I've always heard great things about Au Lac and I'm so happy I finally got to try it! I can't believe there's no meat whatsoever in their dishes! Everything tastes incredible and I feel that even non vegetarians can enjoy their food. The Bo luc lac was superb, the sauce was sooo delicious. Honestly if I can take a jar of that sauce they used to make the shaken beef, I'd pour it over everything lol. They used a ton of watercress though and I'm not the biggest fan of watercress. I understand it's a salad but damn the ratio of watercress to "beef" is insane. The salt and pepper shrimp was also good and the sauce that paired with it had a spicy kick! They've got a big menu so I def want to come back to try their other items! Service was great. Everyone was very helpful and communicative and appreciated any feedback we had. Felt very welcoming! read more

Au Lac - Beef Watercress (Bò Lúc Lắc) and Salt & Peppered Shrimp - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

After many years, I still love this place. I'm a meat eater, but I also enjoy the creative, delicious takes on vegan and raw foods that Au Lac offers. Many dishes I've tried I would get again. The dining area is cozy with plenty of booth and table seating. The staff and service are always friendly and attentive. If you're adventurous with food or you are vegetarian/vegan, there are plenty of choices depending on what you're craving. From soups to rice dishes, vegan and raw entrées you won't find anywhere else. Most of the "meat" textures are pleasant and close to the real thing. A few of my current favorites: * Chicken Lemongrass has been my go-to and one of the cooked dishes I'll recommend for anyone who still eats meat. Comes with salad and black rice. * Wonton Soup has a clean, yet flavorful mushroom broth without being heavy. The wonton is tender with soy protein and mushrooms inside. * Humanese (Living Soup) is creamy and smooth with a pleasant flavor. * Yellow Noodles were a delicious bowl of light yet savory mushroom broth, fresh ingredients, a mix of vegan proteins, and thin noodles. * BBQ "Pork" Roll is a light starter with a tasty peanut sauce. * Salt & Peppered "Shrimp" - I enjoyed this, and the texture is close to an actual shrimp * The Paella is a pleasant and tasty surprise, with big slices of avocado and a blend of fresh, clean ingredients. * Bun No.35 is a refreshing, hearty dish that fills you up without feeling heavy. Pour the vegan fish sauce over the ingredients and mix well! * Curried Rice has a cool presentation, and the live food and fresh ingredients are delicious and filling. A few of my friends also enjoyed this dish. * Green Papaya Salad is a nice shareable classic dish with fresh ingredients, and the spice level is mild to medium. Elixirs, juices, teas, and smoothies can satisfy your taste buds and your body. Vegan desserts are also worth a try. Recently, they added vegan cakes! I'm looking forward to returning and trying more dishes! read more

this place is one of the best vegan restaurants i've had. this was my second time here, the food is so good that you forget that it's even vegan. they have a lot of parking and a lot of seating inside with a great atmosphere! the servers are so kind and the quality of service is amazing - they make sure that everything is going good and everyone has what they need. i got the bun bo hue, and the broth was great! it definitely doesn't have the traditional bun bo hue taste but it was an amazing taste on it's own. it was also a good portion for me! on my first visit, i had the bo luc lac and that was amazingggg i was pleasantly surprised. read more

Au Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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Follow up visit is that they don't have the Spira Lena soup anymore, but the food is still delicious. read more

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So good!! So refreshing and wasn't oily at All. Also wasn't too salty either. I enjoyed every single dish we got. Easy Parking. Service felt slow but the food was really excellent. read more

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Been awhile since I been here, over decade I think but the place is still the same (some upgrade) but most are the same. Plenty of parking, and inside is very spacious and very colorful and dark tone of painting. Calm vibe and friendly and attentive service here...or I was their 1st customer. Foods are great as i remembered and thy are still is, got com tam and it is well presented and very tasty and yummy. I finished it within 5mins...great place for veggies foods with great service. read more

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Yum! My fiance and I popped in for dinner and had a great time. The staff are super attentive and everything was delicious. Parking is easy and we will definitely be back! Definitely recommend trying! read more

