Eat Your Vegetables

I am a vegetarian (I won't go into the reasons here). That’s not a problem at school, since the dining halls are usually very good about accommodating alternative eating habits (even some vegan dishes!) But because, as someone once told me, to be vegetarian is to be anti-Chinese, I was anticipating some culinary problems here in the Middle Kingdom. However, it has not been as difficult as previously anticipated, partly because I do eat eggs and dairy products. If you are vegan, do not plan on eating out if you come to China. That is a luxury that can be sustained probably only in North America and Western Europe.

The options at most restaurants are limited to two or three dishes, but if you know where to go you can happen upon quite a large selection.

RESTAURANTS

粥 (apologies, I don’t actually know the name)

One of the restaurants near school that we eat pretty much three times a week is a place which specializes in粥, a rice based porridge-soup that can be cold, sweet, or savory. Usually we each order one bowl of粥 and a couple of dishes to share. My favorite porridge has black sesame paste in it, with a couple peanuts mixed in. It falls in the sweet category. The menu also has brightly colored pictures of everything the restaurant offers, so if your knowledge of Chinese dishes is limited to 蛋炒饭 you can still eat eggplant (which is now my favorite edible plant, if cooked properly)! One of my favorite dishes here is Kung Pao Tofu, which they can make without meat. It is spicy and refreshing.

The prices are very affordable and we usually don’t spend more than 30 yuan (less than $5).

Pure Lotus

This is a very upscale, classy restaurant in Sanlitun, the ex-pat playground of Beijing. I love this restaurant because EVERYTHING in it is vegetarian. The waiters and waitresses are supposed to be dressed like monks (though I’m pretty sure monks don’t wear pink and blue tunics). The bowls are in the shape of large oyster shells, the tea is served in clear pots and cups, and the food is beautifully presented (as well as delicious). However, it is not cheap and even after sharing the price is about 8 times what you would normally pay at another restaurant in China. But, converted to American dollars it comes out to be about $13-14.

Pure Lotus specializes in imitation meat, using a variety of tofu, beans, mushrooms, and spices to make the most realistic faux-pork you will ever eat. I don’t actually really remember what pig tastes like, but my friend who is a meat-eater said that she couldn’t tell the difference. Many of the dishes ordered at neighboring tables had very elaborate displays, with dry ice and fire. The names of the dishes are also rather silly, like Time Present, Past, and Future. I guess its all part of the “atmosphere”. They offer fake fish, beef, chicken, squid…

Come here if you have money and time to spare (it takes quite a while just to figure out what you want to eat because of the number of selections)

aTea!

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This dish is composed of eggplant, potato, and green peppers cooked in some sort of brown sauce. If done well, it is absolutely delicious—crispy, succulent, and wonderfully fragrant. A restaurant in Xi’An didn’t know what it was, so it might be a Beijing dish.

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A staple of any Chinese meal, Tomato Cooks the Egg (a direct translation) is a slightly sour, usually sweet dish that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. It goes well with rice, and is very filling. I still think my mom makes it best.