Vegan-friendly
Chinese
功德林素菜馆 北京市崇文区前门东大街2号 is a well known, historic restaurant. Moved to this space in 2010. Offers many different dishes. Drinks are only in Chinese letters listed. Open Mon-Sun 10:30am-9:00pm.
41 Reviews
First Review by BeijingCat
bookowl1000
Points +188
Typical Chinese food - Edit
I have lived in China for many years and to me this felts like a typical Chinese restaurant, even down to the types of dishes on the menu (which is in English and Chinese as well as having pictures), which just happened to be mock meat and fish. They are not trying to be anything other than what a normal Chinese person would expect, not foreigners or tourists. It felt so normal. It was not dirty or shabby, just not new or modern, nor trying to be. I can understand how some foreigners may think cold and unfriendly, but I did not thinks so….it just seemed normal; getting on with their jobs and not being in your face. Chinese staff do not hover around or ask you things such as if you are enjoying your meal or if you want anything else, you have to get their attentions.
Read moreWent at lunchtime and had to wait for a table ; did not mind as the food was good. Prices were not cheap but reasonable. It is not my favourite vegetarian place to eat in China, but worth it. Beijjng has more vegetarian eating options than where I live so I get excited by so much choice.
Pros: All vegetarian , Extensive , Traditional Chinese
Cons: Not many vegetable options
Guest
aner1kind17
Points +1289
Weird veg options but edible - Edit
We were in search for a nearby veg restaurant so came here. It’s a very Chinese menu - lots of fake meat and fake seafood. Not a whole lot of vegetables. It was ok.
Read moreGuest
A_tourist
Points +141
Good - Edit
We arrived maybe 20 minutes before closing so we had to pick our menu fast. We had the fern noodles, glazed lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice and a dish with okra, walnuts and a third veggie.
Read morePros: Could enter even when arriving late
Guest
CaroMoreno
Points +200
So good and tasty- Cheap and bid portions - Edit
Traditional Chinese Food.
Read moreVegan chicken is amazing, lots of plant based “meat” options.
It’s inside the building , floor 2.
Guest
CamilaGalvez
Points +1518
Deliciosoooo - Edit
Tenia miedo que estuviera cerrado porque no estaba muy clara la información, pero llegamos y si estaba abierto. El menú es suuuper extenso y todo se Antoja. Todo lo que comí se me hizo delicioso. Voy a regresar seguro
Read moreGuest
Steffie91
Points +681
Not my favorite place - Edit
The atmosphere in this restaurant was cold and the stuff was very unfriendly from the beginning. We felt not welcome.
Read moreWe ordered some dishes. They were presented good but the taste was boring.
The prices were high. No one asked if we want to drink anything else. They were not interested in us as guests.
Pros: Everything is vegan
Cons: Expensive, Unfriendly stuff, Cold atmosphere
Guest
Prathna
Points +591
Extensive menu - Edit
Huge menu with lots of options. We tried the Bao buns and kung pao “chicken.” Both were very good and so affordable.
Read morePros: Large menu
Guest
Victoriaot
Points +176
A bit disappointing… - Edit
I wanna start by stating that the food wasn’t bad! But it was also not the best I’ve had in China. Reading about how famous it is, and seeing all the acclaims they have hanging on the walls in the waiting area (because the place is popular enough that you might have to sit and wait for a table), it’s hard not to get your expectations up! Unfortunately, the food didn’t really live up to the hype for me. It was good, like most of the food I had in China, but far from the best place I’ve eaten in Beijing…
Read moreThe prices reflect the popularity of the place, and I honestly felt bad that I had dragged my mom and her friend somewhere so expensive (relative to Beijing) when the food wasn’t even that amazing. We all agreed that this was probably our least favourite restaurant we visited.
The food looks good and is nicely presented, but the flavour was just okay. I wouldn’t mind eating there again but it wouldn’t be my first choice. I did order something where I wasn’t 100% if it was vegan, because unfortunately they don’t specify on there menu if the food is vegan or vegetarian, which stressed me out a bit.
Most disappointing I think, is the fact that for such a famous and expensive place it was really run down and the atmosphere wasn’t the nicest. It’s pretty small and they’ve squeezed in a lot of tables. The distance between tables wasn’t bad, but the bustling of the place meant that it was a bit noisy and not super cozy. The place felt old and unkept, with dirty wallpaper and dirty toilets with no soap or toilet paper, which is what I might expect of a Chinese public toilet - not a nice restaurant!
Pros: Lots of vegan and vegetarian options, Nicely presented food
Cons: Expensive, Not a nice atmosphere, Very busy
Guest
Zeberka12
Points +1592
Amazing! - Edit
The menu is huuuge! The restaurant has a nice Chinese vibe ^^
Read moreYou can find anything you could ever crave for! From dumplings, soups, and mock meats! 🤤
Beijing dishes 😍😍😍😍 are incredible!!!!
Updated from previous review on 2022-06-07
Pros: A lot of options, Chinese interior
Guest
JennyCH
Points +52
Go for the set menu - Edit
We were a group of 5 adults and 4 kids. We ordered a set menu for 4 and it was enough food to feed us all! Food was delicious and it was the best meal we had in our stay at Beijing.
