Zao Zi Shu
first floor (inside the Shanghai Huanggong complex, south of Huaihai Lu, 1 block east of Huangpi Nan Lu)
Cuisines: Vegetarian
About
This restaurant's name literally means "jujube tree," but the three characters that greet visitors upon arrival also cleverly play on the pun zao chi su, advocating the early adoption of a vegetarian diet. Pleasant and contemporary, the restaurant takes its mission seriously: fruit is served as an appetizer; organic tea is the norm; alcohol, dairy, and MSG are shunned; and smoking is definitively prohibited. The bean curd skin roll is a delicious appetizer, while the sweet-and-sour vegetarian pork and the pot with vegetable and curry are popular can't-go-wrong choices. Avoid the vegetarian steak with pepper sauce, though. Spinach dumplings and soup noodles with vegetables are also hearty alternatives for those less inclined to edible fungi. Waitstaff is friendly and helpful.
