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    Au Lac

    4.3 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Au Lac Takeout or Delivery

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    AU LAC ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Au Lac

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    Reviews With Photos

    Garlic Basil Noodles
    Crystal K.

    Surprisingly very tasty vegan/ vegetarian food. It was also my first time hearing about "living food." We ordered 4 items: - pho ga - tori katsu - basil garlic noodles - mint soup They were all very tasty

    Garlic Basil Noodles
    Pooja M.

    I tasted the ravioli rosa first and I really liked it. Then the spicy calamari came out and WOW. It is slightly on the saltier side, but wow my friends and I totally inhaled it. Octopus was also pretty good. The garlic basil noodles came at the end- they were mid. I think if it was the first thing I ate, it would've been really good. The dishes by themselves are good but altogether there's a different vibe when they're altogether.

    Octopus. There's no octopus, just the pepper cut like one.
    Jacqueline T.

    We came here for dinner before going to the LA Phil concert. The menu has a lot of options. When we are ready to order, the server recommended a few signature dishes. I was a little under the weather and reviewed the tea selection. I asked the waiter what certain type of tea, she said didn't know. Need to be a little more prepared. I ordered the beef ball pho and my boyfriend ordered the octopus mushroom rice. The food tasted good, and the portion is reasonable. For dessert, we tried the chocolate x tasty cake. I think the cake tastes fine but my boyfriend said it's ok, more like a homemade cake. We split our check and paid. After we left, we noticed that the restaurant charged us vee coffee and two cold pressed juices that we never ordered, an extra $28. We quickly called the restaurant about that. The good thing is they reversed it. However, I don't expect the service of the restaurant to be careless, charging items that customers did not order. May need to train your service for better service.

    Travis W.

    Finally made it to Âu Lạc LA and I completely understand why this place is so respected. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming, and the food feels very intentional. I tried a mix of living foods and cooked dishes, and everything was flavorful, balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. The olive cheese dip and wild rice dishes were especially memorable, and the newer menu items were comforting without feeling heavy. This is the kind of restaurant you visit when you want more than just a meal -- it's an experience that leaves you feeling nourished and grounded. Highly recommend taking your time here. Downtown Los Angeles Plant-based | Living foods options

    Yellow Curry
    Amie H.

    Incredible plant-based spot for a beautiful birthday dinner!! Friendly staff and amazing service with a personalized birthday message on my vegan cake!

    Birder Bowl Mapo Tofu
    Stella C.

    I think I may have just ordered the wrong thing but I was pretty disappointed with the Birder Bowl. It was very one-dimensional and was literally just tofu, rice, and a mushroom sauce- no other vegetables. The thai ice tea was pretty good though and unique, with a strong coconut milk taste. There's many other things on the menu that looked delicious so I may just try again next time; this is a great place for vegetarians! The restaurant is beautifully decorated and service was great. They do validate partially for parking now in the lot behind. Make sure you get a parking ticket from the attendant. At the restaurant, ask for validation- you should get $4 off your restaurant bill and then they'll stamp your parking ticket for an additional $3 back. We ended up paying around ~$7ish for parking for 2 hrs. Parking lot is CASH ONLY. No wait on a Sunday at 12 pm.

    Yih R.

    It was a great experience. The place has a great LA night view in the background. With a full belly, you should walk around. It's quite romantics. We ordered three dishes, and they were all delicious. My favorite was the garlic rice noddles and octopus. Also, their Thai tea is quite special as well. It's worth a try. I am not vegan, but I would come back if I visit LA. People here are nice and welcoming. It's a perfect spot for dates. Good luck with business. You guys should consider opening up one in SF. I will definitely visit often.

    Menu
    Lorena T.

