Pure Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant

Pure Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant (纯莲素食) is a meat-free restaurant at No. 26 West Street in Yangshuo County, about an hour south of Guilin city in Guangxi, China. West Street is the main pedestrian lane of Yangshuo, lined with cafes, shops and bars, and the town is a standard stop on the Li River day trip circuit from Guilin. The restaurant serves vegetarian cuisine, offering meat-free versions of Chinese classics. Its signature dishes include a vegetarian Kung Pao "chicken" made with tofu and vegetarian spring rolls. These dishes follow a Chinese Buddhist-influenced vegetarian tradition in which tofu, gluten and mushrooms stand in for meat while keeping familiar flavours such as peanuts, chilli and soy. For vegetarians, vegans and visitors who want a lighter meal after several days of pork, river fish and beer fish, the menu provides a rare dependable option on a street dominated by meat and fish. No chef lineage or Michelin recognition is documented. The dining room is calm and informal, in keeping with the vegetarian theme, and noise levels are usually lower than at the bars further along West Street. Dress is casual. Beverages include tea, juice and soft drinks; a formal wine programme is not documented. The restaurant is open daily from 09:00 to 22:00, so it can serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Average spend is about ¥120 (about $18) per person, which is on the higher side for Yangshuo but reflects its central tourist location. Reservations are not needed for small parties, since walk-ins are accepted, but groups can phone ahead on +86 773 882 7744. Visitors can also search 纯莲素食 on Amap (Gaode), Dianping or Meituan to confirm the location and read recent reviews. Because Yangshuo is busiest during Chinese holidays and in summer, arriving before the main lunch and dinner rushes helps secure a table with less waiting. The restaurant makes a convenient rest stop between West Street shopping, the Li River cruise terminal transfers and evening performances.