ChuMinh Tofu & Veggie Deli
1043 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA, 98104
ChuMinh Tofu & Veggie Deli Menu
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Address :
1043 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA, 98104 - Phone (206) 723-6095
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Devon H.
Yelp did not let me down. This place was great!! Stopped in for a bite before a festival in ID and couldn't justify stomach splurging for the buffet. But both the spicy tofu and sesame beef sandwiches were great! I will be back when I have time and effort to indulge on that amazing looking buffet though!!
(5)Jesse L.
DAMN. This place was good! This was my first stop when arriving to Seattle. Before I checked in to room even. Had that craving. Pretty easy place to find. They have there own parking area so street parking is not necessary. I walked in, & I didn't realize at first but they have a buffet section going on. Everything on the menu was vegetarian or vegan. Didn't know that initially either. I was going to try that spicy tofu banh mi! After seeing the selection I had to think about for a minute. Should I grub on the buffet??? I said no. Gonna stick to the spicy banh mi! So I'm still checking out the menu, tons of good looking dishes. Damn why can't I eat it all & not get full why?? Whatever, so i ordered tofu sandwich & some tofu springs rolls. That sandwich was good! Probably one of the best tofu banh mi I've had period. Look out poblano lol. Seriously tho food was super legit. Tofu was soaked in some red chili sauce & the veggies where fresh. Together you have perfection! Spring rolls where good too. They had a crunchy center roll which gave rolls a good texture. Staff was nice & facility was a good size. If I visit Seattle again, this place will see me again thats for sure.
(5)Candace K.
Any time that I find myself even remotely close to Seattle, I have to stop here. One of the only things that I miss as a vegan person is cafe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk). I have no idea how they make their non-dairy version so deliciously creamy, but damn, ChuMinh's coffee hits the spot. Their banh xeo pancake, banh mi, and spring rolls are always divine, too! The owners are also the nicest people and will go out of their way to make sure you have an enjoyable meal. Once, I was driving south from Vancouver later in the day and desperately craved an iced coffee. I was going to just miss them before they closed for the evening, but I called ChuMinh and they actually stayed open for 20 extra minutes just so that I could get my coffee fix, AND they made me a banh mi for the road. All in all--do yourself a favor, support a small business, and go get something delicious from these amazingly friendly folks!
(5)Mytoan N.
I bought a take away tub full of stuffed bittermelon (ho qua) soup yesterday. I think it's nearly gone, it was that good. This place is nothing fancy, but the items are consistent and the service is friendly, as always. I like their pineapple stirfries, their pickled items, and of course, the many many ways that one can prepare and consume tofu is all here.
(5)Cynthia L.
Not too far from here, I was at a restaurant with a friend that laughed about how over-the-top friendly the service we received was; [he] secretly wondering if he was on Candid Camera because the service was SO.EXUBERANT. Candid Camera. You know, the original reality TV show. The gal at ChuMinh tickles me. Like that other restaurant, she is sweet and funny and gives you so many free little bites, I generally buy more than I intended to--just so I can put money back into her pocket! It's like friendly guilting. Fr-uilting. Or something like that. If you couldn't tell, ChuMinh is vegetarian chow. Lemongrass fried tofu -- I eat that right out of the bag like candy. They make a real fantastic chili oil here so feel free to ask if you can purchase some. I bet you if you asked for anything at all, she would give it to you. But you wouldn't do that, would you? I like the veggie fish, but it's so salty sometimes. What's REALLY good is their vegetarian duck. What's that? Paper-thin tofu sheets wrapped around shitake mushrooms and other vegetables. The exterior is a perfect color match to roasted duck mmmm The veggie empanada-shaped fried pastry is a little bland for me. And I'm going to do this sometime: they have an AYCE buffet that you can eat in their connected dining room! Who doesn't want to try 'Vegan Lobster'? This I know: They can do amazing things with vegetable products. I had their vegetarian 'pork' and not only did it look like it, it was way meatier in consistency than I was expecting. It's another favorite. Free Sample Lady: You know what you're doing.
(4)Claire K.
The owner is just as sweet as everyone has said. The food is generally okay, some things are pretty good, others are a little weird. But I just can't eat here. There is a layer of grime that covers all the corners and spots where dishes are being washed and makes it look like it hasn't ever been cleaned. The fact that the owner has previously been shut down for rat droppings, live insects and pigeons near her food is sadly not surprising to me. I saw a man bring out a sandwich, sneeze on it and then hand it to the owner to sell to a waiting customer. I like grungy, hole-in-the-wall places but this feels like another level to me. If I can see this much grime in the serving area I don't trust their food prep area. The owner is incredibly kind, I just wish she would clean up her restaurant before they get shut down again. We really do need great vegan places in Seattle, and I hope this one will stick around.
(3)Nina H.
Super friendly owners here! Stopped by to grab some food for a group meeting last night, and snagged the last two boxes of banh cuon ($7 each) - not sure how the price compares to other Vietnamese delis but they were quite tasty and generous on the portions. I also grabbed some hot food to go with brown rice. I tried the seaweed wrapped tofu pieces and while they were a bit salty, they were unique and good with the rice. Everything here is vegetarian which is awesome because two of our friends were veg so I kept them in mind. I think there are a few seats in the back and they also have banh mi and pho. It's a convenient location with parking!
(4)Ziadee C.
Holy crap delicious tofu bon mi and is that really the price? Where else can you get a scrumptious lunch for two for $10? This place seriously rules.
(5)MyAnne K.
I drive by ChuMinh deli quite often and finally dined here for lunch today. There are two parts to this restaurant; the deli side which has a wide variety of tofu, egg rolls, and hot food items. Then there's the restaurant side which offers a full menu on the most popular vegetarian Vietnamese dishes. I had the bun bo hue and vegetarian pho. The BBH was savory with lemongrass, shitake mushrooms, broccoli, tofu, and bean curd. The pho had amazing flavor with cinnamon, coriander, star anise, naturally sweetened by the vegetables; carrots, tofu, mushrooms, and cabbage. Both were delicious. Service was great. The owner Nga is just lovely! And I heard her graciously speaking Spanish to her waitstaff! Very talented lady who can cook and speak 3 languages! I'll be back for sure!
