Blossoming Lotus Newtown — Restaurant in Sydney

WARNING. Distressing Content: Heartbreaking Hypocrisy – I Will Never Return

Today, I visited a Buddhist vegan restaurant expecting peace, compassion, and kindness — the values this place claims to uphold. What I witnessed instead has left me shaken and heartbroken.

Behind a barrier in the restaurant, I heard a high-pitched, desperate shrieking. Curious and concerned, I peeked behind to see what I assumed was a bird in distress. What I saw will stay with me for a long time: a terrified rat, fully conscious, stuck to a tin lid coated with glue. The poor creature was thrashing in panic, completely helpless. A woman from the restaurant staff had her foot on it, ready to crush it alive.

I screamed for her to stop. I was horrified — how can someone who claims to be vegan, who wears the robe of Buddhist compassion, inflict such cruelty? Veganism isn’t just about what we eat. It’s about the values we live by: nonviolence, empathy, and respect for all life.

Another staff member told her “Auntie take it to the back.” And then what? Kill it with boiling water? Beat it? Step on it behind closed doors so the customers don’t see? Is that your idea of kindness?

There are humane ways to deal with pests. Calling professional pest control, using deterrents, or simply closing off access to food and shelter — these are all options. Glue traps are barbaric, slow, and torturous. This wasn’t just neglect — it was active, conscious cruelty.

It’s devastating to see such blatant disregard for suffering in a place that sells itself on spiritual and ethical principles. I will never support a business that treats any living being this way.

This was not just a failure of kindness — it was a betrayal of everything veganism and Buddhism are meant...

I have passed this place countless times during my walk through newtown, and feeling like I needed a 'health kick', and wanting to try something different from the usual thai chicken curry, I ventured in. The selection is somewhat limited, but it does seem freshly cooked, and there were some things on offer that I have never seen before, trying to imitate meat (duck flavoured tofu for example). I went for a eggplant and red pepper with noodles (rice is also an option) for $7. The eggplant was sublime, and not too greasy. The noodles were also of high quality. The portion size was decent, considering the price. I asked the chef and he told me he didn't use MSG in any dish. This is great to hear! I would certainly come back. I also had a little mango desert for $1 which was essentially...

My favourite place to get a quick and DELICIOUS vegan meal at a great price (I recommend the crispy soy pieces and the eggplant in sauce