I went ham here because vegan and Viet food?! And then seeing the Living Food section and incredible desserts, I was so happy. All indoor seating. Some booths, mostly tables of 2-4. The service was good. They were knowledgeable and answered any questions. They brought out the food at a good pace. My meat-eater friends were particularly impressed with the salt and peppered shrimp appetizer - saying it was almost believable to be actual shrimp given the visual and texture. I have no complaints on food, aside from wishing the rainbow dessert was a little larger in portion. It felt pretty slim. Heads up - it tasted like shaved ice but in cake form, so be ready for its icy nature. read more

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I stopped in for a solo lunch when they opened. They quickly filled 5 tables within 15 mins of opening and had a huge take out order placed at the front. My expectations were high at this point. It took quite a while from ordering to the delivery of the dish to my table but I gave them grace since they just opened their kitchen. I ordered the ap chao, stir fried rice noodles. Although my picture may suggest a bland dish, much of the sauce was underneath the noodles and veggies. Once mixed, the noodles were quickly coated thoroughly with a savory sauce. So much that I was afraid it was too salty at one point. There were some parts of the dish with cold uncooked noodles however, so knocking off a star for that. I requested chilis and they delivered, although this took a while too, fresh red chilis and a chili soaked in vinegar. I loved both, will come back to try other dishes ...hopefully they'll be quicker with service then. read more

Au Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

Au Lac is a vegan Vietnamese food establishment, so if you're not sure whether to go - just go. You won't be disappointed. The menu is big so it took us a little time for us to decide but eventually we landed on the papaya salad, salt and pepper tofu & mushroom mix, chow fun, and eggplant clay pot. The salt and pepper tofu & mushroom was tasty and crispy. The chow fun had this nice smoky, charboiled flavor which we all loved. The papaya salad was good but rather big - we probably could've tried one of the more unique raw options instead. The eggplant clay pot had different reactions. I liked the texture of the eggplant and "fish" but another didn't love that the broth tasted somewhat fishy. I should also mention that the service was attentive and our server was such a sweetheart. Really kind and gave us honest advice on what to order. I'd definitely come back to try more on the menu! read more

Waiter recommended Cá Nướng Trui as their speciality dish, perfect serving for party of 2. We asked for red chilis for the dipping sauce. It was delicious, we'll be back! Service was not so great. There were 2 waiters, wave down a waiter for some napkins, but he asked what we needed from the back of the bar, the other waiter was great. Vegetarian Grilled "Fish" & Rice Paper Wraps (Cá Nướng Trui) for $29. nori fish topped with peanuts and fried onion. Served with romaine, mint leaves, pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber, vermicelli, brown rice paper and pineapple dipping sauce. read more

Au Lac - Cá Nướng Trui (Grilled Fish Rice Paper Wraps) ($29) - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

Likes: + Yummy healthy food. Exotic culinary style. + Elegant, classy interior decor. + Polite, helpful staff. + Ample parking & indoor seating. . Not your best protein options. Non-likes: - Very extortionate. I consumed $50 worth of sustenance. If I ate here often, I'd go broke. - From the outside, the restaurant wall seems black and boarded up. Not an appealing look. I had: $20 Curried Rice (Raw) + $10 Hawaiian Blend + $18 Au Lac Raw + tax = $52.20 read more

Au Lac - $20 Curried Rice (raw). yummy & crunchy - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

Really big interior, with an abundance of tables. Would be a great location for larger parties/groups. Ann was my server and she was super duper! Answered all my questions and made some great recommendations. For the main, ordered the hot & sour. Unique mix of items: red bell peppers, lots of sea veggies (kelp/seaweed), thinly sliced green olives, even sliced dates... it did not have a strong curry flavor and was really watery. The soup is also just ambient temp bc it's one of the "living items". Might get again, at least I know what to expect next time. The steamed jicama rolls were really yummy and the vegan fish sauce was excellent. I want to try more items, so I left with the intent to return. Parking lot can be very crowed during peak hours. read more

