I'd been eyeing this place on Yelp for a while. So happy the hubby and I decided to make a special trip today for lunch. We ordered tons of food, hoping some of it we'd have for dinner, too. It's a little mom and pop shop with 2 small 2 person tables outside. Inside, standing room for 1 socially distanced person to order and pay. Everything is vegan. So many different choices of vegan meat. We were pretty hungry and I love trying different dishes...so this is what we got: Bun bo hue: I asked for less spicy and it was perfectly mild for me. Decent, clean broth. Lots and lots of "meat"& all the fixings. I would order this again with the regular level of heat. Banh mi: Hubby loved his "pork" sammy. Fried egg rolls: These were our least favorite of the whole meal, but it was still very tasty. Definitely had a good amount of garlic for flavor. Summer spring rolls: 3 rolls for $6. A steal and tasty as well. Lemongrass "fish": This was our favorite. It almost tasted like homemade tofu wrapped in seaweed and fried (not sure of cooking method) with some awesome lemongrass sauce that tasted like it had fish sauce but most likely some kind of fermented leaf or vege flavoring. Unreal. I got it because when I asked the owner what was in the container, she said "Oh! That's lemongrass fish. That's my favorite!" Yeah, totally sold me. Fried bean curd: layers of bean curd fried and then dipped in a teriyaki-like sauce. Tasty! Meatball kabob: Great texture and BBQ sauce on the outside. Also delicious! The owner said they have been in this spot for over 20 years. They started out as a vegetarian joint and then easily evolved into a vegan place. I loved this place. Def not for the ambiance, but because of the wonderfully friendly service and the tasty vegan food. My hubby, who isn't particularly excited about food was very happy about everything we ate and said "We should go back!" He never says that about any place. read more

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My mother in law is visiting from Vietnam and she is a vegetarian. We were looking on yelp for vegetarian restaurants and we found this place. She said the food was really good. They have a lot of different precooked meals for you choose from. You can also order off the menu for if you would like. The vegetarian sandwich was also really good. They have a lot of different fake meat options and they are all pretty good. The broth they have for soup is also really good. The price is very reasonable. The food is a 5/5 The service was ok, nothing special. Pretty standard for a Vietnamese restaurant. They do definitely cater towards Vietnamese people but they do speak English and have a menu in English. This is a grab and go location as there is not much seating inside. You can sit outside but its a busy street and I would not want to sit outside. Minus one star. Also the parking in this area is really bad. You have to parallel park on the street. During the week you would need to pay for parking. I would come back again if I'm looking for Vietnamese vegetarian food. read more

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Stopped by Tofoo Com Chay nearly every Wednesday when I was at San Jose State University. The food was fantastic and the prices were more than fair! The service has always been great, which was further emphasized when I became a regular. I was known to staff as the "sandwich man" because I loved their teriyaki tofu sandwich and would order it regularly! Amazing small business and I would strongly recommend it to anyone that enjoys Asian cuisine or vegan/vegetarian food. read more

This place happened to be nearby when I was a rush to look for something to eat in the area. I wasn't sure what to expect, as I normally don't eat vegetation food. But to my surprise, the food was actually really good and affordable, I would come again if I was in the area!! My owner was also really sweet and nice~ My mom got their Pho, and I got their Bun Hue, both costing $13. Both of the broths were very flavorful and light, with none of the heavy oiliness. The skewers were also really tasty! read more

I want to precurse by saying that I'm not vegan, but I've been considering going in that direction, so I decided to give this place a shot. It's a small place and there isn't a lot of seating so I'd recommend getting it to go, but let me tell you that the food looks and smells amazing! Great first impression for sure! I ordered the BBQ "Pork" Banh Mi, and it was HEAVENLY! I legit couldn't even tell the difference between the fake meat and the real thing. Great flavor and texture, which is really hard to come by with meat alternatives. I also had an epiphany towards the end of devouring my sandwich that I had totally been to this place before easily 20 years ago when my roommate at the time was vegan, and I specifically remembered Ben the owner. He is still there! One of the nicest dudes ever, too, so that's a plus. If you're vegan, if you're not, if you love Vietnamese food or if you've never had it (not sure how that's even possible in San Jose) do yourself a solid and go see Ben and give him ALL your money. Everything he makes is awesome, pick anything, and I promise you'll love it. I'm glad this place is still going strong in my community. read more

