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This is now my number 1 local restaurant to dine in. I'm absolutely in love. Vegan friendly. Sun friendly lol I believe they only have outdoor seating but it's too cute. Chai Tea is top notch. Not too sweet. Just the right amount of oat milk. The spring rolls are to die for. Literally! Someone come pinch me! They come with a side of peanut sauce. Last but not least. This is the reason I didn't take any photos. The food was calling my name. I ordered the Veggie Peanut Noodles, it comes with, Vegan peanut creamy sauce with cauliflower and french green beans. A must try.
Street parking. Outside seating perfect for a beautiful day. Highly recommend the spring rolls and dumplings. Easily the best of Vietnam right here off the beaten path. The service is great, the seating is very minimal, but they do their best to accommodate. It's best for takeout, or just 2 or 3. I'd discourage big groups unless you're taking it around the block or back home.
A client of mine recently recommended Vu Noodles and now I'm obsessed! This tiny little hole in the wall is not to be forgotten about. They have a few seats outdoors and a pop-up window or you place your order. The owner is extremely friendly and the food is out of this world. it's all Vietnamese and vegan and absolutely wonderful (and this is coming from someone who absolutely loves meat!!) the banh mi is hands-down one of the best I've ever had. Highly recommend getting it with jalapeños and their Housemade chili oil.. Their vegan spring rolls are delicious as well!! This is on my rotation every time I go to Charlottesville now :)
Decided to grab lunch here with my friend. It was an unusually warm and sunny December day, so we decided to eat there at the downtown location. It's a cute spot on the outside of the mall facing Water Street. I tried the Ginger Lemongrass Tofu Noodles, Mango Green Tea, and Pho. Growing up Vietnamese in Northern Virginia, I consider myself having high standards for Vietnamese food. Although Vu Noodles has been on my radar for a while, I was skeptical to try it because vegan pho does not appeal to me as someone who is not only not vegan, but also has high standards for pho. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the Ginger Lemongrass Tofu Noodles I ordered. The ingredients were fresh, the sauce had a nice spice to it, and there was a good balance of flavors in the dish. Although it's not authentic, it was still enjoyable. With that said, I've had similar vegan options of this dish back home that taste a little better and are more authentic. The pho was alright and had a nice balance of flavors to it. I wouldn't order it again because I love non-vegan pho too much. However, I appreciate that this place offers vegan alternatives to Vietnamese food.
The Tofu caramelized onion noodles are fantastic. Yum! The Coconut sweet potato curry stew is soul satisfying. The Pho is remarkable!
DISCLAIMER: don't let my rating dissuade you!! Read it all. Small little soup shop on the outside of the walking mall offers some noodles! I haven't had any pho in the area so I was craving it on this cold cold day. Let me preface this contradiction with wanting iced Vietnamese coffee lol. It was made as expected and it tastes pretty great! The condensed milk came through. They brought out a disposable soup spoon and chopsticks, packet of hoisin and sriracha. Neat and COVID friendly. The pho was described as the picture I posted. Pho came in a brown cylindrical container. Cute. Not what I was expecting but it's worth trying. The first thing I always do with Pho is try the broth and what hits me is the umami! It's salty, yes. I didn't expect it to be overwhelming but it was. They kept their word as described on the top of their menu! I love the snow peas, garlic tofu, red onions, and especially the Thai Basil and Shiitake mushrooms for giving me that aromatic and salty favor hitting first! For the size of the cup to noodle ratio, I'd consider it fair but I also like a crap ton of the rice noodles. Definitely add on cilantro and jalapeños to round out the flavor. Bottom line: I've rarely eaten vegetarian vegan noodle soups in other establishments as I'm always eating a combination pho (Pho Dac Biet) with flank, eye round and fish balls. This was slight disappointment as I did not thoroughly read the menu because *pho* stuck out so much, but it did not dissuade me from eating this. I destroyed this cup so fast on this chilly day. I think I would have to warm up to eating vegetarian vegan noodle soups here more often in order to really get a good feeling for the taste and compare it elsewhere. I've only had vegetarian vegan noodle soup once prior to this. Needless to say, it overshadowed the viet coffee and I still got options on the menu I'd love to try the next time I come back.
