The GOAT. One of the best places I've ever eaten. If you know someone who doesn't like healthy food or vegetables, bring them here. Masao always finds a way to make things delicious. He masterfully cooks and seasons an all-vegan menu. The way this place is set up is you grab a box and fill up your box with as much food as you want. Masao then weighs your box. You really can't go wrong with any of the dishes in the buffet. Just know that the later in the day closer to closing time, the higher the chance of some of the best dishes being sold out. Go here, you won't be disappointed and your gut will thank you. read more

Masao's Kitchen - The legend, Masao - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

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Masao's is closed for good. The owner had a mild stroke and cannot come back. There is no food like Masao's. I'm in mourning.

Love this place! Went for lunch to enjoy the buffet! It's a pay by the pound so it can get a bit pricey but well worth it for the delicious wholesome food. It's macrobiotic vegan and the food is always varied. The standouts are definitely the bbq tofu and bbq seitan but I also really enjoyed the millet and lentils. Everything is so well seasoned and I felt energized after eating. The service is always great and friendly. There aren't that many tables as it's a small establishment but I still found ample tables available to sit at. read more

Masao's Kitchen - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

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Perfect lunch spot for those looking for a healthy and filling meal that leaves you light and airy, not full and heavy. The chef manning the food station had a wonderful vibe - friendly, kind and welcoming. There was a decent variety of food and all were labeled clearly if gluten free or not. Many gluten free options. The seasons were delicious. The vibe inside in casual and cozy. This is my new favorite spot! Wish I knew about it earlier! read more

There aren't many healthy eating options in Waltham, which is why Masao's is so important. Because the city, especially the area around Moody Street, is RELATIVELY low income compared to the surrounding towns like Newton and Belmont, many healthy eating chains with new establishment criteria including high household income don't open here. Masao's is pretty old school vegan cuisine that focuses on seitan and tofu for protein. I grew up on this stuff, so I don't mind it. However, if you want plant-based food to mimic the taste of meat, I would look elsewhere. Also, vegetables (usually broccoli) are always perfectly cooked - never over or under. My issues with Masao's are the hours and also the limited amount of food available. This restaurant's hours are extremely limited. I think it's open something like three hours daily from Tuesday through Saturday. Unless you can arrive during the limited lunchtime window, you're out of luck here. Also, you have to arrive closer to the opening time for there to be any food left. Can't tell you the number of times I arrive with friends and there's nothing left by 1:00 PM. I understand the restaurant is located away from the main retail and food district on Moody Street, that it doesn't get as much foot traffic, and it relies more so on loyalists. Accordingly, to balance the books, the owner doesn't make more than he knows he can sell daily. But that makes it a neighborhood establishment available to loyalists and not many others. Waltham definitely needs more healthy eating options. Until that happens, we have Masao's. read more

Was looking for a vegan option for lunch in Waltham-Masao's was recommended Its a build a plate (or take out box) by the pound price-I think it was around $12.50lb. My take out box was a little hefty so I paid around $19 From the outside it doesn't look like much, but the flavors were solid. My favorite thing on the bar that day was the holiday style green beans with cranberries-I shoulda grabbed an extra scoop of that! Just a nice switch off the normal cold vegan sandwiches and salads you can find elsewhere.. Everything was served hot and fresh and looked appetizing. The bar was clean and well maintained and it was recommended to use either disposable gloves or to well sanitize before touching plates and serving spoons. read more

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Best vegetarian experience around. Very clean, simple. Food is excellent. I wish I lived closer so I could go here everyday.

This was my first AYCE vegan food! Its a small Japanese home style cafe or shokudo. The seithan variations were impressive! #flexitarian #plantbasedfoodie #plantbasedfoodies read more

Masao's Kitchen - AYCE vegan with probiotics - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

Been going here for years and not only is it next level healthy food all around, but is so tasty that even someone reluctant to try vegan would indulge and love the flavors Masao brings to the table. A must try and a personal favorite forever. read more

Masao's Kitchen - Brown rice, Seitan, tempei, veggies - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

I liked the buffet style service. You fill your plate and it's weighed. $10 per pound. Good way to do it. The only bad thing was it wasn't too warm and they were out of the caramelized onions. They do have free bread and some cake to sample. The owner seemed like a pretty friendly guy. I give it 3.8 Bellies. read more

Simple but tasty, with a healthy variety of options. It's obvious each dish was cooked with love :)

Masao's food is super delicious and super healthy. The followers who eat there get that. They see these meals as self care. There's time for fun food and there's a time for caring for ourselves. Masao's food is healing food. Thank you Masao. read more

