Pure Lotus (Jingxin Lian)
Cuisine
Vegetarian
Hours
Daily 11am-10pm
Address
Nongzhan Nanli 10
Location
Just off East Third Ring Road, behind the Dance Agogo building, marked by a purple neon sign with an arrow, Chaoyang Northeast
Phone
010/6592-3627
Prices
Meal for 2 „100-„120 ($12-$15)
Credit Cards
Not accepted

Beijing's most outwardly Buddhist vegetarian restaurant has the atmosphere of an overstuffed meditation pillow. Low, softly lit tables sit generously draped in bright orange cloth, immense flower-filled vases flank statues of Guanyin (the Bodhisattva of Compassion) in the corners, and conversation is kept quiet against the whispered backdrop of a mantra pop soundtrack.

 It all feels a bit silly at first, and the wait staff is gentle often to the point of being annoying, but few other eateries in Beijing leave you feeling more relaxed than when you entered. Simple dishes mirror the decor. Fans of fake meat will want to try the tieban heijiao yuanpai (pork-like tofu patties served on a sizzling plate with black bean sauce), but the just plain vegetable dishes are better.

Don't miss the lancai rousong sijidou, diced green beans lightly stir-fried with a salty Chinese vegetable and wrapped taco-style in fresh lettuce leaves.

Japanese

Hatsune (Yin Qhuan)
Cuisine
Japanese
Hours
Daily 11:30am-2pm and 5-10pm
Address
Guanghua Dong Lu, Heqiao Dasha C
Location
4 blocks east of Kerry Centre, opposite Petro China building, Chaoyang Northeast
Phone
010/6581-3939
Prices
Meal for 2 „200-„250 ($25-$31); Mon-Fri prix-fixe lunch „65 ($8); weekend lunch buffet „150 ($19)
Credit Cards
AE, DC, MC, V

Hatsune is sushi sacrilege via Northern California, with a list of innovative rolls long and elaborate enough to drive serious raw fish traditionalists to ritual suicide. The unconventional attitude is also reflected in the stylish space, high-ceilinged and sleek, with a long glass-and-metal entryway and a rock garden path leading to the bathrooms.

Nearly every item on the menu is among the best of its kind in the city, but the rolls are what make this place truly special. With the single exception of the Beijing Roll, a roast duck and "special sauce" gimmick, you simply can't go wrong. The 119 Roll, with bright red tuna inside and out topped with a divine spicy-sweet sauce, absolutely should not be missed.