The food is delicious! Very flavorful and inexpensive for the quality you get here. Don't let the looks deceive you. Yes, it looks like a hole in the wall but it's traditional comfort food. The workers were very prompt to help me get my order. They do vegetarian Vietnamese well. The only thing, that caught me by surprise was they microwave the wood hot. They have a good warmer but it doesn't seem to work? I'll definitely come back and try other dishes. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Fried Rice, Bean Curd, and Curry. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

Flavorful tasty bites here at Toofoo Com Chay. I called by phone in my order for the vegan Pho, vegan chick'n kebob and also the fresh sausage roll. Service was friendly both by phone and in person upon pick up. My order was ready on time for pick up. The vegan pho was to my liking but with a kick of spice that I didn't expect. The kebab had so much flavorful that I definitely had to eat it with rice and leafy greens at home. The fresh roll was so fresh with soggy vermicelli noodle that I likely won't order again. Overall, if you're in the area, vegan food definitely good options here! So order your take out at Toofoo Com Chay. read more

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I really wanted to like this place more than I did ;( I asked for drumsticks as one of my sides and literally got ONE! on top of a bed of lettuce.. That single drumstick was super delicious but I was really hoping to have more than one. My other side was the kung pao chicken which I enjoyed! The man was also kind to give us some of this imitation sausage thing to try even though we didn't ask for it (pictured with all the black pepper on it).. it was pretty meaty with sweet sauce. I enjoyed this one too! The other problem I had was with the fried rice. There were hard globs of rice that were clearly stale, indicating that their food may have been sitting for some time. It kind of threw me off..especially when he had to microwave my order first. I know its like a mom & pop hole in the wall so I didn't want to be too picky, but there were some things that I just can't overlook. . I may just return for the scrumptious teriyaki chikn kabobs. It was seriously SO SO GOOD. Probably one of the closest substitutes I've had to real chicken. read more

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Service: 5/5 Service was great! The staff there were kind and friendly. Food came out quick and hot! Food: 5/5 a. Summer Roll - 5/5, $6 Sauce was amazing! Paired really well with the rolls. Contents given inside was filling and the inside of the rolls were tofu nem nuong, vermecilli noodle, lettuce, mint leaves, bean sprouts. It was very worth it for the price. Highly recommended! b. Bun Bo Hue - 5/5, $12 This is amazing! Highly recommended to get when you visit this place! Very flavorful, lots of Vege "meat", lots of noodles and lots of side vegetables given! The portion is big and it is enough to fill you up without ordering any appetizers (highly recommended to get it though), It truly is worth your buck! Cleanliness: 4/5 Cleanliness was okay. Our table was clean but the floor was kind of dirty. Indoor dining spaces are limited. Only 4 tables available indoor sitting and no bathrooms available. Price: $ Very much worth it! The portion was big and it was delicious! Overall: 4.5/5 Service was great, food was delicious and portion was big! I'm not vegetarian, and even I would come back here again! Highly recommended to all folks, vegetarian or not! read more

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Sounds like it was a pretty "meh" experience overall, which is always a little disappointing, especially when you're hoping for something memorable. We tried vegetarian pho (average), Combo plate (okay) and spicy noodle soup (good). The spicy noodle soup being the standout is nice at least! But the rest of the dishes being just okay, combined with the parking headache--kind of takes away from the whole vibe (free 30 min parking in front of shop). read more