I really want to give my experience here more stars; but, I just can't yet. This review is based upon my first experience only, so I hope to be back to try something else. As one of the few Vietnamese eateries I've been to in the area, it's the best so far - especially for being mostly vegan (they will still use fish sauce). I'd love to find a better one though. It's also named for the noodles, and I didn't get noodles. I was excited to get a Banh Mi, so I did. I wasn't disappointed in the flavor, it did taste good. But, it was way overpriced and not as good as other banh mi I've had. Comparing to what should be a comparable cost, if not more expensive than Vu Noodles, Four Sisters Grill in Clarendon serves a better Banh Mi that is almost 2x the size for only $7.95 last time I was there. They do up-charge for online orders, but I digress. I guess Vu can get away with the smaller sandwich for more money because they are one of the only players in town here in Cville. I'd still come here if I need a Banh Mi fix in Cville, as I've not found anything better in the area yet. I do wish it wasn't so salty. The $3.25 mango green tea was nice to accommodate, but that's pricey too!
I like to eat pho and spring rolls here, delicious but quite more expensive than other places. Iced milk coffee is delicious but the price is also quite higher than other places, about $3
Julie at Vu Noodles really knows her speciality and it's making a phenomenal noodle dish with fresh and healthy ingredients. She's only open for lunch so make sure to visit during those times. She helped me figure out the best choice for me since I can't have onions. She suggested a make your own bowl with five-spice tofu, Rice noodles, Baby greens, bean sprouts, shred carrots, Thai basil, cilantro and peanuts with fish sauce(GF). So good and I sat at one of the outdoor tables under the shade and what a special little lunch spot! Can't wait to go back!!
I LOVE Vu Noodles!! Truly one of the best spots in Charlottesville hands down. Even if you're a meat lover you will love all the noodle dishes here, fried tofu is not to be slept on. They can also accommodate gluten free diets pretty well and as someone with celiac I've felt safe eating here. I haven't had all the dishes but I am fairly certain nothing could be better than the tofu caramelized onion noodles. Somehow they were able to incorporate the caramelized onion flavor into every bite, and the servings are so big one entrée can easily last two meals. I have also gotten the Veggie peanut noodles bowl and added tofu and that was fantastic as well. It was definitely heartier with all the extra vegetables with the noodles. The actual restaurant is very cute, there are a couple of tables available for outdoor seating, but other than that there's just a couple of windows for orders and pickup.
Great little take out spot downtown! Tried the tofu banh mi today and it was delicious though a little pricey for the size of the sandiwch I got. Still, I love that all the options are vegetarian/vegan so theres so much for me to eat! Would highly recommend checking this place out :-) I will be back to try the other dishes! I just wish they were open for longer ahh!!!
So much yes! Part of the appeal of Vu Noodles is the hole-in-the-wall aspect; however, I really wish there were tables to sit. That would've helped me avoid some bag leakage on a white hotel bed incident but I digress... The menu is succinct but delicious. I ordered the spring rolls and ginger lemongrass tofu noodles with a medium level of spice. Don't get too cocky and think it's not going to be spicy... The medium definitely packs a punch! The spring rolls with a tasty peanut dipping sauce were a perfect compliment. I even added a drop of Sriracha to that when offered. To sip, I opted for an iced green tea that's sweetened with mango puree... Super refreshing! The couple of people working the window were very friendly. The food was ready in less than ten minutes and the noodles were hot and ready to go. When I eventually found myself eating it on the floor of my hotel room, I couldn't stop even when full! The tofu was addicting and I'm not a huge tofu eater... The sauce was delicious and the veggies so fresh. It's the type of food that fills you up but you don't feel horrible afterwards. This food is tasty for vegans/vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I would definitely recommend for a grab-and-go lunch in downtown Cville.
