Zhu Vegan
Zhu Vegan things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Popped into Zhu Vegan after a day outdoors at the Fells Reservation. Tucked away on Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, this quiet spot proved a comfortable and inviting hangout. Overall: 4/5 - Food: 3.5/5 - Service: 4/5 - Ambiance: 4.5/5 - Cleanliness: 4/5 We started with their Autumn Rolls ($9). They're full of mixed veggies, enoki mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, wrapped in soybean sheets and deep-fried. Add a splash of the hot sauce they serve on the side, and you've got yourself a nice start. We also tried their Seitan Strips ($17); it looks like a vegan version of Cantonese BBQ pork served on long string beans. The portion was generous, but the flavor could be better, more complex. The Soy Cutlet Sizzling Platter ($17) was a visual and audible treat, still didn't quite hit the mark taste-wise - the sauce was alright the cutlet is somewhat flat in taste. I also ordered the Mimosa - the sparkling wine tasted a bit stale. Our experience with the service was good, and the vibe is laid-back and welcoming. Plus, the place was clean and well-kept. Areas of Improvement: (1) Zhu Vegan has a lot of potential for growth, especially in their food. The world of vegan cuisine is vast and varied. They could draw inspiration from the rich traditions of East Asian vegan dishes to push the envelope a bit more. They could experiment with the Seitan Strips - maybe serve them in a vegan wonton noodle soup or as filling for steamed bao sliders. (2) As for the Soy Cutlet, making the breading thinner and less oily could really amp up this dish. (3) And as for the Mimosa, using fresher sparkling wine would certainly lift the drink. And who knows, with more patrons and support, Zhu Vegan might have more chances to improve, reimagine and expand their menu. We're looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.
KennethKenneth
00
So I stopped in on a Wednesday, about 1:30/2pm or so and the restaurant was empty. (Another party came in a little after I did, but I nearly had the whole restaurant to myself. The weekday lunch special is a pretty decent value for $12, a main, miso soup, a spring roll, and all but the two noodle options also come with brown rice. The Thai Tea was tasty (and I didn't even think I liked Thai Tea much) but a smidge expensive. I will acknowledge that that could be because of the fact that we're still in a plague and the cost of ingredients could have gone up. Maybe that's not the normal, I don't actually know. I eat pretty much everything, so in no way am I a connoisseur of vegan food, but I left the restaurant pleased with my choices and a full belly. What more can you ask for?
Jada KishimotoJada Kishimoto
00
Another google maps find. My wife is a vegetarian and I also like vegan protein options myself. The staff seemed very nice and the atmosphere is pleasant. We started off with miso soup that was clean and felt healthy. I had the seitan curry dish with vegetables that was so tasty and fresh. The brown rice was cooked perfectly. I liked my wife’s mushroom seitan but my wife didn’t care for the cinnamon overtones. The two of each roll sampler appetizer was delicious but strange that we were shorted one roll because they cut one in half (see pictures). I did ask about this but didn’t receive an answer that made sense to me. The chocolate cake was fresh and moist. We will be returning and can highly recommend Zhu’s Garden if you are in the area.
Walter van DusenWalter van Dusen
00
I have never been to a Vegan restaurant and was excited to try Zhu. Why not enjoy a dinner that has pan Asian dinner options with no animal products? Well I can tell you it was delicious! I enjoyed every single thing we ordered - especially the Genera Taos and the curry! What I loved most about the food is that it was just good food. I didn't think about it being Vegan (nothing wrong with Vegan) I just thought about it being good food. We came with 2 friends and were happy to see a cocktail, wine and beer menu that had anything we would want. The staff were also very nice and attentive, not overbearing but not missing in action. The space is on the smaller side and intimate. I will definitely come back for another round!
D CD C
00
We finally dined in at Zhu Vegan after years of wanting to come here.. tucked on a busy street with limited parking (unless you are lucky) on the street.. we went in for lunch and the ambience was decent nothing great or bad.. there was only server at the time and she did her best with whatever communication she could muster. We ordered a dumpling, soup and entree.. the waitress could have warned us prior to ordering the entree that it comes with an optional soup ($3 extra).. the food was decent .. nothing exceptional.. I personally preferred a bit more flavor .. overall a decent place to dine for vegans.. the lemon grass hot and sour soup was great, dumplings average, tofu delight was bland and mushroom seitan was decent
Vineeth Kumar MuraliVineeth Kumar Murali
00
Where do I start, great vegan food or a really really rude server. The owner is pretty nice and patient, but the young woman who works with her is too rude. She left our table in a middle of the conversation. I had ordered a soup and an entree without being aware that the entree for lunch comes with a soup. I asked if I can cancel the soup that I ordered, but she was too rude and left the table. Apart from that, the food is really good. A budding vegan restaurant, and I would not like for it have such bad reputation. It is too rare to find a good vegan Chinese restaurant like this. Get eggplant kung pao and mushroom seitan. Their seitan tastes really good.
Sudhindra GopalSudhindra Gopal
00
Nearby Attractions Of Zhu Vegan
Capitol Theatre
Stop & Shop
Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston/Cambridge-Arlington, MA
Alewife Brook Reservation
Thorndike Field Park
North Union Spray Park
Magnolia Park
Chhabra Bridal Wear
Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens
Waldo Park

Capitol Theatre
4.6
(460)Click for details

Stop & Shop
3.7
(565)Click for details

Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston/Cambridge-Arlington, MA
4.2
(370)Click for details

Alewife Brook Reservation
4.7
(137)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Zhu Vegan
Menotomy Grill & Tavern
Arlington Restaurant & Diner
Za Arlington
Quebrada Baking Company
BOONNOON Market
Town Tavern
Guru the Caterer
Barismo
Quilo's Taqueria
Thrive Juice Cafe

Menotomy Grill & Tavern
4.3
(594)Click for details

Arlington Restaurant & Diner
4.4
(400)Click for details

Za Arlington
4.5
(256)Click for details

Quebrada Baking Company
4.7
(224)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
166 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02474
Map
Phone
(781) 646-7600
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Website
zhuvegan.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(298 reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Small, modern space spotlighting Pan-Asian cuisines free of meat, dairy, GMOs and MSG.
attractions: Capitol Theatre, Stop & Shop, Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston/Cambridge-Arlington, MA, Alewife Brook Reservation, Thorndike Field Park, North Union Spray Park, Magnolia Park, Chhabra Bridal Wear, Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens, Waldo Park, restaurants: Menotomy Grill & Tavern, Arlington Restaurant & Diner, Za Arlington, Quebrada Baking Company, BOONNOON Market, Town Tavern, Guru the Caterer, Barismo, Quilo's Taqueria, Thrive Juice Cafe

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