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Our family LOVES the phù chúc nướng trui at Bo De -- it's honestly one of our go-to comfort dishes. The flavor, the texture, and especially that dipping sauce... chef's kiss. Unfortunately, they're closed on Wednesdays, so we decided to try Au Lac based on all the glowing reviews. And now I'm questioning whether those reviews are from customers or just their family and friends. The only review that felt accurate described the food as "bland, boring, small portions, and overpriced," and that was exactly our experience. We paid $63 for tofu -- not tofu that was supposed to mimics grilled fish. And the dipping sauce? Night and day difference. At Bo De, it's rich, balanced, and crave-worthy. Its so delicious that we have even paid to purchase more of it. At Au Lac, it tasted like yellow-colored water -- tasteless, diluted, and missing the rich, balanced flavor that makes Bo De's sauce so crave-worthy. Honestly, something feels off with the overwhelming number of positive reviews. So save your $31.50 and get your phù chúc nướng trui at Bo De -- it's more flavorful, far more satisfying, and doesn't cost $31.50. read more

Au Lac - $31.50 for tofo - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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A friend recommended this place before stopping by Mile Square Park to explore. We were seated immediately and I deferred to both Yelp and my friend to order. I really enjoyed the Salt and Pepper Shrimp. Separately, a woman at a Chinese restaurant told me that Vietnamese people love black pepper. I had no idea, but this salt and pepper shrimp confirmed for me that I do. We also had the Royal Noodle Soup, which I guess could be a translation of bún bò Huế. My friend said it could be spicier, which I agreed. A more traditional Vietnamese restaurant would have provided us some hot sauce on the side. The Egg Rolls were good, nice and crispy. I really enjoyed the Clay Pot Fish, which had eggplant. I was at first worried about ordering more plant-based/vegan food as I was mourning at the time, but I was pleased at the selection. This restaurant felt more modern than traditional. I imagine that vegans would go nuts for this place because Vietnamese food is always an excellent choice. Nếu ăn chay thì ăn ở đây được. read more

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Had a really great anniversary dinner with my wife here and the food is just so good and such impressive recipes. Somehow the salad was the most memorable thing, it was that good with the dressing and all the components! Great veggie sushi type rolls and some healthy ingredient dinner options for all types of diets. The place is clean , comfortable and inviting and we will 100% be back to try other stuff on the menu. The only improvement area mentions are the dessert cakes are sort of lackluster and disappointing freezer dense cheesecakes with how good everything else was, and the customer service was pretty slow with a bunch of young guy servers staying in the kitchen area and not checking too often, but no worries if you're just there to relax and enjoy a good dinner. Thanks Au Lac and see you again soon! read more

Delicious plant based Vietnamese restaurant. I'm used to plant based restaurants, but have yet to find one that's focused on Vietnamese dishes (in San Diego). So happy to have found this place as I'll be coming back here with my friend (vegan) and aunt. They got very dark windows which makes you think they are closed. The signage is up super high so I think it would be easy to miss the location of the restaurant. Also, the interior doesn't really match the vibe they seem to be going for. It was an odd mix of dark tones, elegant and lively design. The only that pointed toward Vietnamese would be their booth dividers which to me resembled rice paper. That's not a bad thing-- their interior, I just was thinking it gave off a different impression than their menu did. The workers were very kind and I'd say the food came out at a good pace. We tried many different items: - $21, Large Seafood Noodle Soup: anise broth with fried onion, rice noodles, soy chicken, vegan shrimp and bean curd. served with bean sprouts and chrysanthemum leaves. This was by far my favorite, surprisingly. The broth was light and rich at the same time. The chrysanthemum leaves were a touch bitter but it balanced well with the broth. I really enjoyed their soy chicken! The vegan shrimp was surprisingly very similar to real shrimp. Mind blown. - $29, Grilled Pork Skewers with Vermicelli Bundles (Banh Hoi). I would say this was my least favorite but 3 people from my table really enjoyed it. The grilled pork skewers consisted of grilled soy "pork" and marinated mushrooms. It had a bit of a Smokey flavor and lowkey tasted like pepperoni which I felt was the wrong taste for a Thit Nuong taste. The mushrooms, I think are oyster and well cooked. Vermicelli bundles were perfectly cooked and the vegan fish sauce had a punchy taste to it. Also nicely made. - $16, Seaweed Salad: white seaweed, wakame, daikon, carrot, tofu, onion, celery and mint tossed in vegan fish sauce, topped with peanut. It was served with rice crackers. This would be my second favorite dish. I would have liked the seaweed salad to be more marinated in the vegan fish sauce, but to keep everything fresh and vibrant I understand why they didn't make it like that. They have so much more on the menu that I would be open to trying next time. I highly recommend coming here and giving Au Lac a try with friends, family, etc. You won't be disappointed. read more