This place has moved. No longer a tiny hut with a table or two outside, they are now on the main arcade. The interior space is still fairly modest but has some seating. As is often the case on this arcade, the restaurant also has a dedicated set of outdoor seats at the middle of the brick walkway. You'd think all of this would be an upgrade, but no. First, I ordered in advance online to spare myself a wait, not knowing that it was an actual sit-down restaurant. However, upon arriving at the space, there was no one to take an order if I'd wanted to place one, and only rarely did anyone emerge from the back with food. I just took a seat and waited. By the time someone acknowledges my presence after some fifteen or twenty minutes, my food was apparently already ready and just sitting there. I didn't leave a tip as my impression of this place was that they weren't really providing any service. There's nothing wrong with a counter service model rather than full table service, but one way or another they seem not to have figured out what they were doing. Other potential diners also seemed confused. Don't get me wrong, the good was great. My ginger lemongrass noodle soup delivered an explosion of flavors. Would order again. I just hope they improve the customer service experience, because this is a great opportunity for the average local to try some vegetarian Vietnamese food. read more
2 months ago
Fantastic! The deli banh mi was absolutely incredible. Perfectly crunchy bread, great pickled vegetables, mushroom pate was wonderful. The textures and flavors were all amazing. Really one of the best banh mis I've had. The chili oil was spicy and delicious too. I also had the sesame mochi balls which were delightful. Great crispy exterior and soft sweet inside. Not too sweet, they were just right. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The prices were so reasonable. And it's vegan! Perfect dining experience. I can't wait to come back and try everything on the menu. read more
1 year ago
Stopped by here for lunch with my girlfriend, and had some fresh rolls (tightly wrapped, the peanut sauce was great!) and an OG banh mi each. The banh mi was soooo good! Especially for $11. The bread was the perfect thickness and toasted well, overall super yummy and filling. We ate outside and it was great, waitress was super nice, just amazing overall. Also this was our first time checking out the new location but we've always gotten vegan pho from here, it's so good! My girlfriend jokes that it's magical because eating it when she's sick always seems to make her feel instantly better. read more
This is now my number 1 local restaurant to dine in. I'm absolutely in love. Vegan friendly. Sun friendly lol I believe they only have outdoor seating but it's too cute. Chai Tea is top notch. Not too sweet. Just the right amount of oat milk. The spring rolls are to die for. Literally! Someone come pinch me! They come with a side of peanut sauce. Last but not least. This is the reason I didn't take any photos. The food was calling my name. I ordered the Veggie Peanut Noodles, it comes with, Vegan peanut creamy sauce with cauliflower and french green beans. A must try. read more
Street parking. Outside seating perfect for a beautiful day. Highly recommend the spring rolls and dumplings. Easily the best of Vietnam right here off the beaten path. The service is great, the seating is very minimal, but they do their best to accommodate. It's best for takeout, or just 2 or 3. I'd discourage big groups unless you're taking it around the block or back home. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
A client of mine recently recommended Vu Noodles and now I'm obsessed! This tiny little hole in the wall is not to be forgotten about. They have a few seats outdoors and a pop-up window or you place your order. The owner is extremely friendly and the food is out of this world. it's all Vietnamese and vegan and absolutely wonderful (and this is coming from someone who absolutely loves meat!!) the banh mi is hands-down one of the best I've ever had. Highly recommend getting it with jalapeños and their Housemade chili oil.. Their vegan spring rolls are delicious as well!! This is on my rotation every time I go to Charlottesville now :) read more
