A vegetarian buffet in the heart of Jing’an, Jen Dow is a great place for vegetarians to dig in, and for non-vegetarians who are just looking for a healthier meal. The buffet is located on the 3^rd floor of the building, and they have a wide variety of options ranging from sushi bars, dim sums, veggie trays, DIY mini hotpots, and of course, desert (with the added bonuses of a chocolate fondue and an ice cream bar).

I came on a weekday night so it wasn’t that crowded, although it is suggested that you reserve a place ahead of time. The exterior of the place didn’t look too promising but the buffet area is large and full of hidden surprises. For starters, this place serves mushroom flavoured tea, which is something I’ve never tried before, and didn’t expect myself to like, but I was surprised by the pleasant aroma and aftertaste of this peculiar drink. The main courses tasted good but weren’t particularly notable as there’s only so many ways you can cook vegetables and dress up veggies into “make believe meat,” as they did with the sausage and what looked like chicken. The dim sum booth was great as they had a wide variety of treats, but the sushi bar was lacklustre to say the least, as there wasn’t much sushi displayed, and the ones displayed did not look the least bit appealing. I have nothing bad to say about desserts though as they both looked and tasted great, though the fondue was a bit underwhelming.

Overall, Jen Dow is great for a catching up with friends or a large gathering with family as it’s fairly quiet and has a nice vibe. The buffet dinner goes for 198/person which is reasonable. My vegetarian friend found the place delightful but as a non-vegetarian, I probably won’t be making another trip here as there are far more other options for me out in Shanghai.  

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