🌱 A Vegetarian Foodie’s Guide to Shanghai 2025

Eat, Explore & Practice Mandarin

Welcome to the ultimate guide for discovering plant-based dining across Shanghai — whether you’re a vegetarian, health-conscious foodie, or Mandarin learner. With temple-inspired dishes, modern vegan buffets, and elegant fine dining, Shanghai is a dream city for meat-free explorers.

Before you go:

✅ Check Dianping for coupons & lunch deals

✅ Use WeChat Mini Program “素食雷达” (Vegetarian Radar)

This handy mini program helps you locate vegetarian spots across all of China — from temple kitchens to trendy cafés. Just search “素食雷达” on WeChat!

🌏 Why So Much Vegetarian Food in China?

1. 🌼 Buddhist Roots – Many Chinese follow or are influenced by Buddhism, which encourages plant-based eating for compassion and spiritual clarity.

2. 🥬 Healthy Living – “Light food is good for the body” is a deeply rooted belief in Chinese culture.

3. 🍄 Culinary Variety – From tofu to mushrooms, lotus root to bamboo, vegetarian cuisine in China is both creative and diverse.

📍Top Vegetarian & Vegan Spots in Shanghai (with English & Chinese Names)

Here’s a curated list from your Dianping collection — a mix of casual eats, buffets, fine dining, and temple-style vegetarian restaurants:

🌿 Downtown, West Nanjing, Huaihai Area

1. Jujube Tree · Vegetarian Restaurant (West Nanjing Road Branch)
   枣子树·素食餐厅 (南京西路店)
   📍 258 West Nanjing Road, Jing’an
   A cozy, modern restaurant with mock meats and spicy Sichuan-style dishes.

2. Gongdelin (West Nanjing Road Branch)
   功德林 (南京西路店)
   📍 445 West Nanjing Road, Huangpu
   One of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in China — Buddhist roots, classic dishes.

3. Fuhehui
   福和慧
   📍 1037 Yuyuan Road, Changning
   Elegant fine-dining vegetarian with a Michelin star — reservation highly recommended.

4. Yeye Bodhi (Taiyuan Road Branch)
   叶叶菩提 (太原路店)
   📍 No. 183 Taiyuan Road, Xuhui
   Charming, calm place with creative Chinese-style plant-based dishes.

5. Yangyuan Vegetarian & Teahouse
   漾源素食·茶研·美器·雅集
   📍 No. 555 Yongjia Road, Xuhui
   Vegan teahouse with ceramic art, seasonal bites, and peaceful vibes.

6. Yixin Vegetarian (Huashan Rd)
   懿心素食 (华山店)
   📍 1183 Huashan Road, Changning
   Stylish, spacious and known for handmade veggie dumplings and healthy soups.

7. Linhu Vegetarian (Poly Time Mall Branch)
   临湖素食 (保利时光里店)
   📍 Lane 1588, South Lianhua Road, Poly Time Mall, Minhang

🌿 Pudong & East Shanghai

1. Sumaxiang · National Food Nourishing Buffet (Zhengda Plaza Branch)
   素满香·全民食养自助 (正大广场店)
   📍 1st Floor, Super Brand Mall, Lujiazui, Pudong
   Vegan buffet perfect for casual dining — wide variety, budget friendly.

2. Wuyou Dami (Lujiazui Branch)
   无忧大美 (陆家嘴鸿街店)
   📍 Lane 58, Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong
   Modern café with minimalist design, mostly light meals and bowls.

3. Qingchun Permaculture (Qiantan Taikoo Li Branch)
   庆春朴门 (前滩太古里店)
   📍 Unit L2-21, Taikoo Li, Qiantan, Pudong
   Sustainable, creative, and beautifully plated permaculture-style meals.

🌿 North & West Shanghai

1. Pure Vegan (Bohua Plaza)
   茹·pure vegan (博华广场店)
   📍 Lane 2108, Yan’an West Road, Changning

2. VegeGood (Branch store)
   素来很好·VEGEGOOD
   📍 Various shopping mall branches around Shanghai
   Bright interiors, modern menus, fast and accessible.

3. Yanggege Vegetarian Hotpot (Changde Rd)
   炎格格素食火锅 (常德路店)
   📍 669 Changde Road, Jing’an
   All-vegetarian hotpot spot — mushroom and tofu lovers’ paradise!

4. Jingming Vegetarian
   上海净明素食馆
   📍 580 Nanchang Road, Huangpu
   Classic Buddhist-style, peaceful environment.

5. Chunfeng Songyuelou (Chenghuangmiao)
   春风松月楼 (城隍庙店)
   📍 99 Fuyou Road, Huangpu
   Historic and authentic temple food near Yu Garden.

🗣️ Practice Mandarin While You Order!!

1. 需要预约吗？
   Do I need a reservation?
   Xūyào yùyuē ma?

2. 这个是自助餐吗？多少钱一位？
   Is this a buffet? How much per person?
   Zhège shì zìzhùcān ma? Duōshǎo qián yí wèi?

3. 可以打包吗？
   Can I take it to-go?
   Kěyǐ dǎbāo ma?

4. 这个是什么做的？蘑菇吗？
   What is this made of? Mushrooms?
   Zhège shì shénme zuò de? Mógū ma?

5. 你有豆腐吗？
   Do you have tofu?
   Nǐ yǒu dòufu ma?

6. 我吃素，不要肉，不要猪油。
   I’m vegetarian. No meat, no lard.
   Wǒ chī sù, bú yào ròu, bú yào zhūyóu.

7. 这个可以做纯素吗？
   Can this be made vegan?
   Zhège kěyǐ zuò chún sù ma?

8. 我不吃肉，你有鱼吗？
   I don’t eat meat, do you have fish?
   Wǒ bù chī ròu, nǐ yǒu yú ma?

9. 我什么都不要，只要素菜。
   I only want vegetables.
   Wǒ shénme dōu bú yào, zhǐ yào sùcài.

10. 我要一碗素面。
    I’ll have a bowl of vegetarian noodles.
    Wǒ yào yì wǎn sùmiàn.

🥢 Ready to Eat & Speak?

Explore a new restaurant each week, try new flavors, and speak more Mandarin in real-life settings. Whether you’re dining alone, with friends, or on a tour, this guide is your go-to for meat-free, meaningful meals in Shanghai.

👉 Stay tuned !!!