Among the best Asian food in the Bay Area, Veggie Lee far exceeded my expectations. The five huge pages of varied menu items made for a fantastic dinner. Far too often among Asian restaurants in the Bay, the menus are quite similar and the dishes taste like they were made with the same recipes. But here the menu had so much more flavor, variety, and creativity! It turns out that Veggie Lee was previously featured in a Michelin Guide to California, and after eating their food I'm not surprised. We ordered five dishes here and all of them were delicious. Each had varying intricate flavors, and unique ingredients. The Shark's Fin Bamboo Fungus Soup was a pleasant and interesting start to the meal. Followed by two dishes that I'll highly recommend: the Lemon Grass Bean Curd and the Pea Leaves with Abalone Mushrooms. The Pinenuts w/Tooms Fried Rice went great with all of these. Portions were huge and we had plenty of leftovers. We were too full for the desserts or Boba, but very excited to come back and try next time. read more

We try to eat here every time we have reason to drive across the Hayward/ San Mateo bridge from San Mateo! At least once, on a Sunday late afternoon, we actually drove the bridge just to go to veggie Lee. They use no onions and no garlic and their sweet and sour chicken is my favorite. All vegan or vegetarian fare. My Asian partner especially likes this place and the owners. Neither of us like food with onions or garlic, obviously. They will start being closed on Tuesdays, as of April 7th 2026. read more

After watching a video of GrubWithMike eating the salt and pepper mushrooms, I decided to place a to-go order from here since I was in town for a baptism. I ordered the salt and pepper mushrooms and the fresh mushroom with chicken lunch plate. Both were really good! The veggies in the lunch plate were perfectly cooked, and the sauce was super tasty. They cut holes in the to-go container for the salt and pepper mushrooms so they were still crispy when I finally got to try them. They were heavily breaded, but the mushroom flavor still came through. I liked the seasoning on the outside, although I wish they were a bit spicier. I'd definitely try this place again next time I'm in the area. read more

Veggie Lee - A11. Salt and Pepper Fresh Mushrooms - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

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Veggie Lee has completely redefined what plant based Chinese food can be. Every single dish we ordered felt incredibly unique, thoughtfully prepared, and packed with distinct, deep flavors. It is rare to find a spot where every item on the table stands out on its own, but they absolutely nail it here. The most impressive part is how clean and refreshing everything tastes. Even without relying on garlic or onions, their chefs manage to build incredibly complex, delicious flavor profiles. The portions are very generous and the service is fast and friendly. Whether you are fully vegan or just love amazing food, Veggie Lee is an absolute must visit. read more

This was my second time at Veggie Lee and it definitely lived up to the hype again. I came for their lunch special and ordered the Kung Pao vegan chicken along with the salt and pepper pumpkin appetizer, which I had seen rave reviews about. The salt and pepper pumpkin was delicious, crispy, and full of umami flavor. The jalapeños added the perfect kick and I would absolutely order this again. The Kung Pao vegan chicken was also really good and I was impressed by the portion size. They were very generous with the vegan chicken, which was a pleasant surprise. While it was not quite as spicy as I prefer, the chili oil they had at the table did the trick and added the heat I wanted. Overall, Veggie Lee is hands down my favorite Chinese vegan spot right now and I will definitely be back. read more

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Felt like a cute little hole in the wall. Great service from the friendly staff! Complimentary warm tea upon sitting was appreciated. Ordered the vegan shark fin soup, bean curd with bok choy and vegan prawn king pao. Standout was the bean curd. Really good flavor, portion size and texture. My least favorite was the prawn but I think it's a product of not liking the vegan substitute. My partner did like it so to each their own! read more

Veggie Lee - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

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After seeing grubwithmike eat the mushrooms on TikTok, I been dying to try them. We ordered the salt and pepper tofu and the salt and pepper mushrooms and the mushrooms indeed lived up to the hype. The tofu wasn't crispy enough for me so I'd pass next time. But those mushrooms were so good. I asked for a side of their chili oil and it brought the flavors up a notch. Not sure if I'd try anything else but I'd for sure come here just for those mushrooms. read more

Veggie Lee - Salt and pepper tofu - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

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The salt and pepper mushrooms are a must. Trust me. You'll crave them after you've had them. That light crispy batter is perfect with the sweet and salty spice mixture. We tried the salt and pepper pumpkin for the first time too and it was so good. Can never go wrong with the pan fried noodles with mixed veggies. Service is quick and attentive which I appreciate given it's just one person serving, taking orders, and ringing up the bill. read more