My boyfriend and I met our friends there for dinner on a Tuesday night at 7:30pm. Space is limited since it is a small mom-and-pop shop, but luckily we had just beat the late dinner rush. I had the Vermicelli Noodle Salad. It was loaded with fresh veggies, vermicelli rice noodles and "chicken" kabob and grilled "beef, and it came with a spring roll and a side of "fish" sauce. The fish sauce and marinaded meats were so flavorful and made the dish taste exactly like Bun Thit Nuong. I haven't been to Tofoo Com Chay in 8 years, and I'm happy to say that it's as good as I remember! I have to bring Tofoo Com Chay back into my rotation especially since I'm transitioning to a plant-based diet. Tofoo Com Chay has consistently great customer service. The food comes out fast, and the owners are the sweetest couple. Today my boyfriend was surprised that Ben, the owner, remembered who he was despite not having been there in 8 years. Granted, my boyfriend used to go to 3x's a week when he was in college at SJSU. But what made Ben's memory more impressive was how he recognized my boyfriend with a beard now because he didn't have one in college. For Ben to acknowledge that my boyfriend hadn't gone to the restaurant in such a long time and expressed sincere happiness to see him back really goes to show the kind of care that he has for his customers. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Vermicelli noodle salad - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Hole in the wall Vegan spot! Service: Service was super quick and simple. The guy welcomes you, you tell him exactly what you want and it's given! Food comes out super quick and there's a small number of seating available both inside and out. Food: For a vegan spot-this place was FLAVOR! the peanut butter tofu was great & all the hot dishes tasted amazing! However, I did get a slight tummy ache and felt like throwing up a few hrs later. Not sure if it's the quality of the veggies/food or if they added something that my body was rejecting. I would still give it another shot and try it again! Parking: There's metered street parking all around & I doubt it gets very busy. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

As I wandered along the desolate wasteland they call "San Jose", I stumbled onto an unassuming shack near the crossroads of Santa Clara Ave. and N 9th St. Near the entrance, the smell of savory food beckoned my name and I was lured into restaurant like sailors tempted by the enchanting songs of Sirens. As I braced myself for an untimely demise, an older gentleman behind the counter greeted me with a soft, caressing "Hello" and I was pulled back to reality. The store interior exuded a warm, soothing aura that instantly cured me from my stupor. For a short, fleeting moment, all of the world's horrors dissipated into thin air and reemerged as a blissful shower drenching my soul with a brilliant radiance that could treat infections from the Ebola virus. Rice Plate Combo - My usual if I'm getting food to-go. Comes with brown rice and 2 (or 3) entrees. I haven't tried a bad entree yet, but I like the spicy tofu one, the eggplant one, and the kung pao one. I don't even know if these names are correct. I just point to the dish. Bun Bo Hue (listed as "Spicy Noodle Soup") - Damn good...I just can't even. Have you ever been kicked in the crotch? Okay, it's the EXACT OPPOSITE of that. Spicy "Beef" Jerky (individual side item) - Better than real jerky in my opinion. But the spices always destroy my intestines. It's like being lactose intolerant, which I'm not, but you get what I'm trying to say. Summary: How is this place even vegan? The soups are so good! Midway through my meal, I evacuated the building and called 911 because the food was FIRE. read more

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Rotten food was sold to us! Please don't buy food from this place. We purchased noodles, eggplant tofu and another dish with wheat gluten. The noodles were pasty, the eggplant tofu dish and the wheat gluten dish were both spoilt. After charging so much for each dish, it was a shock to find that the food was inedible. It smelt rotten when we opened the box. Tasting it was definitely a disgusting experience. I will not go back here again. Please be careful what you buy from them. Nothing is cheap here but selling old, rotten food to customers is not acceptable under any circumstances. Don't waste your money! read more