Au Lac - Large Seafood Noodle Soup ! So good - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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We came for a birthday. Servers were very kind and helpful with recommendations. Food items came out one by one with some dishes (eg curried rice) taking almost an hour. We didn't mind as we were sharing food, but something to think of if you have anywhere to be later. We liked all the dishes, both living (raw) and cooked dishes. Attaching pics of some of what we ordered - shrimp appetizer, chicken ro-ti, pork skewers, curried rice, antipasto salad and paella. Choco Xtasy dessert was so delicious! read more

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My friend & I went out for lunch, Off to Au Lac in Fountain Valley, Vietnamese Vegan & Raw Fusion. It's been years (!) since I've been, and still remember how delicious everything was. Beautiful inside, we loved the decor. Our server was super nice. Salt & Peppered Shrimp - Lightly battered vegan shrimp sautéed with jalapeños & cilantro - Jennifer had to get these, and I remembered how amazing these were and still are! BBQ Pork Rolls - Soy pork, cucumbers, chive, pickled daikon, carrot, lettuce, & mint wrapped in brown rice paper, with peanut sauce. Light, fresh, spicy! Wonton Soup - Light mushroom broth with cilantro, napa cabbage, and Vegan ham & mushroom Wontons. Perfect for a rainy day in SoCal. Eggplant Hot Pot - Hot pot of faux fish stew, softened eggplant, soy fish, & tofu,, served with vermicelli, mixed sprouts, cabbage, mint, & Chinese chive. Still my favorite! Dessert- Rainbow in the Sky - Chilled pie with layers of raspberry, mango, blueberry, coconut, spirulina, over crust of pecan & dates. Beautiful layers of fruit. All was incredible! Another great lunch with my dear friend. We're coming back for sure! read more

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Always a good time here with delicious fresh food and outstanding customer service!! The setting is calm and welcoming. I think her name is Minh Anh and Tram Anh- both are very nice and attentive. Miss seeing Emily who was amazing in her customer service but she's no longer with the company. Will be back soon again. read more

Au Lac - Grilled Fish Rice Paper Wraps - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

I​ have loved Au Lac ever since visiting their LA location, so I was thrilled to try the original Fountain Valley restaurant with its more extensive Asian-inspired menu. We celebrated my birthday there, and the staff could not have made the evening more special or enjoyable. Fun fact: there are two servers named Anh, and both are fantastic​ and possess excellent social skills! ​The senior Anh was one of the most pleasant, kind, and passionate servers I​ have ever met. She ​was so sweet and clearly loves her ​job and knows the menu inside and out​. Beyond making us feel welcome, Anh impressed us with her deep knowledge of the menu, thoughtfully guiding us through each dish and helping us tailor our choices to our tastes. She even suggested a few off-menu items that were absolutely mind-blowing--even for someone who already loves vegan cuisine. Not to mention, she's a fellow Virgo--which instantly earns her extra points in my book! The cherry on top of our experience was when the lights dimmed, and both Anhs surprised us by bringing dessert while singing Happy Birthday. It was such a thoughtful, joyful moment. We had an incredible experience and can​not wait to return! ​I wish I could give the restaurant more than 5 stars for their outstanding food and staff! read more

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Attended an event at Au Lac last Sunday and, as always, they handled the large crowd effortlessly in their separate event room. The set menu was served quickly, and the wait staff was attentive throughout the evening. Everyone left very satisfied with the delicious dishes and the variety of desserts. I also had the pleasure of meeting the owner at the end of the night--her warm personality and the stories she shared about the restaurant's history made the experience even more memorable. Highly recommend! read more

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Delicious vegan options here. I recall dining here several years ago, and finally was able to drop by again recently. Service was a little slow due to not enough staff, but the food was still good! Doesn't beat the real deal, but it's really close in comparison. read more

Au Lac - Vegan egg rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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Food was healthy and exquisite at the same time. We get this often. Vegetarian so wonderful for you. Enjoyable. We get it delivered.