I've been coming here for 17 years as Masao offers a pretty strict macrobiotic/vegan diet of food ~ seasonal veggies, low salt, low sugar, seaweed, grain, and variety of cooking-style foods. I've never been disappointed. With that being said, the menu hasn't changed much in all those years. I guess when you've got a winning healthy food formula, you don't mess with it. He's consistent and I find the food tasty, although for someone not used to eating this way you may think it under-seasoned which is easily solved with the use of condiments. The daily buffet is sold by weight. I highly suggest splurging and getting the tahini custard for dessert. Delish. It could be twice the size and I wouldn't complain. The decor is pretty minimalistic; chairs, small 2-top tables. Definitely nothing fancy. You pour your own water and bus your own table. On street parking on busy Moody Street in Waltham. You can usually find a place to park, no problem. read more

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This place came recommended by a friend of mine who visits here weekly. The food is served buffet style and weighed, so it's nice and quick if you're coming to pick up food on your lunch break! Everything I chose was delicious, well seasoned, and very filling. Vegan spots can be hit or miss for me, but Masao's was definitely a hit. The food is $9.99 a pound so it adds up quick, but for the quality, it's worth it! Masao was very sweet and offered me a free piece of vegan apple cake. read more

Masao's Kitchen - a box of food - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

Very nice place with good food . Seating is small but good place in Waltham to get Vegan food.. Would recommend this place as menu changes is month . They have takeout . You pay buy the weight .. read more

Masao's Kitchen - Great food - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

I have been eating Masao's cooking for over 25 years in Cambridge and Waltham. Besides the extraordinary vegetarian cuisine is the felt love that Masao puts into every dish. This restaurant is a jewel for anyone loving great mastery of flavors. Highly recommended read more

What a gem! It doesn't look like much from the outside and it kinda doesn't look like much on the inside either, BUT, they offer delicious, home cooked, healthy food that is completely vegan. It's a buffet and you fill your plate and it's priced based on the weight of your plate (or take out container). They also have soups and they'll cook you noodles but I kinda didn't understand how that would happen so I stuck to the buffet. They also have free bread. There is a variety of baked goods. The cookies were a little too crunchy for my liking but the taste was good. The apple strudel looked amazing but sadly had no flavor at all. The food on the buffet was quite tasty and very flavorful. There is seating inside but it's small. I would totally go back in a heartbeat. read more

Masao's Kitchen - Two plates of hot buffet and almond cookie and oatmeal chip cookie. All vegan. - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

Can I say this place is a vegan's heaven? Masao Kitchen is known for it's delicious food. I've been on a vegan diet the last 4 months, and I decided to try Masao's. The food is probably the best I've had, it's hard not to finish the whole dish. Prices are expected, kind of expensive for Buffett, but its worth it, the food is so fresh and delicious. A+++ Recommendation. read more

One of the best places ever for healthy vegan or macrobiotic food. Fresh and delicious variety of dishes masterfully prepared by chef and owner Masao. The friendly atmosphere is icing on the cake (which by the way he also has some tasty desserts). read more

The BBQ tofu and the Tempeh with Cabbage are two awesome dishes that week bet me to keep coming back. Now, I am not vegan, although I eat at many vegetarian and began restaurants. The quality of the food and the interesting flavors are worth the visit. It is important to set the stage. This is a small "hole in the wall" restaurant that is next to a pizza parlor and Chinese restaurant that come right out of the 1960`s. It is in the wrong side of Moody Street (in the direction of Burger King, not the train station). When you walk in, there is a small buffet in the middle and about 10 formica-topped tables. You are not here for the romantic atmosphere. Seat yourself. Grab a plate. Go to the buffet and pay by the pound. It is like some of those Brazilian meat places, but you don't have any meat. So, that is the atmosphere. Now, go enjoy the food. It is all vegan and gluten-free items are clearly marked. My favorite remains the BBQ tofu. I have had things called BBQ tofu before, but none tasted this good. This is a place where lots of people are known by name. They seem to come in regularly, sit, and spend a while. A lot of folk were reading magazines. (The woman behind the counter writes down the weight of what you order, so you can pay once when you leave. Lots of people had names. We were "new couple". The owner is there and answered our questions. We felt very welcome. So, come to the other side of Newton Street, and enjoy. read more

I love Masao's Kitchen! Masao's is easily one of my favorite places to eat in Waltham. The food is fresh and extremely flavorful. Masao is very welcoming and helpful. The place is very clean and is usually lively and busy. You can get a copy of their menu for the month on their to-go menu. Before you go make sure to check the times, because the establishment does close during the day to prepare food for the next meal time. Also, be sure to keep in mind that the food is measured by weight ($10/lb.), so it can easily get really pricey. My favorite dishes are the BBQ tofu, the Cauliflower and potato curry, and the brown rice. read more

