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    Merit Vegan Restaurant

    4.2 (1.9k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Merit Vegan Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

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    MERIT VEGAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Merit Vegan Restaurant

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    10. Green Papaya Salad
    Susan C.

    I was on the search for a vegetarian restaurant in the area and came across this one after reading reviews that this was the best vegan restaurant in the Bay Area, and Merit did not disappoint. Green papaya salad: very refreshing! Loved all the different textures from the nuts and papaya and tofu. Jalapeño BBQ seitan: that first bite of the seitan may have been a little lifechanging. It tasted like beef tongue from both the flavor and texture and was deliciously smoky. Delicious!! House special rice clay pot: this had noodles on top and rice on the bottom. I LOVED the rice, almost ate the entire thing myself. The noodles had a good amount of ginger flavor, which is great if you like ginger but personally it's not my favorite. Very fragrant! Service was friendly and quick. The restaurant was clean and had some unique decor that I enjoyed reading (e.g. a sign that listed famous vegetarians in history). Would recommend this spot!

    46. Lemongrass Deluxe
    Martin H.

    Pro Tip: Rice doesn't come with everything. Ask when you order and order it on the side with your dishes. Believe the hype Vegans, Merit lives up to its name. Merit's Vegan cuisine leans Vietnamese in terms of flavor profile and offerings but they do serve other Vegan asian dishes from other countries as well. There is plenty of parking, the space is huge and staff were all very helpful/welcoming. Its run by a whole bunch of Vietnamese uncles and they treat you like family. In terms of food, portion sizes and price, you get your bang for your buck. For five people our bill came down to $117 and we were stuffed. We all ordered individual plates and then some to share family style. Let me tell you this was too much food and we ended up taking some home. Definitely order per person as the dish sizes are generous. In terms of food I ordered the claypot and the lemongrass deluxe. The lemongrass was slightly salty but went perfectly with white rice. As for the claypot we totally could had split this between two people. The crispy burnt rice at the bottom went well with the glass vermicelli noodles on top. This was perfectly seasoned and I definitely would come back here just for this. Im looking to try the other vegan options with more greens in it and I look forward to catching you at Merit.

    10. Green Papaya Salad
    James L.

    We had a really nice meal at Merit Vegan. The space is pretty large, and when we arrived around 6:30pm they were fairly busy but still had plenty of tables open. We sat in a booth, which was comfortable, and I appreciated the poster on the wall noting famous vegetarians. The Green Papaya Salad was a great start. It had a really good crunch from all the papaya, and even though it didn't look like there was a ton of sauce at first, it ended up being perfectly flavorful. The light sauce also did a really good job of giving that fish sauce style flavor in a vegan way. The Jalapeno B.B.Q Seitan was probably my favorite dish. The seitan "beef" slices were really flavorful, with a nice smoky and buttery flavor. I do wish it had a little more spice, but they have chili sauces and chili oil at the table, which helped add some extra flavor. We also tried the House Special Rice Clay Pot. The rice itself was great and very flavorful, and the mushrooms added a lot. The vermicelli was tasty too, but the ginger flavor was pretty strong. I usually don't mind ginger, but it was a bit much for me in this dish. Service was also great. The staff were all very nice and welcoming, and everything came out quickly. Overall, a solid vegan spot with a lot of flavor, especially if you like Vietnamese / Asian-style vegan dishes.

    Flat noodles with veggies
    Brittanie R.

    I was visiting my friend in Santa Clara and we decided to order take out from Merit Vegan. We got crispy egg rolls to share, I got the flat glass noodles with veggies (I can't remember the name of the dish), she got vegan orange chicken. The crispy egg rolls were really good, very flavorful. I liked my noodles, I didn't realize all the veggies were piled on top of the noodles, I just thought they didn't give me that many noodles. Half way through I realized they were all on the bottom. The noodles were good, they just could have used a little more flavor. My friend liked her orange chicken. The orange chicken came with the sauce on the side, which was kind of nice since she only ate half and then saved the rest for later. The portions are generous and the prices are fair. I ordered online and their ordering platform is really easy to use and texts your phone for updates on your order. I wouldn't mind going back and trying more of their food. There is ample parking, I had to ask for forks and napkins for my to go order.

