Vegetarian Feast in the Mountains

Vegetarian Feast in the Mountains

　　Baoshan is home to many Buddhist monasteries. The monks and nuns abstain from meat and follow a vegetarian diet. While their nutrition may not match that of laypeople, their culinary creativity is extraordinary. Over time, they have developed a unique "vegetarian culture" in these mountainous borderlands, and the Vegetarian Feast is a concentrated expression of this otherworldly cuisine.

　　As the name implies, "vegetarian" indicates both a restriction on ingredients—only "plant-based proteins" are allowed—and a hint at the cuisine's characteristics—light and wholesome. Meanwhile, "feast" suggests something more elaborate than the simple, humble meals monks typically consume for sustenance; it requires a certain level of presentation and ceremony. In other words, the Vegetarian Feast is a grand, colorful, aromatic, and flavorful banquet crafted entirely from light, plant-based proteins.

　　The most renowned Vegetarian Feasts in Baoshan are found at Li Hua Wu in Jiulong Mountain and Lai Feng Temple on Lai Feng Mountain. The main ingredient is tofu, complemented by highly nutritious additions such as peeled pumpkin seeds, walnuts, matsutake mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and fresh seasonal produce like potatoes. These ingredients are meticulously prepared using various cooking methods including steaming, frying, stewing, and molding, resulting in a wide variety of dishes. Interestingly, for reasons known only to them, the monks and nuns have creatively "packaged" many of these simple vegetarian dishes to look surprisingly "greasy." This has delighted many first-time diners: you come expecting a vegetarian meal, but as soon as your chopsticks touch the food, you encounter what looks like "chicken drumsticks," "cured sausages," "braised pork ribs," "sliced ham," "fried crabs"... There are even "bear paws" and "shark fins" among the so-called "nutritious delicacies" — all cleverly crafted to mimic meaty appearances while remaining entirely plant-based. This truly is a worldly feast existing beyond the boundaries of the conventional meat-eating world. In fact, most of those who enjoy this unique cuisine are secular visitors.

　　The Vegetarian Feast is not only nutritionally rich but also high in protein and low in fat, earning widespread praise from diners. Especially in recent years, as urban and rural residents who have grown affluent tire of eating chicken, duck, fish, and meat, it has become a new trend to book a refreshing and light Vegetarian Feast at temples during holidays or on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month to change up the palate. Furthermore, the reputation of Baoshan’s Vegetarian Feast has spread far and wide through word of mouth among numerous tourists. A master chef specializing in Vegetarian Feasts from Li Hua Wu has even been invited multiple times to travel abroad—to countries like Switzerland—to showcase his culinary skills and share his secrets.