Shu’s Top Vegan & Vegetarian Dishes (That Aren’t Yum Cha)
At Shu, our weekend vegan yum cha has earned a loyal following, but it forms only one part of our story. Behind the dumplings and baos lies a broader culinary experience shaped by our love for modern Sichuan cuisine, thoughtful presentation, and bold plant-based creativity. For diners searching for a truly unique vegan restaurant Melbourne experience, our degustation and curated a la carte dishes deliver something unforgettable.
Whether you're a seasoned vegan, a flexitarian, or a curious diner exploring new flavours, this article guides you through Shu's top vegan and vegetarian dishes beyond yum cha—each one part of a broader cultural and creative journey.
Our Plant-Based Philosophy: Culture, Creativity & Conscious Dining
Our approach to food is rooted in Sichuan heritage, with an execution that is wholly modern. We believe plant-based dining should be every bit as indulgent, artistic, and satisfying as traditional fare. We focus on seasonality, sustainability, and sensory storytelling in every course.
Bold Modern Chinese, Rooted in Sichuan
We draw from centuries-old Sichuan traditions and reimagine them using plant-based ingredients. From fermented chilli pastes to five-spice marinades, our dishes pay homage to classic flavours while introducing new textural and aromatic dimensions. We use fermentation, smoking, braising, and wok-char techniques to unlock complex flavour without animal products.
This approach has made Shu a staple for those seeking an innovative and high-end vegan restaurant Melbourne can proudly claim.
Designed for the Evolving Diner
Our menu is 100% vegan, and we offer plenty of gluten-free, nut-free, and allergy-sensitive alternatives. We've crafted a space that welcomes vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and everyone in between. Dining at Shu opens doors to new ways of eating and appreciating modern Chinese cuisine.
This ethos speaks directly to vegetarian Melbourne diners and travellers looking for experiences that balance cultural authenticity with forward-thinking food.
Chef's Choice Menu Highlights (5-Course)
For those who prefer a more curated dining experience without committing to a full degustation, our Chef's Choice 5-Course menu offers a compact yet rich sampling of some of Shu's most popular and creatively inspired dishes.
Sichuan Households Trio Appetisers
Our opening trio introduces traditional Sichuan-style small plates with a twist. You might encounter pickled vegetables, marinated tofu, or chilli-oil-dressed bites—each offering a burst of flavour and insight into home-style Sichuan flavours, modernised with our signature touch.
Grilled Exotic Mushrooms in Double-Sided Crispy Pie
This fan favourite features a medley of exotic mushrooms encased in ultra-thin, crisp pastry. Oyster and king oyster mushrooms provide a meaty texture, while the flaky outer shell adds crunch. It's a dish that balances earthiness with indulgence and is often a standout among vegetarian Melbourne diners looking for complexity without heaviness.
Yuxiang Roasted Eggplant with Pickled Chilli & Ginger Sauce + Chinese Donut
Silky eggplant is roasted and glazed in a spicy-sweet Yuxiang sauce, traditionally used in Sichuan "fish-fragrant" dishes. Served with a crispy Chinese donut for dipping, it marries texture and umami in every bite. This dish often surprises diners new to the possibilities of eggplant in plant-based cuisine.
Rock Sugar & Five Spice Braised Lion's Mane Mushroom
Lion's mane mushroom takes centre stage in this rich, aromatic dish. Braised with Chinese five spice and rock sugar, it offers a deeply satisfying flavour, reminiscent of traditional meat-based braises. It's one of the most talked-about plates on the Shu menu.
Matcha Cashew Cream-Filled Chocolate Cannoli
To close, this dessert delivers an artistic and decadent finish. The cannoli shell is crisp and dark, stuffed with matcha-infused cashew cream and dusted with almond and house-made plant-based honeycomb. A highlight for sweet-toothed foodies who want a satisfying end to a fully vegan experience.