    I love this place! This is my third time here. The first two times, I attended events (Elephant Matriarch and Unchained TV) in their private room and thoroughly enjoyed the vegan, plant-based Vietnamese food. This is the first time I've eaten in the main dining room. My friend and I had the house salad (plentiful and refreshing), rice, and clay pot fish (includes black rice, salad, tofu and eggplant). Everything was fresh, beautifully presented and delicious! The prices were reasonable. Beautiful ambiance. Various articles written about the restaurant including one from the Los Angeles Times lined the hallway toward the restrooms. I had the pleasure of meeting and complimenting Chef Ito about the food. He has taken a vow of silence for over 27 years and was very gracious. The original Au Lac restaurant is located at 16563 Brookhurst in Fountain Valley. I'll have to check it out when I'm in the area. The story of how Chef Ito healed Mai Nguyen, the owner of Au Lac, by changing her diet to a plant-based diet is inspiring. Mai's daughter, Linh Nguyen, brought Au Lac to DTLA. I'll be back again when I attend a performance at the Music Center which is conveniently across the street. Paid parking in the adjacent parking structure, street parking or free parking in the Music Center parking lot if you're a Music Center Theater Group subscriber which I am. The restaurant needs to promote the rewards program either at the entrance, tables and/or servers especially to promote their business. Also approach Center Theater Group to include the restaurant among the list of restaurants who give a discount if you show your ticket. I didn't know about the rewards program until I went on their website.

    Karen F.

    One of my fave vegan places in DTLA; service is always friendly and the food is tasty. And, the vibe is slightly fancier, so good for meetings. I always enjoy the clay pot and the portion is enough for 2 meals. Parking is convenient with the garage downstairs, but not free.

    Faux calamari and shrimp
    Johanna S.

    The service was great and the food was tasty but wasn't memorable. I couldn't recall what I ordered but had pics! I still would rather do regular Vietnamese than a vegan place. But if you're vegan and you have a show to catch this is a nice place to try. Parking can be a little tricky. $12 cash on the other side entrance and under the building.

    Lauren A.

    4 stars because finding the right parking entrance was NEARLY impossible delicious fake shrimp and the longevity soup (forgot the exact name) was a pleasant surprise. The tres leches was a hard miss, but overall, the food was fantastic and services incredibly on top of it!

    Ginger Mint Bean Rice (Living Food)
    Darianna C.

    Excellent fresh vegan food with lots of gluten free options! The shrimp were excellent and my carnivorous son loved them!

    The main course
    The City Stage C.

    Au Lac DTLA feels less like a restaurant and more like a training partner. This is a place that understands food as fuel, hydration as strategy, and atmosphere as motivation. If you think in terms of workouts, recovery, and tomorrow's goals, you'll feel immediately at home. The Juices (Ruby & Golden): Both are exceptional, and both serve different purposes in the athletic lifecycle. Golden juice brings it with ginger and energy. It wakes you up cleanly and decisively. No crash, no nonsense. This is "lace up and go" juice. Ruby juice is sweet, smooth, and deeply satisfying. It feels restorative, almost indulgent, but still squarely in the health-forward lane. They come in beautiful, reusable glass bottles, which I now stockpile and reuse for coffee and other drinks to go. Practical, elegant, and aligned with a lifestyle that values intention over waste. The Burrito: This burrito is serious business. So hearty, so filling, that even as a big eater I couldn't finish it in one sitting. I brought half home, and somehow it tasted even better later, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality and balance of flavors. The shell deserves special mention. A gorgeous green wrap with real texture and flavor, not just a neutral delivery system. Thoughtful, athletic food from the outside in. Dessert (Raw Baklava): Light, clean, and surprisingly satisfying. Sweet without being heavy, indulgent without undoing your day. Exactly how dessert should feel when you still care about tomorrow morning. Bar Seating & Atmosphere: The bar area was alive. Fit, attractive people refueling, talking about upcoming athletic endeavors, training plans, and what they're building towards. It felt like a crossroads of ambition and recovery. Motivating without being performative. Details Matter: Even the water pitcher was beautifully presented. Calm, elegant, and intentional. Small touches, but they add up to a space that respects the experience. Race Route & Community: Au Lac proudly supports the annual Downtown Los Angeles Turkey Trot, and the restaurant sits directly on the race route. Overall: Au Lac DTLA is what happens when nutrition, performance, and community align. You don't leave feeling stuffed. You leave feeling ready. -- City Stage Fueling strong bodies, clear minds, and a city that moves.

