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April 28, 2024
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Vegan food in Vietnam: vegan spring rolls
Vietnam is an amazing country to travel to as a vegan foodie. From fresh spring rolls to delicious tofu in tomato sauce, you will be dazzled by the many tastes and spices that are used in Vietnamese cuisine.
Vegan food in Vietnam is easy to find. Because of the Buddhist philosophy which a lot of Vietnamese live by, there are many restaurants that cater to locals and travelers who follow a plant-based diet. A large percentage of the Vietnamese eat meat, however, on the 1st and 15th day of the lunar calendar, they generally abstain from eating animal-derived products.
It’s also easy to recognize plant-based restaurants in Vietnam. an chay” means vegetarian in Vietnamese so if you look out for this while strolling the streets of Hanoi, make a stop, and check out the menu.
If you don’t feel like doing the research yourself, here are 12 great vegan restaurants in Hanoi that will surely spoil your tastebuds!
Hanoi is a gigantic city. Keep in mind that some of these restaurants can be a little bit out of the center of Hanoi. A few of them are located around Hoan Kiem Lake and the old quarter, two of the most popular places in Hanoi, but other great options are a bit further up north in the Westlake area.
That said, getting around the city is quite easy. The bus network is outstanding and if you don’t want to take public transport, booking a Grab car is a piece of cake.
Vegan all-you-can-eat buffet @ Veggie Castle, Hanoi
The Veggie Castle is an absolute must-do if you are visiting Hanoi. With four branches in the city, this is a top place to visit if you want to make a conscious decision regarding price and quality.
For only VND 80 000 you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes soups, main dishes, appetizers like spring rolls, and even some rather Western dishes like pasta or baked potatoes.
Water and tea are also included in the price. The food here is incredible and I would come here every day if I was living in Hanoi.
Website: Veggie Castle
Where: Directions
Vegan restaurants in Hanoi: vegan noodles rolls with vegetables @ Cai Mam (© Cai Mam)
Cai Mam is a 100% plant-based restaurant in the heart of Hanoi. Located near Hon Kiem lake, this is a top choice if you want to enjoy vegan Vietnamese cuisine with a gastronomic touch.
On the menu, you can find vegan Vietnamese dishes like fresh spring rolls and green curry but also fusion dishes like tofu ragu with quinoa or lentil couscous.
They offer a “buffet menu” in which you can order everything on the a la carte menu for VND 329 000 per person.
Website: Cai Mam
Where: Directions
If you want to try innovative food in an industrial-chic setting then Uu dam is the place to be in Hanoi. With a focus on healthy living and inner peace, the dishes at this restaurant will surely blow your mind.
If you want a change from traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho, fried rice, and noodles, try dishes on their menu like a durian pizza, truffle-oatmeal cakes, or kiwi fruit with wasabi sauce.
Do note that this restaurant falls in a higher price category than the average Vietnamese restaurant.
Website: Uu Dam
Where: Directions
Hanoi-style Bun Rieu
Chayfood is a great option right in the old quarter of Hanoi. The small establishment can easily be overlooked on the street so keep your eyes peeled for this amazing eatery.
Vegan pasta pesto @ Chayfood, Hanoi
The first thing you’ll notice, walking into this restaurant is the serene atmosphere and the gentle and sweet service of the staff. Once seated, you can find both Vietnamese and Western dishes on the menu with a gastronomic touch.
Be sure to try the vegan pasta pesto and the Hanoi-style Bun Rieu.
Website: Chayfood
Where: Directions
There are a few places in Hanoi that sell vegan Banh Mi but this place stands out because they have a variety of mock meats to choose from. The banh mi’s are small but only cost VND 30 000 and they are really good!
although this place stands out because of its moc meats I did enjoy the Banh mi with the mushrooms the best. A little criticism: the vegan burger could be better. It tasted very sweet, like at a lot of places in SA Asia so I would stick to the Banh Mi or the pasta, pizzas, or other Vietnamese dishes on the menu.
The kumquat juice is also delicious!
Where: Directions
Banh Mi 25 is not a vegan joint but I wanted to mention this restaurant because the Banh Mi here is absolutely awesome!
