Vegan-friendly
Chinese
Take-out

功德林 brand was originally established in 1922. Offers extensive menu with a variety of mock meats. Serves noodles on the first floor and the full menu on the second floor. Some menu items are in English. Air-conditioned. Reported to close earlier than stated times. Open Mon-Sun 5:00pm-9:00pm.


Venue map for GōngDé Lín - Godly - Nanjing Rd
© OpenStreetMap contributors

50 Reviews

First Review by tofutodd

MarcSchoch

Points +108

Vegetarian
14 Dec 2023

Traditional Chinese taste

So many dishes to choose from.
Great location in the middle of Shanghai. Big recommendation.
Cheer Marc

Pros: Location next to People's square , Huge variety of vegan and vegetarian food , Traditional Chinese taste

kev_bite

Points +157

Vegetarian
27 Oct 2023

Good food!

All vegetarian food, and a great selection!

vegaanistadissa

Points +62

Vegan
24 Apr 2023

Deli shop

I went to the restaurant but it was closed between lunch and dinner time (see photo for opening times). So instead I went to the deli shop next door and got some ready-to-eat foods, only the wontons need to be cooked. Everything I got was vegan (I checked with the shop employees).

Updated from previous review on 2023-04-24

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Everything was delicious and very traditional, Can be used in cooking

Cons: Mostly Chinese descriptions

WanderlustMemoir

Points +319

Vegetarian
25 Jul 2020

Mediocre breakfast noodles

Our visit to the Nanjing West Road branch was to eat their signature noodles as breakfast. As this was our first time visiting, we randomly ordered 1 spicy bowl and 1 mushroom bowl. The soup base for these 2 bowls were different and I personally preferred the mushroom noodles. It felt that the more expensive noodles generally are tastier. Our food arrived quite quickly, though the restaurant was at least 80% occupied with customers even at our time of arrival at around 9am. The noodles were sold off rapidly as the name board gets updated almost instantaneously even before we finished our food.

The Nanjing West Road branch has 2 floors, I believe. For breakfast, only the ground floor is opened to customers, and has a maximum capacity of around 50 people. My mum was delighted to discover an annexed shop full of vegetarian pastry sold under the same restaurant. There was also another small counter with a rather long queue opened for selling freshly made buns, vegetarian duck and other lunch food for takeaway only. We bought many moon cake pastries and 1 bun, and my mum simply loved the bun!

This branch is conveniently located near People’s Square train station. As our hotel is within walking distance to this restaurant, we spent around 30 minutes walking from our hotel. However, we had to repeatedly asked for direction as the walk is not straight forward and the building is not easy to locate.

Updated from previous review on 2020-07-25

Pros: Cheap breakfast, Efficient and prompt service, Sells freshly made buns

Cons: Delicious noodes tend to be slightly pricey, Location is too far from my hotel, Customer service slightly crude

Gabi95

Points +221

Vegan
11 Jul 2020

Extensive menu and nice mock meats

Good range of mock meats and personal faves are the kungpao chicken 宫保鸡丁 and pork floss 肉松

·X·

Points +17478

Vegan
17 Oct 2019

Godly

I walked 40 minutes (round trip) to Godly for dinner tonight and arrived at 7:45PM. Even though there were people in the restaurant and other people ordering food, I was turned away ... they just said to me “closed”. They wouldn’t even let me order takeaway. Um, OK... Happy Cow lists this restaurant as being open until 9PM.

feministtraveller

Points +114

Vegetarian
22 Jun 2019

Disappointing, yet surprising

I am utterly confused - in the reviews it seems that this is a restaurant. However, this is a weird kind of take-out!

I was surprised by the vegetarian chicken feet they had (the staff assured me that they were vegetarian though). I decided not to go too crazy and ordered a serving of a satay-sauce seitan dish. You pay per gram, and I paid around 14 RMB for a rather big portion. However, the food was cold - so be aware that this is not a convenient to-go option. I had to throw it away since it did not taste good as cold as it was.

They also have a variety of vegetarian baozi that are around twice the normal Shanghai price. Paid 3,5 RMB for a warm spinach-tofu baozi, which was ok.

