A friend was visiting from out of state and is vegetarian, I have heard of this place from family, but was excited to try their dishes. We came with a group on a saturday and they were able to seat us immediately - plenty of parking in the large plaza where the Hat and Shiki Buffet is (previously hometown buffet location). All of the items on the menu were intriguing, but I was eyeballin' the salt and pepper one and the fried tofu. My buddy got the lemongrass "chicken" and also the curry with bread. Since we were eager to try the different types of food, we did a family style and that was the best decision. We also got eggplant, and the rice cake/egg. I thought the rice cake looked underwhelming, but our entire group had a consensus and voted that as the top fave of the night. Everything was super tasty and we left happy and full and with leftovers! Super excited to return and to recommend to others. I look forward to come back to try some of the other items such as the "beef" noodle soup or the bun rieu or pho! I also appreciate that some of the dishes came with rice included -we actually ended up with too much rice, but perfect for leftovers the next day. Upon checking out, there was delicious thing by the cash register that was green and resembled a bundt cake in slices. It was labled mochi pandan, and it was AMAZING. so spongy, so delicious and a little sweet. Perfect end of the night that my buddy got one to go right after. It was made fresh and you can tell by how soft it was. I appreciate that this restaurant has vegetarian versions of common vietnamese and chinese dishes. They all were delicious and unique and did not feel too oily or heavy. They look and taste like meat and also the sauces were 100% on point. Thank you Happy Buddha!! read more

Had an early lunch on a Sunday here. The menu is vegetarian, however most dishes can be made vegan except for those like the egg noodles, or egg soup. We order a mix of items and shared. We enjoyed all of them. I was especially happy they had a non-dairy milk for Thai tea - and it was yummy! They served us a surprise dessert of a sweet mung bean soup like dish - that was a nice treat and unexpected. read more

4/5 stars for my go-to veggie spot, partly out of convenience and partly for the warm and cozy vibes: Considering that I'm here at least 1-2x a month, I'm a little surprised that I never posted a review. If you're vegetarian, Happy Buddha is a solid spot for a nice warm meal when you're craving something flavorful, but not too greasy, and relatively light. I've ordered a couple of things on the menu before, but I think my favorites are their salt and pepper "chicken," cold noodles, and Tom Yum Noodle Soup. And we discovered that their waffle fries are elite, despite this being an unusual menu item to find at a Viet vegetarian restaurant. Food comes out super quickly--I usually visit Happy Buddha alone and try to get some end-of-the-week journaling done, but somehow never manage to make it past a few sentences before my food is ready. In terms of food, I can't say this is the best vegetarian Viet spot around when the competition is so high in SGV, but I've only always had a filling and nourishing meal here. I've visited with vegetarian and non vegetarian friends alike, and generally, everyone also enjoyed their meal. read more

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Curried noodles is amazing! Hints of star anise and tamarind in the broth. Not overwhelmingly spicy. And served with peppers to ratchet up the spice if you need it. read more

The restaurant was empty on a Thursday night at 6pm. We ordered. Few items that might be a good sample of the restaurant. Tofu with broccoli in a sweet chili sauce, eggplant with tofu, "beef" chow fun, and the spring rolls. The sauce for the spring rolls was super watery and lacked peanut flavor. Of those the eggplant was by far the best with the wok flavor. Overall food was just ok for me which I guess is reflected on why the restaurant was empty at 6pm. read more

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They give very generous portions here, I could barely finish my bowl. The flavor is just okay, not the best vegetarian soup I've had. read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - Hue Style Spicy Beef Vermicelli Soup / Bún Bò Huế / 辣牛肉粉 - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

Food: - tomato, crab soup noodle: 7.5/10, the imitation shrimp has a rubbery texture and strange after taste but everything else was good - crispy noodles with vegetables: 7/10, texture of the noodles are great! - egg rolls: filled with potato, not my favorite - big portion - we always order to go here but the food tastes even better when served fresh! Service: - friendly staff - quick service Ambiance: - quiet - busy lot, challenging to find parking close by read more

We ordered three dishes to go. Lemongrass chicken, curry with baguette, and hue style spicy beef vermicelli soup. The lemongrass chicken was the winner of them all. It came with a side of white rice and some cabbage. Great flavor. The curry with baguette also had a great flavor but was a bit watery, a thicker texture would've been preferred, but still yummy. The hue style spicy beef vermicelli soup was my least favorite. Although they packed some veggies on the side, I think they forgot the condiments. It would've been nice to get some spicy sauce, hoisin sauce, or soy sauce. read more