After trying the Au Lac location in LA and falling in love with their delicious plant-based dishes, my fiancé and I were so excited to see they had a Fountain Valley location--we knew we had to try it! Let me just say, it's just as tasty as LA, but the menu here is way bigger! So many new options to explore! One major highlight for me: they have Bún Bò Huế here (which they don't have in LA!) so of course I had to order it. My fiancé went with the clay pot "fish" and we shared a refreshing papaya salad. The Bún Bò Huế was super flavorful--warm, hearty, and satisfying. I do wish it packed a little more spice, but flavor-wise, it totally hit the spot! Now for a little PSA: I wanted to be cute and dressed up in a flowy top... but my sleeve took a dive into the soup while I reached over for the papaya salad . Not the restaurant's fault--just my own clumsy self! I had to rush to rinse it while I was there and came home get most of the stain out at home with a vinegar + OxiClean combo, there's a faint memory of my noodle mishap still lingering on the fabric. Food was delicious, service was kind, and ambiance was peaceful. Just a heads up--prices are on the higher end, but the quality and presentation make it feel like a treat-yourself kind of meal. We'll definitely be back (with tighter sleeves next time)! read more

I wasn't sure what to expect from this place when I came in, but I was surprised at how well they brought out flavors from traditionally meat-based dishes. I was particularly fond of their egg rolls, spring rolls, and green papaya salad. However, their main dishes such as the royal noodle soup (bun bo hue) and the broken rice combo left me feeling a bit disappointed as they lacked flavor. Considering their dishes are entirely plant-based, I was quite impressed at their ability to recreate meat-like flavors and textures. There is plenty of parking and service is alright. The inside is clean and well-spaced. Their prices are a little more expensive than I would expect but I'd definitely go back to try more dishes from their appetizer menu! read more

Au Lac - Royal Noodle Soup (Bun Bo Hue) - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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My favorite restaurant of all time!! Best food and great service! The food not only tastes amazing it also makes me feel amazing. Thank you Au Lac for such incredible food! We love you! read more

Foood is pretty good, BUT. I highly rec' calling to check if they're having a corporate party of 30 or more. Unless you don't mind waiting for a LOOONG time to order & eat. I remember seeing a family leaving after sitting for 30 mins. It didn't really matter if you made a reservation, the service was not there and they were indefinitely, understaffed. The Eggrolls, shrimp & BBQ Pork Rolls were AMAZING. I think we were all surprised by their Salt & Pepper Shrimp. Shaken Beef Watercress was not what I was expecting, but it was pretty good, not bad. The Claypot fish was also not bad, it's more on the sweeter side. read more

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What a delicious meal! It was my first time at a vegan restaurant and I was amazed with the food. We started off with the BBQ Pork Rolls that were filled with fresh ingredients. It was almost identical to an actual BBQ pork roll in flavor. The salt and pepper mushroom was my favorite! The breading was light, crispy, and flavorful. If you're feeling adventurous and curious to try vegan food, this is my recommendation! read more

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Vegetarian food was delicious! The ambience was friendly and great service. I wish they remodel the inside since it is very dark ..I will come back again! read more

