Buddha's Vegan Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

Buddha's Vegan Restaurant is a true gem in Toronto's vibrant culinary scene, consistently delivering an exceptional vegan dining experience that delights both plant-based eaters and omnivores alike. What truly sets Buddha's apart is their inventive approach to traditional Chinese cuisine. They masterfully craft delicious imitation meats in-house, offering a diverse menu that replicates familiar flavors without compromising on taste or quality. Dishes like their Black Pepper Soy Steak and Vegetables Chow Mein or the General Tao's Chicken are incredibly satisfying, showcasing their ability to transform plant-based ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Don't miss their Hot and Sour Soup – it's a fan favorite for a reason! Beyond the impressive array of "mock meat" dishes, Buddha's also excels in its vegetable and tofu creations. Their Buddha's Deluxe is a hearty mix of vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu that's both flavorful and nourishing. The portions are consistently generous, ensuring you leave feeling completely satisfied, often with leftovers to enjoy later. And perhaps best of all, the prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you receive, making it an excellent value. While the ambiance is straightforward and unassuming, the focus here is clearly on the food, which truly shines. The service is typically warm and efficient, adding to the pleasant dining experience. Buddha's Vegan Restaurant has been a Toronto staple since the 1980s, and it's easy to see why it continues to thrive – it's a testament to their commitment to delicious, healthy, and authentic vegan Asian cuisine. If you're looking for flavorful, satisfying, and affordable vegan Chinese food in Toronto, Buddha's Vegan Restaurant is an absolute must-try. You won't be...

Incredibly disappointing food: bland, overcooked, and underseasoned. We wanted to love this: we heard good things and have enjoyed quite a bit of vegetarian & vegan food. We've had very similar Chinese dishes before and loved them. Heck, we have COOKED noodle soups with almost the same ingredients as their Buddha's Delight and they were delicious.

Somehow the soup broth tasted overly sweet (too much mirin?) and didn't have anything to balance or contrast with the shiitake. The broth leaked into the bag. The steamed vegetables were overcooked, unseasoned, and not especially fresh. I love tofu & bean curd, especially bean curd skins. Toronto has some amazing versions in particular: fresh and flavorful, with a lovely tenderness or chewiness (depending on style). The salt and pepper tofu at Buddha's Vegan was some of the worst tofu I've ever eaten: almost no salt or pepper, really bland tofu, not that fresh, and just... nothing? I feel ashamed for the waste, but have to admit that we threw it out rather than finish it. Everything else we seasoned up properly ourselves (or browned it a bit more to add flavor). Even a bit more soy sauce and scallions improved it significantly. The taro rolls were the only good thing as delivered, and mostly that was the sauce.

The best thing I can say is that the food portions were generous.

I hope the kitchen was just having an off day and normally the food is much better. Otherwise I honestly can't understand why people are giving such mediocre food amazing reviews.

Regardless, Buddha's Vegan was the last straw that has made us swear off dedicated vegan restaurants in Toronto. Better to get the same kinds of dishes at other places or cook for...

Tucked away in a cozy little corner, this Chinese vegetarian restaurant offers an intimate and comforting dining experience. With just a handful of tables, the space feels warm and personal — a perfect spot for a quick meal or a quiet catch-up with a friend. Despite its modest size, the service is impressively efficient; our food arrived within minutes of placing the order, making it a great choice for those short on time.

The menu boasts a variety of plant-based Chinese delicacies, and we sampled a few standout dishes during our visit.

Hits: • Skewers with Satay Sauce: Absolutely delicious! The skewers were perfectly grilled, with a satisfying texture and just the right char. The creamy satay sauce elevated them to another level — rich, nutty, and full of flavor. • Taro Roll: A delightful surprise. Crispy on the outside and smooth, savory on the inside, the taro roll was both comforting and indulgent. A must-try for anyone who loves that slightly sweet, earthy taro flavor. • Kung Pao Soya Chicken: This was one of the highlights of the meal. The dish packed bold, spicy, and slightly tangy flavors, with the soya chicken.

Miss: • Bean Curd Sheet: Unfortunately, this dish didn’t quite meet expectations. The flavour was a bit off and felt flat compared to the other dishes.

Overall: Despite the bean curd sheet being underwhelming, the rest of the meal more than made up for it. This small gem of a restaurant is a great find for vegetarian food lovers, especially those craving rich, flavorful Chinese cuisine. The speedy service and cozy ambiance make it worth...