They don’t cater to vegans so you’ll only have a few options on the menu. They use button mushrooms, mushroom floss, and tofu as a substitute for meat. The menu here changes regularly so just check the vegetarian option when you visit.
Ask them if they use mayonaise and if yes, if they can replace it with something else.
Banh Mi 25 has been featured in Lonely Planet and attracts many tourists so keep in mind that the place can get crowded. The seating area is also located across the street from the actual food stall which is a bit confusing when you arrive.
Website: Banh Mi 25
Where: Directions
This vegetarian restaurant is located in the center of Hanoi next to the Chua Quan Su Temple. The restaurant is located on the second floor of a Buddhist shop so you’ll have to enter the shop and walk up the stairs to find the restaurant.
The restaurant is bright and airy and has a peaceful ambiance. Prices are quite cheap and a plate of spring rolls will only set you back VND 15 000 while tofu in tomato sauce costs VND 45 000.
Website: Quan Chay Bo De
Where: Directions
Vegan restaurants in Hanoi: delicious buffet plate @ Peace Vegan
Peace vegan is located in the West Lake area of Hanoi. It has the same all-you-can-eat concept as the Veggie Castle but at a cheaper price (VND 60 000).
At Peace vegan, you can choose from about fifteen dishes and two types of soup. The large restaurant is airy and can get really crowded with both locals as well as foreign tourists.
Do note that the restaurant closes between 2.30 and 5.30 P.M.
Website: Peace Vegan
Where: Directions
Loving hut is a vegan restaurant located in the West Lake district and is a branch of the international vegan restaurant chain Loving Hut. It serves a lot of vegan versions of traditional Vietnamese dishes, including a lot of mock fish and mock meat.
It’s a good place to try vegan versions of traditional Vietnamese dishes but the price tends to be a bit on the higher side if you compare it to the amount of food and the quality you can get at buffet restaurants like the Veggie Castle and Peace Vegan.
Nevertheless, it’s a great option for vegans and certainly deserves a try if you are in the area.
Website: Loving hut
Where: Directions
Kiez Vegan is a vegan restaurant located in the West Lake District. They also have a branch of the restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City.
At Kiez Vegan you can enjoy fully plant-based dishes like burgers, kebabs, salads, and sandwiches. It’s a fantastic place if you crave some vegan fast food and the prices are more than okay for the quality.
They also serve coffee with soy milk and vegan condensed milk and even vegan coconut coffee!
Website: Kiez Vegan
Where: Directions
Located in a small alleyway in the center of Hanoi, this little restaurant is a hidden gem. Prices for Banh Mi range from VND 30 000 to 45 000 and the quality is excellent. They also offer some other dishes like steamed buns, fried spring rolls, and dumplings.
Vietnamese tea only costs VND 3000 and they also offer free water refills.
Website: Vegan Banh Mi
Where: Directions
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Vietnam:
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses, homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For unique immersive homestays in the cities as well as in the Vietnamese countryside
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Vietnam
GRAB: for taxi rides in cities and nearby attractions
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Vietnam
Eatwith: Dine with locals inside their home for an immersive foodie experience
Withlocals: Experience cities in Vietnam with local people that show you around. This is a good idea if you want to stray off the beaten path!
Viator and Get Your Guide: For (vegan) food tours, street food tours, and tours in general
Get your Visa for Vietnam online through the Evisa website
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Vietnam E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries.
As a conscious traveler, just like me, you probably like to stay in accommodation that is sustainable, good for the local economy, and has a green spirit. Unfortunately, there are no vegan hotels in Hanoi but here is some accommodation option that bears sustainability in mind!
vegan traditional Vietnamese dish: Tofu in tomato sauce.
If you arrive in Hanoi by plane and you are going to spend your first few days in Vietnam in this incredible city then signing up for a food tour is a great idea. In addition, there are also a few great cooking classes in Hanoi that cater to vegans. I’ll list them below!
VEGAN FOOD TOUR:
VEGAN COOKING CLASSES:
Vegan fried Vietnamese mushroom fritters
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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