The Sichuan Basin is a fertile producer of vegetables. A wide variety of plants and herbs prosper in the upland regions. Vegetarian Sichuan food can be better than its meaty counterpart, actually way better, sometimes. Deeply influenced by Buddhism and its vegetarian tradition, people in Sichuan have developed many delicious dishes. In fact, some best vegetarian restaurants are in temples. A plate of fresh, tasty and light sautéed mixed vegetable with rice often is considered the best a busy modern urbanite could have at dinner for his health as well as soul.