Púsù 璞素 Vegan Chinese Food
I adore Asian food. If you scroll back through my Fine Dining vertical, you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving Japanese, Indian, Korean, Thai, Sri Lankan, and more. When planning our most recent jaunt to New York City, I wanted to try something a little different, so I sought vegan Chinese food. Enter: Púsù 璞素. On the surface, it’s an unusual concept. But, upon further inspection, it just makes sense. Buddhism is China’s largest officially recognized religion, and many followers are vegetarian. While the restaurant has no overt ties to Buddhism, the incredible food is utterly delicious and perfect for anyone wanting a truly unforgettable meal.
Above: Pumpkin Mapo Tofu, Canton Fried Noodle, and Truffled Winter Melon Soup
Púsù 璞素
Location: New York City, NY
Address: 318 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11249
Food Type: Vegan Chinese Food
Meal Duration: 60+ Minutes
Dining Experience: Indoor
Price: $50+ per Person
Dress Code: Casual
Special Diets: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian & Pescatarian
Ambience of Púsù
The interior of Púsù (which means uncut gem) was warm, inviting, and cozy. It reminded me of being in a cave, but in a really nice way! The tables are made of wide-grained wood, and each table had a handmade vase filled with dried botanicals and organically shaped water glasses. The decor was simple yet cohesive, and although it was in Brooklyn, a busy neighborhood, the interior was peaceful and the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful meal.
Our Meals at Púsù
To enjoy our first taste of Púsù, we ordered a little bit of everything. We loved every single bite of our meal, and we tried some really amazing versions of classic Chinese dishes.
Above: Deep-Fried Mushrooms w. Salt & Pepper 椒盐蘑菇拼
These deep-fried mushrooms with salt and pepper were extraordinary. I’d never seen my husband wolf something down so swiftly. Seriously, it was as though the waitress set this basket down on the table, I blinked twice, and they were gone! The vegan spicy mayo sauce had tons of flavor, and when combined with the audible crunch of the fried mushrooms and the abundance of flavor, they were incomparable!
Above: Pumpkin Mapo Tofu 南瓜麻婆豆腐
The pumpkin mapo tofu was my favorite dish of the night, and that’s saying something because everything was phenomenal. The presentation was excellent, and this dish, which typically contains pork, was completely vegan and gluten-free. It was extraordinary. We couldn’t finish all of it, so we brought the rest home, and it was just as delicious and reheated the next day!
Above: Canton Fried Noodles 豉油皇素炒宽面
These thick, chewy, flavorful noodles were my husband’s second favorite dish of the night. Long, fragrant, and eye-catching, they were utterly delicious and beautifully made.
Above: Truffled Winter Melon Soup 松露薯仔冬茸羹
Something about a server pouring or preparing a dish table-side wins me over. So, perhaps I was a bit biased (and premature) when I declared this the best part of our meal. Honestly, I can’t even try to rank them because they were all so tasty. This one was extra delicious because the winter melon flavor, which was mellow and very subtle, paired beautifully with the fried potato and black truffle atop it. The combination of textures in this dish was perfectly balanced as well.
Above: Pear and Chrysanthemum Jelly Milk 雪梨菊花撞奶
I’m not usually a fan of dessert. Particularly in the United States, desserts tend to be too large and much too sweet. The pear and chrysanthemum jelly milk, served in a soy milk bath, was the perfect blend of bold flavors and subtle sweetness. While this was not the easiest dish to eat, it was delightful, and we had a good laugh trying to scoop the massive chunks of slippery jelly that seemed determined to slide off our spoons, no matter how small we cut them.
Above: Matcha Almond Tofu 抹茶杏仁豆腐
Subtle, refreshing, and unique, this matcha almond tofu dessert was my favorite of the two delicious desserts. I’m partial to matcha anything, so again, I may be biased, but this was delicious and refreshing on a hot day in the city. If you like ice cream or other silky desserts, try this for a fresh take on a classic.
Final Thoughts
Every dish we tried here was absolutely exquisite. Nothing was too heavy or too sweet, which meant every bite was perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor. I think about this meal all the time, and the next time we are in Brooklyn, we plan to visit again to try it even more. Their food is out of this world and deeply satisfying, even if you aren’t vegetarian or vegan. It’s a great way to try foods you can’t find elsewhere!
Explore more of my adventures in New York City and the United States.
That food looks amazing!