As people attach more and more importance to healthy, nutritious food, Beijing has seen a lot more vegetarian restaurants popping up. Presently, there are more than 20 vegetarian eateries, each claiming to offer tasty, healthy vegetarian dishes.

Dengpinsu Vegetarian Restaurant's Xuxiangzhai branch () stands out among other vegetarian restaurants, for several reasons.

First, it is one of the few vegetarian restaurants that offers a vegetarian buffet, at a reasonable price. On the restaurant's ground floor, there is an area set for buffet options, where more than 100 choices are displayed nicely and neatly in containers and dishes, and behind are food counters where the treats are made on the spot. At 48 yuan (US$6) for lunch and 58 yuan (US$7) for dinner, one gets a much bigger range of options than any other vegetarian restaurant in the capital.

Dishes served at the restaurant, whether buffet or a la carte, are presented in an ingenious, and sometimes interesting way. It is said that a French couple came to have a meal there and were completely surprised when, after they asked for the bill, a waitress came over to ask them what they thought about the vegetarian food. They were completely unaware that they had been eating purely vegetarian food.

And rightfully so, the food all resembles ordinary foods containing meat, not only in taste, but also in appearance. Many people might think vegetarian food is simple, bland and tasteless. But, they will certainly change their opinion after dining at Dengpinsu Vegetarian Restaurant.

For example, the vegetarian "beef," which is made of soybean powder and mushrooms, is fried with black pepper, and really tastes like beef. There are spicy "chicken" cubes, also made of soybeans and mushrooms, presented in Sichuan style. The steamed "fish" contains not only soybean protein and mushrooms but also seaweed. More than just the flesh, the skin and structure also resemble those of a fish.

According to the rules of pure vegetarians, Chinese onions, leeks, garlic, eggs and milk are not served here. Nor is liquor available. But beer and red wine are served, for those looking for a drink with kick to wash down the delicious fare. There are also ice cream, coffee and cola on the menu.

The restaurant's cuisine showcases an international aspect. If one looks at the a la carte menu, in both Chinese and English, one can discover curries from India, sushi and tapassaki from Japan, Korean barbecue, snacks from Beijing, "snails" from France, fried noodles and rice from Thailand, and soup from Malaysia.

Open: 11 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-9 pm

Location: A 26-1 Guozijian Dajie, Dongcheng District