    Octopus, delicious and generous portion.

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    Page 1 of 33

    Au Lac Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Au Lac

    Is this place kid friendly?

    Yes, this place kid friendly.

    What is the parking situation? And how much?

    There's a parking structure underneath the building. Coming from the west towards the east on 1st Street, make a right turn into the small alley, before the building's main entrance. The LADWP building is on the left. Around $10.… Read more

    Is Discover credit card accepted here?

    When is brunch offered?

    Brunch is served Tuesday to Sunday 12 PM - 3 PM. The menu offers vegan bacon, eggs, sausage, herbed potatoes and a selection of fresh waffles. We look forward to serving you!

    What would a diner who is usually a meat eater like here? Are there dishes that are popular among Non-Vegan eaters?

    Hi Jeremy, thank you for your inquiry. Our plant-based dishes bring a flavorful experience for all eaters to enjoy. We have a number of signature dishes that stand out most for our guests trying plant-based for the first time. Those dishes would be… Read more

    Are Reservations needed for dinner on a Friday night?

    Reservations are recommended for the best seating, I don't think they're required. I didn't have a reservation, but I sat outside because another group reserved seating indoors.

    Are there heat lamps here?

    Heat lamps are available for outdoor seating. Thank you

    Are you guys open for dine in or only pick ups?

    Apologies for the late response. Au Lac was closed March 16 through May 19, 2020 due to COVID-19. As gradual re-openings take place in Los Angeles, we have re-opened for… Read more

    Whats the difference between making a reservation at the "high top" and the restaurant?

    I can't say for sure, but an educated guess would be the tables facing the "bar" are all high top while in the main dining area we're normal height tables.

    Do they use organic ingredients?

    Hi Piper! Thank you for your inquiry. We source organic and non-gmo ingredients where possible. Our kitchen cuisine is prepared with all-natural and unprocessed pantry staples including raw macadamia and seaweed, raw coconut oil, pink himalayan salt… Read more

    Does the restaurant still have jazz night on Saturday's?

    No, there are no more sat night jazz performances at bar fedora, located inside Au Lac Restaurant. This went into effect July 1, 2018. However, Au Lac is still serving the best guilt-free (sacrifice-free), nutritiously delicious food plus healthy,… Read more

    View All 13 Questions

    Marugame Monzo - Red Dragon Rice -with ground pork

    Marugame Monzo

    4.4(5.1k reviews)
    0.8 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$

    We passed this place during a food excursion and decided to try their hand rolled udon. One of the…read morebest decisions we made during our trip! We only tried the carbonara udon, but it was truly memorable. The sauce was creamy although a little split, but not overly salty which allowed the subtle umami and miso flavors to shine. The noodles were cooked well and had a gentle chew. The bacon was juicy with lots of fatty bits. Next time I would add an ontama to it to make it even better. The service was great and quick. We sat at the counter so could watch the noodles being made. This is definitely among the top 3 places I ate in JTown during this visit!

    Aight, I eat pretty plain food most of the time and occasionally get Instagram baited into trying…read moreviral stuff, including Menchirashi's carbonara udon in Tokyo, which I enjoyed despite the sauce being fairly light. Marugame Monzo's sauce, however, is the opposite of Menchirashi's. The sauce is SUPER flavorful with a rich, creamy mouthfeel and a strong umami flavor from the bacon and miso. I added mentaiko since I did the same at Menchirashi and honestly, everything was fantastic. The udon itself is pretty much exactly like fresh udon in Japan. Perfectly bouncy, chewy, and satisfying. Staff were also wonderful and service was insanely fast. We probably waited less than 10 minutes for both our udon and tempura, and they consistently checked in to make sure everything was good. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu, especially the uni cream udon. The only thing I didn't like was the shrimp tempura since it had a lot of batter and not a ton of shrimp, so it was on the greasy side. I did enjoy the soft boiled egg tempura though. The yolk exploded into the udon and somehow made the whole bowl even better hehe. There are plenty of tables inside with limited bar seating. If you're a 2 top you might be sharing a table real close with some neighbors (they put a divider). If there's a wait, write your name down on the clipboard outside!

