Sharkfin is unhealthy, and not to mention, too cruel.

Prosperity Yu Sheng

Vegetarian Sharkfin Soup

Caltrops with Hairy Mushroom

Spicy Pan-fried Vegetarian Fish

Fresh Mushrooms with Asparagus

Fruity Almond Rolls and Vegetarian Otah

So fruity that it has jackfruit and banana inside

Stewed Golden Fungus with Vegetarian Tenderloin

Fragrant Rice (served with steamed soya chicken)

Streamed soya chicken

Osmanthus Pudding with Xue Lian

Me holding up other people in a bid to get the shot!

Marketed as a health tonic, yet high in toxic mercury content, and usually bleached during production to give it a more desireable shade, Sharkfin doesn’t belong on anyone’s table this Chinese New Year, nor any wedding dinners for that matter. 

Methyl mercury is hazardous to humans, and exposure can result in an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as dementia. Some studies have suggested that sensitive individuals are susceptible to auto-immune effects. The Environmental Defense Fund recommends that men should eat shark once a month at most, and women and children should abstain entirely.

Indeed, a huge health risk for a piece of seafood that has no taste in itself.

I was at Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant on the weekend to lend my support to lovesharks, a committed group of, as the name suggests, shark lovers, who invited several people to sample the restaurant’s nine-course vegetarian Chinese New Year set meal, and especially, the vegetarian sharkfin soup.

While I am no fan of Chinese vegetarian food (especially at weddings) due to the abundance of mockmeat and starch, this menu was well-balanced with plenty of vegetables and even some fruit. Also, the texture was highly interesting and unlike other vegetarian food I’ve tried. Do give it a try! Or at least visit the restaurant to try their other dishes.

My favourites would be: Caltrops with Hairy Mushroom, Fresh Mushrooms with Asparagus, Osmanthus pudding with Xue Lian, and the Fragrant Rice Ball, which tastes just like Chicken Rice!

The Sharkfin Soup deserves a special mention also, for being the best vegetarian version I’ve ever tried to date.

Savour these delights at Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant, located at 201 Balestier Road, on the second floor of Quality Hotel.

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