Masao's Kitchen - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

What a pleasant surprise on multicultural Moody Street. I was transported back to my younger years visiting food cooperatives and natural foods hot bars in northern New England. The food was tasty - really enjoyed the BBQ tofu. Some of the sides, however, were bland. It's priced by weight, so big eaters could pay a lot. I ate a vegan oatmeal cookie for dessert and it had an unexpectedly crunchy consistency, almost like a granola bar. Masao's is very small and the decor is somewhat tired. He does the most with the limited space he has, but more seating would be nice. We went on a casual business lunch and thankfully caught an open table. read more

Masao's Kitchen - BBQ tofu, etc. - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

I have a serious love for Masao's. I work in the area and have been many times to grab takeout for lunch. It's set up buffet style and priced by weight, the place is small but cozy, and Masao is just so friendly. My favorites are the BBQ tofu, seitan cutlets, braised cabbage, and the sweet potatoes or butternut squash that's always offered. I've also tried the brown rice, millet and cauliflower, various bean stews, the kale/broccoli mix, roasted potatoes, tempeh with coconut cream, as well as the custard, and I've liked everything I've had. So grateful to have such a wonderful vegan place with a kind atmosphere this close by! Update 2018: I've now tried basically everything on the menu and confirm that it's all awesome! also, if you happen to go on a day when he has potato salad, definitely grab it! read more

Masao's Kitchen - a mix of great stuff from the buffet at Masao's - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

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This is one of the only vegan restaurants near where I work, so I tried it last year. Due to the COVID pandemic, all of the food was cooked and pre-packaged so customers could take an entree and reheat. My food was delicious. I want to go back and try some of the cakes! Cleanliness was great, and there were gloves for customers to use while picking their food choices. I felt comfortable getting food from here. read more

This. Place. Is. Amazing. Had been meaning to come here for quite some time now, and finally was in the neighborhood. Masao, the man behind the food, is also the man behind the counter. 17 years and counting, I can see why this place is so highly ranked. If i could write a post just on the BBQ Seitan Cutlets wth the Shiitake Mushroom Sauce, i would. These little guys completely stole the show. I'm not usually a fan of seitan, seeing how hardy it usually is, but these puffs of air with the mushroom sauce are actually to die for. I WILL be learning how to make these one day, because they are absolutely stellar. The rest of the food is just as incredible though, from the bbq tofu to the barley and sweet potatoes, to the black beans. Food is buffet style and paid for by weight, so be wary. But also don't hold back. Not even a little bit. Many thanks to Masao, and congratulations on establishing such a wonderful little home. Vegan be warned: you will NOT want to eat anywhere else. read more

5-stars for Masao's Kitchen!! Though I don't check-in through Yelp as often as I actually come here, this place deserves the recognition for many, many reasons. First, they serve their food in a buffet-style. You got to choose your own food and pay according to the weight. Their menu changes daily, so I like having that variety. Food is absolutely STELLAR! As a fan of seitan in general, Masao's does an excellent job on their fried and BBQ seitan. My other favorites? Tempeh with a red cabbage sauce and the curry tempeh. Life changing, you should definitely try it! Not to mention, their BBQ tofu is also yummy! Second, there are a few food that you can order as well. My favorite is the noodle soup. It is so comforting during winter days or just during days when you're not feeling well or days when you're craving for noodle soup :) Make sure you get the extra tempura (vegetable fritters). Not sure what magic spices they put in there, the fritters are my Top 3 favorites from Masao's. Third, you also get to eat some desserts there. Hard to believe that their blueberry cake is 100% vegan because of how tasty it is. Fourth, service is always supreme here. I had a pleasure of talking to Masao (the owner) for multiple times, and he was always so nice. Definitely recommend this to everyone who loves vegan food, or who wants to have a different, amazing vegan experience. read more

I really enjoyed my late afternoon meal here. The place is small and simply adorned, but the owner is very hospitable and the food is lovingly made. The place offers a pay-by-the-pound buffet. It's a fantastic value at $10 per pound, especially for fresh, homemade vegan food. The menu offerings rotate, and they're posted on their website's calendar. I especially liked the crunchy seitan cutlet and mushroom sauce. Really tasty. read more