    23. Curry Vermicelli Soup
    Anh P.

    Merit Vegan Restaurant is hands down the best Asian vegan restaurant in the Bay Area (I'm not joking). The menu has so much variety, and every dish has complex flavor I don't think I would always find at vegan restaurants. I ordered the curry vermicelli soup and fried wontons, and both were absolutely delicious. The curry broth was rich and comforting, not too salty, while the wontons were crispy with the best dipping sauce you could ever imagine. The prices are also very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. I live a bit far away, so I've only ordered delivery so far, but the food still arrived great. After this experience, I'm definitely making the trip to dine in and explore more of the menu soon!

    2. Fresh Spring Rolls
    Jill M.

    Merit Vegan Resto continues to blow me away! Love that they have plenty of seating, and their extensive menu offers a little something for everyone regardless of dietary restrictions. Plenty of gluten-free options and everything os vegan! This resto will not make you miss meat! Their "meat" alternatives are incredibly impressive from textures to flavors! Service was also solid and our server was truly just so jolly and happy to serve us. Prices are reasonable, food came out fast, and most importantly, their food was gooood! Well done, MVR!

    Fresh Spring Rolls. These were fantastic!
    Bridget W.

    Some of the best fresh rolls I've ever had. The tofu is marinated and seasoned and it takes it to the next level. They're also not shy with that peanut sauce, which I appreciate. Had the BBQ Vermicelli bowl and was thoroughly satisfied. It's a big portion, hits all the marks for veggie varieties, and tasted super fresh (even for takeout). I only came to get takeout but would for sure come back to dine in. The staff I interacted with were very friendly and the vibe was good.

    Sp4. Gourmet Deluxe
    Sriharsha A.

    One of my favorite vegan spots, and I've been coming here with my family long enough that it's about time I actually wrote this up. The pho is the thing to get. Clear broth, comes with an assortment of vegan proteins, and it's been consistent every single time over the years. Best had in cold weather. The spicy noodle soup is solid too but it doesn't hit the same way. The SP4 gourmet deluxe is my other staple and I order it like an appetizer. The protein comes out fried with a crispy shell and soft inside. The sauce leans hard on lemongrass and citrus but it's savory throughout, not sweet. Haven't had anything like it anywhere else. Orange nuggets are chewy with a citrusy and sweet glaze. Good enough that I skip the actual appetizers for these. The Szechuan Pineapple is spicy, salty, and savory with chewy gluten and a citrus undertone running through it. Green papaya salad is strictly sour and tangy. Fresh, nothing heavy about it. Sweet potato curry is definitely underrated. Potato goes soft all the way through and the whole thing tastes hearty without being heavy. Basil eggplant tofu skews sweet and the eggplant goes silky and it's a family favorite. Eggplant claypot has the same idea but the sauce is better and it comes out in the claypot which makes it feel like a proper dish. Jalapeno BBQ seitan was a miss. The BBQ sauce tastes flat. Staff is friendly and food comes out fast.

    Hard object found in food.
    Nancy D.

    I have been a loyal customer of Merit for many years and have always enjoyed their food, which is why this experience was especially disappointing. In my most recent order, I found a hard object in my meal and unfortunately bit down on it, hurting my tooth. Not only was this unpleasant, but it completely ruined my appetite and left me unable to finish the rest of my food. What made the situation even more frustrating was the lack of response from the restaurant. I emailed them with photos of the object and details about the incident, but I never received any acknowledgment or reply. After years of being a satisfied customer, I expected better food quality control and at the very least a response to my concerns. I hope they take food safety and customer feedback more seriously in the future.

    Victor L.

    I cannot name the dishes as I ate here with family that ordered all of the dishes. I must say the food was delicious. The cooking style here is primarily Thai but we did order 1 banh xeo dish (Vietnamese). The name of the restaurant's sign is Merit Vegetarian but it's Merit Vegan here so I am a little confused if this is truly a vegan establishment. Food (4 stars) + Lots of different flavors and textures that simulate meat + I'm not vegetarian but I admire this food as I don't feel like I'm missing out on meat + Great variety of dishes - Portions can be a little more per plate Service/Ambiance (3.5 stars) + Food came out pretty quick + Diverse customers - I came here in CNY so maybe they were short staffed because I had to get my own fork and water I will certainly come back here mainly for their variety. Is there any one dish that stands out? Not really, but I had a good overall meal.

    Vegan cream cheese wonton
    Rachelle C.

