The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro

Vegan restaurant · San Diego

The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro

Vegan restaurant · San Diego

2

4616 El Cajon Blvd suite 3, San Diego, CA 92115

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The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null
The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro by null

Highlights

Vegetarian Pan-Asian eatery serving flavorful mock meats & smoothies.  

Featured in Eater
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4616 El Cajon Blvd suite 3, San Diego, CA 92115 Get directions

thepurplemint.net
@thepurplemint

$10–20 · Menu

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4616 El Cajon Blvd suite 3, San Diego, CA 92115 Get directions

+1 619 280 3388
thepurplemint.net
@thepurplemint

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 12, 2025

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@eater

San Diego’s Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants | Eater San Diego

"When Purple Mint’s owners announced a developer was turning their strip mall into condos, the outpouring of love from fans was palpable. Despite the challenge, their perseverance led them to a new home on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights. While the space may be more modest, the essence of their pan-Asian menu remains unchanged. Beloved dishes like the sizzling “filet mignon” served in a cast iron pan and the iconic Double Delight Rolls — crispy egg-less rolls with fresh vegetables wrapped in delicate rice paper — continue to satisfy." - Kelly Bone

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-vegan-vegetarian-restaurants-plant-based-san-diego
View Postcard for The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro
@eater

Where to Find Halal Food and Restaurants in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"This Grantville bistro serves vegan spring rolls, salads, and Vietnamese noodle soups like Hue-style spicy noodle soup, pho’s spicier cousin from central Vietnam. Since it’s a vegan restaurant, its traditional beef and pork broth is replaced with a lemongrass-based broth. Other entrees range from black rice pasta in coconut milk to a sweet potato medley curry with king mushrooms and tofu. Its Thai iced tea is made with almond milk, and Buddhas Delight is a mix of orange and pineapple juices, jasmine tea, and basil seed." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/halal-food-restaurants-iftar-ramadan-san-diego
View Postcard for The Purple Mint Vegan Bistro

Ray Freiwirth

Google
I am not a vegan but our friend is. We are very familiar with Asian cuisine from Vietnam and Thailand. The aubergine was the best dish. While most dishes from this area are vegan until protein is added there wasn't a lot of flavor in the dishes. You can have bland spiceness but it shouldn't be bland taste. Service was really good. I really hope they do improve as the could be really good. Protein should be offered separately for each dish IMHO

Nick

Google
Had a really good experience here. We had the Curry and the Orange Chicken. Both were really good. The curry has an amazing depth of flavor and the Orange Chicken was crispy and had a good amount of sauce on it. Service was friendly and fast. Overall atmosphere was really nice as well. Will for sure come back and try out more of the dishes they offer. Oh and prices were on point! Never in SD have I got two drinks, an appetizer and two entrees and paid less than $60.00

Alle Esor

Google
A MUST-eat in San Diego!! I’m never afraid to write a critical review, but I have no ounce of criticism for this restaurant! In my Vietnamese family, my cousin is vegan and I am vegetarian. We managed to convince our family of 8 to give this place a try, worried that any negative experience would dissuade them from trying meatless food again. Everyone LOVED the food. Expansive menu with SO many options. Flavorful, properly cooked vegan beef, chicken, fish, duck, shrimp, tofu (yes, we tried them all, via passing the dishes around the table!). I’ll never forget the delightful shock on my grandmother’s face when she tasted and saw how authentic the fake “sizzling beef” was. 11/10 will be back again, and will recommend to friends in the area- to both meat and plant-based diners :D Service was exemplary- our waiters constantly checked on our water levels and satisfaction. Menu clearly labelled and organized - only suggestion would be for the restaurant to come up with a “family” meal consisting of all the different proteins with a group bowl of rice, so everyone can try different things! Venue is recently renovated- so very clean and modern. Plenty of parking nearby, on the residential streets and plaza parking lots. All the other diners around us seemed excited and happy with their food- we all kept turning our heads nosily as each dish came out from the kitchen.