Check out my profile for the blog location where you can find the full review with pictures. There were many areas that were prominent displays of water overflowing river banks and parking lots half under water. Here is the Thames River in Connecticut. Or maybe it was the Connecticut River. I don't remember when I took the picture on the way to Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., a reliever field outside of Boston. It truly is amazing how many gems are scattered across this country. It never ceases to amaze me. I found a listing for Masao's Kitchen on Happy Cow on my iPhone and about a 20 minute drive from Bedford's Hanscom Field we drove up to this place. It's half the size of the two surrounding restaurants, to the left a Guatamalan/Salvadorian restaurant and to the right a bargain pizzeria. It truly is amazing how we eat in this country where we have so much of everything yet mis-allocate our food and turn it into junk to eat. Food = Happy Pilot. Masao's Kitchen is a small buffet style place but is packed with a lot of good things from hard(er) or shall we say less common ingredients like 4 different kinds of seaweed and Mochi packages to his and Evelyn's cookbook. Oh, and lets not forget the food! There were 2 salads and about 11 hot dishes. Salads and condiments to the left. To the right the display counter. 2 steam tables offer plenty of choices at $8.50 per pound. OK, lets see if I can get it all. From lower left clockwise, carrots and lotus root, sauteed Shitake mushrooms and Hijiki seaweed, steamed broccoli and kale, millet with cauliflower, 2 white pieces of steamed daikon radish, tempeh in sweet and sour sauce, bbq tofu chunks and in the middle seitan pieces in a savory sauce. There was complimentary bread and a big container of filtered water. After eating that delicious plate of food I saw a few sandwiches in the display case. "Ah, for the trip home," I thought. Then I thought about just a little taste. I cut it half to share so I wouldn't be the only feeling like I overate and before you knew it, it was gone. A perfect ciabbata, toothy and yeasty, lettuce holding the thing together with a crunch, a mayo type coating and the bbq came together in a perfect union of flavor and texture. The proverbial question, "Why can't I buy a sandwich like this everywhere?" My dish came to .98 pounds. Not a bad price for a full plate of food. There should be a 3rd word ... "delicious." Masao should allow cell phone use here to call your friends to come and eat! It's so nice to know that 20 minutes away from one of my more common destinations is this little perfect place to eat. And for those who refuse to have a meal without animals, there are 3 other places within a stone's throw that I'm sure can serve you cruelty on a plate. Bravo Masao on your 11 years here. read more

If you're trying to impress health-conscious, stretchy yoga babes - just mention Masao's and they'll be ALL over you. I'm not vegetarian, vegan, or a macrobiotic eater - but when I pretend to be (to impress the ladies) I come to Masao's for their fine selection of cleansing foods here. Guys be forewarned though - you will experience a gigantic but refreshing #2 after a meal here. This food flushes the toxins out of your body real good. read more

Really good macrobiotic food - satisfying and tasty. Also good desserts and hard to find macro items like Ryu plums and Mitoku candies. High quality miso soup. It's worth spending more to get good food - the usual buffets and even Japanese restaurants don't use as high a quality of seaweeds nor miso, for example. Good brown rice, too. I'll go back a bunch. I used to be a macrobiotic cook and this food was really good. Also study nutrition and different philosophies and it is a real treasure to find a place like this with solid, good food. It's worth it just to have broccoli cooked this way - flavorful, crunchy, and it doesn't leave you hungry later. read more

Great if you are strict lactose/dairy-free. He cooks his kale perfectly. The curried cauliflower is yummy. I tried to re-create my favorites at home, but it turned out like a boiled dinner! Yummy vegan experience. Even the water is tasty. Five. read more

I found Masao's on happycow - was so stoked to see a vegan place in Waltham while on a business trip. This place seems so mystical. It is a small spot on the main drag in Waltham, with a small but VERY delicious selection and a buffet-style offering. Masao seems to be a local legend. The many people that arrive during my stay make it a point to say hello and chat. I was so surprised (and happy) to see a small, vegan establishment SOOOO busy. Moms, business people, kids, it seemed like everyone flocks to Masao's for lunch or dinner. Masao even put together a to go meal that I can bring on my flight home. My only advice is to bring an appetite and your wallet. Food is by weight and can be pricey. But for a healthy lunch in a friendly atmosphere, it is a welcome premium. Since my trip is over, I will miss this little spot, but I know I'll be back. read more

Dear Masao's Kitchen - it's time we talked. I think (be strong Michael) - I think it's time we take a break from each other. No no no - don't look at me like that. It's not you, it's me. It's just that I have this strange need - that I need my food to, well, taste good. I know, I know - I'm so demanding. But that's why I think we shouldn't see each other again. Our relationship started out so strong. I went into our blind (lunch) date so excited! Great reviews on Yelp, Vegan, and close to where I work? Love at first bite, right? But the first bite, oh the first bite. It wasn't good. No sir. My 3 friends that I arrived with all reported the same. Not tasty. Your employees (owner?) were so nice. There were free tempeh sandwiches (which were much better than my BBQ tofu sandwich). There was free bread from Iggys! I feel bad doing this, I truly do. But - I also need food that tastes good. Is that so much to ask? Goodbye Masao's Kitchen. Give me a call if you change. Really - I mean it. read more