Read morePros: Lots of variety , Delicious food
Cons: We ordered an extra dish which they forgot
Guest
dontbedaft
Points +609
Good food but probably challenging without Chinese speakers - Edit
I ate here with a group of Chinese work colleagues and we had a set meal for 9 which was an insane amount of food. It would have been hard for me to find on my own as the signage outside was only Chinese. The room we are in upstairs was very nice but the general restaurant area (that I only saw briefly as we walked through) was not as nice. The menu had some English but not much in the way of pictures (tough if you’re relying on pointing to communicate). It’s very close to the Beijing new world hotel (can see it across the street and a block down from front entrance of hotel). I notice that on apple maps the restaurant is listed as godly
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: Challenging without Chinese language
Guest
Seth.hark
Points +155
Real vegetarian Chinese food - Edit
The best place to eat vegetarian food in Beijing
Read moreGood price .
Pros: Good price , All vegetarian
Guest
CloSer
Points +79
Very convenient if you're in that area! - Edit
Good food, nice restaurant, good service and great location. We went there two or three times and the food was always as good as expected!
Read moreGuest
JessPeirce
Points +647
Good vegan Chinese! - Edit
It was great to find somewhere to eat that was vegan friendly!
Read moreI have been eating a lot of fruit on this trip
I got the spicy chicken and the okra with nutritious sauce.
The spicy chicken was very spicy but it was good as was the okra.
The price was pretty good for 2 people with drinks.
Guest
MarcNocochi
Points +53
Very good food, all vegetarian. Manager speaks English - Edit
Wow such an extensive menu! I was alone so I didn’t have the opportunity to taste so many dishes as I would like - every thing looks delicious! A bit expensive but the quality/price is good! My meal (2 plates an elaborate dessert) cost about 120 yuan.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, So much choice!, Food is very good!
Cons: A bit on the expensive side, not an everyday meal
Guest
George85
Points +400
Good if in the area - Edit
The name of the restaurant is written only in Chinese. Be sure to look at the photos here of the entrance so you make it to the right place.
Read morePretty large selection of food. The dumplings were great. The okra with shrimp was okay, but there wasn’t much shrimp as compared to the photo. For the chicken, they used some vegetable instead of fake meat. Really wasn’t the best substitution.
Recommended if in the area and looking for some grub.
Accepts credit cards.
Pros: Lots of options, Serves beer, Good taste
Cons: Expensive
Guest
MandiCoyne
Points +826
Great vegan options! - Edit
We found this place by happy accident when we got off the subway station at Chongwenmen (Exit A). The staff were friendly, their is English on the menu and the restaurant has a good atmosphere.
Read moreThe prices are not cheap but it’s pretty much what you should expect to pay for a vegan meal in Beijing. Some dishes are a bit on the small side, but they were all very tasty.
Pros: Lots of vegan options , English on the menu , Nice presentation
Cons: Some dishes are rather small
Guest
bobbied
Points +23
Tasty fake meat - Edit
This place has a REALLY long menu with pictures and a basic translation. Food tasted good. Not much (if any) English spoken. Easy to find on the Junction of two main roads.
Read morePros: Lots of choice
Cons: Fake meat heavy
Guest
XanderLeaDaren
Points +288
Calm & nice restaurant - Edit
Full vegetarian restaurant with a Buddhist style and a lot of eating options to choose from: many meat-like dishes, recipes with mushrooms, vegetables, spicy food if you like, buns, noodles, rice and desserts. The mean meal price is 45 元. They have a beverage menu with alcohol and tea.
Read morePros: Calm and spacy room
Cons: A bit expensive, Standard international veg. meals
Guest
MonikaZar
Points +148
Very tasty food - Edit
This restaurant offers really delicious food and it's not too expensive. The staff was very kind.
Read moreGuest
HugJunky
Points +172
Delicious, generous, not cheap - Edit
I had slices of the vegetarian pork as an appetizer. Then a wild mushroom soup/stew, tasty. My entrees were green veggies balls (special and delicious) and dumplings (just ok). I brought back half of it for another meal. All that with jasmin tea for 217 yuan.
Read moreGuest
maltman23
Points +4577
Continuous good veg food - Edit
I've eaten at this place for many years. It continues to serve excellent food. Some dishes are exquisite, and some, like the one I had tonight, are just OK (though nicely presented). But worth exploring their extensive menu.
Read morePros: Good food, Nicely presented
Cons: Pricey
Guest
JenniTame
Points +98
lovely food, but a bit pricey - Edit
Great selection of food with a photo menu. Staff were able to point out vegan items. X3 dishes and x2 tea were ¥160
Read morePros: fully veggie
Guest
golans
Points +43
Great place - Edit
Great food, good portions, lovely setting and decent prices (not the cheapest but very decent). Next to New World hotel.
Read moreGuest
SnowMonster
Points +17
TO GO SNACKS - Edit
FIVE STAR for the TO GO WINDOW. The take out window by the side of the main entrance offers extensive and interesting local vegan food and drink. The 山楂银耳羹(haw/ white woodear ) 素肉米糕 (rice cake ) or 菜团子 would be a perfect combo.
Read moreThis is a Buddhism influenced venue. Thus the official formal restaurant has good service but most dishes are 仿荤 (meat alike to attract/ encourage people to switch to vegetarian for ethical reason )
Guest
kool_kitchen
Points +862
Not worth it - Edit
The food was very expensive and disappointing.
Read moreIt looked grand, twas easy to find but other than that there was not much else that appealed.
I ordered some fake meats that were not done well and green vegetable/spinach balls that were bitter and made me feel queasy to consume because of the texture.
Pros: atmosphere was ok
Cons: not good vale for money, food was disappointing
Guest
Mocha_Macha
Points +211
overpriced - Edit
Taste is okay. Each dish portion is for a few person.
Read moreGuest
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