A vegetarian Vietnamese place called Tofoo with a smiley face in the logo? I'm sold! I first found out about Tofoo Com Chay when they generously donated many meals to local hospitals as a token of appreciation to healthcare workers. The little boxes of tofu-based veggie and rice bowls were quite a contrast to the steak with garlic noodles we got earlier from Pho Ha Noi, but I enjoyed the wholesome vegetarian feast from Tofoo so much that I wanted to visit their shop. Tofoo Com Chay is a little hole-in-the-wall near Downtown SJ, the quintessential locally owned small business. As a deli-style grab-and-go eatery, much of their food is on display, including the various kebab skewers and the entree options. There is also a simple menu with photos posted, featuring Vietnamese staples such as Bun Bo Hue and vermicelli noodles with spring rolls. They also offer drinks like Vietnamese iced coffee and Thai tea, as well as some desserts too. Everything is plant-based, yet there is a range of flavors and textures. The kebabs have a street food feel and a delightfully crunchy fried exterior, the bean curd rolls have a memorable sweet sauce, and the black pepper sausage has a nice kick to it. Several of the other dishes have a light soy sauce seasoning so it all tastes quite homemade. My go-to is the combo plate, which is Panda Express style where you choose a carb option + 2 sides. It's a steal for $9, with huge portions that could easily be two meals, although it's so delicious I usually finish it. They add some salad on top too, for a refreshing contrast to the saucier entrees. Surprisingly, the fried rice at Tofoo is some of the best I've ever had. It's so fluffy, not greasy at all, and has great flavor including a subtle charred taste (like what that crispy burnt rice tastes like at the bottom of a clay pot rice or doolset bibimbap). Despite the simple ingredients, Tofoo doesn't lack in presentation--the "shrimp" skewers look so cute and realistic, even though it's actually tofu. Other notes: - Wasn't all that impressed when I saw them microwave the food in front of me (shouldn't it be staying warm on the warmers? Is the take-out container even microwave safe?!) But then again, other places could be doing this in the back and I would never know - There are a few tables outside (dine-in is probably best if you are looking into trying their noodle soups) - Prices have gone up a bit, so although it's not dirt-cheap like several reviews mention, it's still very reasonably priced considering the quality, the small business, and the challenges of maintaining a restaurant throughout COVID era - It's metered street parking, but this neighborhood isn't too busy - Service is so friendly, total mom-and-pop vibes read more

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I try this place periodically when I work down town..... but I don't get it. What I get seems to be bland and they microwave their food to warm it up. Today I had brown rice plate with eggplant tofu and yellow curry. I am so underwhelmed I'm Still hungry..... there was just no flavor, and when I could almost taste some, it was gone. I am so sad with my lunch today. $10 rice plate that I ate all of because I was hungry, not because it was good. Maybe I'm ordering the wrong things.... this will be a pass for me in the future. It was not satisfying at all and it makes me want to get a different / another lunch. read more

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This place reminds me of why I love mom and pop shops so much. The food is so flavorful. This place is small so you may miss it if you are walking by but you have to try it! It's so great! So happy that it's by where I work because I'm spoiled. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

Came to this place back in 2014 and I loved it so much that I couldn't stop thinking about when would be the next time I would come. This place provided various vegan/veggie options before plant-based options came out. I love that they were ahead of their time in terms of catering to the vegetarians. This time we got the sesame chicken, spicy noodle soup, and spring rolls. Everything was delicious, just as I remember, esp. the spring rolls. I highly recommend if you want yummy Vietnamese comfort food with all veggie options. read more

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Tofoo Com chay is a hole in the wall restaurant in Downtown San Jose that you might miss, if you blink. But their flavors are spot on. I got their teriyaki tofu banh mi (not featured on the menu, but you can ask them for it) and a small 8oz container of the braised beancurds. Omg! So good! You have got to try it to believe it! They have a bunch of appetizers and a lunch combo with different proteins, and are very reasonably priced. Service is fast, and you can opt to dine (although there are a limited number of tables) in or take your order to go. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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BEST. VEGAN. FOOD!!!!!!! Oh my gosh. I really wished I lived closer to this place, I wouldn't mind being vegan - its THAT delicious!! I live in the OC/LA area and I can't seem to find a decent or reasonable price for vegan food. This place is AFFORDABLE and DELICIOUS. I can't even tell it's vegan, that's how good it is. The older gentleman that was helping me was very helpful and kind. I'll definitely be back whenever I come to the Bay Area. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Combo w/ 2 entrees $9ish - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Amazing vegan food at an unbeatable price!! One of my new favorites. Server was so nice and I had to remind him to let me tip, lol! It's a little cramped inside but it just feels cozy. read more

Tofoo Com Chay is a delectable vegan hole in the wall in downtown SJ. It's not a huge place (seating for around 12 people total inside and out) but the food is top notch. I highly recommend their lunch combos - I got fried rice with a couple sides (eggplant tofu and a vegan "chicken" dish) and it was absolutely wonderful. I recommend the skewers pictured below and spring rolls as well. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Skewers - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