(4)Veg V.
This is a GREAT place, a gem in the rough (sketchy neighborhood), run by two very sweet, skilled, and kind sisters, who serve large amounts of really good veg Vietnamese food. We had their unlimited buffet for $10, which was an amazing, varied, scrumptious, and filling adventure. Highly recommended!
(5)Veronika S.
Veggie Deli is delicious, I like all the options available and it is always different every time I go there, which for me is a good thing because it provides a lot of variety, there's this vegetable that I have no idea what it is but it tastes like it's pickled and I am totally hooked on that vegetable. I always get three items but they also offer a buffet. My boyfriend will get take out for us and he orders chow mein and fried rice from the menu and a few egg rolls. There are a few tables but they fill out quickly so make sure you have a plan b if they run out of tables. The owners are super nice and always remember their customers and are so helpful. I hope my review helped and enjoy your experience at Veggie Deli.
(5)Amy S.
I would eat here every day! And with their low prices, I probably can afford to eat here every day! I've had various banh mi sandwiches ($3.50) and items from their hot bar. Everything has been very good. I love that their hot bar (they have an all you can eat buffet for $9.99 at lunch) has a lot of foods that are fake meat. Also, since the buffet food isn't food that is especially made for an all you can eat buffet, it is quality. It isn't just a bunch of cheap carbs, it is really delicious tofu and veggie dishes. The staff is also really friendly. Ordering can be a bit confusing (especially if there are people standing around waiting for their food) but every time I go in, they've always been really nice and always ask if I need help even if I'm not standing in the right line. Also, I've never noticed the place is dirty as another reviewer mentioned. I think it might not have everything shiny and new but that doesn't mean it is dirty. And I am definitely the type who would notice if a restaurant was dirty or even dirtier than most other restaurants I've been to.
(5)Matthew C.
I moved to Seattle about a year ago, and tried ChuMinh for the first time about a month ago. Since that magical first discovery, I have been back multiple times a week. It is now my favorite place to eat / get take-out in Seattle - hands down! I'm not even a vegetarian. Get their noodle soup! Get their Pad Thai! Get their lunch buffet! Get their Banh Mi. Seriously, for each and every one of those categories, ChuMinh wins. Also, incredibly cheap, and really friendly owners. And in response to the reviewer who complained about the owners' colorful health code history: It is a known fact of the universe that for authentic Asian food there is an inverse relationship between health code ratings and food deliciousness. When I see a dingy hole in the wall with a layer of dust on the Buddhist shrine, I know I'm in for a treat. Was this place kinda dingy? Yeah, maybe a little bit. Have I gotten sick in the dozen times I've eaten here? Nope! Do I worry about getting sick here? Nope! If you want something that passed the health inspection with flying colors, go eat at McDonald's. I'll be at ChuMinh chowing down on some spicy bamboo curry.
(5)Jennifer Y.
This is a review for their veggie chicken banh mi sandwich. Its was surprisingly delicious. Lots of pickled vegetables and veggie chicken. Good amount of sauce to give it some extra kick. I only wished I had bought a second sandwich to eat later! Ordering might be a bit confusing as there are food out to pick yourself and a menu to options. The owners are super gracious and extremely helpful. Will come back to try other menu options.
(4)Elizabeth E.
I so wanted to be able to jump on the band wagon and write a good review for this place. When my companion and I first walked in the door, she commented that the place was dirty. I tried to ignore the dirt that I saw. I was so enticed by the reviews and amazing selection of vegan food that, rather than my normal response, we ordered take out. The owners were extremely gracious and kind. They were very welcoming and explained their dishes to us. They also added an additional amount of food to our order for no charge and cut the price of the total bill. They also encouraged us to sample the food, but I noticed that most of the sanitary practices that you see at other places that sample food, weren't being followed at Chu Minh. The other slightly disconcerting thing was their high tech cash register required that you choose the amount of your tip out of several options. There wasn't any option that skipped a tip. I'm certainly not against tipping. I just haven't seen a system that required that you pay one or your bill wouldn't be processed. Now, the big issue - I decided to check the health department history on this place. I had a hard time finding much on the Chu Minh deli/restaurant, but I discovered the owners had had previous problems with the department of health. Sometime in the past 3 years a tofu factory owned by the same people was shut down due to their inability to comply with basic health requirements. The name of the tofu factory was the same as the name of the current deli/restaurant. One of the owners gave an odd explanation as to why people should feel safe about eating at the Chu Minh deli/restaurant. She said that they do not make their own tofu, but buy it from a different vendor. Considering the lack of basic cleanliness at the deli plus the history that I discovered, I and my companion will not be returning. It is very sad, but they are also jeopardizing peoples' health.
(1)Marc K.
I don't know where to start. This is hands down, a fantastic representation of genuine Vietnamese home cooking. Seriously. it's awesome. They even have Vegan Banh Bao! I mean, come on! Find me any place anywhere that has those puppies of glory! The lemongrass chik'n Banh Mi... is well, soul touching for me. The BanhCoun! Wow, fresh and glorious. For those of you who are fans of Blossom Vegetarian in Renton, apparently, there's some connection between them and these fine folks. Which makes sense, both are are great. Listen to me. Do the following. * Grab your phone, wallet, and keys * use whatever mode of transport you have access to, and go to this place right meow. * buy everything you see that looks tasty. The stuff you're unsure about, ask for a sample * bring some home for dinner * thank your lucky stars you live near this place. I've been to Vietnam, all parts of china, Canada... anywhere where there's good Viet food, and I'm telling you, this place is special on a scale that simply can't be appreciated by the living. Enjoy irresponsibly
(5)Samuel B.
