You Can Finally Get Acai Smoothie Bowls in Shanghai

By Betty Richardson

Cancel your trip to LA, you can finally buy healthy acai smoothie bowls in Shanghai. Where, prey tell? From new café Bowl'd on Anfu Lu. Opened by local vegan Jackie Chen, everything sold at Bowl'd is free from animal derivatives or added sugar, and products are made with organic ingredients.

They've currently got a selection of four bowls, from RMB36 for a small up to RMB70 for an exta large. They all come with their own toppings, but you can also add extra toppings like hemp seed, bee pollen and other vegan-y things. As for the acai itself, they're using an organic, free-dried variety from Sambazon.

First up, we tried the 'fancy berry' (RMB46/medium), which is a pretty apt way of describing acai. We loved the bountiful fresh fruit toppings that come atop. The bowl base is made from acai, banana, coconut water and blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, blackcurrant – pretty much all the berries. The flavor is is tart and sweet, but still refreshingly cold.

Our favorite, however was 'the hulk' (RMB48/medium), which has a base of avocado, spinach, hemp protein, acai and housemade almond milk. Don't worry, you definitely can't taste the spinach, just creamy avocado and banana.

Like nuts? Then opt for the 'go nuts' bowl (RMB46/medium). This one's got acai, dark chocolate, banana and almond milk as the base, and enough nuts on top to keep a small family of squirrels fed for the winter. A little sweet for our taste, we'd say this one would be best in size small.Inside there's seating for around 15 people, with table outside for sunny weather. Bowl'd also sells juices and salads, as well as housemade nut milks (almond, cashew and hazelnut currently available) and oaty breakfast bowls. We say this place is a great spot for breakfast, casual lunches and snacks, and a welcome addition to the vegan/vegetarian community.

Bowl'd, 255 Anfu Lu, by Wukang Lu.

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