I felt slightly depressed after this sad food experience to be honest.

Pros: 100 % Vegetarian, "Interesting" fake meat options

Cons: Staff only speaks Chinese, menu only in Chinese, Cold food, No seating

vegaanistadissa

24 Apr 2023

There’s a restaurant (on the left) and a shop (on the right) with separate entrances. I almost missed the restaurant because I saw the shop first. The restaurant has opening times for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the shop is open all day.

Koby

Points +277

Mostly Veg
09 Jun 2019

Good!

Big and old restaurant in a big and old building.
professional waiters, large round tables with maps, like in the old days.
Food's very good, lot of faux meat, extensive menu, a bit pricey.
...and they charge 2RMB for the napkin towel ... :)
Recommended at least for one visit.

Cha80

Points +21

Vegan
01 Apr 2019

Yuck

Much exhalted restaurant was highly disappointing. Service was terrible. I had to go in search of waiting staff twice to get their attention. No basic niceties, tea, napkins etc. Ugly cheap looking restaurant interior like a Thai beach bar. Food was awful. It all has poetic names on the menu “dancing fish” and “bundles of straw” so you’ve no idea what it is unless you’re prepared to engage the uninterested wait staff. I ordered a supposedly braised ‘fish’ fish expecting the famous mock meat/fish and got a frankly inedible soupy thing of sliced unpleasantly textured mushrooms in a colourless tasteless snotlike sauce. The other was another soupy thing slightly less repulsive. I can eat almost anything in china and never waste food but this was sicky burp material..:(

Pros: There were none.

Cons: Awful food, Terrible service , Quite expensive

chinka666

Points +85

Vegan
16 Mar 2019

Not very good food and expensive

It was such a disappointment this restaurant. Small portions if you compare it to other veg. places in China. And food was nothing special. We had 5 different diches and each of them had similar taste. Just salty and...yep, that's all. Tottaly not worth to go there.

Pros: In the city center

Cons: Expensiv, Food is not very tasty, Small portions

juliotnunes

Points +744

Vegan
02 Dec 2018

Gong-de-lin-Godly

Friendly staff and willing to help even though I didn’t speak Chinese. The portions are decent but have to say it is a little oily and salty. If you’re looking for something all vegan then I would say have a stop here.

The restaurant is on the corner but it’s the wrong address written. If you go around the corner you will find it.

Pros: Friendly staff

Cons: Oily, Salty

michiemich315

Points +60

Vegan
28 Oct 2018

More like unGodly restaurant.

Honestly I would give this one star if I could. We went after a long day out excited to finally get a satisfying, stress-free vegetarian dinner for three. But although the place seemed like a lovely atmosphere the inside was anything but.

Firstly, even though we even arrived earlier than opening time, most the dishes on the menu we wanted to order had apparently run out, and as we tried to order alternatives we were frustratingly told various others were not available either. Forgive me, but if you put out a menu, as a customer I expect it to be available and not have to feel like I am choosing from remains. Also, no apologies were expressed, instead the waiter just said some of the dishes of choice was not in season or the ingredients easily spoil so they aren’t making it. Not my problem, if it’s not readily available you shouldn’t have it on your menu.

The food itself was mediocre too, very oily, salty, and mostly all similarly just drenched in a tonne of flavoured sauce. Might be personal taste but I prefer lighter dishes with more variety with vegetables. Would definitely say, if you are not into mock meats then don’t come here.

Pros: Pleasant decor

Cons: Terrible customer service, Half menu missing, Oily, salty food, mostly mock meats

HelenWoods

Points +375

Vegan
25 Oct 2018

Oldest vego restaurant

Easy to find, cheap and comfortable. A must visit for vegans in Shanghai.

Pros: Huge variety.

Cons: Live fish on display 😢

Hans

Points +115

Vegan
14 Oct 2018

Don’t miss this one

Old classic - in an old classic building and busy

Pros: Almost hundred years and going

los_tofu_hermanos

Points +97

Vegan
04 Sep 2018

A must visit - best food I had in Shanghai

Really delicious. We asked the waiter for a good selection of food for our group and agreed a very reasonable price of 60rmb/head. The waiter brought us two bottles of rice wine for free (I think it was a promotion at the time). Waiters speak some English, but it helps if you have a mandarin speaker in your group.