Veggie Lee - R13. Mixed Vegetable Pan Fried Noodle A15. Salt and Pepper Pumpkin - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

Your typical Chinese restaurant service Vegan sesame chicken was yummy Wasn't a fan of the vegetable chow mein because it was a little bland, but if you added your own soy sauce and chili oil, it was more palatable. Crispy eggrolls was bursting with veggies :) I really enjoyed the chilly oil because it had a smoky and very flavorful profile. I ate it with everything which made it the highlight or star of this experience. Thank you! read more

Veggie Lee - Egg rolls and E63. Vegan Sesame Chicken - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

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Edible, nothing special to report. Customer service was nonexistent--just in and out. OK

This location is very casual small but quaint environment no-frills, located in a strip mall right across from Target. The service was fantastic. The staff were professional, courteous and accommodating. We ordered the vegetable chow mein, vegetable fried rice, potstickers, spring rolls, salt and pepper mushrooms, and eggplant in Szechuan sauce. I have to say I really enjoyed the eggplant for the first time in my entire life. With that being said all the food was cooked to order came out piping hot. We were given hot tea to wash it all down. There were delicious huge chunks of vegetables in the rice and the chow mein, large portions, family style to share. Will definitely be back. read more

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This place is great! Lunch special was a good portion, orange chicken was very tasty and served with brown rice and steamed broccoli. Great flavor and mock meat was good. Also, got an order of sesame balls and they were very good. Quick service and fairly priced for vegan food. Interior is nothing special, but I will be back for sure! A must-try if you are plant based. read more

Veggie Lee - orange chicken lunch special - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

i got so excited about this place, not because it was vegetarian but because they don't use garlic or onion. My guys is extremely allergic to garlic so I was glad there is a place we can come too now. We went for a late birthday celebration and so we got the lunch specials. He wanted to try the General Tso chicken and I got equivalent to ma pao tofu. It came with sweet and sour soup, and choice of white or brown rice. wow the soup was spicy and a bit salty. However, the dishes came out and they were so good. The general tso chicken tasted just like I remember and we couldn't tell it was made of soya. My ma pao tofu with the fake minced pork was so great. There was enough food that we ate about 1/3 and took the rest home. We then ordered a full order of general tso chicken and I ordered the fried pumpkin to go. We got two extra meals out of that. The staff was really friendly I think it's just a couple running it. The husband does the cooking and the wife runs the operations. We will definitely be going again. read more

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found the receipt from 2018!! for the hot veggie salad, i wrote it ws called ' chef choice salad with avocado.' at the time. I had gone back and asked for it, but they said it was too long if i didn't have the characters in chinnese for it, they didn't know what i ordered. I guess i have seen the receipt a few times but now it clicked it's in script so translated it says 'black pepper, mixed vegetables avocado.' it says SP2 prefix, like special #2. I will post a photo and maybe if they make it for. you, it will be as good as it was then. next time i am in the area I'm def stopping by to order it again. No guarantees... read more

Veggie Lee - chinese for the dish in the review. you need to show this at Veggie Lee if you want this dish, it was a special. - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

Updating my review to include the fried pumpkin. Do not sleep on this if you want a good taste break from the chicken and mushrooms. Especially now that its in season the pumpkin is sweet paired with the savory seasoning. *chefs kiss* the perfect combination. read more

Veggie Lee - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

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Delicious plant based Chinese food! The salt and pepper mushrooms are to die for!!!! I'm definitely coming back!

Food was great. Fast. Huge portions. Simple service. Nothing special...but polite and kind.

Perfect greasy, vegan American Chinese with egg rolls instead of spring rolls. This is a great hangover cure.

Key Points: - Delicious Plant-Based Cuisine. - "chicken" actually tastes like real chicken - Michelin level I visited Veggie Lee on New Year's Eve as my last big meal of the year. I happened to be working New Year's Eve, so after a long day at work, I decided to end 2024 on a plant-based note. Being in the area, what better place than Veggie Lee? I ordered salt and pepper vegan chicken. It was crispy, flavorful, and with just the right kick of spice. The plant-based "chicken"tasted a lot like actual chicken, which might be a compliment (or not) depending on your perspective as a vegan. I'm not sure what the ingredients were, but whatever they're doing, it works. I've been ordered takeout and deliver (via DoorDash) a few other times in the past. Items including: - The fried rice - vegan beef chow fun (or gong chao niu ho in Cantonese) - Thai Almond Milk Tea All were absolutely delightful, whether you were expecting vegan or not. During my first visit, I noticed a poster highlighting that they were Michelin-rated at some point. While I didn't find them on the current Michelin database, I'd still say they're deserving of the honor. This place is truly a hidden gem for plant-based cuisine. Whether you're vegan, eating plant-based occasionally, or just want to try something different, I highly recommend Veggie Lee. Lastly, w00t! My photo scored the cover photo spot at the time of this writing! read more

