Vege China
Take a load off at this shopper’s oasis in Shinjuku

Photos Courtesy of Office K2M

Sometimes, names can be deceiving. In the case of
Shinjuku’s Vege China, the name tells only part of its story. Sure, the restaurant serves veggies aplenty — fresh, tasty ones at that—but this shoppers’ respite also offers up plateloads of non-vegetarian dishes.

Enticed inside on a recent summer evening by a window display of baskets filled with pumpkin, yellow zucchini, carrots and seasonal fruits, we discovered upon ordering the extravagant nine-course dinner (¥4,830) that every one of those dishes (except dessert, of course) included some form of seafood or meat.

Decked out in neutral décor with tan-colored bench seats along two walls, attractive colored-glass sculptures, and a retro geometric ceiling decoration, Vege China has not a spot of chinoiserie in sight. It is brightly lit—a little too much so for a relaxing dinner—and the stainless steel kitchen is in full view of the diners.

We were greeted enthusiastically by the all-female waitstaff, who fussed over our miniature dining companion, a 4-month-old baby, and ensured we had a comfortable spot in the corner where we could fit a stroller. We were relieved to find we were not the only ones with children in tow; sitting alongside us was a young couple with two toddlers, and later in the evening a couple of other families arrived.

Highlights of our meal included the seasonal appetizers—string bean salad, tender shredded chicken, and marinated salmon that came beautifully presented with edible flowers and aloe leaves—and fried rice with large, juicy prawns. We also enjoyed the shark’s fin soup prepared with crab eggs, stir-fried prawns with beans, and steamed pork dumplings, although the fried chicken was a little overdone and dry.

Even the steamed vegetables were served with meat, with one of four dipping sauces containing a delicate mince. Lucky we are carnivores who had left our vegetarian friends at home, because otherwise it would have been a most disappointing venture.

But disappointing Vege China is not. With a vast array of authentically replicated plastic dishes out front and a bilingual menu, this restaurant is a convenient refueling stop for shoppers or anyone wishing to catch a break from the bustle outside.

Chinese restaurant menus are often overwhelmingly lengthy, but Vege China’s is a relatively tame 13 pages, five of which are devoted to drinks. We opted for a refreshing Tsingtao beer (¥630) to wash down the vast quantity of food that just kept on coming at a pace that was a little too rushed to match our leisurely pace, but would be perfect for those taking a quick shopping break.

Vege China touts itself as a fresh, healthy option for the beauty- and health-conscious. We can vouch for the fact that we left, doggy bag in hand, satisfied but not stultified.

7F Isetan Shinjuku (main building), 3-14-17 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Tel: 03-5919-7688. Open daily 11am-10pm (LO 9:15pm). Nearest stn: Shinjuku, east exit, or Shinjuku Sanchome.

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