Decided to grab lunch here with my friend. It was an unusually warm and sunny December day, so we decided to eat there at the downtown location. It's a cute spot on the outside of the mall facing Water Street. I tried the Ginger Lemongrass Tofu Noodles, Mango Green Tea, and Pho. Growing up Vietnamese in Northern Virginia, I consider myself having high standards for Vietnamese food. Although Vu Noodles has been on my radar for a while, I was skeptical to try it because vegan pho does not appeal to me as someone who is not only not vegan, but also has high standards for pho. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the Ginger Lemongrass Tofu Noodles I ordered. The ingredients were fresh, the sauce had a nice spice to it, and there was a good balance of flavors in the dish. Although it's not authentic, it was still enjoyable. With that said, I've had similar vegan options of this dish back home that taste a little better and are more authentic. The pho was alright and had a nice balance of flavors to it. I wouldn't order it again because I love non-vegan pho too much. However, I appreciate that this place offers vegan alternatives to Vietnamese food. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
The Tofu caramelized onion noodles are fantastic. Yum! The Coconut sweet potato curry stew is soul satisfying. The Pho is remarkable! read more
DISCLAIMER: don't let my rating dissuade you!! Read it all. Small little soup shop on the outside of the walking mall offers some noodles! I haven't had any pho in the area so I was craving it on this cold cold day. Let me preface this contradiction with wanting iced Vietnamese coffee lol. It was made as expected and it tastes pretty great! The condensed milk came through. They brought out a disposable soup spoon and chopsticks, packet of hoisin and sriracha. Neat and COVID friendly. The pho was described as the picture I posted. Pho came in a brown cylindrical container. Cute. Not what I was expecting but it's worth trying. The first thing I always do with Pho is try the broth and what hits me is the umami! It's salty, yes. I didn't expect it to be overwhelming but it was. They kept their word as described on the top of their menu! I love the snow peas, garlic tofu, red onions, and especially the Thai Basil and Shiitake mushrooms for giving me that aromatic and salty favor hitting first! For the size of the cup to noodle ratio, I'd consider it fair but I also like a crap ton of the rice noodles. Definitely add on cilantro and jalapeños to round out the flavor. Bottom line: I've rarely eaten vegetarian vegan noodle soups in other establishments as I'm always eating a combination pho (Pho Dac Biet) with flank, eye round and fish balls. This was slight disappointment as I did not thoroughly read the menu because *pho* stuck out so much, but it did not dissuade me from eating this. I destroyed this cup so fast on this chilly day. I think I would have to warm up to eating vegetarian vegan noodle soups here more often in order to really get a good feeling for the taste and compare it elsewhere. I've only had vegetarian vegan noodle soup once prior to this. Needless to say, it overshadowed the viet coffee and I still got options on the menu I'd love to try the next time I come back. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
I really want to give my experience here more stars; but, I just can't yet. This review is based upon my first experience only, so I hope to be back to try something else. As one of the few Vietnamese eateries I've been to in the area, it's the best so far - especially for being mostly vegan (they will still use fish sauce). I'd love to find a better one though. It's also named for the noodles, and I didn't get noodles. I was excited to get a Banh Mi, so I did. I wasn't disappointed in the flavor, it did taste good. But, it was way overpriced and not as good as other banh mi I've had. Comparing to what should be a comparable cost, if not more expensive than Vu Noodles, Four Sisters Grill in Clarendon serves a better Banh Mi that is almost 2x the size for only $7.95 last time I was there. They do up-charge for online orders, but I digress. I guess Vu can get away with the smaller sandwich for more money because they are one of the only players in town here in Cville. I'd still come here if I need a Banh Mi fix in Cville, as I've not found anything better in the area yet. I do wish it wasn't so salty. The $3.25 mango green tea was nice to accommodate, but that's pricey too! read more
3 years ago
I like to eat pho and spring rolls here, delicious but quite more expensive than other places. Iced milk coffee is delicious but the price is also quite higher than other places, about $3 read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Julie at Vu Noodles really knows her speciality and it's making a phenomenal noodle dish with fresh and healthy ingredients. She's only open for lunch so make sure to visit during those times. She helped me figure out the best choice for me since I can't have onions. She suggested a make your own bowl with five-spice tofu, Rice noodles, Baby greens, bean sprouts, shred carrots, Thai basil, cilantro and peanuts with fish sauce(GF). So good and I sat at one of the outdoor tables under the shade and what a special little lunch spot! Can't wait to go back!! read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