The 10-Course Vegan Degustation: Our Signature Culinary Journey
The 10-course vegan degustation is Shu's most immersive and celebrated experience. It unfolds as a full sensory journey that moves from light and playful to deep and comforting, each dish artfully plated and paced for maximum impact.
Silken Tofu with Fermented Soybean Chilli Jam & Seaweed Caviar
This opening dish combines creamy tofu, umami-rich fermented chilli jam, fish mint, and seaweed caviar in a light soy milk bath. It sets the tone for a meal where flavour comes in layers.
Daikon Pot Plant with Raw Veggies & Black Tahini
Whimsical yet deeply flavourful, this daikon dish is served upright like a potted plant, in a soil made of black tahini. Crunchy, earthy, and playful, it's a favourite among diners who appreciate visual drama and vegetable-forward thinking.
Salted Mustard Greens with Almond-Watercress Pesto
Paired with ginger pearls and toasted pine nuts, this dish adds an herbal sharpness that balances richness from earlier courses. The use of pickled greens and almond pesto brings both texture and funk.
Chilled Baby Kent Pumpkin with Sweet Miso Mayo
Served with pomelo and Tasmanian wasabi leaf, this dish contrasts sweet, tart, and sharp elements. It's beautifully plated and offers a refreshing pause before the deeper savoury dishes arrive.
Wok-Charred Kangkong with Burnt Green Chilli Relish
This wok-fried water spinach delivers smoky notes, finished with a bright hit of finger lime. It brings spice, umami, and acidity together in a single course that energises the palate.
Spinach Sticky Rice Balls with Preserved Mustard Greens & Peanut Soy Sauce
These chewy rice balls are tossed in spiced oil and served with preserved mustard mince and a creamy peanut soy sauce. It's a hearty, comforting dish that grounds the progression of the degustation.
Matcha Cashew Cheese Chocolate Cannoli with Plant Honeycomb
Returning as a final course here as well, this dessert closes the experience with finesse. Its visual appeal, layered textures, and balance of bitter matcha and sweet cream make it a signature sweet across all Shu formats.
Who It's For: Occasions, Vibes & Dining Styles
We've crafted every aspect of Shu's experience to welcome a wide range of guests, from casual diners to design-focused event planners. The versatility of our space and menu positions Shu as a standout destination in vegan restaurant Melbourne dining.
Couples, Groups & Cultural Food Explorers
Whether it's date night, a birthday, or a deep dive into modern Chinese cuisine, our food is built for sharing and discovery. Multi-course menus foster conversation and curiosity, while bold plating and unexpected ingredients keep diners engaged.
Design-Led Private Dining & Events
Our Collingwood space blends moody neon lighting, sleek furniture, and immersive tableware to set the stage for impactful dining. We host private dinners, chef-led events, and exclusive venue bookings for clients seeking a stylish, fully vegan event.
The Visual & Social Experience
Every dish is designed to be visually striking, and our venue invites photography and storytelling. For socially active foodies and visual diners, Shu offers an experience to share.
Plan Your Visit: When, Where & How
Planning your visit to Shu is simple. Our menus and venue are designed to be flexible, accessible, and ready for memorable moments.
Bookings & Menus
10-course vegan degustation and 5-course chef's choice menus are available Tuesday to Friday evenings.
All dishes are vegan; dietary notes can be added during the booking process.
Online bookings are available at shurestaurant.com.
Private Functions & Gift Cards
We offer full venue hire and private chef dining for events.
Gift cards are available online—a perfect gift for a vegetarian Melbourne food lover.
Conclusion: Discover the Rest of Shu
Shu represents one of the most forward-thinking destinations in the vegan restaurant Melbourne culture. From our intimate 5-course menus to our theatrical 10-course degustation, every plate celebrates vegetables, Sichuan flavours, and sensory design.
Whether you're a regular or it's your first visit, we invite you to explore the full experience. The dishes above offer fresh reasons to rediscover how exciting plant-based dining can be. Reserve your seat and immerse yourself in a bold expression of vegetarian Melbourne dining at Shu.