Hi-Lai Vegetarian Restaurant Buddha Museum Branch — Restaurant in Kaohsiung

A place that really highlights Taiwanese cooking and its versatility. This differs from American vegetarian cuisine that highlights the freshness and flavor of individual vegetables, whereas this restaurant re-creates typical dishes using vegetables only. Based on texture, it’s all vegetarian but it certainly isn’t tasteless or bland.

The menu comes with both English and Chinese, with photos for 95% of the dishes. (The braised eggplant with mushroom was not pictured)

Came with 7 people.

We got the: mushroom rock pot crispy mushroom in chili sauce Charcoal buns with sesame custard Wonton in chili oil Braised vegetable balls - top item. I liked this version better than the pork version Lotus leaf rice Tofu soup with mushrooms and silk squash Deep fried vegetable roll with vinegar sauce Braised eggplant with mushroom - these mushrooms were a table favorite. Definitely a type of shroom...

Bad service and process. Was here to collect new year food takeaway. Was inform to be there at 1130am. Reach abit earlier at about 1110am told us that we can only collect at 1130am sharp. Came back at 1130am, they said there is a delay and will need about 15mins more. Was standing just outside until 1150am, saw afew people going in so check again with the person (Chen) she then print the receipt for collection. Saw that some other people already collected at about 11:50am when we came in to check. In the end we collect at about 12:10pm.

Should have just given us the receipt when we arrive, and just ask us to stay put or come back at a certain time for collection. Really a waste of time with a bad process in place.

Poor service for take away collections. *Nudge them a couple of times and make sure you get your receipt printed that’s only when they start to...

Hi-Lai Vegetarian was one of my most anticipated spots when first arriving to Kaohsiung. They have a few chains throughout the city but there location here at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum made it the perfect lunch spot.

Menu available in English and Chinese and you can see what items contain eggs and dairy, making it slightly easier for vegans to decide what to order.

My sister and I shared a couple of items including their Braised Stinky Tofu (definite highlight) and their Mock Meat Wraps. Food was really good and the clean and refreshing ambiance made it a nice escape from the heat exploring the Buddha museum. Pricing is decent with it being a bit higher than average for Taiwan but still not overly expensive for those living in North America.

Our server was friendly and made sure that we got everything we ordered. They spoke some English which made it...