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We came here for a vegan meal while fasting and we were delightfully surprised by the flavors and textures. Everything was delicious hot and crispy. Really great option for those with dietary restrictions. The staff were also fast and efficient. read more

Veggie Lee - E65. Vegan Orange Chicken L8. Vegan Beef with Mongolian Style Lunch Special Salt and Pepper Vegan Chicken R16. Vegetable Chow Mein - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

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Love this place. We always order the salt and pepper chicken. Would take it home, pair it up with some fried garlic rice and sunny side up w/ side of spiced vinegar. Definitely hits the spot and fulfills my silog cravings. read more

Love love love this veg joint! Ample parking in the mall lot. But you might wanna take to go cos it's very small inside and limited tables. Everything is good. For me, I like the "fake meats" cos that lets me indulge in meat-like dishes. The fried "pork" ones are particularly a go to favorite. The lady behind the counter taking orders is very nice and helpful. She helps answer any questions about the dishes. read more

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My wife and I experienced Veggie Lee together recently (Nov 2024) and we ordered. . . Braised tofu over bok choy Veggie Chow Mein Veggie Potstickers The potstickers were AMAZING. We would go back for the pillowy soft but delicious Potstickers here! The chow Mein lacked flavor overall. Even with soy sauce, it just needed more. Very simple and bland tasting. The tofu dish was good, but texture wise it was on the softer side and we both don't enjoy that almost gel consistency sauce that they pour over the dish. Over, solid 4 stars for food, location, customer experience.... but not worth visiting unless you're local and within distance of the restaurant. read more

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My cousin invited me to go out to try this veggie restaurant as she saw a video raving about their salt and pepper mushroom and let me say that salt and pepper mushroom does not disappoint and absolutely landed on one of my favorite dishes list. read more

Veggie Lee - A11. Salt and Pepper Fresh Mushrooms - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

Tried this restaurant based off a recommendation. Unfortunately no ac inside, so beware if you're coming during a heatwave. We ordered kung pao tofu, pine nut and toom fried rice, and orange chicken. All the dishes were perfect and tasted great. There is no garlic or onion used in their dishes. I'll be back to try other dishes! read more

Veggie Lee - Kung pao tofu, pine nut and toom fried rice, orange chicken (left to right) - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

This place has been bookmarked for awhile but just haven't had the opportunity to check it out. Came by on a Sunday morning to dine in and we were the only table there, but they seemed to consistently get foot traffic for takeout. It's a small mom-and-pop restaurant that serves up some pretty authentic-tasting vegetarian versions of the real chinese dishes. I ordered a variety of their dishes to share with my family and my favorite was their salt and pepper mushroom-- quite impressive they were able to get it to be umami without the use of garlic or onions. It's still not my top favorite chinese vegetarian spot in the bay (that would be Nature Vegetarian in Oakland), but it's a closer and safer alternative. I'd definitely come back! read more

Quick and easy to get to. Only potential concern is parking. The food is good. Recommend the mushrooms (deep fried)

Excellent vegan Chinese food. Everything we ordered was delicious. The service was great and the ambiance was just fine. I would come back here in a heartbeat! read more

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It was amazing to have such a variety of great vegan food located near our kids! We went out there, and they were very helpful and accommodating for even our to go orders. Not the cheapest food but definitely good quality! read more

I had the pleasure of dining here and let me tell you that everything we ordered was so, so, good! read more

Veggie Lee - Salt n pepper pumpkin and I already don't remember the crunchy noodle stuff, but everything was so good! - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

Bro... The vegan popcorn chicken tastes exactly like really popcorn chicken. I don't know how they do it but it's amazing. Wish I had a bowl of rice. Super fast service and ran just like a mom and pop shop. read more