This little place offers three-dollar Bahn Mi sandwiches that are priceless on the palate, a visually blinding array of veggie combos at the buffet, and nutty-perfect brown rice to tie it all together. Everyone in the place seems delighted that you've stopped by, and the service embodies that welcome-home spirit. If you've still got your grump on when you leave this place, it's probably terminal...
(5)Solie P.
awesome everything is awesome and vegan :)
(4)Edward W.
The food here is extremely good. Don't be put off by the fact that the menu is completely vegetarian; even if you aren't, the food is still miles better than the fare at most normal restaurants. Other reviews do a fine job of talking about the friendliness of the owners, the low prices, and so on and so forth. My own contribution will be to recommend the bun bo hue (a spicy noodle soup), which has an amazing, unbeatable taste. The broth is simply astounding. Also, many of the buffet items are exceptional, and since samples are free, you can easily figure out what you like and dislike. It's a classic "hole in the wall"--the sort of place that people yearn to discover, a true "hidden gem" of the International District.
(5)Subramanya S.
Friendly service. Great food! The summer rolls were amazing.
(5)Deb T.
Quick and delicious. Everything was vegetarian so it was fun to be able to eat anything. Friendly!
(5)Kyle T.
These ladies were super friendly and the food was delicious! I am really glad that we stumbled upon this place.
(5)Kelli V.
AMAZING. This place is so tasty and good. I highly recommend this place. Please be very kind and patient to the very nice people here. They make wonderful food at very good prices. They are also so nice and helpful.
(5)ron a.
This is s vegatarian's dream restaurant. Wonderful, wonderful food and terrific owners. And by the way you don't have to be a vegetarian to appreciate the tasty and exotic flavors. Like us you will find yourself coming back time after time; always better than you remembered it! Our favorite among many entre's, the taro meatballs...enjoy
(5)Haroldo M.
This place is amazing the staff is superb such a lovely hidden treasure. this place i love love love!
(5)Jennifer B.
I've been once and the got the buffet, which happens to be all vegan. It was delicious! The other food that you could eat aside from it looked really yummy too. The service was great. The price was cheap. Everyone was very friendly. The environment is a small dine-in and take-out, nothing fancy. I'm not sure if all the food is Vietnamese. There were lots of currys and a couple filipino dishes, if I'm not mistaken.. I can't wait to go back :)
(5)Steven L.
Been coming here for the past 2 years and have NEVER been disappointed. The owners (two sisters) treat me like I'm family every time. Amazing food, amazing people, you can't go wrong coming here.
(5)Bobo J.
Amazing food and friendly service. To go into a restaurant where I can eat anything off of a buffet with 30+ items and it is all vegetarian is heaven. My favorites were the sesame puffs, eggrolls, coconut tofu curry, seitan "pork" and stuffed peppers. And the pride the chef took in her food was touching, too. Can't wait to become a regular here!
(5)Lynne M.
Just like the others said - super friendly folks, parking, tasty sandwiches, and great prices. The dining room looks freshly painted and was quite inviting. My only complaint - I couldn't wait to get home to eat my banh mi and littered the car with that delicious fresh French bread.
(4)Caitlin O.
One wouldn't guess by the exterior that this place has some of the best and cheapest vegan food in the city. Try the sesame "beef" bahn mi!
(5)Jacob F.
This is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant that you can really trust to be meat-free. The owners are very humble and welcoming. The lunch buffet is a good deal and is quite tasty with a wide variety of options. Fake meats galore! I'd recommend trying a bit of everything.
(5)Rachel A.
Stopped by here on a whim to pick up bahn mis for a picnic. The buffet looks awesome--I've been looking for a place to get a vegetarian dim sum-like meal, and I think I've found it! All kinds of interesting dishes, mostly with fake meats. I also spotted stewed jackfruit, that's intriguing. The people were super friendly and insisted we sample several things, including a banana soup which was surprisingly awesome. We ended up with not just 2 tofu bahn mis, but also some fresh rolls with mushrooms and a skewer of fake beef, and I think it cost about $12. I definitely want to return and eat at the buffet, which is $10 per person. It's not a glamorous spot, but the food is great.
(5)Channing J.
Food: Fantastic! Try everything. I'm not a vegan, but I'd eat here any day. Healthy, inexpensive, and delicious. Service: Friendly, sincere, accommodating. I am regretting having given only a 25% tip. In short, this restaurant inspired me to create a Yelp account. Go here and enjoy it.
(5)Sunny P.
This place is super affordable and totally worth it, especially for the broke college student (me)! They have a delicious $9.99 vegan buffet with such a great variety of vegan dishes (different types of coconut milk based curry, stuffed bitter melon, fried eggplant, SO many types of tofu in many different dishes, etc.) and various menu items that range from about $3 to $13ish, which include a couple noodle dishes, spring rolls, summer rolls, egg rolls, combo dishes, banh mi, bubble tea, and a lot more. I went for the vegan buffet, in which you start out with a plate of either brown or white rice and fill that plate up until you're stuffed! There aren't really any labels to tell you what each of the dishes are, so definitely ask if you're curious to know, or just go for it. You won't be disappointed! The customer service is absolutely amazing, with just the sweetest people ever who make you feel like family, and I will definitely be back because of that... and of course, the super good Vietnamese food!
(5)Janelle Q.
The ladies are always so sweet here. Their food is good. Quick, go-to deli items, all vegetarian. One time, I didn't have any cash on me after I had ordered. They told me to just come back tomorrow and served me my food anyway. They definitely live up to their sign on the wall that reads "We care more about your health and well-begin than getting rich. Please enjoy your meal."
(5)Cara P.
This place is amazing. The tofu banh mi here rocks my world. Make sure to try the tofu with pickled mustard greens too - it's surprisingly delicious. A huge plus: super-friendly service!
(5)Y U.
