complex concoction of mixed mushrooms, tofu and seaweed. Even the omnivores at the table admitted that it was almost better than the real thing.

The new mapo doufu (RMB42) was the winner of the night. Deep-fried chunks of tofu came smothered in a traditional Sichuanese sauce. Strong notes of Sichuan peppers cradled the tofu, doughy on the outside but silky inside. This is the dish that will keep us coming back again and again.

Our rating: 4.5/5

DETAILS

What: Dashiwujie

Where: 392 Tianping Lu 天平路392号

Tel: 3469-2857

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