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Fu He Hui

Shanghai

• The Best Restaurant in Mainland China 2023

Haven of tranquility serving exquisite vegetarian fare

On the Pass

Tony Lu

Serene sanctuary: It’s been almost ten years since the opening of Fu He Hui, nestled among tree-lined avenues of Shanghai’s former French concession, a hugely sought-after historic district abundant with quaint residential buildings from the 1920s. The restaurant decor features a harmonious combination of stone and wood elements, creating a Zen-inspired sense of space accentuated by a lingering fragrance of agarwood. Together with attentive and thoughtful service, this creates a a serene sanctuary in the heart of the metropolis.

What about the chef? Head chef Tony Lu was born and raised in Shanghai. He gained experience in several high-end Cantonese restaurants before rising to international prominence as the culinary mastermind behind Shanghai’s finest independent Chinese restaurants, Fu1039, Fu1088, Fu1015 and latterly Fu He Hui, which focuses on vegetarian cuisine. Chef Lu is renowned for his deep knowledge and mastery of traditional Chinese cuisines updated with an enticing touch of modernity.

The humble vegetable: Fu He Hui believes in letting everyday ingredients, not just rare and unusual fare, shine through masterful treatment. To ensure diners can come to enjoy healthy, nutritious and sustainable vegetarian food, the culinary team regularly visits supplier farms and producers to understand the growing environment, conditions and life of the products it serves. Since opening in 2014, Fu He Hui has never repeated a dish in its annual renewal of the menu.

On the drinks side: The tea pairing is also a highlight of the set menus, each having four different kinds of tea to complement the dishes.

Words of wisdom: The name “Fu He Hui” comes from the owner's understanding of happiness (Fu) and wisdom (Hui): "The process of pursuing happiness leads to wisdom and the pathway to wisdom is accompanied by happiness."

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