I LOVE Vu Noodles!! Truly one of the best spots in Charlottesville hands down. Even if you're a meat lover you will love all the noodle dishes here, fried tofu is not to be slept on. They can also accommodate gluten free diets pretty well and as someone with celiac I've felt safe eating here. I haven't had all the dishes but I am fairly certain nothing could be better than the tofu caramelized onion noodles. Somehow they were able to incorporate the caramelized onion flavor into every bite, and the servings are so big one entrée can easily last two meals. I have also gotten the Veggie peanut noodles bowl and added tofu and that was fantastic as well. It was definitely heartier with all the extra vegetables with the noodles. The actual restaurant is very cute, there are a couple of tables available for outdoor seating, but other than that there's just a couple of windows for orders and pickup. read more
4 years ago
Great little take out spot downtown! Tried the tofu banh mi today and it was delicious though a little pricey for the size of the sandiwch I got. Still, I love that all the options are vegetarian/vegan so theres so much for me to eat! Would highly recommend checking this place out :-) I will be back to try the other dishes! I just wish they were open for longer ahh!!! read more
So much yes! Part of the appeal of Vu Noodles is the hole-in-the-wall aspect; however, I really wish there were tables to sit. That would've helped me avoid some bag leakage on a white hotel bed incident but I digress... The menu is succinct but delicious. I ordered the spring rolls and ginger lemongrass tofu noodles with a medium level of spice. Don't get too cocky and think it's not going to be spicy... The medium definitely packs a punch! The spring rolls with a tasty peanut dipping sauce were a perfect compliment. I even added a drop of Sriracha to that when offered. To sip, I opted for an iced green tea that's sweetened with mango puree... Super refreshing! The couple of people working the window were very friendly. The food was ready in less than ten minutes and the noodles were hot and ready to go. When I eventually found myself eating it on the floor of my hotel room, I couldn't stop even when full! The tofu was addicting and I'm not a huge tofu eater... The sauce was delicious and the veggies so fresh. It's the type of food that fills you up but you don't feel horrible afterwards. This food is tasty for vegans/vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I would definitely recommend for a grab-and-go lunch in downtown Cville. read more
4 years ago
Most amazing vegan/vegetarian pho I've ever had, their broth is unbeatable!! Love the ambiance of the place but it only has takeout and outdoor seating, so definitely go on a warm day and sit outside :) Cannot sit large groups, but amazing place to go on a date! read more
7 years ago
It's early October and it's 94F today. I still got the ginger lemongrass noodle soup (hot) because it's my bday and I can do what I want. It's a very filling dish but I drank every last drop of broth. It's difficult finding yummy viet food in town. Although this place is Vietnamese-inspired vegan food, all the flavors and ingredients are there. One day I'll come back to try a different dish because the rice noodle bowls and spring rolls look amazing. read more
4 years ago
Outrageous delicious! Had vegan coffee, spring rolls, banh mi and caramelised onion noodles. All totally delicious and well balanced in flavor. Banh mi especially delicious, I could have eaten two of those easily. Portions not huge for the price, in particular the spring rolls (you could skip these). read more
Vu Noodles is a little walk up spot on the southern side of the downtown walking mall. I like to order the pho ($12.50) with an iced mango green tea ($2.50). The broth is so satisfying and has a really deep but clean flavor. It's topped with bean sprouts, sugar snap peas, shiitake mushrooms, cilantro, jalapeños and red onion. With a squeeze of lime juice, it's so flavorful, you forget that it's vegan. I've never been big on tofu, but here I order extra. It's fried so when you bite the tofu, it's crispy on the outside with some magical combo of firmness and softness on the inside. They have obtained a wonderful balance in flavors that makes pho such a special dish. I've also had the banh mi and lemongrass stir fry, which were both also delicious. It's rare to find a fully vegetarian restaurant that accomplishes such a variety of successful and tasty dishes. But tucked in a small space, with a walk up window and a few small tables, Vu Noodles is just that. It's family run and it's never a long wait for food. I hope you find your way there and enjoy! Follow MarleyRecs on Instagram for more! read more
Business owner information
Julie W.