Puja Gopinath

Google
The menu is diverse and very yummy. Highlights were the fried tofu, mapo tofu lettuce cups and jasmine milk tea. They have done a phenomenal job with the ambience and the food. The only downside is the surrounding location. Will definitely revisit when we are in the area.

DeeDee S.

Google
The food was fantastic. The restaurant is decorated really nicely. Very inviting atmosphere. We ordered numerous dishes and they were all fantastic. Good portions and all seasoned well. The service was also attentive and very helpful.

Quinn Nguyen

Google
We ate her twice a day, everyday, during our week long visit. Hands down the best vegan restaurant in SD (best restaurant period, vegan or no). Food is super complex, fresh, light, and packed with flavour. The service is unmatched - people like CJ create a warm and welcoming environment. Drinks like passion fruit lemonade are very flavorful and the food is very affordable, with large portions. We recommend: the tofu banh mi, the won ton soup, the hot and sour soup, sweet potato curry, and the duck lettuce wraps. They switched locations because their old building turned into apartments so please continue supporting this small business so it can remain a SD institution!

Danisha D

Google
One of my favorite vegan meal experiences ever! I was wanting some comfort food and this place got all the flavors right. The crispy rolls were my favorite, passion fruit it lemonade was good but a tad too sweet for me. The orange chicken is such a classic and they did it so well! The service was amazing and fast too.

Donna L Turner

Google
Purple Mint recently moved to a new location and they are creating a fresh new atmosphere. We’ve been to the new location 3 times already and everything we try is amazing. It’s the perfect place for elegant vegan food that anyone would enjoy. I tried the black rice pasta last night and it was unbelievably good. Way more than pasta! Mounds of veggies, tofu, crunchy thin noodles, so many flavors that complement each other.
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Kari R.

Yelp
I'm truly blessed to live just 5 minutes away from here the food is fantastic! While you wait, be sure to order a Thai tea or Vietnamese coffee. My go to dishes are the Hot and Sour Soup and the Kung Pao. The Hot and Sour Soup is my favorite, it reminds me of the Vietnamese version I've missed, and just thinking about that white pepper taste is making my mouth water. The Kung Pao is great, though the portion size can be hit or miss. I'm glad this place is thriving and I really hope it sticks around. Thanks for being a haven for us vegans we truly appreciate you! Side note: the young guys who work here are great-friendly and welcoming, which just adds to the overall positive experience.
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Michael A.

Yelp
We really enjoyed our dinner at this location. We used to go to their previous location on Mission Gorge, and though we enjoyed the food and ambiance of that location, I will admit that the service has improved at this new location, as well as the food, it is much more delicious even though the menu was pretty much same. Only one small thing we missed, was the mixed greens in one of the dishes that was replaced with iceberg lettuce. We love this place and the hint of old world ambience that only "if you know you know" kind of thing brought on a lovely nostalgic feel for me.
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The S.

Yelp
Delicious! Most most familiar and favorite items are: - orange chicken (sauce is ugly af but delicious - fiery shrimp - honey walnut prawns I made an entire review on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seshy_eats Place overall is 8.5 out of 10! Bring her here and you shall get buns
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JENNY T.

Yelp
Pros: service and some dishes Cons: The place needs a good clean, restroom needs update and clean. Did not try all the dishes but Gỏi mít needs change. What they served is a made up of gỏi and throw in some mít, that is not how this dish is done, just bad invention. The quality is not the same as old place.
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Kuo L.

Yelp
Love this vegan restaurant that serves tasty Vietnamese dishes. Walking in, my body immediately relaxes as my eyes take in a peaceful setting accented by a green wall, hanging wicker shade lamps, and a large portrait of buddha. The friendly host welcomes me to sit wherever I would like. Next, my eyes feast on the lovely pictures of dishes I can order off the beautiful menu. The food is stellar. I ordered a peking "duck" lettuce cup dish with an iced chrysanthemum drink. The lettuce cup was a wonderful balance of flavors and textures: chewy cubes of savory "duck", crunchy water chestnuts, crispy iceberg lettuce, fragrant mint and basil, fried vermicelli, and a salty, tangy pickled carrot and daikon sauce. Yum! I could not get enough of this generously portioned dish. The chrysanthemum tea was mellow, perfectly sweetened, and provided nice pops of dragon fruit and aloe, along with chewy dried goji berries. I appreciate the obvious attention to detail in the restaurant from the decor, mood, golden utensils, serving dishes and artful presentation of the food. Even my drink was topped off with a fresh orchid flower! So glad I found this treasure of a restaurant hidden in a humble strip mall off a busy street. Decent amount of parking in the lot. Check them out! You won't be disappointed, vegan or not!
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Myphuong L.

Yelp
I haven't been to Purple Mint since they moved out of Grantville. It's now located next door to Maxim's which is the same owner. Had the same Asian zen decor. My fiancé wanted Maxim's and I wanted Purple Mint. We were able to order and sat on the Purple Mint side. I got sizzling file mignon. Came with rice and salad. It's made with bean curd which I'm not a fan of. The seasoning mimics the real thing.
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Rich M.

Yelp
My daughter went through a vegetarian/vegan stage a while back to improve her cholesterol and overall health. It worked too! So I had looked at this place for the photos and reviews on Yelp after she mentioned she wanted to go on her upcoming birthday weekend. Everything looked just fine and I was actually somewhat intrigued to find out for myself. Luckily my favorites were the wonton soup and the avocado rolls, which were the items I ordered. Excellent taste on both! I also nibbled off my kid's plate of orange chicken and the lady's kung pao and honestly the flavor and texture were very good, all the while knowing that this wasn't real chicken. That's the part that gets me. I would rather not know! The fiery shrimp appetizer was flavored well, but I was slightly let down with the rubbery texture. This did not bother anyone else.. The Thai tea- a fantastic example no different than any Thai restaurant would serve! I can say now I've been to 2 vegan places and they were both worthy! You somehow do feel a little lighter or less full at a place like this. Just what my body needs, but I know I'd have a hard time keeping on a diet like this. Extra pounds would fall off quickly. I think I'll just try to move and walk more.
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Abel M.

Yelp
Well first off they have moved locations to the Vietnamese stronghold, City Heights aka East Side SD. As far as the food it's the same great vegan menu but now they share the space with Maxim which is a non veggie place but don't worry the food is cooked separately. So if with your carnivore homies they can order from the Maxim menu.
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Gwyn C.

Yelp
Returned with my niece who's a strict vegan and she was thrilled with the size and choices of the menu. We had avocado spring rolls which were yummy! Two soups which hit th
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Laurel C.

Yelp
First time at the new location, definitely tight parking, but that's just how this side of town is. Beautiful interior, modern and well lit. Same menu as the old location, always spoiled for choice. We had the double delight spring rolls, the wonton noodle soup and black rice pasta in coconut milk. Everything was fresh and delicious, and big portions. Great service, just enough of a crowd on a Sunday afternoon, but not too busy.
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Samantha W.

Yelp
3.5 stars. Food arrived insanely fast. Summer rolls were yummy. I got the broccoli and shiitake mushroom dish with rice. It was pretty tasty. My husband got the tofu sweet potato curry and the curry was kind of bland but the biggest thing was that the potatoes were soooo hard, crunchy and undercooked. There are many great reviews so maybe the curry was a one off this time. We'll have to try something else next time except there aren't a ton of dishes without faux meat.
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Lexy B.

Yelp
I loveee this place! The inside is very nice & well kept. The food is amazing we got the po boy, fried rice & a noodle dish. They were all delish & i loved the po boy I would come back just for that. Also we got the best Thai tea we have ever had & the presentation is just gorgeous! The Thai tea was so good I was close to ordering one to to go. & for the service they are super nice & attentive & knowledgeable about the menu!
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Stephanie A.