    Photos
    Marugame Monzo - Inside

    Inside

    Marugame Monzo - Agedashi Eggplant ($6)

    Agedashi Eggplant ($6)

    Marugame Monzo - Miso Carbonara ($17)

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    Miso Carbonara ($17)

    Majordomo

    Majordomo

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    1.7 miChinatown
    $$$$
    Takes reservations
    Large group friendly

    I've had Majordomo marked for years, and I honestly don't know why it took me so long to finally…read moremake it here. Now I understand why people keep coming back. One of the best meals I've had this year. Everything was a hit -- from the salad to the side dishes, the meat, and dessert. Nothing disappointed. The menu is definitely made for sharing, and every dish felt thoughtful, flavorful, and fun. My favorite was the fried pepper. I think I'll be dreaming about it, and I would come back just for that. We were definitely overloaded with meat, but in the best way. The decor and ambience are very chill -- lively, relaxed, and very LA without feeling pretentious. We came for my mommy friend's birthday, and it was perfect for a moms' night out, but the crowd also had that young, hip energy. It feels like a place that works for all ages. Service was very attentive and knowledgeable without hovering. Parking is right next door by the Electric Theater lot, about $15 with no validation, so carpooling is probably the move. Love it, love it, love it. Definitely coming back.

    Came here for Mother's Day prefix. Made reservation since I've been wanting to check out this place…read moreand brought my mother and child. My reservation must've been towards end of brunch. Food wasn't good. Nothing stood out to me except for the salad. For starters we were suppose to have two different salads but without apologies a waitress simply brought out a small bowl of cucumber slices stating they ran out of the other salad. No comp or no discussion on an alternative where I was charged full prefix price. It was disappointing since I wanted to try their salads and that was the best part of their entire prefix and only dish we actually finished. For Steak and eggs entree, they never asked how I would've like the steak cooked and they brought it medium, which we did not touch since it was too bloody for my liking. The deserts were all underwhelming also including meringue, tart and chocolate mousse. I got sliders for my kid who loves a good cheese burger but she didn't eat it either. Also having fries with burgers would've been nice and I was surprised she got two small sliders with no fries. Usually sliders and chicken tenders are always served with fries. Esp for children. Service was okay initially but towards end I had to keep looking for waiter trying to ask for things since again end of day I felt workers were busy closing out and not as much attention was paid to guests still left. Ambiance was okay. It was farther than I thought near Chinatown than my usual west LA options. To me it's about experience, taste and quality time but given price point and culinary experience I had for Mother's Day prefix, I do not want to dine again at this restaurant.

    Photos
    Majordomo
    Majordomo - Boiled Whole Chicken with rice, domojang, ginger scallion, and soup.

    Boiled Whole Chicken with rice, domojang, ginger scallion, and soup.

    Majordomo

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    Anju House - covered patio seating

    Anju House

    4.4(694 reviews)
    3.4 miKoreatown
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    It was my first time here. The place is very nice and love the decor…read more The parking is valet or street parking. The service was very good. The chicken was a little in the dry side but overall all the food was good. We will be back!

    I'll start with the positives. The location is very nice. Designed with an elegant, but…read moreminimalistic vibe. I love that, traditional mixed modern social dining feel. I had placed a phone order, for pick up; upon arrival, I found the service was prompt. I saw my food ready to go, just past the main walk-in area. Almost immediately after that, I was taken care of by the host and on my way. I've been waiting to try this place for ages so on the drive back to work I was excited to steal a piece of meat from the bag. Initial bite flavor was good, meat was tender just a bit on the chewy side.. I wasn't bothered by it too much as I'd have to leave it in an oven warmer at work. Trying to keep food warm, in doing so, I knew there'd be only two possible outcomes, melting tender or either tough & dry. So, the dish of meat and rice sat in the warmer for almost an hour hour and a half. The downhill slope.... Set the "meat " on the veggies and began to eat. Meat after meat, I kept experiencing the same exact texture. It was the same exact rubbery chew, I initially tasted. Each and every piece was the same exact flavor. There was no peak, there was no pitfall. If you cook or grill, you know this is a red flag. Normally, consistency would be a good thing, a Master craftsman type experience, but this was NOT it. As go on, I get the sinking feeling, this can't be real meat. I lock in, the deeper I dig, each piece looks the same, broken apart the same, tastes the same, just various shapes. They can call me crazy for this one - I'll stand by it. Something is not right here. I'm not even going to throw it away. I'm going to study it for the next few days and post an updated review. I hope I'm wrong but as of right now, I'll never revisit this place. Too freaky of an experience. We

