Veggie Heaven Somerset — Restaurant in Franklin Township

Veggie Heaven is a small, local chain that started in 1995 up in Teaneck, NJ, and gained their cult following for specializing in Chinese "mock meat" dishes. And those "mock meats" are absolutely uncanny—your omnivore friends may not even realize they're eating vegan.

It's wonderful that a place like this exists that allows plant-based folks to enjoy dishes we may have grown up with or miss, without sacrificing our values and help omnivores feel right at home while eating plant-based.

We ordered a ton of food but the standout dish for us was the Japanese drumsticks. I asked 3 times to ensure they were vegan because they were absolutely spot on to what I remember right down to the crispy skin. Look at the photo! I truly have no idea how they did it. My omnivore husband was equally impressed. If that creeps you out, you've been warned, but rest assured, it's all totally vegan.

We ordered: Scallion pancake (tasty but nothing unique) Japanese drumsticks (mindblowing) Szechuan dumplings (nice) Tonkatsu ramen with housemade noodles (one of my favorites—tastes like the nostalgic chicken soup you may have had as a kid but somehow they did it vegan) Crispy Soul Chicken (an uncanny replica of crispy, sweet general tso's)

We also finished off with a slice of the vegan cheesecake that was stunning! Creamy caramelized deliciousness. All made of tofu. You'd never know it (yes—omnivore husband confirmed it didn't taste like tofu)

The portions are large, and the prices are pretty low. They also bring the table pickled cabbage to snack on for free which is very kind.

Places like this give me hope that plant-based could someday become the default option because EVERYONE...

Restaurant is non-descript, casual, clean and comfortable.

Portions and cost are reasonable but it's worth the trip, to meet and be served by the humble, sweet, successful founder and originatorof the famous, decades old, Veggie Heaven menu and brand, and bake chef, Gary! There's a beverage and cold case with his cupcakes, cakes, cheesecakes and custard pies!

The smallest kitchen and somewhat smaller menu of the 3 establishments with much of the same, and some different unique choices, most of which are difficult to find or done as well anywhere else!

Unfortunately my favorite vegetables in the Chicken with Orange Flavor were largely undercooked and the dish was too spicy, and I would have preferred the Thai iced tea and the Malaysian Curry Chicken Noodle Soup to be a bit thicker and more flavorful, but I have no doubt the accommodating owner, would have been happy to adjust the meals.

The soup was a meal and did grow on me, and I adored the Salt & Pepper Chicken appetizer. They have the tastiest vegan chicken, shrimp, oily tofu, batters and authentic flavor sauces. The light cakes and custard pie are...

There isn't a vegan in NJ that doesn't know about Veggie Heaven. I usually go to the one in Montclair. It's always packed because the food is so good. The problem is that one has paid parking and involves a miserable drive up the Parkway to get there. When I found out a Veggie Heaven opened up in Somerset, I was ecstatic. This location is in a strip mall with plenty of parking. The inside is really cute and super clean. The staff couldn't have been friendlier. Portions are big, prices are great. A lot of vegan restaurants as as guilty as omni ones of up-charging because it's vegan, but you don't that problem here. The BBQ ribs are the best appetizer. The complimentary pickled cabbage....I could eat a whole bowl it's so good. Loved the Orange Beef and General Tso's chicken. We got two other lunch specials to take home for dinner, the price was too good not to. They even have ice cream and cake! I'm looking forward to that cheesecake in the morning. Vegan or not, this is definitely...