    I was truly blown away at Merit Vegan! The service staff were all very kind and friendly, they will make you feel right at home. There are so many tables, but every table is full since so many people love this place. They will also play Happy Birthday in the restaurant and sing to your special celebrant! They're menu is stacked! It can be challenging to decide, but the servers ask questions to help guide you to the best dish! I still can't believe everything was vegan.. I didn't miss any meat hehe The flavors were all so bold and had amazing layers of depth. You can tell the effort they put into every dish. I shared photos of my top dishes- vegan cream cheese wonton, super crispy deliciousy sweet and savory. The sauce had a kick and tang! The tom kha was soo comforting! Perfect amount of sour and creamy! The veggies all cooked perfectly. I drank every last drop. The chocolate ganache pie is a show stopper! So rich and decadent, the whip cream kept it's consistency. I will definitely order a whole pie to share one of these days. Coming back for sure!

    An Employee's Hostile Behavior Left My Child Frightened and Crying

    A Special Family Celebration Ruined by an Aggressive Merit Employee I am writing this immediately after one of the worst dining experiences I have had in more than 40 years of frequently eating at restaurants. I left feeling deeply upset and shaken--and without having eaten anything myself. My eight-year-old son and I came to the restaurant to celebrate a special family occasion. What should have been a happy and meaningful evening was completely ruined by the behavior of an employee named Jason. We both ordered soup. My son chose a soup he had never tried before. When ordering, he politely asked whether he could have some mint on the side. Instead of simply agreeing or calmly explaining that it was not available, Jason responded harshly to him and said, "That is not how this dish is prepared. It would not taste good and does not go with it." It was an unnecessarily dismissive response to a very simple request from an eight-year-old child. When the soup arrived, I noticed that my son was not eating it. I asked him what was wrong, and he simply told me that he did not like it. Again, he is eight years old and had never tried this particular soup before. I gave him my soup instead, which he ate. I then spoke with Jason, explained that my son did not like his soup, and politely asked whether it could be replaced with another serving of the soup I had ordered. Instead of responding professionally, Jason immediately became aggressive and raised his voice at me. He said, "This is our famous dish. Everyone orders it and eats it, and you are the only one complaining." He then loudly demanded, "What do you want to do--not pay for this soup?" I had never said that I did not want to pay. I had only asked whether the soup could be exchanged because neither my son nor I liked it. His reaction was completely disproportionate, hostile, and shockingly rude. When I asked to speak with a manager, Jason told me that he was the manager. Later, when I repeated this to another employee named Maggie, she laughed because he was, of course, not the manager at all. My son became frightened, stood up, and left the restaurant. Afterward, he told me that he never wanted to return and that he was afraid Jason might do something bad to him. He continued crying afterward. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to see my child so frightened because of the way an adult restaurant employee spoke to us. Maggie later came over and apologized sincerely for Jason's behavior. She explained that it was only his fifth day working at the restaurant and said that she would speak with the actual manager about the way he had treated us. I appreciated her apology and professionalism, but unfortunately, it could not undo what had already happened. I have never encountered such rude, intimidating, and dishonest behavior from a restaurant employee. Jason completely ruined a special family occasion, made my eight-year-old son feel unsafe, and left him frightened and crying. I am deeply hurt, honestly stunned, and still struggling to understand how a simple request for mint and a polite request to exchange a child's soup could have resulted in this kind of treatment.

    Eggplant clay pot
    Ruchi J.

    This is /the/ place for vegans and vegetarians alike. Have you ever wondered what the vegetarian version of that one dish you saw in Asia would taste like? Look no further than Merit Vegan which has vegan versions of LITERALLY EVERYTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN IN ASIA. As a lifelong vegetarian who loves asian food, this is a DREAM restaurant. Every time I go to Merit Vegan, I try something different and I am never disappointed. My favorite dish so far is the house special rice clay pot, but I've also tried the black bean noodles (veggie jajangmyeon?), eggplant clay pot, and a bunch of vegetable soups (not pictured). The service is also EXTREMELY quick and they also have vegan desserts but I just never have room for them by the time I'm finished with my meal. I plan to keep coming here and try more new things but also continue to get the house special rice clay pot because it's just that good.

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    Page 1 of 47

    Merit Vegan Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Merit Vegan Restaurant

    How is the parking?

    They have plenty of parking spaces.

    Do you currently have outdoor dining?

    No. They do not. I have been there at least four times and found the food well seasoned and tasty always. But they get packed with take-away orders and their wait staff, although always courteous, rush you through your dinner. I did not enjoy that… 

    What can I get that is low in oil but still delicious (besides water)?

    Not many oil free options but go with salads (check the dressings)and soups. Sweet Sour or veggie noodle soups are good . Ask to hold the oil in the spicy offerings as they use chili oil.