Wow - this place is quite a find! The food is so good, and varied. The service is incredibly friendly, and prices low. You can get your delicious meal to go or sit in their back dining room, with complimentary tea. Decor is minimal but that does not detract from the wonderful food. And how cool that it's all vegetarian! Can't recommend highly enough. Go. Go! GO!!!!
(5)Mellow Yello W.
I found myself craving some Vietnamese spring rolls with three dollars and some change left after shopping in the area. Luckily for me, there was one more package of spring rolls left, priced at a reasonable $3! As I held the money, the sweet owner asked if I wanted anything else, and I mentioned that's all I wanted and all the cash I had - well she said whenever I'm hungry and don't have money, come get the food and pay next time!!! Awww! Virtual hug for her!! By the way, my spring rolls were ginormous, fresh, and super tasty :) Come support!
(5)Daren D.
They recently finished the new attached dining space. It's awesome! There's a couple small tables and about seating for 6 at the bar counter. She still has plans to add a few more things, like a small bar which will probably have all the drinks (beer, bubble tea, coffee, wine?...). I believe she said the permit's out so that'll be cool. The ladies are always so sweet, generous and friendly. It's usually Thanh Nya and/or her sister, Vivian, when I'm there. Lots of awesome great dishes; usual staples and some rotating new items. Try samples! They're glad to help you. Dining in is the honesty policy - finish your food then pay. The small, corner parking lot is usually busy on weekends. Please don't drive large vehicles in there.
(5)Dayna M.
O my word their food is delicious. Only second to the incredibly friendly service and the huge warm smiles and good vibes. Plus so ridiculously cheap, which is pretty rare for vegan food. One of those kinds of places that make you feel happy to be alive...it's that rad.
(5)Evan S.
Loved this all vegan deli. Friendly staff, great variety, good prices. The vegan savory pie was awesome!
(5)Marquita P.
Friendly people, genuine and sincere service. The food is great. Speaking as someone who has been to Vietnam 3 times, the food is authentic! There are so many options and they are all delicious!
(5)Felicia T.
I loved the food here. It's an all vegan buffet in S. Seattle. I got a huge combo meal to go and it was 7.65 plus tax. The customer service was AMAZING as well. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Alyssa B.
I love this place. Vegetarian options and vegan options galore, everything is well-seasoned, the staff is very friendly, and the atmosphere is comfortable and small. It's definitely not a fancy place, but it has a homey vibe and equally comforting food. Great sandwiches, too! Their spicy tofu banh mi is incredible. Highly recommended and very inexpensive for the options and quality.
(5)Bunneh L.
Extremely friendly, generous staff. The lady who works there offerred me free tea AND soy milk! The veggie pho was a disappointment. The broth was pretty good, but strangely greasy. How is this possible at a vegan place? The noodles were really overcooked too. The broth needed something, but they only had the Sriracha and hoisin sauce. No chili paste. No sate. No salt even. I also emphasized "no carrots" at least three times, and of course my pho comes out with fuckin carrots. The deli portion did not have any signs indicating what was what, which was totally not helpful, especially when the staff speak almost no English. They need signs and a menu! Also, the seating area was filthy, dissheveled, and FREEZING cold. I ate with my winter coat and scarf on the whole time and was still cold. To sum things up, they need: menus and/or signs for the food, central heating, and a cleaning crew. Two stars for the friendly, generous staff.
(2)Courtney Y.
Happened upon this place while heading to a different deli. The power happened to be out, however the staff was quick to assist and did so well. I ordered a tofu banh mi and tofu spring rolls. the buffet looked amazing and I was floored with joy at having such a plethora of options, considering my vegetarian lifestyle! how very exciting. having already fallen for this restaurant, I came to realize I had no cash as their power was out temporarily. as I asked, a woman working interrupted and told me to pay the next time I came in. not only did I find the vegetarian Vietnamese deli I have been pining away for, not only was it delicious, not only was the staff lovely, they went above and beyond. I will be a returning customer and rest assured, bring additional customers along. absolutely fabulous!
(5)Yumiko K.
This place has become my go-to takeout place. The cheery Vietnamese lady behind the counter remembers me and my favourites (eggplant!!) now. She has claimed to take care of me and puts extra veggies on my combo meal. After a loooong day at work, her friendly smiles and motherliness really warm my soul. GO THERE AND EAT YOUR VEGGIES!!
(5)Dan C.
For Vietnamese vegetarian food, this place is as good as it gets. I am by no means a vegetarian, but whenever I feel I've stuffed myself with too much meat, I generally go to this place to "detox". the staff are friendly and the food is reasonably priced. Do try the noodle soup.
(5)Yochi Z.
This all vegan spot blew my socks off! $3 spring rolls with vegan pork. $9 all you can eat, $7 hot bar special. The owner explained everything on the bar in a nice, helpful manner. All the meats were made in house, and delicious! The plastic chair ambiance might not be your thing, but you can't ask for a wider variety of vegan stuff at these prices. I'll definitely be back for some take out or a quick bite.
(4)Bob G.
Delicious food! Came here with 11 friends at the end of a week long bike your and had the most amazing all-you-can-eat experience! Highly recommended!!
(5)G C.
This place is fantastic, the owner is like the Tofu Whisperer-- she really works magic with tofu and renders it into amazing forms with creativity and culinary genius. There's faux pork belly made with tofu, with coconut milk as the fatty part. Even if you're not a vegan or tofu lover (and I don't really like tofu actually, I'm ambivalent-- but I LOVED what I ate there), you'll be pleasantly surprised by the food. It's flavorful and hearty, and doesn't taste like a veggie imitation or substitute for meat. Vegetarians who like faux meat and those who are more veggie centric will both find something they love. My favorite dishes are the ones with the jackfruit. Wish this place got more press-- it's nothing short of amazing!! PS-- Tried fresh soymilk there for the first time. It's super light and earthy tasting-- nothing compared to the packaged shelf stuff at Whole Foods.
(5)Anand M.
I was hoping to stay away from Yelp for a while, but this place was brilliant and deserves immediate praise. Earlier today evening, I was starving in Pioneer Square and completely drenched by a typical sudden June Seattle downpour book-ended by deceptive sunshine. Smartphone told me this was the nearest place for veg food, so I decided to walk the mile to get here not knowing that the respite in rain was only temporary. It would pour at exactly 0.5 miles into my walk, and I spent 5 minutes trying to decide on whether to go back 0.5 miles or go forward 0.5 miles in this mostly uncovered and badly planned part of Seattle. So glad I picked the latter. I was surprised that the owner did not think I was a homeless guy from nearby Pioneer Square considering my drenched state. Instead, she offered me the free soy milk, but I took water instead so as to not get an estrogen overdose (google "soy and estrogen" please). I have rarely seen such a large selection in a vegetarian buffet in my life. Only managed to sample 1/3 of it. Wanted to rush back to catch a bus to Bellevue...owner said I should take some stuff with me in a plastic container since I only made one trip to the buffet! Unfortunately, the container became so sticky that I gave it to a homeless guy near Pioneer Square. Next time I see him, I will ask him if he liked the "chicken".
(5)Bam B.
Fresh vegan food lots of choices, deli food or dine in buffet! Nice customer service. Very affordable! Love this place highly recommend it vegan food taste so good! I recommend the fried tiny fish (tofu) and the stuffed bitter melon soup. Don't recommend the banh xeo (crispy pancake) it was too thick and not crispy ( go to Renton Payapa for banh xeo)
(5)Jessie M.
I bought some flash-fried herbed tofu from ChuMinh a couple years back and it was delicious! I've always meant to go back, but I forget it exists. My boyfriend and I stopped in the other day--I should preface this by saying it was Easter Sunday, so I will allow that there's at least a possibility that played a role in ourbad experience. At any rate, the staff was very friendly and helpful (I'd give them four stars just for that, but the food...oh man). The food--literally everything we tried--was borderline inedible. I'm not one to write a bad review about a place with merit in an area like customer service (and that tofu two years ago--so good!). In fact, for a little, obviously family-run place like this, you have to really screw up to get a bad review from me, but in this case, especially with all the four and five-star reviews up here, I feel I have to share. I was so disappointed. It's hard to get my boyfriend to agree to eat at an all-vegetarian restaurant, and when I do, I always hope it will be a good experience for both of us. On recommendation from the nice young man at the counter, we tried the buffet. We didn't know what most of the dishes were, so we piled our plates with a little of this and that. We got back to our table and started in. Almost immediately we were making faces at each other like, OMG, this is...this is terrible. I actually spit a couple of things out (and I'm not a picky eater). Some of the baked noodle dishes had noodles so overcooked and hard on top that I couldn't bite through them. The various tofu styles and sauces were either super bland or the flavor was bitter or otherwise unpleasant. The coconut curry--though I'm not a fan in general--was ok, and though the brown rice was my boyfriend's least favorite item, ironically, I thought it was the least offensive of the lot. Some of the textures and flavors were ok--some of them--like the fried tofu strips, but they had obviously been under the heat lamp so long they had gone chewy. If any one thing had been bad (obviously old food sitting out too long under heat lamps or the bitter, icky flavors of some of the dishes, the blandness of others), I could have given them the benefit of the doubt. But I had to cover everything on my plate with chili paste to cover the flavor and make it edible. On a funny note, I did actually buy their chili paste to take home, as it was pretty tasty. Just regular ol' chili paste, but still. I actually felt really bad that the food was so bad. I was wondering how they've been in business this long. But with all these good reviews, I don't know. Crazy!
(2)Larry L.
Good food! Tasty! Good value. Good for you. Small hole in the wall tofu cafe I was surprised how good it was. Different and interesting dishes. Been there twice now!!
(5)Susan G.
There are a lot of Vietnamese delis in this area, but this is one of the cleanest and nicest. The staff here is really sweet and friendly! It's four stars instead of five because sometimes it's hard to get in and out of there quickly, even when it's a really simple order. But I can't overstate how nice the staff is here!
(4)Debbie W.
First Visit - absolutely delightful. Tofu Bahn Mi (me) and Buffet Lunch (him) - all vegan, so tasty, no labels, no frills, lovely lovely people. Very little English spoken so don't go if that and tasting stuff you dont recognize scares you. We'll be back many times.
(5)Cherise F.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! 5 STARS!! Let me start by saying this deli is ALL VEGAN! Being a vegetarian white person who doesn't know any Vietnamese, it's awesome and reassuring to go into a Vietnamese deli and be able to order anything and know it doesn't have hidden animal products lurking within! I love ChuMinh's tofu and have been eating it for years, so I'm very excited that they finally opened a deli serving tofu-laden vegan dishes! I've even gotten my meat-eating boyfriend addicted to this place. We usually order the 2 entree dinner combo ($6) with red rice (super delicious!!) and we pick 2 entrees that look good that day. So far I've had the mixed vegetables, tofu curry, tofu and greens, and a special tofu thing with pineapple and mushrooms and vegetables that they had made as a one-day experiment. We also order banh mi ($2.75) to save for lunch the next day. My favorite is the spicy lemongrass tofu. Last time we went on a weekday at about 7:30pm (they close at 8) and they were out of lemongrass tofu so we got onion instead which I was happy with. I've also gotten the tofu spring rolls ($2) which were very delicious! The $6 dinner combo is easily enough food for 2-3 people as it comes in a full-size compostable take-out container with generous servings. This place is pretty tiny and they have one dining table in the middle. It's best to get your food to-go and pay with cash. They take credit cards (with a $0.50 charge for transactions under $5) but I think their machine is very slow and/or doesn't work sometimes. I tried to pay with a card once and she said the machine wasn't working properly so I ended up paying with cash instead. Taxes are built into the prices, and be sure to throw some cash into the tip jar.
(5)Phuong T.
Some of the vegetarian dishes here are good but customer service is so bad! Came in for their veggie roast pork, it was $2.50 the first time I bought it. The next week I came back another lady was trying to charge me $4 per piece. I said I got it for $2.50 the week before and she argued with me and said it's $4. She told me to buy something else when I said it was too expensive. How rude! I walked away and will never do business with them again! I am sure I can find alternatives somewhere else with more honest people.
(2)Lolia S.
It's like being surrounded by a room full of glorious tofu. Chu Minh Tofu is a newish vegetarian Vietnamese deli where they make all sorts of things out of soy/tofu. They have the basics - fresh tofu, fresh soy milk - and they have fried rice, noodle soups, stews prepared dishes with veggie pork, veggie fish, veggie shrimp, veggie pate, che (desserts), sticky rice, and banh mi. There's not just one but several kinds of tofu banh mi. * Spicy tofu banh mi ($2.75): a big sandwich cut into three sections, the toasted baguette was light and crisp (like it had rice flour) and crumbs kept falling off. It was stuffed with slabs of lightly fried tofu slathered in a strong, spicy hot sauce, cilantro, crunchy pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber spear, jalapenos. Spicy, crunchy, tangy and satisfying. * Onion tofu ($2.75/lb): not fried, cut from the slab, with black fungus, green onion and silver thread noodles, really good, creamier than the plain tofu we tried * Plain tofu ($1.25/lb) yelp.com/biz_photos/V3Al… : firm, clean beany flavor, not as creamy as Thanh Son, exterior is harder (dried out?) * Sweet soy milk: not too sweet, reheated in the microwave, average Limited seating inside. They offered free samples and complimentary tea.
(4)Charlie W.
Chu Minh Tofu and Veggie Deli is an oddball vegan Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of Little Saigon. I'd say "heart" is exactly the right way to describe the feeling of this tiny place. It appears to be operated on a fairly low budget by a large--and occasionally strange--assortment of very nice people, including Buddhist nuns. Basically, you are offered a large selection of $7 vegan dishes--either noodles, soups, fried rice, or rice combinations--to which you can add some $3 appetizers and $2 desserts and beverages. The food is impeccable in its quality, freshness and taste. Some of the dishes are so good as to be pathologically addictive--the stuffed bittermelon rolls and the red curry served with red rice come immediately to mind. The preparation can be uneven, however. Certain common ingredients, such as jalapeno peppers in the $3 tofu bahn mi (sandwich), occasionally turn up missing. The restaurant has just added a dining area, so serving procedures haven't been quite standardized yet. I generally proceed cafeteria style: order at the deli, pay for the plate and carry it to and seat myself in the dining area. This may change--who knows? Chu Minh is located at an L-shaped strip mall at the southwest corner of 12th Ave. S and S. Jackson St. As currently the only tenant in the mall, it theoretically has up to 15 parking spaces.
(4)S K.
Heaven for vegans and vegetarians. The BEST Vietnamese Deli I have been to. It is operated by the nicest group people, sometimes. They let you sample things before committing to buy from the buffet. Their BanhBi are FULL of flavor. I also had their fresh wraps, and the jack fruit salad. One of the nice ladies came to my table and coached me how to eat one of the dishes in authentic fashion. Both service and food were outstanding. It is so inexpensive, I had to give a large tip just so I did not feel guilty about having such good service and food and pay nothing for it :)
(5)Josh T.
THE BEST VIETNAMESE DELI. Awesome banh mi, egg rolls that are crispy, not soggy and greasy, all kinds of delicious Vietnamese deli foods, all vegan, served up by the friendliest service and--not that's it kept me away from Vietnamese delis--but they speak English well and are organized! I called ahead one morning to order 30 eggrolls for an event but when I picked them up, all I wanted was to eat the whole pile for breakfast. Luckily they gave me one extra because I looked hungry (probably my neutral face). Even as a seasoned visitor to disorganized Vietnamese delis, I really appreciate that there is some acknowledgment of your presence and a desire to sell you food. While I've frequented a lot of the delis in Little Saigon, this one is a mile above the rest for the quality of the food and the great service.
(5)R R.
Everything's vegan!!! The food was pretty good. The setting is kind of odd. It looks like it's partially under construction and partially under deconstruction. Not the tidiest of eateries, but heck, it's the I.D. I had the vegetarian pancake, which I should know by now I don't have the skill set to put together. So that's my problem, not the restaurant's. Very sweet people run the place.
(3)Tyler L.
Delicious tofu bahn mi sandwich and egg rolls. NICEST staff ever. Very cheap. I didn't try any of the buffet, which looks a bit disorganized with mysterious food... but I was very satisfied with my takeout order (see above).
(4)jeremy f.
For the money, some of the best food you can get! Oh and it's all vegan! Yummy treats abound that everyone will enjoy, such as bean paste sesame balls, red curry, faux drumsticks, vegan humbow, and sticky rice w/ banana purses. Oh did I mention the selection of dazzling deserts? Rice pudding and banana, lychee, or barley and black eyed pea! Thanh Nga doesn't westernize her food. Bitter Melon stuff with tofu skin? It's the kind of dish that won't appeal to everyone but that everyone should try. Oh yes, and they also make tofu. Onion tofu! Spicy tofu! YUM! Note: Look elsewhere for refined elegant atmosphere. This place is a classic asian cafe. Cafeteria counter with steam plates and a common table to eat at which you'll probably be sharing! In my opinion, it's the best kind of ambiance.
(5)Nate W.
Their sandwiches did not disappoint. I think mouthwatering is the only way to describe them. For $2.75 a piece for their banh mi, this is vegan student heaven (well recent student at least!) It's a very small, family powered shop that offers a large variety given their size. When I was there, I saw spring rolls, 'egg' rolls, curry, various stir fries and other goodies I'm not familiar with because its so traditional! Definitely a hidden gem that should ALWAYS be frequented after Sounders, Hawks or Mems games. Superb.