Very nice Japanese/macrobiotic/vegan place in Waltham. It is on Moody Street. Some of his food are typical Japanese home cooking food. I love most of food from this place, but I specially love Macro Platter which is $11.00. Masao is some kind of religious person as you can see from the collection of books and infos in his store, but hey! Food is good!!! read more

Ok, here's the deal. I don't want to dis this place. The food was meh but the owner seemed nice. Look, I'm not a vegan, but I eat at a lot of vegan and vegetarian places, and I'm in town from California, where there are LOTS of vegans, and lots of choices for vegans and vegetarians. Amazing ones. I live in a town a third the size of Waltham, and we've got a raw vegan place that kicks butt. I'm guessing by the reviews that by Waltham standards, this is a good place for vegans to go. By SF Bay Area standards, this place wouldn't rate more than a star. No ambiance at all, terrible look and feel to the place. Food was a low-rent, unattractive and very meager buffet. The food was, frankly, poor and uninspired. Even the salad was sad. I'm sorry to be negative compared to all of these glowing reviews, but it's just really unfortunate if this is what local vegans have to look forward to. That being said, I can clearly see that this is a place where the local crowd knows each other and knows the owner (presumably due to lack of other vegan restaurants nearby). So that'll count for something. And the food wasn't awful. It just wasn't in any way good. And way, way, way overpriced for the quality and the experience. read more

If you've never had macrobiotic foods or are not vegan, this may get some getting used to. But once you get the hang of it and your palate starts changing, this could be a very delicious and healthy option. My only wish was that this place didn't close so early and have such limited hours. Definitely try out the BBQ tofu, soooooo good! I also really like their green beans, daikon, and butternut squash. I haven't seen the saitan in awhile, but if you have the opportunity to try it out, definitely do, you won't regret it. Tip: they sell by weight, so if it's something you're not sure if you're gonna like or not, only take a sampling bite-size. The container of food adds up pretty quickly. My only other wish was that it would be more affordable on a regular basis. read more

Masao's Kitchen is a (true Michio Kushi) macrobiotic restaurant in Waltham. You can choose from what's available on the buffet and then your plate will get weighed. A few items are available a la carte and as take homes. It's also a great place to go if you: 1) want to eat healthy, nutritious, or vegan food that is TASTY. 2) want to prove to someone healthy food can taste good too 3) want to gently expose someone to another way of experiencing food It's a buffet, no need to be familiar with the cuisine 4) 're dining with anyone who's on the mend and has to be careful about what they consume. 5) want to eat properly cooked vegetables. No undercooked kale ala WFM found here.... 6) want to eat lotus, and carrot or hijiki without making it yourself I'm holding that last star for when they end up in a bigger space. If this place opened onto a lovely garden it would be heaven...... read more

Went there for the first time to try their famous lunch buffet. I wanted a full experience, so I got a little bit of everything in my box. As much as I'd like to give a better review because the service was so good, I honestly found the food pretty bland and based on that, quite overpriced. I appreciate every attempt to maintain the integrity of awesome produce, but I really don't think the tofu, green beans, cauilflower, lotus, broccoli, kale or sweet potatoes I had were elevated enough for me to buy their food again. Three stars for cleanliness and a sort of homecooked flavor, but there really wasn't enough of it for my taste. I'm quite confident that I could've prepared a better meal in my own kitchen. The quinoa salad was decent though. read more

Good news for people who Masao's Kitchen! Extended hours!! Tuesday - Saturday, 11:30am - 3:30pm & 4:30pm - 8:00pm. A few weeks ago I went in to purchase tempeh, and that's when we noticed his new hours. Masao has a monthly menu which shows what's offered for each day. Still has buffet style (+/- 10 scrumptious choices) and as well, you can also place special orders - soups, sandwiches on Iggy's Ciabatta, noodle dishes, etc. Moody Street in Waltham is known for a wide range of restaurants. Sadly, none are vegan EXCEPT for Masao's Kitchen. If you aren't vegan, you really owe it to yourself to check this place out. The food is delicious, fresh & organic. Masao is a gracious, friendly and delightful host. read more

Really good homey food. Perfect for when you're craving comfort food but also something nourishing. Mr. Masao is charming. read more

Masao's Kitchen - Vegetarian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts