Golden Era

Vegan restaurant · Civic Center

Golden Era

Vegan restaurant · Civic Center

5

395 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102

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Highlights

Flavorful Asian-fusion vegan dishes, including lemongrass chicken & spring rolls  

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395 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 Get directions

goldeneravegan.com

$ · Menu

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395 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 Get directions

+1 415 487 8687
goldeneravegan.com

$ · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 30, 2025

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The Best Vegan Restaurants in San Francisco | Eater SF

"Long before the Impossible Burger, Golden Era was confounding vegans with its fake “chicken” and “beef” in flavorful Chinese dishes. It’s worth nothing this spot is owned and operated by followers of Supreme Master Ching Hai, so while the food is indeed delicious, folks uncomfortable with religious propaganda should probably steer clear." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-vegan-restaurants-in-san-francisco
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@eater

The Best Restaurants in San Francisco’s Tenderloin Neighborhood | Eater SF

"Long before the Impossible Burger, Golden Era was confounding vegans with its fake “chicken” and “beef” in flavorful Chinese dishes. It’s worth nothing that this spot is owned and operated by followers of Supreme Master Ching Hai, so while the food is indeed delicious, folks uncomfortable with religious propaganda should probably steer clear." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-bars-cafes-tenderloin-san-francisco
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@eater

14 Phenomenal Restaurants for Vegan Diners in San Francisco

"Long before the Impossible Burger, Golden Era was confounding vegans with its fake “chicken” and “beef” in flavorful Chinese dishes. It’s worth nothing this spot is owned and operated by followers of Supreme Master Ching Hai, so while the food is indeed delicious, folks uncomfortable with religious propaganda should probably steer clear." - Paolo Bicchieri, Eater Staff

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-vegan-takeout-delivery-sf-oakland-bay-area
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@eater

Tenderloin Streets Close to Cars, Transforming Into a Gigantic Outdoor Dining Space - Eater SF

"Participating restaurants include long-standing vegan destination Golden Era." - Eve Batey

https://sf.eater.com/2020/9/24/21454849/tenderloin-outdoor-dining-gourmet-corridor-go
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@postcardnews

A longtime Civic Center fixture serving Vietnamese and broader Asian vegan comfort dishes, from fragrant pho to claypot rice. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle’s food team and beloved by locals for generous portions and fair prices.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/best-vegetarian-food-sf-bay-area/
Vegan Restaurants in San Francisco (2025)
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Ashley

SerpAPI
The exterior obscures what's inside! The restaurant is very bright and airy, exactly what you want out of a vegan restaurant. And the food was delicious. The Pad Thai was a little heavy on the lemongrass for my taste, but my husband thought it was excellent. And the Eggplant and Mushroom was rich and savory. We'd definitely come again to see what else the menu has to offer

Jags Krishnamurthy

SerpAPI
Excellent tasting vegan food. I had the pot stickers and Quinoa salad, both tasted wonderful. The pot stickers are fried though, if you're looking for pan roasted. But they tasted very good. The service is fast and friendly. Once you're inside the restaurant provides a nicely decorated space. The street being close to the center of the town is not so great. There is a parking garage around the corner and it is just a few yards away.

Kyra Beee

SerpAPI
The dishes that I tried were phenomenally filled with flavor, jam packed. The rice, hands down, has been the best I’ve tasted thus far as vegan and before I embarked this journey. No 2nd thoughts, I’d visit San Fran just to try them again. Gave it 4 because the Mongolian was a tad bit salty for me. Everything still was good from texture to taste. Satisfied and exquisitely delightful. Golden Era is worth it & brings a signature stamp to evolving vegan.

ThatPacificIslander

SerpAPI
This was the BEST vegan food I’ve had here in SFO as far as anywhere near the Union Square area, or even in general to be honest. I’m not even vegan! We had the vermicelli and the lemongrass spicy “chicken”. Absolutely must try and worth the walk, even through Tenderloin. 100% worth it.

Marie Sen

SerpAPI
The best Asian vegan food I had so far. I ordered spring rolls and spinach tofu soup and everything was fresh and flavorful. It seems that they use great ingredients. The dishes were also light and healthy, the service was great too. I would eat here very often if I lived in SF!

Melinda Ng

SerpAPI
First time trying out a vegan restaurant and was pleasantly surprised with the food here. We ordered the Avocado Rolls, Lemongrass Deluxe (with "chicken") and Spicy Vegan "Shrimp". The food was very flavorful and the "meats" were very similar to the actual meats than I would have ever expected. I have never tried a vegan variation of chicken or shrimp before so this was a great introduction. Would definitely recommend for others to try. The staff was also very accommodating. The restaurant does check for vaccination upon entry.

Julio Carranco

SerpAPI
Amazing Asian Vegan food!! Super fast service and very tasty. I got the spicy noodle soup and the curry king mushroom! Both great!

Michelle Butler

SerpAPI
Flavor, texture, presentation, service, and price were great. Customers are asked for proof of vaccination before entry. I highly recommend. Menu had aswesome selections as well.
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Lu Lu S.

Yelp
My vegan friend and I came here early before the Hamilton play and it wasn't crowded at all. The place seemed very clean, nice and quiet with lots of Togo food drivers coming in and out to pick up Togo orders. Anyhow, we were seated right away in one of the booths, tucked in the side of the restaurant. Honestly, if we had more time, I could see us hanging out and enjoying our food and coffee for a while- catching up on life but the show must go on so we had a time limit. It was a cold evening so each of us started out our meal with a hot Vietnamese coffee. I'm Vietnamese so I love me some Vietnamese coffee, iced or hot, and this one was no exception. It was perfect and hit the spot. Highly recommend it for the coffee lovers. Our meal continued on with our birds nest noodles, a spicy Asian stew, and the spicy lemongrass entrees. They were all very flavorful and scrumptious!! I kept on wanting to eat more of everything. I love how the birds nest noodles are crispy and soggy with the gravy and toppings. The spicy stew was not spicy but that's okay, it was flavorful and good on a cold night. Best to be eaten with rice or baguette because it's a vegan beef stew flavor. As for the spicy lemongrass entree, it was my favorite and that's saying a lot because I liked them all but it's like eating fried chicken, it's delicious. I love me some fried chicken with lemongrass flavors. I hope I get to visit the city again and enjoy Golden Era soon.
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Siddhartha G.

Yelp
So I did come back, true to my word, and this time I came with another foody. I'm happy to report everything we ate was memorably fantastic! Spring rolls appetizer were bite-sized went well with the house-made peanut sauce. Cauliflower special (Sp5) was plenty and each piece of cauliflower was mindfully battered and fried. The generous helping of scallions and jalapenos gave it a nice kick. Our favorite was the Sp6, the mushroom dish, the lemongrass turmeric base of it was sumptuous and we couldn't get enough of it. We took it home and mixed it with some leftover rice and quinoa, it was just as good the next day. We've found our new favorite restaurant in the city hall area!
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Jae R.

Yelp
A vegan staple in SF! It had been six years since I last visited Golden Era and although I was bummed it wasn't packed as it would have been before, I was excited that the flavors were still top notch! I always suggest their lemongrass chicken (still personally my fav) but a fried suggest I try the birds nest after telling him how that was one of my fav dishes when an omnivore. It was great! Crunchy and gooey underneath with a mix of proteins. Saved room for a cheesecake and skipped the flan (didn't like it last time). It was quiet and quick service. Very clean and low music (if any). Happy that more tables got filled as I ate. Happy Munchies, @aVeganAndHer
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Annie L.

Yelp
My colleague orders these vegan avocado rolls to our work pot lucks and I've been obsessed with them! They have an extensive menu on everything vegan from rolls, salads, soups, noodles, rice plates, clay pots etc. It's healthy Asian vegan food, what's not to love! I ordered the mushu rolls today which comes with raw cabbage, carrot, avocado, & soy protein wrapped w/ paratha. Soo good, Golden era will be a staple in my book, can't wait to try more dishes from them!
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Sahitya M.

Yelp
Love it! Would definitely visit again There vegan cakes are super delicious and are creamy. The fried rice is top notch and the service is pretty quick. We had a take out from here but will definitely visit back for dine in sometime when we are back in SF
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Jim O.

Yelp
Great vegan food!!! Sadly the evening hours do not go very late as they close at 7:30 p.m. every night.
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Valeria R.

Yelp
My daughter went vegan a few months ago and until today had mostly been sticking to the plant-based offerings at already familiar restaurants. I guess she suddenly realized that she can't live on vegetable sushi rolls, falafel wraps, and tofu ramen bowls forever, though, because she asked if we could try delivery from Golden Era. Of course we had to order the most popular dish on the menu: The lemongrass deluxe. This was by far our favorite of the three items we ordered. Next time we'll get one order each so that we don't have to fight over it. It featured thin pieces of soy "chicken" fried with a crispy, spicy coating. If you like the chewiest, crispiest pieces of orange or sesame chicken you will love this dish. I thought it would need some steamed rice but it came on a substantial bed of vegetables and was a complete dish on its own. We also ordered the garden vermicelli, which is their version of Vietnamese bun. It had all the flavors we were expecting - tart, savory, sweet - with slices of a soy protein that reminded me a lot of beef, both in flavor and texture (not visible in my photo). Their meat substitutes are so impressive. Finally, we had the Thai fried rice. I liked that the grains had a slightly chewy texture. It was a simple and tasty version of this dish. We are excited now to try everything else they have. It's a big relief to my daughter to be able to order freely without wondering if a dish has a surprise non-vegan ingredient. Here we can work our way from the top of the menu to the bottom with abandon. We will enjoy the delicious challenge!
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Emily F.

Yelp
I thoroughly enjoyed Golden Era Vegan Restaurant! It could partially be due to the fact I am newly pescatarian, but having the relief of knowing I can order anything off the menu is great. I ordered the classic pho and an avacado smoothie. The food came out quick, fast service, and the meal was fresh. We also ordered spring rolls for the table. The atmosphere felt clean and refreshing. It was like a twist on classic Vietnamese food. The price point was decent. I'd go again for sure!
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Sue L.

Yelp
Golden Era is my go-to vegan restaurant in the city! I am not a vegan, but I love their dishes. Not only do they serve fresh ingredients, they are extremely delicious. I feel like I can eat many dishes without feeling guilty since there isn't any meat. We came here right after the Asian Art Museum and found street parking (area is a little sketchy). Our waitress was friendly and took our order without any issues. My favorite dish was the Curry King Mushroom. Why? Because I love mushrooms, bell peppers, and green beans. Their Spicy Thai Fried Rice has a kick but it is packed with flavor!
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Heather D.

Yelp
Delicious food, friendly service, and a clean, inviting atmosphere. We came here before a Sunday matinee at the Orpheum, and it was fast and not too busy. Definitely a great choice for anyone, vegan or not!
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Dangerous T.

Yelp
This place is always the bomb!!! I found this place over 5 years ago but it's been a while since I'd been back. The spring rolls are still my favorite but everything was so flavorful. Took some hardcore carnivorous here and they loved everything we ordered. Surprisingly, the "fish" steak was my favorite item of the night! Service is amazing and it looks like they do a good amount of take out business. They are located near the theatre, Asian Art Museum, and Bill Graham Civic- so a great option for dinner before a night out.
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Ching L.

Yelp
One of my go to spots for vegetarian food in SF. The lemongrass deluxe is a must order!! So deliciously crisp with a slightly sweet sauce. The last time I came here, we also ordered the tofu salad which was surprisingly good, had a crunch from the cabbage and was flavorful. The eggplant in the Mama's claypot was cooked perfectly, the "fish" tasted fishy in a good way, and the tofu soaked up the sauce nicely. The place is big so we never have trouble getting seated but the area is hard to find parking
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Andy N.

Yelp
The golden era of food should be going plant based and this spot really shows how delicious Asian food can be no matter the palette. I came here with a friend before a concert. Restaurant is located in the Tenderloin but don't let that prevent you from coming. They have wide open seating indoors and food that gets prepped quickly that you'll be eating in no time. We started with their Cucumber Kelp Salad ($12) and the Banh Xeo ($14), and both options really hit the spot. The salad was absolutely refreshing with a sweet, tangy dressing over kelp noodles and veggies. The banh xeo was prepared well with mushrooms and tofu, and came with a large batch of lettuce wraps, basil, and mint to enjoy. For our mains, we tried their House Rice Claypot ($14) and the Curry Okra ($15). The claypot was fine as a fried rice fish but the curry okra was really the winner of the two. The fragrant coconut milk based curry was full of flavor with a nice kick to it. We forgot to order rice to accompany it but it was still great with the claypot. Our meal ended with their Mango Sticky Rice ($8) which was a nice sweet dessert to finish off a great meal. Service was great and they kept checking in to make sure we were doing okay. I gotta say - this is now one of my favorite vegan Asian restaurants in SF and would be happy to come back and try more soon.
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Cody J.

Yelp
We loved Golden Era! I work in the TL nearby and went here with a coworker after he recommended it, and was delighted to see a healthy option with tons of interesting and delicious sounding dishes nearby. We got the Lemongrass "Chicken" Deluxe and the Fried Cauliflower, with a side of white rice. The Fried Cauliflower had a really nice thin, almost tempura like batter, giving it a perfect crispiness without being super oily or heavy. It also was served with broccoli, lettuce, and jalapenos, and had a delicious spicy sauce that I spooned over it and the rice. The Lemongrass "Chicken" Deluxe was my favorite of the two, with the soy protein cooked to a nice crisp with a pleasant chew as well, as if you really were eating chicken. My only minor critique was that the dishes were not as spicy as I was expecting (both were marked as being spicy), but the chili sauce on the table more than made up for the slight lack of spice. I will be back for more lunches!
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David L.

Yelp
Came here for lunch on a weekend. Was almost completely empty so no issues getting a table after walking in. Food: 4 Decor: 3 Service: 3 2. Spring Rolls (8) Non-Fried $10.50 Fresh rolls filled w/ lettuce, mint leaves, cilantro, vermicelli, bean sprouts, and seasoned tofu. Served with peanut sauce. ~4/5. Fresh and tasty. 18. Golden Era Noodle Soup (GFO) $14.00 Rice noodle, vegetables, tofu, soy protein, onion, cilantro in vegetable broth. ~4/5. Generous portions and everything tasted delicious. Broth had a surprisingly amount of depth and flavor. Service was good. Would definitely come by again.
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Ivory B.

Yelp
Tasty and delicious vegetarian meals! The portion is small, especially the curry okra There's a few tiny okra pieces, which was disappointing. The service is a little slow as it seems there're many takeouts. There's only one working waiter. The ambiance is quiet as the restaurant seemed to be empty. The restaurant is new and spacious. Parking is a bit tough. Probably will return to try other dishes.
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craig c.

Yelp
Delicious food! Great ambiance! Attentive service I would definitely go back again; and, it is probably my go-to place as a vegetarian in the city!
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Nora C.

Yelp
Best vegan restaurant in the City! Hands down the best vegan food in the city! Always clean fresh tastes! Staff has always been polite and genuine. I hate the location but the food is worth the trip or take out.
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Shane S.

Yelp
Had a horrible experience at Golden Era recently. Yes, it is a vegan restaurant , and it was busy yet service was extremely poor. I dined here with my beloved and our date night was ruined. We ordered an appetizer, a pho, entree, and brown rice. The pho was brought out and no appetizer. We waited 30 min having the pho. We checked on the order and server was rude. Still nothing. My beloved worked 22 years as a waitress raising a child as a single mother and earning her PhD. We went up again and decided to call it. We said we could either get the pho comped and returned or pay the $15 or so for it and never return losing our business. They said they wanted the $15. We paid and split. I would give zero stars for horrendous service. We won't return.
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Lisa X.

Yelp
Delicious! One of my favorite Asian vegan restaurants in the City. Located in the TL, it's fairly close to City Hall, Asian Art Museum, Main Library, etc. My favorite appetizer here is the Golden Rolls. I almost always get this if I'm by myself, but recently I came with a friend and she got the Avocado Rolls and thought they were amazing, so the appetizers are really good here. The entree I like the most is the Bird Nest Noodles. Crispy and lots of veggies. The spicy lemongrass tofu is really good also but super salty as well. The curry king mushrooms dish is also very good but also very salty. They do give you a big carafe of water so there's that. Ambiance - The inside is nice and clean. The outside can be a bit dodgy. Service is nice and efficient. Sometimes it can get very crowded during lunch.
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Christina C.

Yelp
Today: lunch with two colleagues. It's been about 2 years since my last visit and it's as if the pandemic didn't happen. The place was hoppin' at noon! We were promptly seated and a server with a carafe of water and cups followed right away. One of us asked for hot water instead and that request was also promptly taken. Not long after we placed our order, more tables filled in and the noise level rose accordingly - but we didn't mind! We each chose a dish and enjoyed them family-style. The perfect amount of fresh and delicious (vegan!) food, delivered in a timely manner.
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
I ordered the lemongrass deluxe with white rice because it was the top rated dish. But, I didn't think it looked appealing initially. It had a bunch of veggies underneath, that weren't visible in the picture. I did really enjoy the dish, with the sauce and rice.
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Tanya T.

Yelp
Delicious lemongrass deluxe, Mongolian Wonder, and Spicy Potato Curry all served up hot and delicious hence the five stars! Everything else was icing on the cake. Service was great and ambiance was lighthearted lightly buzzing with conversation. Always worth the commute to enjoy all this Vegan spot has to offer. I highly recommend!
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Jaime T.

Yelp
Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 So delicious and healthy. Also SUPER AFFORDABLE in the middle of San Francisco. Very close to UC College of the Law and Civic Center. Come here if you want delicious, vegan, and healthy food. Food: -Spicy noodle soup 5/5 fresh noodles and the broth is rich. - spicy sweet and sour soup 5/5 this is a hot pot so make sure to eat out of the side bowl you are given. So many vegetables and fiber in this dish.
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Kylie C.

Yelp
We got the Asian wraps, spicy noodle soup and Indian fried rice. All dishes were very good! There were a couple things I wished for. One being sauces and seasonings (soy sauce, Sriracha, salt, chilli oil) available at the table to dress your food according to your taste. A plate of fresh herbs like basil and cilantro, bean sprouts, lime, would've been great with the soup and would have made it a 10/10 for me. The Indian fried rice was spicier than the spicy noodle soup! In fact, the soup wasn't very spicy at all. The Asian wraps came in a flakey and perfect paratha wrap. So good! Once again though, I wish a sauce came with them. (Edit: half of the Asian wraps came with a sauce in them? Which was BOMB) Service was fast and friendly. Very cute decor inside and clean. Plenty of seating inside, the location outside is a bit rough though.

Ilana

Yelp
One of my favorite vegan restaurants in the city! I get takeout a lot and they usually give me free sesame rice balls - so thoughtful! Extremely tasty, fresh - highly recommend the wonton soup especially.
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Neleh H.

Yelp
Wandered in here for a light bite & smoothie & a healthier happy hour alternative after an event nearby. Staff were very welcoming , place was tidy & cute inside - a nice respite to sit & talk quietly away from the mad bustle outside. Bun xeo is my fave- and this was delicious! Crispy & paired w fresh crisp veg. Definitely our fave item. Tofu spring roll good, normal average w peanut sauce. I asked them to mix kale into a mango smoothie & it was perfect. Vegan flan also yummy & cute. Really glad we found this place.
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Lavie L.

Yelp
Sorry, I was starving so I took no pictures of the food -- this place has phenomenal vegan Vietnamese cuisine!! We ordered the avocado spring rolls, spicy jalapeño tofu, and chow fun (but with crispy noodles). The avocado spring rolls are super refreshing and a great way to start the meal. My favorite dish of the whole meal had to be the spicy jalapeño tofu -- so flavorful, savory, and well-seasoned. I could eat this dish every day: crispy on the outside with tender tofu goodness on the inside. My friend recommended we replace the chow fun noodles with crispy noodles -- I'll always order this dish with this customization from now on. This place is right next to UC Law and would be a great stop for local students. Service is speedy and friendly. Please try and support your local businesses!
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Yih R.

Yelp
Absolutely one of my favorite spots. They really adopted Asian cuisine into vegan spirits. I love how rich is the flavor and the varieties of food. I love there clay pot series, and they buns. This place is not fancy, bu you can tell they really want to create a forest feeling for customers. I am going on the weekend again.
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Rochelle J.

Yelp
Holy pho! I ordered two meals, and they were both very flavorful! It is in the tenderloin, but... I didn't feel that unsafe even at night as I walked to and from this Restaurant. I had the banh xeo and pho. I got both of them for takeout. Pictures will follow! If you're on the fence about this place jump over and get there!
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Amada W.

Yelp
Papaya salad was light and pleasant. The papaya is finely grated Chef Special Lemongrass was crunchy & richly flavorful it comes with broccoli (which was slightly undercooked). Indian curry fried rice was dutiful but not a standout. Chef's Tasty Special -this is described as beef on the menu but it was like the long yearned for vegan chicharron that I dreamed of! When someone asks if if I miss meat I always say how much I miss chicharron. This was served on a bed of very lightly dressed romain lettuce with über thin slices of onion on top. Eating it all together makes it a savory and mouth watering salad. I couldn't resist munching on the beef on its own which was extremely satisfying. Pumpkin Almond Cheesecake-yummy and light Ambiance- Low to mid noise level with chill music Service- proficiently, expeditiously executed
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Shristy A.

Yelp
Everything was so very delicious that I feel bad to reduce 1 star. We ordered the spicy noodle soup which was very tasty! The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the noodles were too thick. The house rice clay pot was just brilliant- we both gobbled it up so quickly. If you're an Indian- there is no way it won't remind you of the tastiest fried rice you've eaten by the streets. Lemongrass deluxe was brilliant - so unique. My partner couldn't stop admiring it. All in all, we absolutely loved this restaurant. I am reducing one star coz their plates and glasses looked so old. The seatings and all was okay but come on isn't it time to change your utensils? We pay premium for service. :D
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Trish C.

Yelp
We have been coming here for years! Always a wonderful experience. Everything is excellent. Most favorite dish is their house clay pot with mushrooms, tofu, noodles and rice! Delishes
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Dhriti C.

Yelp
I usually steer away from vegan restaurants since I love meat but this restaurant amazed me. I've already visited this place twice in the last two weeks and plan to go again sometime soon. My favorite is the Thai Basil Fried rice, it's flavor is amazing and spicy. I also really like the Jalapeño tofu, super flavorful and worth it! I was in half a mind to ask them their recipes because it was sooo good. The prices for these menu items are also pretty decent and worth the dishes. 10/10 would recommend you to try this restaurant!
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Sris M.

Yelp
Golden Era Vegan Restaurant, located close to the SF city hall boasts an extensive vegan food menu. They have been awarded as one of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurant for 2021 in the SF chronicle digest! We were quickly seated upon walk-in on a Saturday afternoon with plenty of tables available. Upon asking them their most popular dishes and specialities, we ordered Lemongrass Deluxe, Sp1. House Rice Claypot Specialty and Jalapeño Tofu. The Lemongrass deluxe was wonderfully balanced and textured. It's one of the most flavorful dishes I've had this year and I kept wanting more! Their house rice claypot is deliciously flavored with ginger as well as according to their server, "One of their most authentic recipe." This dish is a combination of rice and vermicelli noodles with tofu and mushrooms. We definitely liked the jalapeño tofu as well but the other two dishes are definitely a must order! The service was definitely quick and the servers were helpful in suggesting what to order. The ambiance is clean and the prices are decent for the portion sizes. Overall, come here for the food and you won't be disappointed!
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Tasnim K.

Yelp
definitely one of my favorite vegan places in san francisco (perhaps even the bay). located in the heart of civic center, near uc law, this place boasts creative yet tasty protein options for those who are vegan, or just want to have some good food. while i've tried a lot of dishes from this place, the few that stand out to me are the papaya salad, their pho, and thai tea. the papaya salad is refreshing and tangy, and the pho is perfect if you're looking for an authentic taste without any meat. the protein they use in their dishes is phenomenal, and not just your ordinary fried tofu or overly chewy seitan. the thai tea is the perfect amount of sweetness, too. the service here is always fast and polite. you can easily come here during lunch hours or dinner hours and get seated almost immediately. i'll definitely be coming here many more times!
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Tim Y.

Yelp
I normally don't dine at vegan restaurants, however, after seeing that Golden Era Vegan Restaurant had 700+ mostly positive reviews I thought to myself, my fellow Yelpers can't be wrong!...and they weren't! Their non-fried spring rolls were freshly made with the rice paper still soft. The peanut sauce had the perfect consistency and flavor. My favorite dishes were the lemongrass deluxe over a bed of broccoli and the Indian Fried Rice. Although the "chicken" was a tad over fried on the Lemongrass deluxe it was still delicious and so full of flavor. I'm still dreaming of the Indian fried rice. It was a coconut curry fried rice with a ton of flavor as well. The Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese crepe) is one of their signature dishes. It's filled with tofu, bean sprouts, mushrooms, onions, and jicama. It was good but was definitely not my favorite. All in all a very good experience at Golden Era Vegan and will definitely be back. I can't wait to try the spicy kung pao and mama's claypot!
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Kelly T.

Yelp
One of my favorite vegan Chinese food restaurants to order from when I want a clean healthy soup or noodle dish! Delivery is always quick, and they always follow my spice instructions been my go to for years now downtown!
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Tabitha C.

Yelp
What a reliable Tenderloin takeout gem! I've been thoroughly impressed by the flavors and quality of the dishes here. Their menu boasts a huge variety of tasty options, from traditional Chinese dishes to more Indian, Vietnamese, and Thai fusion creations, all made with fresh veggies and creatively textured meat substitutes. For the most part, you can't even tell that the food here is vegan. Sometimes vegan food can taste okay but get a little weird in the texture department. Happy to report that everything from here looks, tastes, and feels like any ole Chinese takeout (in the best way possible). I always really enjoy the lemongrass and spicy kung pao chicken. "The Queen" special is by far my favorite thing to order from here. The soy chicken is deliciously crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the sautéed vegetables in sweet chili sauce add a nice crunch. It comes with a side of fresh baby spinach that pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken substitute. It feels like a healthy-ish meal that's still pretty satisfying. Wholeheartedly recommend trying takeout from here to anyone looking for generously portioned, plant-based food in the area.
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David C.

Yelp
This place just gets better every day. Every time I come out they have even better service and just going one and they always remember you they know what you like. They're good about having special orders when people have restrictions or preferences, and the portions are large. They also offered great vegan jerky's. My favorite is the garden vermicelli. The clay pot and soups and the middles
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Francina L.

Yelp
This was my first time trying this place and I really liked it. I wanted to try a vegan spot because I'm always intrigued by the flavors and different ways of preparing food. We walked in at about 12:30pm on a weds and there was quite a few people eating (lunch rush). We got sat down immediately and noticed that the inside is quite clean and tidy. We ordered the spicy noodle soup, which I asked the waiter about in case it was too spicy but she said "not too much" and was right. It had a bit of spice but I didn't end up choking on it. It had really great flavor and I enjoyed the substitute for meat. We also ordered the tomato soup, but overall I liked the spicy brother flavor better. We ordered the spring rolls that had tofu in them with the peanut sauce and they were bomb! I would definitely go to this place again as I saw other people order some kind of orange protein dish that resembled either orange chicken or sweet and sour and im intrigued!
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Raymond S.

Yelp
No fair. I was nice, polite, spent 42.00 dollars after tip on 2 entrees. No fair because it was really bad and they had to know it. No fair because I asked for soy saucean utensils and they acted like i was the devil. No fair. I had sweet and sour tofu and vegetable chowmein. Maybe 6 pieces of tofu and the vegetable was cabbage, No important vegetables. I'm sad.

Ashley N.

Yelp
Delicious food and excellent service. All the food is good but the clay pot and lemongrass deluxe are favorites!

Arthur M.

Yelp
Got half way through my meal and there was a hair. I told the person that came to check in on our meal's progress, he says he would take care if it, left, and then nothing happened. Two stars because the food was great until I found the hair.
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Jen K.

Yelp
Golden era is a gold standard for quality and consistency! I got a huge delivery this time and my favorite was the vegan fried shrimp- so yummy! Also loved the lemongrass vegan chicken, which was perfectly juicy and crispy. I didn't expect to love the paratha wraps but it was so flaky and well made- I would get it again! The veggie noodles were very good, very standard, and the crispy rangoons/wontons hit the spot as well. Thank you Golden Era!
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Joyie L.

Yelp
As someone who is *not* exclusively vegan, but eats vegan occasionally... I had no idea vegan Banh Xeo could be this good. Banh Xeo is one of my favorite Vietnamese foods, and Golden Era did not disappoint. Considering that Banh Xeo is originally an egg-based dish, I'm very impressed that they pulled it off so well. The textures of the proteins and crepe was pretty spot-on. Next time I'm there (and there will be a next time), I need to ask what they use as their egg substitute!

Sanjeev D.

Yelp
Been here multiple times with my workplace team, all dishes have been delicious and top quality, they have always accommodated for big groups, all friends (vegan or not) were raving about it. So much variety of asian cuisines! I got delivery once and they added a complimentary steamed bun! So nice!
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Julia L.

Yelp
I've been here twice & still want to come back to try more dishes! The ambience is a comfortable spacious vibe. You don't feel distracted by other tables and engaged to your own table the way it's set up. The food is amazing for being vegetarian. The imitations to the original Vietnamese dishes such as BBH, Banh Xeo, Spring rolls, imperial rolls, and the fake meats are pretty spot on. In terms of accuracy to it's original dish aesthetics & taste, I'd say 9/10, because the Bo Luc Lac tasted more like chicken rather than beef (but don't get me wrong, it tastes amazing. Might be one of my favorite imitation dish here so far.) So in terms of taste & looks itself not being beef, everything is a solid 10/10. In between the two times of eating here, I've tried some vegan Vietnamese restaurants in San Jose, & the food here is right on par if not exceeding their quality there. Although I hate metered parking, I'd definitely come back to try more dishes.
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Jamie Hi-meh L.

Yelp
Always yes! They are fast, and the food never, ever disappoints! Anything on the menu is worth it!!!