Yelp
Food is pretty good. I enjoyed the lemongrass chicken vermicelli bowl very much. Their buddah drink could have more jasmine tea in it. Not necessarily a bad drink, refreshing for sure, but the description said there would be jasmine tea in it. They messed up our spring roll order but was gracious and remade it quickly. Noodles were okay. Service is friendly. Ambiance is clean, spacious, & cute. I'd support this local business!
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Jessica M.

Yelp
This place is a total hidden gem and serves up some of the tastiest vegan eats I've had in long time. We order their juice which was fresh squeezed! Avocado rolls, the lettuce wraps, and the wontons! Yum. I didn't care of the chicken in the lettuce wraps as I found it hard. The wontons were incredible! My main was the garlic noodles with shrimp. Perfectly executed. The orange chicken was spot on. The jackfruit salad was top notch. Service was quick and friendly. Food came out quickly. The restaurant was low frill and had Buddha vibes. There were flies in our corner which were annoying while we were eating, hence the ding. Would eat here again.
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Jane C.

Yelp
I haven't come to this part of town for sometime, lots have changed for real!! The parking here is pretty tight! Luckily my suv is smaller than most yet I broke out few sweats when I maneuvered it out of the lots after I ate here. I arrived late to the party that I am meeting here. Great bunch of gals. The service here is pretty quick and attentive to all ours needs. The food smell delicious but lacks a big punch on spicy kick. I order a Maopo Tofu. So I am a bit disappointed of my dish. But the white race is delicious!! It's each individual piece, we'll cook for sure. I may come back for other dishes. But I loved its ambiences of interior. Very calming!
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Arnold T.

Yelp
I was surprised with the ambulance of this restaurant - didn't expect this in the Mission Gorge strip mall. The jackfruit salad was very refreshing. I liked the minty flavor. What I personally didn't like was the big chunks of jackfruit. I wish they were shredded so I have it in every bite of the salad. The avocado roll was good but I wish it had something else that would contrast the creaminess of the avocado and coconut sauce.
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Xander N.

Yelp
4.5, a great place for Vegans and people with allergies. For starters, the interior was very nice and modern with wooden walls, it kind of reminded me of IKEA. The food was great! I was happy that I didn't have to bombard my server with questions about my allergy needs. The food was very convincing, the meat was plant based but it tasted like normal meat! The spring rolls were very crunchy and delicious, the milk tea was incredibly creamy and sweet, and my Kung pao chicken tasted a lot like a mix of rice, peanut butter, tofu, and garlic, it was very good! I highly recommended!
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Jim D.

Yelp
This place used to be a hidden gem in Mission Valley but over past few years I'm glad to report that I'm not the only patron that enjoys what comes out of the kitchen. It can be described in three words: de-li-cious! I've had the black pasta, the Bahn Mi, the Spring rolls, orange chicken, Ku Pao chicken, Egg plant tofu delight, and my favorite is the sizzling beef with steamed white rice! Yummy to the tummy and filling. This dish comes out hot and sizzling on the hot metal plate along with piping hot steaming white rice! I am happy to report that the flavor, texture and appearance are directly from flavor town! This food gets cranked out within 15 minutes so you're tastebuds are good and ready to devour the tasty meals prepared here. The service is prompt and attentive. As soon as you sit down your water get delivered to your table. There is enough real estate here for small and large groups and plenty of parking during the lunch and dinner rush. The jasmine ice tea and Buddah's delight are my go to drinks here. During the pandemic we ordered here every other week so logistically they have the ordering process running smoothly. I cannot say enough good things about the food made from the cooks here but keep firing the delicious meals!
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Curt T.

Yelp
The jackfruit salad was so refreshing and summery. Absolutely delicious. The crispy avocado egg rolls were just as delicious. Perfectly crispy but not oily. The avocado is fresh and delicious. The dipping sauce was great. Plenty of parking. The service was great. The 2 make servers working were absolutely top notch. Fast, friendly, and efficient. We are planning on going here for dinner again tonight with our neighbor.
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Adriana A.

