Without overemphasizing religious influences, the set menu, which changes according to the solar terms, has made this small shop in Tongzilin a lot of popularity – if they find an entrance.
The first impression of many visitors is not its elegant decoration or exquisite dishes, but its maddening location. This vegan restaurant, which shows the Renaissance Hotel on the map, is not accessible from the elevator at the main entrance of the hotel, the actual entrance is on the right side of the hotel parking lot, and the elevator can be reached to the 19th floor.
While China's vegetarian industry is still specializing in imitation meat dishes, many vegetarian restaurants in Chengdu have set their sights on a more stylish set meal. In addition to eliminating the trouble of choosing, fixed dishes also conform to the trend of refined eating, but it also has a higher test for the speed and creativity of the restaurant's research and development of dishes. The menu changes very frequently, not only according to the characteristics of spring, summer, autumn and winter, but also down to the specific solar terms. Zen Yue will also invite regular customers to try dishes before the large-scale renewal, taking into account the ingredients, tastes and serving order, and many of the suggestions of regular customers will be implemented in the end. The chef adjusts the menu based on the feedback from the guests, providing surprises and ensuring the quality of the dishes.
The number of set meals for Zen Yue is about 12 per person, which revolve around the six flavors of bitterness, sourness, sweetness, saltiness, pungent and lightness. The meal begins with a bitter "journey of six flavors" with a pot of seasonal new tea, followed by a starter, usually made with spicy and sour appetizers served with fresh vegetables. The spicy zucchini in the 2018 Summer Menu has a crisp taste and a delicate and lovely roll-like arrangement, which is combined with local cold seasonings. Served with the appetizer is accompanied by a glass of food and drink, which is the first dish of "sweetness" with a moderate sweetness and a variety of seasoning ingredients and creativity.
The main meal starts with sashimi, and the fresh mushrooms are not too decorated, highlighting the deliciousness in the "light" taste; The next few dishes focus on salty, sour and spicy, and the specific proportions and flavors are adjusted according to the season. In 2018, for example, the pickles were a combination of traditional Zhejiang-style fried spring sprouts and dried bean curd, topped with Western-style fennel tubers and tartar juice, and the fresh color corresponds to the vibrant spring. In terms of staple foods, the more fixed pairings include soup and fried rice/noodles, and the sub-table represents the two flavors of "light" and "salty". In autumn and winter, the soup is converted into a soup pot, and the feeling of steaming hot is even warmer. It ends with a dessert that represents "sweetness", which is slightly sweeter than the drink, and uses seasonal ingredients and recipes to conclude this "journey of six flavors".
The speed at which menus can be changed is one of Zen Yue's strengths. In particular, most of its dishes can be made with seasonal special ingredients, which is not comparable to even the big vegetables and Yushan Pavilion. But the fly in the ointment is that the level of its dishes fluctuates greatly, and there are often surprises and disappointments after more than a dozen dishes, like riding a roller coaster. Part of the reason may be that the fixed menu does not match everyone's taste, but part of it is also due to the objective inaccuracy of the dishes. For example, some of its spicy dishes and staple dishes are too greasy, which is incompatible with the delicate presentation and elegant atmosphere.
The area of the Zen Yue store is not large, only half of the Guilai Vegetarian Restaurant in the same building, but it is better than the proper decoration style, and the log theme is quiet and not bland. The service attitude is commendable, and each dish is carefully introduced to the ingredients and cooking methods, which is much better than the Qing'an Vegetarian Restaurant, which is also a set meal vegetarian restaurant. The comfortable dining environment and friendly service attitude add to the purity contained in the vegetarian diet. At present, Chanyue charges 168 yuan per person, and you can get a 20 yuan discount after purchasing a group purchase coupon, which is one of the most cost-effective vegetarian restaurants in Chengdu based on its price and products.