(5)Dub N.
Really? I was so surprised to see 4.5 stars on Yelp. It's exactly like you would imagine a low budget cafeteria, except all of the tofu is mystery flavor and questionable cleanliness of the system they have. A lot of the food is not behind the glass and anybody can just come in and cough on it. Just about none of the food is fresh and just sits out.... unless you are Chinese middle aged lady in Chinatown early in the AM, this place is not for you. BONUS +++ nobody speaks English here and can't help you, except the 1 minimum wage Mexican dude that apologized for forgetting to put in my order because he is the only one that speaks English and has to do everything, and is working with all loud mouth Viet owner women. I feel sorry for that dude. Just go in here.....look at the menu...look at the food they have out... they are not exactly trying to impress anybody here. In other words it SUCKS, go get an Apple next door at the grocery or one of those Vietnamese sandwiches next door at one of the other 25 Vietnamese Cafe's within 100 ft.
(1)Urban L.
Quickly becoming my favorite place to grab takeout after a busy day at work. There's a hot table, so you can order a combo of items or one specific one. A bit confusing but since everything's vegetarian, I don't sweat it -- just point and order. ;-) The women who work there are really sweet. They'll help you pick what to choose and even add something extra that they want you to try. I've tried a few different tofu & veggie options and all were good. I love eggplant so that's probably my favorite. I bought a tofu sandwich for tomorrow's lunch so looking forward to trying it then. I like getting 3 small portions of the entrees vs. the rice combo that comes with too much rice for me. Bottom line - great food, affordable, helpful and friendly service. All good!
(4)Stephanie C.
I believe this deli just opened not too long ago. It's definitely small, cozy, and obviously family run. This is a great place for vegetarians since nothing contains meat and almost all their deli foods contain tofu. I tried the tofu banh mi (awesome!) and the combo vegan rice plate (you get to choose two entrees and brown or white rice). I think you get an eggroll for the rice plate too, but they forgot mine (don't take my word for it). The sandwich was around $2.50 and the rice plate was $6. It can be a little unorganized at times, but the food is worth the wait. Give them a try! Parking is currently quite available since they are the only business in that parking lot at the time.
(4)Scot K.
Just because a place is vegan doesn't elevate the reviews. To me a vegan restaurant's food should be the same as a carnivore's when it comes to taste and quality. What the place has going for it currently is a convenient location, low prices and a very helpful staff. I have opted for the hot food since it's been cold outside. I'll try the banh mi on the next go round. On different visits I have had the sauteed eggplant, the tofu in chili sauce, curry and some steamed veggies with plain rice. To be honest, the egg plant didn't have much flavor and was a little oily. They can add more flavors like garlic, shallots, soy sauce and a number of things to ramp up the flavor. The curry was okay, again not much in the flavor department. The fried tofu in chili sauce is my favorite, probably since all they do is fry the tofu and toss it in chili sauce. It could use some other flavors for more depth. The Buddhist nuns cooking are a nice touch, but they need to add more flavor to the food. I'll update the review after I try the banh mi.
(2)Anuj K.
I'm only giving this place 5 stars for the severe nostalgia it invoked when I walked in the door. Growing up as a vegetarian in San Jose, CA, the epicenter of the Vietnamese community in Northern California, my family and I quickly leaned on the support of the local tofu deli and fell in love with the variety of foods they offered. This place stands up to the competition down South, I believe. The offer up fresh foods, like red curry, stuffed bitter melon, stir fried mock fish (mm...), bean curd egg rolls, regular egg rolls, a variety of bean/legume based desserts, and fresh tofu and soy milk! ahh! out of control. A vegan's paradise! The Banh mi is also pretty delicious and I think 2.75 a pop, however prices are not listed and that's my estimate from a breakdown of a bill of $19 for a ton of food. Caution for Vegans though - Banh Mi traditionally has mayonnaise, so just ask for a sandwich without any and you're good to go.
(5)Elizabeth M.
All I've had so far is the vegan beef banh mi, but holy cow is it outrageous. I've eaten 3 in the past 2 days. Will be back.
(5)J S.
Best veggie place I have been to in Seattle. Actually one of the best restaurants I have been in Seattle. DO NOT pass this up because it is out of the way!! Staff is really nice!! Awesome! Tanya will let you try everything. Great Bun and 2.75 sandwich!!! Lemon grass veggie chicken, they even have bbq pork that really tastes like meat (if you are into that),. tofu and mustard greens, red curry bamboo shoots. Super cheap, also they make their own soy milk, tofu, firm and great to cook with; comes plain or chili lemon grass ($1.50/lb!!) They are expanding and will have a bigger dining area (grand remodel opening on 10/19/12) I walked in and was amazed and giddy for amazing food and for the price it is worth it!!
(5)connie k.
this place is darling. they have veggie everything (vegan duck, fish, lobster, whatever vegetarian version of animal-based foods), including some vegetarian vietnamese stuff in the takeout fridge (bi chay for spring rolls at home - YES). the people who work here are always super friendly. never tried the buffet lunch, but everything i've taken home to eat from here has been tasty. also, their 3 for $2 vegan egg rolls are delicious - they're filled with taro/carrot/tofu, in case you're curious.
(5)K L.
Such great food here! Love the variety- I never knew tofu could come in some many shapes, sizes and flavors! I especially love the red curry and lemongrass tofu. Always something new to try too!
(5)Linda C.
Such a great little place! It's in a nondescript corner that you'd easily drive by. The people behind the counter are friendly and generous - their answer to "what's in that" was to open it up and offer a taste -- !! Several cooked dishes that change every week, as well as staples such as rolls, banh mi, etc. All vegan. And free parking. Awesome.
(4)Maylee L.