Yelp
Food is incredible here!! Tofu & vegetable noodle soup - the server recommended added the spicy broth to this and it was perfect! Egg roll vermicelli bowl - egg rolls were crispy, the vegan beef had a good texture and flavor, and the overall noodles and veggies were fresh
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Jeff C.

Yelp
Hidden gem. A must for all vegans. Great food and staff is so incredibly nice! Not easy to find, but definitely worthwhile.

Michael M.

Yelp
Had an amazing dinner! Everything was super delicious and very unique! Was hard to find kind of hidden away in a dark parking lot but worth the effort for sure!!!
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Mirna E.

Yelp
I love this restaurant! Wish it was closer! I've been here a handful of times now and their food does not disappoint! Im very partial to the orange "chicken" which is crispy and very tasty... but I've nibbled here and there from my friend's dishes and everything has been good. My favorite drink is definitely the Buddha's Delight- it's tropical and refreshing. This place is a must try if you're in the area!

Tera R.

Yelp
BEST VEGAN VIETNAMESE SPOT IN SAN DIEGO ! If you love Vietnamese food and you're vegan this place will without a doubt satisfy you ! Been vegan for a LONG time and I'm so happy I found this place.
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Bon M.

Yelp
Despite high recommendations, the restaurant disappointed. Quick service was a plus, but the Banh Tam Bi didn't impress. The noodles was soggy like been warming up in microwave for too long. It's was such a disappointment I didn't even touch it. Coconut cream tasted like stale. Bun Bo Hue was just ok won't be returning.
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Sharon W.

Yelp
Yumazing vegan pho and Vietnamese food. The servers are attentive, the bathrooms and utensils are clean, and the ambiance INSIDE the restaurant is decent. But it's located in a sketchy part of town and the parking is very limited in the parking lot... so not the first place I think of visiting at night. I've only been here for lunch a few times but loved the food every time :)
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Selena L.

Yelp
First time coming to the new location! It's a littler farther out than before, but it was worth it for the same quality food!! Again, so so delicious and always my go-to spot when I visit San Diego.
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Borneo G.

Yelp
I am extremely sad to hear that this place is closing and they have no plans to reopen elsewhere. Apparently they've known for a while that the shopping center will be converted into condos but their landlord didn't let them know until recently. This is really upsetting to me as I loved this restaurant and every time I've come here the food and service were always consistent and good. I honestly can't think of any dish I didn't like here. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that the city is offering more housing, especially since we need it. But it sucks that Purple Mint doesn't want to find another place to reopen to as it's probably too expensive for them in the long run. My husband and I will try and patronize this place one more time before they close for good. Anyway, I hope people at least come by here and show their support! Good luck and Godspeed, PurpleMint! You will be missed!

Anna C.

Yelp
Amazing vegan food! You must try it, even if you're not vegan. The flavors are spot on, and you won't miss eating meat. We celebrated my husband's birthday here, and we're so happy we chose this restaurant. We ordered the Kung Pao Chicken, Avocado Rolls, Orange Chicken, Wonton Soup, and Salt and Pepper Popcorn Chicken. For me, the best dish was the Kung Pao Chicken, but everything was delicious. You must try their food! You must try their Thai iced tea or flavored iced teas -- so freaking delicious!

Brittany F.

Yelp
Anyone who hasn't given this place 5 stars is just a hater. My boyfriend and I quite literally depend on Purple Mint for our health and well-being. We go when we're celebrating. We go when we've been traveling all day. We go when we're hungover. We go when we're hungry lol. Basically, we're thankful this place exists and love the service we receive every time.

Aly E.

Yelp
Peking duck lettuce wrap, lemon grass chicken sandwich, kung pao chicken, vietnamese coffee, and buddha's delight are must haves! Service is always too tier too!
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Camille H.

