Living in Shanghai, there's no shortage of Western-style comfort food. You can easily find tasty hamburgers, pizzas, hot dogs, French fries and fried chicken in all price ranges throughout the city. More often than not, they are able to meet or even exceed your expectations, in addition to curing your craving for a nice plate of greasy, hearty food. However, as folks are becoming more conscious about the intake of calories, fat, salt and artificial additives, establishments offering healthier options have mushroomed in recent months. Here are some of our favourites.

1) KushView In Map
The word "Kush" is the Hindi translation of happiness and this restaurant has certainly brought many smiles to vegetarians and vegans in town since its opening in the summer of 2011. Kush may not have the fanciest and grandest décor, but its wooden furniture and Zen-influenced setting will enlighten you in a subtle and homey way. While the storefront does not produce any wow moments, the food here certainly does. On its menu, you will find dozens of dishes which draw influences from cuisines of many cultures.

Start your meal off with one of their signature "Super Health Drinks" made with all natural ingredients. For a strong dose of vitamin C, try "Detox" with honey, lemon, ginger, honey, aloe and mint (or cayenne). It's a refreshing and tasty little number with a nice blend of sweet, tangy and spicy flavours.  For entrees, the "Lentil Burger" – whose texture is surprisingly similar to a meat burger – is a popular choice. "Otsu" soba noodles made with ginger, sesame, vinegar, cilantro, cucumber and tofu produce interesting arrays of flavours that just leap off the bowl. Put a perfect finish to your meal with a slice of "Lemon Coconut Tofu Cheesecake" to satisfy your sweet tooth. You will be surprised again by the smoothness and creaminess of the cake and the silky, delicate aftertaste of soy milk it leaves in your mouth.

Add: #98 Block C Yanping Lu, Jing'an District (near Xinzha Lu), Shanghai
地址: 上海静安区延平路98号c幢  (近新闸路)
Tel: 021 5175 9822
Opening hours: Daily, 11:30–22:00
Price: 80 RMB per person
Getting there: Nearest metro station is Jing'an Temple Station (Line 2 & 7)
Website: www.kush.sh

2) Kechara Tea HouseView In Map
Located in Red Town, one of my favourite areas in Shanghai, Kechara (which means heaven in Sanskrit) has become a hot hangout spot since its opening last September. The interior of the restaurant is beautifully set up with modern and simplistic furniture. French windows behind the bar counter and the open ceiling draw in tons of sunlight during the day. It's a beautiful place, perfect for every occasion.

While the food on Kechara's menu is strictly vegetarian, meat-lovers will not be disappointed with its most popular dish – "Lasagna". With all the flavours and textures that you would expect from the traditional lasagna, Kechara's version substitutes ground meat with a generous serving of grilled eggplants. With this change, the tomato sauce becomes much less greasy and gives off its natural fresh and pungent flavour that compliments the mouth-watering layer of golden brown melted cheese on top. Another popular item on the menu on the lighter end of things is the "Caesar Salad Wrap" with the creamy dressing tossed together with crunchy lettuce leaves, croutons and chopped hard-boiled eggs all wrapped in a piece of soft tortilla. Both entrée options match perfectly with Kechara's Chinese & Western herbal tea selection to warm you up before stepping back out into the cold weather.

Add: Unit G113, 570 West Huaihai Lu, Changning District (near Hongqiao Lu), Shanghai
地址: 上海长宁区淮海西路570号G113单元(近虹桥路)
Tel: 021 5237 1716
Opening hours: Mon–Fri, 09:30–20:30; Sat–Sun, 10:30–20:30
Price: 70 RMB per person
Getting there: Nearest metro station is Hongqiao Lu Station (Line 3 & 4 & 10)

3) Organic KitchenView In Map
While Organic Kitchen has been around the catering and delivery business for a few years in Shanghai, it has just recently set up its first restaurant in the French Concession. Cooking with organic ingredients (bread made with organic flour, organically grown vegetables and meat that are free from any growth hormones) is obviously the biggest selling point. The use of MSGs is also strictly banned so diners are served with only the most natural ingredients.

Starters like the "Hummus, Pita Bread & Veggies" (which has sliced organic celery, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers) truly deliver the promise of natural flavours of all the fresh ingredients. The "Dijon Chicken Salad Panini" immediately reminds you of home-style sandwich shops with chucky pieces of organic chicken served with a tasty combination of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise. Be sure to also try their "Chocolate Mousse Nirvana", made with organic chocolate, to put a perfect finish to the meal. The homey décor and ambiance at Organic Kitchen makes you want to relax and veg out here for a couple hours and enjoy some real veggies while you're at it. The food here in general doesn't really provide the element of surprise, but for health conscious eaters who enjoy clean and simple flavours, it should definitely be included in your list of casual dining venues.

Add: Unit G113, 570 West Huaihai Lu, Changning District (near Hongqiao Lu), Shanghai
地址: 上海徐汇区复兴西路57号1楼(近永福路)
Tel: 021 6418 3220
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 11:00-23:00
Price Range: 80 RMB per person
Getting there: Nearest metro stations are Shanghai Library Station (Line 10) / Changshu Lu Station (Line 1 & 7)
Website: www.organickitchenshanghai.com

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Keywords: healthy eating options Shanghai western vegetarian food Shanghai vegetarian restaurants Shanghai new restaurant openings Shanghai