Saw a friend's review of this restaurant and she mentioned how good it was for a vegetarian restaurant, so of course, I had to give it a try. I normally don't go to a vegetarian restaurant, unless the food tastes almost like the real thing. Oh boy, this place did not disappoint. The restaurant is nice and clean. Staffs were very friendly. Service was quick. We ordered the followings: - Goi Cuon (Shrimp & Pork Rolls) - Com Ca Kho To (Clay Pot Peppered Fish) - Bun Bo Hue (Hue Style Spicy Beef Vermicelli Soup) All our dishes were so good. Tasted very close to the real thing. Not kidding. They gave us the Mung Bean with Tapioca Dessert (On the House). It had the right amount of sweetness. So yummy! I am definitely going back here again and try their other dishes. If you are a vegetarian or not, I highly recommend this place! Go give them a try. I'm glad I did. read more

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Our go-to spot for vegetarian comfort food! It's located in a large plaza with plenty of other shops around, making it super convenient. Service is generally quick, except on busier days--usually the 1st, 15th, and 30th of the Lunar calendar, when many people come for vegetarian meals. All "meat" items mentioned below are plant-based. Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup): 4/5 A hearty bowl loaded with vegetarian goodies--sliced "beef," ham, tofu, mushrooms, and more. The portion is generous and satisfying. My only note is that the broth can be a bit on the oily side. Cá Kho Tộ (Clay Pot Braised "Fish"): 100/5 This dish is an absolute standout. The sauce is incredibly flavorful with just the right thickness, and the "fish" is braised perfectly. It's our must-order every time we come. Beef Chow Fun (Stir-Fried Noodles with "Beef"): 4.5/5 Surprisingly close to the real thing--about 80% similar to the classic meat version. The plant-based beef comes in thick, satisfying pieces, the noodles are chewy, and the dish isn't overly oily. A solid favorite. Accept apple pay! read more

The food here is always fresh. The service is always with a smile. The ambiance is good.

I came in with my family of 6 people. The food is awesome but let me warn you 5 of your people might be finish with thier food and the 6 person is still waiting for their food. I told the staff where is my food and they kept telling me its coming its coming and until I got mad and told the bust boy the table came in after me and have their food already and they have the nerve to say they have a different kind of food. I would never come here again. read more

Everything is vegetarian and they also have milk and bubble teas also. Free parking in a huge shopping mall. Clean and beautiful interior. When so much of San Gabriel and Temple city are non-vegetarian places, this is very refreshing to know that it is an all vegetarian restaurant. Thank you very much for providing the service for those who don't like to eat meat or harm any animals. read more

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Food is extremely bland and oily. Tastes nothing even close to the original style dishes for Bun Bo Hue or Pad Thai. It's almost like the cooks never tasted the dishes they are trying to emulate and I have no clue how this place even has such high ratings. If you're looking for healthy options or at least decent food, this place is not it. read more

I'm not sure if they've changed employees or owners? I have now gone in there twice and it is just disappointing. Service and taste. First, the tall lady, taking orders, should NOT, as it is not her strong suit. First time, she got my order wrong and argued with me that I ordered it wrong. Then, today, we went IN and ordered, as she stared at me and took our order, no pen and paper, came out with one dish for two. After 30 minutes later, I finally flag her down and she says that I didn't order anything else! She's rude and incompetent! The food is much saltier, mushroom salad was so sweet, it'll give you diabetes! Needless to say, whatever has happened, it has not been for the better or even by the same standards so good luck to those that are willing. The vegan spot in El Monte is much better and the taste is far more superior as is the service. read more

We came here to get some vegan Vietnamese food and we were glad we did. We got the beef Pho soup, which came with different types of tofu, mushrooms, vegan ham, and beyond beef; fried tofu appetizer; and pomegranate and green juices. Everything tasted great and healthy. We went around 2 pm and there were several parties, but still had open seating as there is plenty. The restaurant was clean and fairly spacious. The staff was very friendly and attentive! The food came out super quick! Overall, I would definitely return because of the great authentic Vietnamese food and great service! read more

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Om Mani Padme Hum... I've done it... I've reached existential enlightenment while chowing on this delicious vegetarian food... I've honored my taste buds... food for the soul, no wonder they always depict Buddha as a jovial & robust person cause, I'm fat & happy. Mushroom salad is a must, umami & refreshing, tbh everything here is good. The salt and pepper "chicken" tastes like real chicken. My senses have been deceived. Tbh I wish I could give this food 10/5 stars, so healthy, so creative, so refreshing, the place is clean, the staff beautiful humans.... *disclaimer* No animals were harmed. read more

