Imperial Vegetarian Restaurant

Imperial Vegetarian Restaurant, also known as Gongdelin, is one of Chinas most prestigious and historic vegetarian restaurants. Established in 1922, it has been serving exquisite Buddhist vegetarian cuisine for over a century. The restaurant specializes in creating stunningly realistic meat-like dishes using only plant-based ingredients, following the principles of Buddhist vegetarianism that prohibit garlic, onion, leeks, and other pungent vegetables. The chefs here are masters of culinary artistry, transforming tofu, gluten, mushrooms, and various vegetables into dishes that look and taste remarkably like meat, seafood, and poultry. The restaurant has served numerous dignitaries, celebrities, and Buddhist monks throughout its history. The elegant traditional Chinese decor creates a serene atmosphere perfect for enjoying healthy, flavorful vegetarian meals. The restaurant is particularly famous during Buddhist festivals and for special occasions when people observe vegetarian diets for spiritual reasons.