The selection of mock meats is mad, everything from Jellyfish and Sharkfin, to pork ribs. They have some none mock meats available too (tofu/mushrooms/dumplings/etc.)

Pros: Delicious, Unusual mock meats

oneokrock

Points +155

Vegan
02 Sep 2018

Local restaurant with history, vegetarian duck is 👌

My uncle often comes here to get vegan food for my grandma. This is a very traditional restaurant, winning hearts of locals, especially the older generations. When you mention vegetarian food, this is the restaurant they will think of right away.

They have really nice packaged soy foods, veggie mantou's, and vegan moon cake. I really like their 素鸭 ("vegetarian duck" -- it's more of a soy food that a mock meat).

AlexAitken

Points +26

Vegan
18 Aug 2018

Good

Mock meat based restaurant with some veg based options. Menu in English too!
Food was good but not amazing

Scottishvet

Points +456

Vegan
06 May 2018

Average

Again it was ok. Food a little oily. Staff were helpful. Not many other vegan options in town

oskeewowwow

Points +744

Vegan
18 Mar 2018

Large Vegan Shanghai Style Restaurant

I really enjoyed the extensive menu and local style food. A large assortment of mock meats and veggies in a convenient location

Pros: Large dining area, Extensive mock meats

Cons: Service is a bit difficult

thevegscram

Points +52

Vegan
28 Dec 2017

good if you like mock meat or miss real meat

I had the spring rolls (6RMB) and the Peking duck (30RMB). It was good but nothing amazing, probably really cool for vegans/vegos who miss meat or just wanna try it out. Fully vegan which is nice.

DiogoFariasRodrigue

Points +18

Vegan
17 Aug 2017

Great Surprise!

Wasn't expecting such a good restaurant after reading some reviews. The food is great! I came here with omnivore friends and everyone loved the food. Ask them to recommend dishes, they'll point you to the best!

Pros: The food is all vegan.

Cons: nothing to add

veganagnes

Points +32

Vegan
15 Aug 2017

Delicious mock meat!

I've been here 3 times and enjoyed the food every time. They specialize in mock meat like chicken, duck, beef and fish. Many dishes use mushroom or vegetables to simulate the meat texture. My favorite dishes are Sesame chicken, fish in sweet and sour sauce and Mock duck (names of dishes might be slightly different). Also enjoyed the meatballs with vegetables. I'm impressed every time at how tasty the food is and how closely it resembles the actual meat.
Definately recommend!

XOXO

Points +1760

Vegan
18 Jul 2017

Goos stufff

Mock meats, not my thing but all tasted good.
Enjoy

yup

17 Nov 2017

They have a lot of dishes various protein sources that do not contain mock meats.

yup

Points +112

Vegan
13 Dec 2016

These negative reviews are wack

So I read through most of these reviews before I went today. All of the negative reviews critique chinese customs/shanghai cuisine. If you want some overly seasoned food, ice water, and ordering in english, stay in a western country! If you actually want good, shanghai cuisine done veg, come here. I have been craving a good beijing style duck since I went veg, and this place finally sated that need. The "skin" was amazing, and it was the kind of fake duck that's marinated, rolled up tofu skin. The tofu with "crab roe" is flavored impeccably. The taro with wood ears has the best consistency. The [insert the name of the thing that's related to a water chestnut but is kind of shaped like horns], ginkgo nut, and peppers is delicately seasoned, as not to overpower the subtle flavors of the ingredients. This is the point of shanghai cuisine; to not overpower or cover up the flavors of the ingredients. Plain veggie dishes can be seen as "oily", but the oil gives them the fat they need to have oomph. Sugar makes appearances in places westerners may not expect, but give it a chance. Liquids here are not cold, as cold liquids are thought to hamper digestion. Respect native cuisine and customs, guys. If you're not willing to, just stay home.