    Photos
    Anju House
    Anju House - Inside

    Inside

    Anju House

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    Star Leaf

    Star Leaf

    4.4(906 reviews)
    9.0 mi
    $$$
    Full bar
    Outdoor seating

    I visited Star Leaf for lunch on 5/14 for the first time and I loved every bit of it. I started…read morewith a lychee martini and 2 appetizers: the bakka salmon in Thai vinaigrette ( I wish I ordered another one of these) and the Saigon summer rice paper rolls. Both were very refreshing, and I really loved the sauce on the bakka salmon in combination with the mint leaves. Since I'm a huge seafood lover, I ordered the Thai royal curry with lobster tail, lime steamed Chilean sea bass and the royal crown fried rice. This was my first time trying curry and I found it delicious, I'd love to visit Star Leaf again specifically for this dish. I really enjoyed the texture of the fish roe on top of the fried rice - I've never had something like this before. I also ordered the truffle wok seared noodles with beef (I liked the mushrooms in this dish). For dessert, I had the Vietnamese coffee flan and the pink mekong. I loved the presentation of the pink Mekong, and the various fruits were yummy. As for the atmosphere, it was very cozy and I took a lot of nice photos in the front of the restaurant by the pond. This restaurant would be perfect for a romantic date night or a lunch with the girls. The service was great - everything was very timely and detail-oriented. Everyone was kind and attentive, I felt very welcome.

    Star Leaf came across my Resy search and ended up being a spot I try for my birthday. I went on a…read moreSaturday at around 2:00 pm as a walk-in. I was able to find metered parking on the street; not sure why but I didn't need to pay that day! Upon arriving, we were fortunate that there was no wait time and got seated right away. Their menu was quite extensive so we took some time to browse before we ordered. They had a main menu and also a special menu. We pointed out some allergies to the staff and he helped us work around it. The orders came out quickly and he checked in on us frequently to see if we were okay. Great service! Bakka Wild Salmon - This salmon had a lot of things going on for it, in a good way! The combination of flavors felt very refreshing, especially on a hot day. The lime and basil played a big part there. Crispy Short Rib with Lime - Even initially before coming here, this was the dish that caught our attention. I will admit the portion size was a bit smaller than I expected and was even skeptical when it came out. However, without a doubt, this was the highlight of the visit. As someone that loves savory foods, this really hit the spot. The burst of flavors settles in right away. Truffle Wok Seared Noodles - We wanted to pick this noodle dish as a balance to the protein dishes. It did its job but it tasted okay. Not something that stood out. Slow-Drip Vietnam Coffee Flan - I liked the caramel that was layered on the flan, it was crunchy and added a nice texture. It was a nice presentation but tasted okay. Thai Tea - This was my personal drink. It was a standard Thai tea but came with ice cream on top. It was not too sweet but didn't stand out compared to other items. Strawberry Pandan Lemonade - This was my girlfriend's drink. I had a small sip here but found it was refreshing and not too sweet. However, I didn't really get any pandan flavor, mainly strawberry. When it all comes together, it was a good experience. The interior of the story is more dimly lit and felt like a romantic night dinner, despite being the middle of the day. The dishes had a balance of standard and hidden gems. Everything was more than sufficient for two people to share. Service was great and very attentive. Will come back for the Crispy Short Ribs! American Express is accepted here.

    Photos
    Star Leaf
    Star Leaf
    Star Leaf

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    Au Lac - vegan - Updated May 2026

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