China’s Vegan Michelin Guide 2022

Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu’s Michelin Guides for 2022 were released, and wouldn’t you know there were a number of vegetarian restaurants that snagged Michelin stars and distinctions. While some of these restaurants do live up to the bougie vegan stereotype, some are actually quite affordable (as in less than 100 RMB/15 USD affordable!) So without further ado, let’s take a look at the establishments that received honours for their creative plant-based contributions to the world of Haute Cuisine.

Note: Some of the restaurants are classified as vegetarian, and therefore some of their menu items contain eggs, dairy, and/or honey. Vegan substitutes for tasting menus can be made upon request given advanced notice.

Beijing

King’s Joy 京兆尹

Photo: Michelin Guide Beijing 2022

Awards: 3 Michelin Stars, 1 Michelin Green Star
2 Wudaoying Hutong, Beijing 北京市五道营胡同2号
Price: Starting from 699 RMB

King’s Joy is one of two restaurants in Beijing to receive three Michelin stars, and the first one to receive a Green Michelin star for its dedication to sustainable gastronomy. King’s Joy uses seasonal produce sourced from local, organic farms, and has a beautiful courtyard to enjoy high tea or their 15-course tasting menu. Be sure to get on Dianping 点评 to score a coupon that can get you up to 20% off their set meals.

Vege Wonder 山河万朵中国素食

Photo: Vege Wonder

Awards：1 Michelin Star
Address：2nd Floor, 269 Wangfujing Street, Beijing 北京市王府井大街2层
Price: Starting from 680 RMB

Are you one of those vegans that gets put off by all these plant-based meats saturating the market? Veggie Wonder refuses to imitate any meat dish and puts vegetables front and center. Their ingredients are sourced from all over China to bring you a mix and match of authentic tastes and textures.

Gong De Lin 功德林

Photo: Dianping

Awards: Bib Gourmand
Address: 2 Qianmen East Street, Beijing 北京市前门东大街2号
Price: Starting from 100 RMB

For those who aren’t quite willing to splurge but still want to brag about going to a Michelin restaurant, Gong De Lin Qianmen boasts a Bib Gourmand distinction and a much more affordable price. It’s Beijing’s first and oldest vegetarian restaurant, dating back to 1922, and is famous for its convincing imitation meats. Its second location in Shanghai which opened in the same year, also holds a Michelin honour.

Tianchumiaoxiang Vegetarian 天厨妙香素食馆

Photo: Dianping

Awards: Bib Gourmand
Address: 0280 Building D, 6 Chaowai Street, Beijing 北京市朝外大街乙6号SOHO D座0280
Price: Starting from 89RMB

This Buddhist Vegetarian restaurant has Bib Gourmand distinction where you can enjoy a meal for under 100 RMB. Even though they use no garlic or onion (as is the Buddhist tradition), everything is delicious and the menu is extensive. This is a Buddhist establishment, so if you would like to have a drink, there are many bars you can visit after your meal in the Sanlitun area nearby.

Shanghai

Gong De Lin (Huangpu Branch) 功德林南京路店

Photo: Gong De Lin

Awards: 1 Michelin Star
Address: 445 West Nanjing Rd, Shanghai 上海市南京西路445号
Price: Starting from 80 RMB

Open since 1922, this is one of Shanghai’s oldest and most famous vegetarian restaurants. Gong De Lin is well-known for its convincing mock meats, so don’t freak out when you see “肉”, the Chinese character for meat, in most of the dish names. According to a Happy Cow review, they even have vegan chicken feet! Interesting… Be sure to also check out its snack shop for some fresh dumplings.

Fu He Hui 福和慧

Photo: Financial Times

Awards: 1 Michelin Star
Address: 1037 Yuyuan Road, Shanghai 上海市愚园路1037号
Price：1178 RMB for a 15-course tasting menu, including 4 tea pairings

Chinese cuisine is often known for its excessive use of oil, MSG and salt, but you won’t find that in these dishes. Fu He Hui’s dishes are subtle and nuanced in flavour, showcasing purity of only the finest, local, in-season ingredients. Please note that unlike some of the other restaurants where you can order à la carte, Fu He Hui only offers set menus.

Chengdu

Mi Xun Teahouse 谧寻茶室

Photo: Mi Xun Teahouse

Awards: 1 Michelin Star
Address: 81 Bitieshi Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu 成都市锦江区笔帖式街81号
Price: 9 course tasting menu for 268 RMB

This is the place to try all of the veganized versions of Sichuan classics like mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and spicy hot pot. You can also enjoy tea that is sourced from their very own tea field out in their gorgeous traditional courtyard.

Chanyue Vegetarian 禅悦素食

Photo: Dianping

Awards: Bib Gourmand
Address: 48, Section 4, Renmin South Rd, Chengdu 人民南路四段43号
Price: Starting from 150 RMB

It can sometimes be difficult to find a Chinese vegetarian restaurant that uses garlic, but Chanyue vegetarian is one of them! Enjoy plant-based versions of Sichuan meat dishes such as bovine bolete as pork liver, bamboo fungus as beef tripe, konjac as squid.