Pros: Shanghai cuisine done veg, Great prices, Juices are good, too

Cons: It's a CHINESE restaurant in CHINA, Sorrynotsorry it's not westernized enough for you

coverseas

Points +233

Vegan
08 Jun 2016

Food was good!

I didn't read the reviews carefully before I went, so I ate on the ground floor. The room and service were not superb, and perhaps I should have tried the first floor! Luckily, I care a lot more about the food than those aspects, and I give it five stars because I was pleased, and as far as I could tell, it was easy to find likely-vegan stuff. I had mock duck and some veggie buns. Both were very good, especially the latter! (Given that Shanghai cuisine tends toward milder and sweeter, which I don't enjoy as much as other variations, I didn't hold those facts against these dishes.) Relative to Shanghai prices, especially some of the veg places, it was very reasonable. I'm grateful to have this option near People's Square.

Btw, seems to be accurately pinned on the map now, from what I can recall.

Pros: Tasty, Reasonable prices

Cons: Ground floor decor, Erratic service

m@earthville

Points +9252

Vegan
24 Dec 2015

Mixed, but worth at least one visit

Gong De Lin has been around forever, and they seem to be coasting on autopilot.

The menu is extensive, and as others have noted it's worth reading other reviews to get a sense of what you might like to try, as there's a lot of variation in quality and flavor (ranging from so-so to good to great).

Quality of service depends a lot on who your server is. My first one was brusque and pushy (he really didn't want to let me finish reading the whole menu before I decided), but my second one was gentle and accommodating.

The upstairs dining room has more relaxed vibes.

AndyT

Points +2299

Vegan
09 Sep 2014

Great restaurant, if you know what to order!!!

When you go there, please mind that this restaurant is not where it is showed on the Happycow.org map!!! It is just off People's square, it is the building next to the "JW Marriott hotel" / the Ferrari Maserati Commercial center and opposite the Porsche Dealership on Nanjing West road. On Google maps, I could also find it under "Gongdelin Maipinbu".

I was skeptical when I read the reviews here, and my first visit did not really give me a great impression. I arrived 10 minutes before kitchen closing time (21:30), sat on the ground floor, and ordered "Budda jumps over the Wall" and the fried noodles as I could not find many other things on the Chinese/English menu that I could remember from the reviews here (unfortunately I did not read the reviews closely, otherwise I would have noticed that those are NOT suggested to non-Chinese people here). Both dishes were ok-ish, the noodles quite oily and a little bland, the soup was made from a variety of mushrooms that are not very common to the Western taste (but supposedly very healthy). I am not sure whether the taste of the dish or my unfamiliarity with Chinese cuisine are to blame, but I did not find it bad, only a little strange.

Luckily, I decided to give the restaurant another try, and it was the right decision. On my second visit (with some omni colleagues), I went to the first floor (which is much nicer), and we ordered
(suggestion for first-time visitors)
- Hot and Sour soup,
- Ma-Po tofu (Hot Pepper tofu)
- Beijing style mock duck
- sweet and sour mock fish
- mixed vegetable and mushroom

All of those dishes were absolutely delicious, and my colleagues commended me on the choice of the restaurant. Have been going there at least once on each of my subsequent Shanghai visits (about once a month), never regretted it!

Especially the 'Ma-Po tofu' was the best I have ever had (and that is a signature dish of my Chinese wife), the food was plentiful, the service ok, and the total bill (including tea and fresh mango juice) was about 300 RMB (40 EUR)

On the ground floor, they have a smaller "fast food" lunch menu, you order in advance (e.g. noodle soup for 20 RMB) and sit at a table where there is space. Good value for money & quick.

However, the restaurant is NOT VEGAN - so you have to check/ask! E.g. the Guava juice is prepared with dairy milk.

Updated from previous review on Monday September 08, 2014

Pros: Easy to find once you know where to look, Great food when you know what to order!!, Price absolutely ok for the area

Cons: You should know what to order, NOT VEGAN - check what you order

SanjayChandra

25 Jun 2017

SUUUUPER HELPFUL!!
I, for the life of me, could not find it on Google maps, and got a result that was a couple of miles away. So glad you cleared up the directions. Looking forward to trying it myself on my trip next week. Thanks.




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