My favorite healthy vegetarian spot! Small shop, ideal for take out and only way to dine these days. Slight language barrier, but order with the numbers on the menu board. Noodle soups are a must, usually go for their bun bo hue. Or go with their $9 lunch deals - base with 2-3 proteins or order al la carte. read more

On 9/14/2010 I wrote a review for this place and STILL, 14 years later, I still know that is the BEST pho in the bay area! The flavor is unsurpassed. Honestly, most places just over salt. Tofoo Com Chay uses real spices and herbs. It is amazing! The family is amazing and the pho has been perfected! Thank you Tofoo Com Chay! Great to see you this week! read more

Do you love Vegetarian/Vegan Vietnamese? If yes, then this is the place for you! If no, then why are you even looking at this restaurant, you fool?! For some wonderful reason, vegetarian vietnamese food has been getting amazing over the years. There is this pho place that I like to go to, and every time I do, my go-to is always the Bún Huế Chay. It's so spicy, and so good, and so clean. It's like when you look at pictures (or through your own eyeballs) of the crystal clear water in the Phillipines and you can see all the sea monsters and stuff at the bottom of the lagoon. You know that soup is pristine and freshly made! Don't get me wrong, I love me some normal Ox Tail pho, but that's mostly for hangover cure, when you want all that MSG and terrible stuff running through you, so that you can punish your body even further after a night of heavy boozin'. Anyway, quit being a baby and get on over here! You will learn to love all asian cuisines! Trust me!! I'm a freaking Doctor! kThxBai! read more

My favorite place for vegetarian bún bò Huế! There's so much stuff in this noodle soup: vegetarian ham, tofu, and vegetarian beef. The spice is on point too! I've tried the roti chicken (vegetarian) before and it was quite flavorful. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Vegetarian bún bò Huế - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

Super delicious vegan food! Sometimes I'm hesitant to believe that the "meat" is not really meat, but it is. The flavors are so good. The prices are also hard to beat. Super affordable and we ordered a ton of stuff for about 50$. The only reason why we don't order here every week is that all the food comes in plastic containers, and plastic bags. I'd be here all time if they'd use paper packaging instead. Awesome place! read more

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Great vegetarian options. Reasonably priced. Have been eating here for years. It was one of the vegetarian food places on SJ downtown

I was so impressed by all their meat-less tofu options!! As a meat-eater, I can attest that their sesame chicken did not disappoint! So full of flavor! Looking forward to come back and try other options. I arrived around lunch time and got their lunch deal. Chow mein + sesame chicken. Great size, generous portions for the price $9! Cash only restaurant. Metered limited parking, so be prepared. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Sesame Chicken and Chow Mein - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

My colleague and I sat through a series of morning meetings, and wanted to grab something light yet satisfying during the lunch hour. This restaurant is of walking distance from our building -- maybe a healthy five city block walk. When we arrived, it hit me that I have been to this joint in previous years with my other vegan comrades. I gave up meat January of this year, so I have learned to appreciate vegetarian and vegan dishes. The place is a win-win for me, because the menu options are all vegan and inspired of the Vietnamese cuisine! I'm serious when I write, "the mimic game is strong" -- who would have known that soy based products can have the same texture as meat. The 'spicy beef noodle soup' I ordered was filling and tasted no different from the real versions of Bun Bo Hue. My colleague ordered the two-item lunch option which came with vegan fried rice, tofu combo with vegetables, and a stir fry eggplant combination. We both left happy. I will try something different at my next visit. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - #13 Bun Bo Hue -- 100% vegan! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came by for lunch the other day and it was a rough experience. Metered street parking was available and the staff was very friendly. I should have known better as vegetarian restaurants are quite different from non-vegetarian ones... Ordered the Bun Bo Hue and everything except the noodles were off. Broth had a bizarre taste to it, and the "meats" all had a weird consistency to them... The fried egg rolls were okay, but different without meat. Sadly, even the Thai tea tasted strange...maybe because they were using Soy milk?!? Cash only. read more