Thank you Marley!
I was very excited to find that Vu Noodles served pho. I'll be upfront about this. If you're looking for authentic, Vietnamese beef broth pho, this is not the place for you. If you're looking for a warm, vegan soup filled with tofu and fresh vegetables, you've come to the right place. The pho I had was lightly flavored and perfect for a cold day. My friends ordered other noodles on the menu and the bahn mi, all of which were vegan/vegetarian and had well-balanced flavors. Overall, affordable lunch spot for vegan/vegetarian Asian fusion items with lots of parking. read more
Wow wow wow! Vu Noodles was exactly what I needed to help with my homesickness for the Vietnamese food back in Richmond. The menu seems to be exclusively vegetarian and the place is accommodating towards those with allergies. Their Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk is so delicious and definitely satisfied my craving. I got the Banh Mi which was so perfectly toasted and had a nice balance with the light mayo, tofu, and refreshing garnishes including cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeños. My friends got the ginger lemongrass soup, pho, and tofu caramelized onion noodles and were all so impressed. Safe to say I'll be coming here pretty soon in the near future! Might even be my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville! read more
I grabbed a vegan banh mi for dinner on a Monday evening in June 2019 while working nearby. Vu Noodles is a small but cute place attached to/located in a school building. There was only 1 other customer when I arrived just before 6:30 PM, and the woman manning the cash register was super friendly and welcoming. When I placed my order, she asked if I wanted jalapeños on my sandwich; I opted not to get them since I'm not great with spicy food. My sandwich came out about 5 minutes later. It was really tasty, packed with a good amount of marinated tofu, pickled veggies, cucumber, and cilantro. The tofu was super flavorful and had a meat-like texture; I'm not a vegan but I found it to be a very convincing substitute for meat and would gladly have it again. If you're ever in the mood for meat but determined to be vegetarian or vegan, this tofu would probably hit the spot. If anything, I actually found the tofu to be a little too flavorful for me and wished there was maybe some more cucumber or something else bland or sweet to sort of offset it. I also didn't taste much of the mayo, but that might have just been due to the tofu overpowering it. The sandwich was $9.19 after taxes. I found the banh mi to be reasonably filling, but I'm quite a petite person so I think for someone with a bigger appetite than me, it might not be enough food for almost $10. However, it was definitely a well-made sandwich with a lot of flavors, and a great local vegan option that I'd definitely recommend trying out. If you dine in, the restaurant looked clean and cutely decorated, and there were a few tables as well as glasses for water. read more
2 years ago
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5 years ago
Tasty! I ordered the tofu caramelized onion noodles with the flat noodles and ginger soy sauce. Taste like candy! My friend had the Ginger Lemongrass Tofu and also enjoyed it. Some outdoor tables for quick dining. Wasn't a long wait and had lots of folks picking up their takeout. Staff was extremely friendly and helpful with menu options. Looking forward to my next visit. Although I might have to get the same thing again but I'm always up to trying something else on the menu! Maybe pho? read more
Business owner information
Julie W.
Thank you Jo A.! so glad you enjoyed your meal!
6 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
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More info about Vu Noodles
110 E Main St
Charlottesville, VA 22902
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(434) 465-1267
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http://vunoodles.com
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