I thought I had written a review for this place a long time ago, but I guess I didn't. This is a long overdue review. I'm not vegetarian, but I love all the dishes here. They make veggie dishes taste like they have actual meat when they don't. Every dish is so flavorful and delicious. They also have great desserts, and drinks as well! Highly recommended! read more

I'd honestly rather starve. The reviews feel fake, and the Happy Buddha would cry over this place. I ordered the spicy beef, and it was nothing more than an oily noodle soup with zero flavor. I couldn't even take a second bite and left the entire dish. I even asked to confirm whether this was Vietnamese food, and they said it was which honestly made it more disappointing. read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

The food was simple and acceptable for a quick vegetarian meal. However, the overall experience was extremely unprofessional and uncomfortable. I'm not sure if the person was the owner or an employee, but they were sitting on the couch at a nearby table, taking a break while talking on the phone on speaker for over an hour. This alone was already disruptive. What made it worse was that they took off their shoes and stretched their legs out toward me while relaxing. This was highly inappropriate and unacceptable behavior in a dining environment. I understand staff may need to take breaks, but this level of behavior in front of customers is excessive and reflects very poorly on the establishment. read more

This is a must try vegan/ vegetarian place! There is a great selection of rice and noodle dishes. Service is quick. Server is friendly. We ordered our food and within 10 minutes, our food was served. Everything we ordered was delicious. Soup was flavorful. "Meats" were seasoned well and tender. Veggies were fresh and crunchy. There's also lots of seating inside to enjoy the food. The music playing is low so no need to yell to hear someone talk while you eat. Definitely check out this spot! read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - #21 - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

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My go-to spot for Vegetarian food in the area. This plaza has a huge parking lot so parking is easy and the store has plenty of tables so the wait usually isn't long to get a table. I placed an order to pick up a late dinner and I was not disappointed. I picked up the Stir Fried Egg Noodles, Clay Pot Peppered Fish, Stir Fried Eggplant. They were all good, but the fish was definitely my fave. All dishes were seasoned well, but not too salty which can be a problem with some places. read more

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I wanted to eat vegetarian asian food & this Vietnamese restaurant was one of the first suggestions on Yelp in the area. It wasn't that busy when we went around 12pm on Sunday. We picked our own seats & the server took our order, even though it looks like you could order online through the QR code. The curry vermicelli was my favorite! So many vegetables inside & so flavorful. Everything tasted fresh & I never felt like a protein was missing. My grandpa was also satisfied - he said the food was good, the restaurant & bathroom were clean, & he was surprised the cost of our bill was lower than he expected. If grandpa approves, then you know it's good :) read more

The curry rice vermicelli had a flavourful broth with lots of noodles and a variety of toppings. Came with a plate of bean sprouts. Service was nice and quick. read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - 32. Curry Vermicelli Bn C Ri - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

We were really excited to try this Vietnamese restaurant after reading the reviews but were disappointed. While the restaurant is clean the taste of the vermicelli was fishy. The pork did not even look like real meat. The texture was odd and overall the taste was dissatisfying. We also tried the spring roll but the spring and pork roll was not good. Again, the meat (pork) texture and taste were off. This did not seem like real meat. While the menu did not feature any meat or chicken options we thought the pork would be what we were accustomed to. Unfortunately, this is not a restaurant we will return to. read more

As always when I want to have a vegetarian meal, I choose Happy Buddha because for the variety of dishes and friendly, quick service. The mushroom dish & steamed rice and the Tom Yum Soup made a tasty dinner for two. The restaurant has a new offerings of special milk teas with boba . There is a BOGO drink special for a limited time. read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - Mushrooms - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

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This place is delicious got a togo order Vermicelli w/egg roll but as I'm bout to eat it I'd noticed that they don't give out Fish-sauce for the vermicelli meal as every other restaurant usually does. Maybe I should've ask for it next time but Itiswhatitis read more

Unprofessional servers and substandard food quality; thus not worth recommending. More importantly, it is somewhat pricey.