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Wow I really really love their Hue's Spicy Soup. I would come back for just that. I actually had Vietnamese food almost everyday this week but Tofoo Com Chay wind the soup department. I thought the banhmi was okay, the French bread was like fresh out of the oven bread from Safeway but had a different taste than say Lee's or other banhmi specialty stores. Also, they should change the name of Chinese sausage to chinese bbq pork because it's very deceiving as a canto person expecting Chinese sausage to be a sausage (lap cherng). I appreciate their dessert and beverage fridge stocked with all the favorites and even flan! They have baos and takeout all ready to go. The only limiting factor is that it is cash only. Had it not been cash only, me being a spendy vegan and willing to splurge and drop $20-40 on my first meal every time I try a new spot (I try everything lol), I was limited by how much cash we had. But managed to get the spicy soup, a banhmi and a flan for $16 cash since they paid for tax. So that was really nice considering how even though they brought up the prices, it's still relatively affordable compared to other places, but I would probably recommend banhmi elsewhere that is $3-4 for a foot long with the special bread and special spreads. This one felt a bit underdressed. I'd come back for Hue's Spicy Soup! read more

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Small hole-in-the-wall restaurant with limited seating. We got the following: Veggie Pho: 5/5 Delicious broth, Delicious noodles and toppings. Not that very many vegetables on there, but gets the job done. Combination fried rice: 3/5 Tastes average. Comes with some sort of beef strips which were too sweet for my taste Summer rolls: 3/5 Average. I've had better summer rolls in other Vietnamese restaurants. The tangy sauce was nice. Pro tip: use the basil from the pho and stick it in the summer roll. YUM Squid skewer: 2/5 Texture was unlike any sietan I have had. We didn't enjoy it as much as we wanted to. This is a cash-only restaurant. So make sure you have cash. I will come back for the pho. Loved it! read more

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Came at 11:30am on a Saturday. No one else there and the pho came out in 3 minutes. Price was worth it. Owners were kind. Delicious, vegan pho. Delicious teriyaki skewer. Pho broth was flavorful and the noodles were awesome. Definitely would come back and get some vegan donuts down the street for dessert ;). read more

Excellent food and service! Been a patron since the early 90's. Only a few spots to sit down at, but it's a great place. read more

Delicious and affordable vegan food! I ordered a combo plate with a side of "steak" and another vegetable side. Originally, I visited the restaurant for the skewers that I saw on Yelp but I didn't get the chance to get them, but will definitely try to get some the next time I visit again. My partner ordered the house special chow mein which was also delicious but definitely not as flavorful as the first. I prefer the food containers and utensils to be not plastic, but overall I had a great experience. :) read more

Tofoo Com Chay - House Special Chow Mein - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Vegans unite! OK, none of us are Vegans, but the tofu drumsticks will convert me temporarily... Multiple noodle soups, all large and with many ingredients. You need to try them all, and we have barely started. There's a "secret" menu posted on the wall near the back. These are some additional noodle soups you have to add to your list, too. They also had a take-out type thing with rice or noodles plus 2 proteins. This was solid - we had the Kung Pao "chicken" (very convincing, but not at all spicy), and the teriyaki tofu (strong flavor and great texture). Their deep fried veggie rolls were great. My little daughter ate 3, so I know how to get her to eat her veggies now. Staff/owners really care and are friendly and helpful. It's no wonder it's gotten the reviews it has. It's well deserved. Prices are great but the parking can be tough. A lot of the street parking on side streets are reserved for certain permits so make sure you read the signs. read more

Best Vegan place in the Bay Area no question. Don't let the hole in the wall of a shop fool you. This place is a diamond in the rough. The spicy noodle soup is better than the real thing and they are generous with the protein in the soup. This is not common at other vegan places. Every time I come down from the East Bay, I pick up a few bowls of the spicy noodle soup and a pack of drum sticks. The best! Love Ben the owner. Super nice guy as well. read more

Tofoo Com Chay - Spicy Noodle Soup. Take out at home. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

100% vegetarian food. Very flavorful and lots of different variety. Owner is extremely nice. Prices R very affordable as well. My togo spot for vegetarian food read more

Love this hole in the wall restaurant. Vegetarian food very tasty for a meat eater like me. I love their soup noodles menu.