"Xu Xiang Zhai" is conveniently located next to several of Beijing's scenic spots including the Imperial College and Yonghegong, the Lama Temple. Naturally receiving some spiritual influence from these two places, Xu Xiang Zhai gives visitors an impression of refinement.

Nowadays, vegetarian cuisine has developed to include five maior cateogries: soybean protein, wheat, taro, fungus, and kelp. Xu Xiang Zhai's food sticks mainly to Sichuan and Guangdong flavors, and has a bit of western influence as well. The soups prepared here are seasoned entirely with mountain delicacies—various mushrooms and fungi. Among them, famous dishes include the frozen vegetarian abalone, steamed flounder, "Eight boiled delicacies", and Guangdong style roast chicken. The "Abalone specialty, in taste and in texture, will leave you nearly unable to tell the difference between this vegetarian dish and its traditional non-vegetarian twin.

Specialties: Frozen Vegetarian Abalone, Steamed Flounder "Spring River Water" Delicacy, Cubed Sparrow and Chestnuts, "Lotus Pond" Vegetarian Specialty.

Average Cost: 60 RMB

Address: 26-1 Imperial College Avenue, Dongcheng District

By Bus: Take Bus No. 2, 13, 18, 44, 62, 807, exit at Yonghegong (Lama Temple).

Source: beijinglandscapes.com