In the heart of Shanghai, a high-end restaurant is drawing global attention with its one-of-a-kind rainforest-themed culinary experience. Priced at 3,888 yuan (approximately ₹45,236), the 15-course tasting menu blends experimental gastronomy with environmental awareness, offering dishes that range from bizarre to mind-blowing.
Inspired by Yunnan’s Rainforests
The restaurant’s founders spent seven years exploring the lush rainforests of China’s Yunnan province to design an immersive dining concept. Every element—from the ambiance to the ingredients—aims to recreate the biodiversity and textures of the rainforest. The goal? To raise ecological consciousness through food.
Elephant Dung Dessert Steals the Show
The star of the menu is a jaw-dropping dessert titled “Flowers Inserted into Elephant Dung.” As strange as it sounds, the dish is a sterilized, dried, and crushed version of elephant dung, layered with herbal perfume, fruit jam, pollen, and a scoop of honey sorbet. Diners even get to customize the dessert using their preferred jams and scents. “The flavours may sound off-putting, but the textures and taste leave a surprising and unforgettable impression,” said one diner who tried the dish.
A Sensory Rainforest Adventure
The restaurant offers more than just an unusual menu—it’s a full-blown sensory experience. Guests are served dishes that challenge the conventional idea of fine dining, like the pungent “black goo” inspired by the odor of the Rafflesia flower, and ice cubes made of honey and pollen. Each course tells a story, and every bite is an adventure.
Mixed Online Reactions
As expected, reactions on social media have been polarizing. Some users applauded the creativity and sustainability of the concept, while others found certain ingredients—like insects and dung—repulsive. Still, it’s hard to ignore the bold innovation behind the experience.
A Culinary Risk Worth Taking?
Whether you’re a thrill-seeking foodie or a conscious eater exploring sustainability, this rainforest-themed restaurant is anything but ordinary. The controversial elephant dung dessert may be the showstopper, but it’s part of a broader mission to make diners rethink their relationship with food and the planet.