Ewwieeee. Mommy asked: How much is the tofu? Do you sell by pound or what? Viet kid: Uhmmm the big one is ughhhh the small one is $1.25 for three pieces.... (Kid know your stuff OMG...) There tofu is displayed outside, looked like plastic ever since it was made.. They should put a lid on those sponges!! seriously... now it is all moist. It is a ghetto to-go deli. In the corner. Banh Cuon Tan Dinh Deli is the best in town always n forevaa. My lil bro said: "That food sucks!!" (Yes indeed, kids are extremely smart, they know whats up! )
(1)Phil H.
During my many wanderings in the International District, stumbled on this place but was hesitant to enter as it has a somewhat "worn " look to it. After seeing a write-up in the Japanese paper Soy Source, decided to give it a try with the misses. The food and service were great as you felt like you were at your favorite Vietnamese aunt's house if such a person existed or could be rented by the hour. $13 yielded two larger plates of food with free soy milk and homemade chili oil condiment. Sweets and other savories were available as well for take out and were veganand gluten free. Will be back with perhaps a larger, more ravenous appetite next time.
(5)Appy R.
What's there not to love? Seriously...I stop here for lunch or dinner at least twice a week. The ladies are saucy and throw in everything/anything from the line. In the morning, the selection is better and they listen a bit more. In the evening, the owners put a little over everything into the box. It's similar to the other 'Saigon Deli' type set ups - without the tummy ache, weird meats and grime. All the food I've had here - tofu, bitter melon, fake shrimp and fish, curries, and stirfrys - ARE SOOO GOOD! The food is truly made with love and is healthy. Your take out container will not be left with a coating of grease. The credit card machine is often on the fritz, so bring some cash.
(4)Rick B.
I just love all the food here, so i usually go for the buffett. The tofu curry, wild rice, sauteed vegetables and so forth. they're all yummy. The moment i arrived here in Seattle, this is the very first place i went to and been coming here almost everyday since then.
(5)Lyndsey S.
We found this place through a google search after getting off the Bolt Bus from Portland. When I looked a little deeper, I found an article saying the place had been shut down for some pretty atrocious hygiene issues recently. But then we saw all these positive reviews and decided to hope that they turned it around. Well I don't know what it was like before, but we were happy we went. It was a little confusing upon first walking in -- what are all these things in the trays? do we order at the counter or sit down first? Luckily, a woman (perhaps the owner) quickly showed us to a table and handed us menus. She was super super nice and sweet. The tofu banh mi was yummy and perfect for lunch. It was also super cheap, which is always nice.
(4)Rachel R.
They opened up shop on 12th & Jackson. An area that is already saturated with Viet delis. Risky move but I'm so glad that they're around. Everything I've had here is delicious and super flavorful. I would suggest choosing this place for the best tofu sandwich, great veg entrees, and super friendly service. I remember seeing 'ham' on their menu so I don't know if Chuminh Tofu & Veggie Deli is completely vegan. Although, I do really appreciate their modest sign that says "We care more about your health than getting rich".
(5)Yukio W.
They have the soy milk I love! IMO the absolute best soy milk ever!
(5)Eva M.
Thanh Nga's tiny shop is a real gem of a find for anyone who likes tofu! When I arrived, there were two gentlemen enjoying big bowls of pho. Everything looked delicious & tasted just as delicious. I tried: the tofu & eggplant, which was tender and a bit smoky flavored; the spicy tofu, which wasn't very spicy (for me at least); the green beans & mushrooms with tofu; and the red curry with bamboo. Since I couldn't decide on just two items & rice (the standard option for only $5), Thanh Nga was more than happy to let me choose the items I mentioned and provide smaller portions. She is so sweet and let me try a slice of a fantastic spicy tofu bahn mi sandwich in addition to sweet soy milk. I only wish the seating options were a bit better.
(5)Chi N.
I recently popped in to this place and now I'm obsessed with their red curry. One lady that helped me last time was really nice, and everything came out SO CHEAP. I never had to pay anymore than 10$ and they give you a ton, so i've made several meals out of one take out. good deal!
(4)sonya s.
Super awesome tofu banhmi; they let me try it with the chili, lemongrass, and green onion all in one and it was great. Someone else described the ladies working there as your "favorite Vietnamese aunt" - never had one, but that's how I'd imagine them to be. Seems you can't go wrong with ordering the stuff there, it all looks really good. The lemongrass tofu's so good I like eating it straight, and the curry tofu dish I had was pretty tasty. Want to go back and try their veggie pho.
(5)straight s.
Great little vegetarian deli. Very simple and humble spot, but everything is made fresh and flavorful and with a lot of love. Lots of veggie 'meat' items too for those interested. Also has one of the most friendly, gracious, and lovely owners we've ever met in the restaurant biz.
(5)Eric O.
All the dishes were delicious and the people working there were delightful! Can't wait to tell all my friends about one of my new favorite vegetarian spots.
(5)JonnyX and the Groadies ..
Best vegan bánh mì I've ever had in a deli/restaurant. $2.75 with hearty serving of tofu. Great!
(5)Dawn K.
I rarely comment on Yelp but had to do so because this place deserves immediate recognition for their awesome food and service. They have the best fake meat I've had in the U.S. The staff is extremely friendly and bubbly and makes you feel at home. Extremely reasonable price. One of my favorite places in Seattle!
(5)Andrew C.
Cute restaurant, good service and delicious vegetarian food! All buffet (no cooked dishes to order) but great for a quick meal.
(5)Meg R.
I love this place. My wife and I eat here all the time
(5)Anh N.
This place is awesome! I love asian vegetarian food and this place definitely hits the spot. I wish I lived closer, I would totally eat here everyday, that's how good it is!
(5)Zach S.
I was kidding with my first review. This place is pure class. All the food that they make is fantastic and the service is unreal and makes you feel so special. If you want the bahn mi vegan, make sure to hold the mayo! It's a bit confusing, for a long time I thought the whole place was vegan. Come once and you will end up coming often.
(5)