Happy Buddha Kitchen has quickly become a favorite vegetarian restaurant of mine! I first came with a gf for dinner and have since been coming with my husband whenever we're wanting to eat Asian-fusion vegetarian dishes. We typically will order extra to take it to go for extra meals at home as well. I really like their Tom Yum Noodle and Pho Dac Biet for noodles. I also like their Eggplant Tofu and Claypot Peppered Fish. Portions are decent for their price, and their Thai Dessert seems to be very popular. It gets busy on weekends, but weekday dinner is slower and the restaurant space is big and they have relaxing music playing (feels almost like a spa). Restrooms located in the back of the restaurant are clean, and the owners are super friendly! read more

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I was looking for something lighter to eat when I can across Happy Buddha! I was blown away by the variations of tofu that was included in my soup! It was very tasty and I enjoyed it! read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - 7. Beef Noodle Soup Ph c Bit - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

This place is situated in a plaza so there are plenty of parking spaces. We went around 11:30 and there wasn't many people at all, so you shouldn't have a hard time finding a spot. The inside of this restaurant is very neat and clean! It's well kept and they provide re-useable chopsticks or bamboo ones. Most of the other utensils are re-useable. The table has sriracha, hoisin, chili oil, chili sauce, pickled chilis, and fried onions available for use Let's get on to the food! All extremely delicious vegetarian dishes. Cha Gio - Super crispy, crunchy, hot, and fresh. I'd say it's a little taro forward but that's not a bother for me. Nem Nuong - Very fragrant! You definitely taste the lemongrass that it's wrapped around. Sometimes, I've found that others who have tried making it, can't get enough of the lemongrass flavor in or onto the veggie meat. This was satisfying to eat. Papaya salad - Refreshing! There's some fake meat which goes well with the dish. The star was the roasted peanuts, which gives papaya salads a good oomph. I'd prefer a little more spice with it but you can easily add that from the condiments they provide. Ca Kho To - Delicious flavor and not overly salty like it can sometimes be. My only complaint is that there wasn't any pepper or pepper flavor. It's incredibly essential when it comes to this dish! However, it's still tasty. Banh Bot Chien - Delicious flavor but I think they used a little too much sweet soy sauce for my personal taste. Also, they didn't fry it enough so it still felt mushy. It's imperative that you make this dish crispy enough. At the end, they gave us a complimentary dessert! It wasn't overly sweet and since it was cold, it hit the spot for a nice meal ending treat. Overall, I'd 100% come back! read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

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Went to Happy Buddha Kitchen this past week! The food and service was excellent ! I have to thank my friend Kathy for recommending this place. The ambiance was clean and family oriented. Cannot wait to bring my family here! read more

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I really liked this place! I tried the story fry egg noodles with vegetables and it was a pretty big portions with different types of protein which i liked a lot. I had plenty to take home which was awesome. If i came again id order more like family style so i could try a little bit of more items. The restaurant was clean and staff was very nice! read more

I would happily eat here every day. After nearly three years of living near the San Gabriel Valley and feeling blue about finding good vegan/vegetarian Asian, I stumbled on this gem by accident. The vegan Bun Bo Hue is delectable with chewy noodles and a smattering of the vegan meaty-textured acoutrements. The flavor is not overly spicy and jacked up--which a lot of restaurants do to force the point. I've had way too many overly salty pho from run-of-the-mill Vietnamese. This place is more like home cooking which shows the care and gentle touch and balance of taste. As well their plate of garnishes like jalapeno was sparkling fresh. Their spacious interior, attentive polite service, and their clean space makes me all the happier to revisit time and again. Parking was a breeze at the weekend because the parking lot is wide and deep. The price point is well worth it for seemingly bottomless bowls of soup! I wish I could eat here daily! read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - Vegan beef pho (ok) Much tastier, richer curried vermicelli soup. The fried summer rolls were excellent. - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

Really enjoyed the food here! The restaurant is super well kept and clean, especially the sauce jars. The BBH (Bun Bo Hue) is probably my favorite. The soup is well balanced and it's such a huge portion. I wished they gave more of the flank/rib imitation meat. It was so delicious but they only gave one piece compared to the other toppings. My mom said the pho is a little salty for her but delicious. Can't go wrong with pho. I also tried the bun cha gio with bi (vermicelli noodles with fried egg rolls and imitation shredded pork skin). Also another generous portion. I love their fish sauce. The server was nice but I noticed some miscommunication despite speaking Vietnamese. On their menu they have vietnamese coffee (cafe da) but not vietnamese milk coffee (cafe sua da) so I went ahead and ordered it and got cafe sua da so i dont know if its a menu typo or not. Also for the vermicelli they forgot to add the bi so not sure if they thought they heard we ordered it with only egg roll. Cant wait to go back and try more! read more

