Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant — Restaurant in South El Monte

07/25/2025 Came open-minded to eat here, having dined at many vegetarian places in Houston before. The local friend who recommended this place suggested BBH or bun rieu but I decided on the rice (suon bi) thinking it would be more filling for the long drive back to TX.

3 of the party chose the BBH and enjoyed it. My dish came out just ok- 2 egg patties, meat patty, salad greens and a small bowl of veggie soup. Rice was very dry; left half uneaten and I'm not known to waste food either. Bro's order of fried rice was also nothing to write home about- dry and lil "meat" filler.

Waiter mixed up the order so 1 entree (fried rice) came after a majority of the party had eaten. Also, the savory platter of banh beo appetizer came out AFTER we had mostly eaten our entrees. Wait staff's ecxuse- this was for dessert (trang mieng) 🧐

Maybe the BBH would've been a better choice, but not basing on taste alone, the waiter's mistakes make it unlikely for a return trip if I'm ever in town again.

1 Redeeming factor was the soda xi mui- just right and not overly...

The restaurant has a spacious and bright atmosphere, with calming Buddhist music playing in the background. The decoration is simple yet beautiful. The prices are reasonable. We ordered a bowl of bún bò, cơm tấm, and gỏi cuốn. The bún bò was rich in flavor, without any MSG, and the “meat” balls were surprisingly delicious with a large portion. The cơm tấm was tasty, with flavorful “pork ribs” and egg patties, and the shredded pork skin (bì) was also very good, served with plenty of boiled vegetables and a bowl of soup. The gỏi cuốn was average, but the dipping sauce was unique, made without peanut butter. They even gave us some chè (sweet dessert) at the end of the meal. Payment is made at the counter, and they accept both...

This new spot just opened at the end of July, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite for anyone looking for authentic Vietnamese food without the meat. The flavors remind me so much of Vietnam, but with creative plant-based alternatives like tofu and soy-based “meats.” You won’t even miss the meat—everything is so well-prepared.

The interior is simple but clean, and the server was really welcoming, making the whole experience even better. If you’re into vegetarian food or just want to try something new, this place is definitely...