Hot and fresh rice plates! I normally order delivery via DoorDash whenever the craving hits for yellow curry "chicken" made with meat substitute. Go for the extra meat option. They give so much white or brown rice each plate is enough for at least two meals. Brown rice is $1 extra. My newest favorite is the salt n pepper vegan chicken. It tastes like popcorn chicken but better! You don't realize it, but it gets kinda salty so make sure to drink lots of water after. Can be ordered with rice or a la carte. Sesame chicken is sweet and crisp on a bed of broccoli. Vegan chicken with black bean sauce is pretty good too. The whole fam likes the food from here. The texture of the vegan chicken is chewy enough to keep me full and to fool others into thinking it's real meat if they're hungry enough. I recommend the chicken. The vegan beef is tasty but the slices are very thin. I should've ordered extra meat with the chow fun. The vegan shrimp was too mushy for us. I finally visited the restaurant all the way near A street. It used to be across Chabot College but they relocated a few years ago. It's quite small with seating for maybe 20 people? Seems cozy enough. A family with kids came by to dine in, plus lots of people order take out. Employees were polite, if not a bit hasty. Food is prepared quickly though! We waited outside for less than ten minutes. Great way to get veggies and feel good about eating somewhat cleaner. read more

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Food was underwhelming and did not match the price. The portions are small, I left with no leftovers. The chopsticks are questionable since its not wrapped. The toilet is gross. The tea could not mask the taste of chlorine, the hot and sour soup was less sour than Im used to and contained an extra ingredient in there that I didn't eat, the tofu was soft but decent, and the orange chicken was overrated and bland except for the overly sweet sauce that drowned the chicken. I am an avid lover of vegan food and an avid supporter of vegan restaurants and this fell way short of that. I do not recommend. read more

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Food is ok really its just hard to find that many vegan options around, but the customer service here is very poor and either sexiest or racist because the service and nasty attitude towards me had me so confused read more

A vegan restaurant gem in Hayward. I went here for the first time without any expectations and walked out satiated and delighted at how delicious everything tasted. We ordered.... - Salt & pepper mushrooms **A++ - Braised fried tofu with greens **A - Chao style rice noodle **A - Kung pao vegan prawns **A- This restaurant is located in a shopping plaza, so there is no difficulty finding parking. Service is as expected for a mom & popish type of restaurant, but the taste and quality of food is definitely a welcomed surprise. I will most certainly be going back soon to try a few other items on their menu. read more

I only ordered salt and pepper mushroom and its really good. Must try! I ordered Sunday and ordered again on Tuesday. Service is good. read more

Veggie Lee - Salt and pepper mushroom - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

finally a VEGAN real chinese restaurant! i'm from nj used to delicious authentic but GREASY TASTY chinese food and being a vegan i know there's meat sauce mixed and prepared in like even though i order VEGETABLE lo mien and general taos bean curd but VEGGIE LEE authentic flavors and sauces perfectly braised tofu vegan chicken really fooled me tasting like meat! big portions fresh and hot and no meat oil brilliant chef LEE thank you read more

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Although this restaurant uses no meat, onion or garlic in their dishes, Veggie Lee serves some very kick ass meat alternative dishes and solid Chinese food. Stopped by here for dinner with my girlfriend last month. We decided dine in - the place was very quiet, and most of the people we saw were getting take out. The menu was quite large and had a variety of traditional Chinese dishes - all of which were vegetarian and used no garlic or onion. We ordered Sichuan egg plant, salt and pepper tofu, "beef" chow fun, and turnip cakes. For completely vegetarian food - this blew my expectations out of the water. Everything here tasted just like, if not very similar, to its non vegetarian counter part. The highlights for me were the chow fun and the turnip cakes - turnip cakes almost always have meat in them so to find an alternative with an uncannily similar consistency and taste was a big surprise. Also - the portions for the price you pay here are incredible. If you are looking for some solid Chinese food without the guilt of eating meat - this is the spot to visit. 4.5/5 read more

Veggie Lee - Eggplant in Sichuan Style - Vegan Near Me - Hayward, California

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Food was very good. Salt and pepper mushrooms were perfect. As was the sweet and sour "Chick'n. I may ask to cook pineapple and bell pepper more next time. If you like braised dishes, eggplant was good, but wouldn't get it again. Service was good, but not very personable. Ambiance was good. We were the only customers seated. Many orders were pick up. I would recommend and go again soon! I love eating well with no guilt of eating animals or their products. read more

I've only eaten here for lunch & so this review applies to items on their lunch specials menu. The prices are good. Portion sizes aren't overwhelming. You will not find an enormous helping of food here but to expect fresh ingredients and healthier options than your average Chinese takeout Service is pretty good. I can say this because I've been enough times for them to know i want my food prepared with less salt & oil. But, I see other non-regulars getting good service too so I know I'm not special. read more