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It would take a lot for me to give up meat and cheese, but Au Lac came pretty close to convincing me. Their BBQ Pork Rolls will fool even the most consummate carnivore. Their soy pork looks like spam, and the supple and flavor mimics meat almost exactly. Entrees like the Grilled Seafood Noodles are enriched with fantastic-looking and -tasting proteins like vegan shrimp. Mushrooms make up some of the umami, and this dish comes with a side sauce that adds salinity and makes it pop. The Royal Noodle Soup is a tasty enough soup, but I don't think it successfully captures the character and depth of bun bo hue. Still, I'm not sorry I got to try it. The Grilled Fish Rice Paper Wraps are their most impressive dish by far. Served on a silver tray, the soy fish is covered in a sheet of nori that looks just like fish skin and adds that ocean flavor to a flaky-textured meat that has both the flavor and texture of a dry filet. Throw a little bit of everything into a chewy wrapper, dunk in sweet sauce, and I swear it's the best thing I've eaten all day...or month...or maybe even year! They're well known for their desserts, but the drinks deserve a moment as well. The Chocoholic is a subtly sweet and foamy sip. For a non-liquid dessert, try a slice of Scotch on the Rocks, a cheesecake-like pie, or the Choconut Xtasy, which is cacao-forward without too much sugar. Don't be put off by the meatless menu. This food isn't lacking anything. Au Lac fully highlights and celebrates just how amazing plants can be. read more

Pretty solid place for vegan and vegetarian friendly options. All the "meats" were pretty tasty and the sauces add a really nice touch. I personally thought their take on the cali roll was very neat, with macadamia and coconut, plus no carbs! It can get busy so plan on coming early if you don't want a wait. read more

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This has been a go-to, but on our last visit, it wasn't the same. The Hu Tieu Bo Kho was okay. On occasions before, the broth was more fragrant. It seemed a bit watered down this time. We were not fond of the spring rolls and found them to be too wet, with their pickled veggies bringing too much moisture to the roll. Perhaps this was an off day, so giving it four stars for the past visits when the food was great. Employees are always friendly. read more

Good food and ambiance, always come here before a concert bc it's in the heart of downtown. Friendly service too.

Never come back. They add too much of MSG. I can really taste the MSG in this. I had a headache and I was parched because there was too much MSG in that food. read more

I have eaten lunch here now a handful of times. Before everywhere else went vegan, Âu Ląc lead the way and made it yummy. We've tried their "Chicken" curry and "Shrimp" appetizer. The drinks. a double chocolate and a green drink. Last time I tried their chocolate dessert which was so good. My personal favorite is their Spring Rolls. Leaning towards trying their seaweed salad. Everything is so good. Highly recommend. read more

Au Lac - The chocolate drinks. so good. Chocoholic - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California

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Absolutely loved Au Lac The food was incredibly & flavorful. I was blown away Every dish was a masterpiece - bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The service was fantastic, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. A true gem. read more

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I love the ambiance of this restaurant. It's cozy and has semi dark lighting inside. They have both booths and tables. They used to have outside seating. They speak English and Vietnamese. They offer takeout as well. I love this place because they have lots of good Vietnamese vegetarian food options! My favorite is their rice plates. It always tastes good. I would recommend their noodle soups as well. read more

I'm not vegan but I enjoyed the food here and would say it's a solid vegan restaurant. Food came out so fast and service was good. I wouldn't came back here for real meat-like flavors, but id come back for delicious vegan meals (if that makes sense). We got a bunch of foods listed in the pictures. The egg rolls and spring rolls were our favorite appetizers! Definitely recommend. I was most excited for the salt and pepper shrimp since I'm allergic to shellfish and it was the reason why I came here. Though they taste good and imitate the texture pretty well initially, I didnt think they nail "real" shrimp flavors overall like another place Ive tried. They were bigger than I thought though which was nice. Papaya salad was so refreshing! I also recommend it. Fish claypot flavor was delicious but would love to have more imitated fish meats. Chicken curry was delicious but didnt taste like chicken. read more

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Went here this Saturday evening. Waited for it to open at 5:30 for dinner service and so glad I did. Everyone was so friendly and kind. The palo santo infused kombucha was delicious. For two people we had the shredded tofu rolls as an appetizer and then the traditional noodle soup and the pork skewers as the main course. Everything was delicious my only downside was I got full so quickly :'D photo is of the 'pork' skewers read more

Au Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Fountain Valley, California