Chengdu South‑Gate Zen Courtyard – 华道钰善阁  Vegetarian Restaurant

Huadao Yushange hides in a standalone siheyuan villa at the edge of Tiexiang Temple Water Street. From the street, you’d never guess the interior opens into a bamboo‑ringed courtyard with a lotus pond at its heart. Step inside and the city fades: muted lighting, blond wood tables, and a gentle splash from the koi pool set the tone for slow dining.

The restaurant’s acclaim—Michelin Plate plus local vegetarian awards—shows in its meticulous plating. Staff present each dish with a short explanation and a nod to China’s 24 solar terms menu philosophy: ingredients shift every few weeks to match the season’s energy. Summer brings crunchy lotus, cooling barley soup, and 碧云涧 (bì yún jiàn) organic herb tea that tastes like a chilled alpine breeze.

If you’re dining alone after an outpatient visit, relax: counter seating faces the pond, and servers pace the courses so you never feel rushed. The surrounding bamboo wall keeps conversation levels low—ideal for patients on voice‑rest or simply craving quiet. Single diners can request half‑portion tasting sets; staff noted weekday lunch sees fewer large groups