    Is Merit Vegan Cusine part of the Loving Hut chain of restaurants?

    No! Although the restaurants have a few similar kinds of cuisines and dishes the ownerships are completely different. Merit is I believe related to Golden Era in San Francisco and Golden Lotus in Oakland but that may no longer be the case.

    How much of the produce is organic? I'm worried about glysophates.

    They don't advertise anywhere whether they only use organic produce for the food. I bet they would, if they were doing it. So, better thing would be to call them up and… 

    Which of the desserts are vegan?

    EVERYTHING in this restaurant is vegan!!

    Gluten free options?

    They do have gluten free on the menu. I ordered something gluten free here and ended up getting sick. If you are celiac, I would skip this place.

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    Mian Sichuan Noodles

    Mian Sichuan Noodles

    4.3
    (235 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    This review is from March 2025, it just takes me awhile to write reviews…read more I have heard that they have since had a kitchen fire but are going to re-open some time this year. They have also opened a location in Cupertino that is more convenient for me. Adding Mian to this plaza definitely livened it up, it was so difficult finding parking and then there was an hour wait when we joined the waitlist. We wandered around Grocery Outlet and Savers to pass the time. I came with a group of 6 people. We ordered the sichuan spicy fries and fried chicken cutlet to share. The fries were the spiciest item I had that day, wow! I ordered the Sichuan chicken cold noodles, extra spicy. They were not spicy at all. I left everyone at the table try them and they all agreed it was not spicy. Kind of disappointing, I expected them to be spicier than the fries at least. My partner had the chengdu zajiang noodles, mild spicy. They were good, the signature dish of the restaurant. I would return, but their spice levels are very inconsistent.

    This review is from my visit earlier last year. I'm just catching up on all my reviews now…read more We went when it was dinner time, and the place was packed. We waited for probably 15-20 minutes which wasn't too bad. The place is pretty big and fits a good amount of people. The food was great. Every single dish that we got was so good and packed with comfort and flavor. The veggies were well cooked, my favorite was the beef rolls. I would recommend checking this place out.

    Photos
    Super cute interior!
    Super cute interior!
    Beef Roll Pancake/牛肉卷饼 ($9)
    Beef Roll Pancake/牛肉卷饼 ($9)
    Diet Coke® ($2.50)

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    Diet Coke® ($2.50)
    QQ Noodle

    QQ Noodle

    4.0
    (964 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    I love QQ Noodle with my entire heart. This will forever be my go to comfort meal. Grew up eating…read morehere, I've been here 20+ times probably. My order is always #8 which is their House Special Sour & Spicy w/ Pork Noodle Soup. I've been recently loving the round noodles, but the flat ones are great too. The portion size is HUGE, they give soo much noodle. Could use more pork & toppings, but still amazing regardless. I love the diced potatoes and carrots. I get less spicy, so it's not that spicy even though it looks very spicy. My family usually also gets the sliced beef with hot oil sauce to share as an appetizer, and it's yummy too! Service is quick, and they have big tables. They have a good amount of tables too, although it can get pretty busy on the weekends for lunch.

    My friend Sarah was craving beef noodle soup and I remembered that this place had good Chinese…read morenoodles so figured it wouldn't disappoint. This was probably my third visit. We were looking to catch up in person on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. All tables were full and there were a couple of other parties waiting inside when we walked in, but the wait for a table was not bad at all. It is on the noisier side since the clientele is primarily Asian, and service tends to be short since that's what would be considered authentic. I got the beef noodle soup with the wide noodles since it was a chilly day and I wanted something warm. In the past I've gotten the tomato and eggs sauce noodles, which was very tasty and not a bad option for a hot day as the noodles themselves come out cold. Make sure to bring some floss if you get the beef noodle soup, some of the meat gets stuck in my teeth every time. Service does tend to be short so don't expect anyone to wait around for you to order or extra pleasantries. But this isn't surprising given the type of restaurant so it didn't detract from the meal. The check comes to you when you're about done so there is no need to flag anyone down after finishing. I would definitely revisit if I have cash on hand and am in the area. I would recommend this spot to anyone interested in authentic Chinese noodles, hot or cold.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Tomato Egg Noodles (#4)
    Tomato Egg Noodles (#4)
    24. Garlic Sauce w/ Pork Noodle

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    24. Garlic Sauce w/ Pork Noodle

    Merit Vegan Restaurant - vegetarian - Updated August 2026

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