What's up: It's veggie day and this place has been on my list for a while. I heard good things about their food so let's see how they are! Parking: Parking is shared among the nearby businesses. But since this area is home to a lot of businesses, parking is super plentiful. Environment: I placed an online order using Grubhub and it was ready when I arrived. The place was well lit and had plenty of open tables. Staff members were friendly. What was ordered: - Lemongrass Chicken (pretty good "chicken" with a very strong lemongrass flavor. It comes with rice and pickled veggies) Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. The food was pretty good and I'm interested in trying out their other vegetarian options. Credit cards are accepted. read more

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Happy Buddha Kitchen has reimagined vegetarian cuisine with a delightful blend of Chinese and Vietnamese flavors, all crafted with love! I was introduced to this hidden gem by a great friend of mine, who suggested it as the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of walking at the flea market. What sets this restaurant apart is its ability to create meat-like dishes that are made with veggies - and in an amazing way, too! As a vegetarian, you'll be a happy camper. As a meat-lover, you'd be surprised by how accurate the taste and flavor are to real meat. I was especially surprised with the #20 Clay Pot Peppered Fish (Com Ca Kho To) $10.95, as the "fish" part of this meal was tofu and I believe they used seaweed to wrap the outside to give it the "fish" flavor and the look of a tilapia. This dish was the "wow" factor for me! Another stand-out dish was the Vietnamese Savory Mini Pancakes (Banh Khot). A Bank Khot is usually made with shrimp but I didn't miss it at all. Instead of shrimp, they loaded it with mushrooms and more veggies on top. This fluffy and savory mini pancake is a must-try here if you're looking for something warm and fun to eat. I also wanted a noodle salad dish so I got #19 Vermicelli w/ Toppings (Bun Bi Cha Gio). I loved all the savory toppings and fresh mint and herbs to mix. I felt so full but so light after eating this meal - nothing beats eating an all-veggie meal! Also, in the spirit of noticing the "little things" that truly make the difference is their calming music. I just have to mention it! The calming instrumental music in the background was great - the perfect compliment to a great meal. Whether you're a devoted vegetarian or a curious meat-lover looking to explore something new, Happy Buddha Kitchen will take care of you! I'll definitely be back and spread the word of this great vegetarian restaurant. read more

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So delicious and super generous portions! I have always been a fan of Asian vegetarian food (as opposed to American vegetarian food) since I was a child because it actually tastes good and similar if not better than the original dish. We came here for some healthier options and to get more fiber in our diet: 1. Mushroom salad is so huge and delicious, it's so fragrant and there's so much umami flavor in this dish. The dressing is sweet and sour with a nutty sesame flavor. 2. Bun rieu - the tofu in the broth is so savory and delicious and the broth is light and full of tomato flavor. Comes with side of bean sprouts, lime, cilantro, peppers and basil. 3. Spring rolls with a side of delicious peanut sauce. We also got some desserts like coconut durian jelly and coconut milk with grass jelly. We also ordered some dishes to go: beef chow fun (SO GOOD and tastes like the real thing noodles wise) and lemongrass chicken which comes with rice (sadly there is no brown rice option in general to make the carbs a bit healthier, but in general you're getting a lot of veggies and ample plant protein still). Also please keep in mind that although the dish is named by the meat, there is no meat in the dish, just meat substitutes. Lots and lots of fresh veggies/ingredients to enjoy. Parking is easy in a huge lot. Lots of restaurants and grocery stores nearby. Pretty much is kitty corner across the intersection to the iconic teapot plaza. So much good food to be had around here! I'm definitely going to be a repeat customer here. The people/owner working here are also super nice and attentive! The restaurant is also really clean inside. If you're not convinced of vegetarian food/of a vegetarian diet, I'm sure this place can change your mind to it! read more

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Wish I found this place sooner! If I knew, I definitely would visit every first or whenever my mom said today is veggie day. Haha. Clean and simple, no frills place with Buddha readings at the door. Lots of parking available. Friendly staff and ordering was fast and easy. Had my birthday dinner here, the food did not disappoint. Everything was flavorful and delicious. I would definitely return. read more

Happy Buddha Kitchen - 38. Stir Fried Eggplant with Tofu C Tm Xo u H - Vegetarian Near Me - Temple City, California

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I've gotten take out so many times but haven't eaten in yet. I'm sure the food would also taste better fresh. Still, I am very happy with this restaurant. Service has been friendly with take out and there is just something so nostalgic for me about their fried rice. The rest of the food is decent including their bun bo hue and rolls. I also like their rice paper plate. Still I'm all about their fried rice which I was even surprised at. Definitely worth a try. read more

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