Macau 2010

A stone’s throw from the Ruins of St. Paul, Feng Cheng Xuan was the sort of place one would nip into for a proper plate of vegetarian grub - hearty Chinese fare, pleasingly affordable and plentiful, to boot. The crowd was a cheerful muddle of locals and curious travellers, all squeezing into the modest space, lured by the promise of comfort food with a Buddhist twist: no egg, no dairy, just nourishing simplicity and a service that was brisk enough to keep you on your toes.​ If you noticed a swastika by the door, there was no cause for alarm. In this part of the world, the symbol is an ancient Buddhist emblem, symbolising good fortune, timelessness, and a handy signpost for vegetarian devotees. At Feng Cheng Xuan, it quietly assured guests of both spiritual intent and meat-free meals, untouched by any Western association with the symbol.