Yelp
The staff were nice. The restaurant is beautiful inside. The area surrounding it is not as nice. The food was really bland and did not have the right textures. The jasmine milk tea was okay. The Buddha's Delight drink just tasted like pineapple. We got the Shrimp Spring Rolls to start. The wrap was a little gummy. The peanut dipping sauce was good. The shrimp substitute was a decent equivalent. I got the Ma Po Tofu. It was very flavorless. It came with dry jasmine rice. It had a sauce but it was pretty bland. The broccoli was not cooked long enough. I heard good things about this place and was very disappointed.
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Ed P.

Yelp
Service was very good and food was made fresh to order the orange chicken good but I'll opt for the beef tips on next trip! Fried egg rolls and spring rolls were very good and tasty! Store is hidden away. I'll come back.

Andina A.

Yelp
I LOVE Purple Mint and have loved it since they opened! I am a Kung Pao girl! I also love the Tofu summer rolls and Thai iced tea. The Hot and Sour and Wonton soups are delish, as is the "Crispy Egg-Less Rolls & Grilled "Beef" or "Chicken" Vermicelli." I like pretty much everything on the menu! C.J. has been my waiter 95% of the times I go there and he is THE BEST! He gives great service and he's super chill, friendly, kind, fun and funny! The ambiance is nice for dates and/or casual hangouts. Peaceful vibes for sure!
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Emmett T.

Yelp
A friend and I came for a weeknight dinner after hearing good feedback about The PurpleMint Vegan Bistro. The place was not busy at all when we showed up. The interior had a rustic decor that kind of resembled a country house which I thought was unusual for an Asian establishment. The menu had a nice selection of unique creations that I think would satisfy the palates of most everyone, whether you strictly adhere to a vegan diet or not. We split an appetizer of Fiery "Shrimp" which was made up of battered soy proteins served with a sweet and sour mayonnaise glaze. The mock shrimp were quite large in size, and the batter was light and crispy. It was a certainly a dish that I would recommend ordering again. My friend ordered the Hue Style Spicy Noodle Soup. It featured vermicelli noodles and mushrooms in a lemongrass broth. I selected a Jackfruit Salad as an entree. It was served on a plate with a large fried sesame cracker as the base. There were slices of jackfruit along with unfried slices of "shrimp", fried tofu, onions, pickled daikons and carrots, crushed peanuts, herbs, and sauteed shallots. A vinaigrette sauce was drizzled on top to add a refreshing acidic flavor. I enjoyed our food choices enough to award a four star rating.
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Brittany T.

Yelp
Food 4/5 Drinks 4/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Cleanliness 4/5- bathrooms are a bit dirty Customer service 5/5 Speed 5/5 Price 4/5 Outdoor seating? Yes Wheelchair access? Yes Restrooms? Yes Vegetarian options? Yes Vegan options? Yes I had a great experience at this restaurant. Everything is vegan and there are SO many options. The reason I gave food and drinks 4/5 is because the drinks were a bit too sweet and the food felt like it needed salt or was missing a bit of flavor. That was fixed with some hot sauce for myself. I would definitely come back to try different entrees.

Tina T.

Yelp
Call to order 2 Peking ducks lettuce wraps togo, come home open and Can't believe in my eyes Look like someone eat leftovers they pack for me. And the tease not good ask the old place at mission George.
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Dejanai C.

Yelp
Amazing food! I dined at the old location last year and the new location was hard to find but the staff was friendly when I called and gave directions over the phone. Inside the restaurant was clean and neat but I didn't dine in. I ordered kung pow chicken and filet mignon. The steak was so tender and flavorful and the onions made it even more authentic. The portions are pretty solid too! Can't wait to be back and support this wonderful business and try more menu items.
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Desiree N.

Yelp
Hello again! Visiting a year later and unfortunately, nothing has changed. I visited The PurpleMint Vegan Bistro on a Sunday afternoon with four other friends. It was mother's day but they weren't too busy so we were seated right away. Amongst the 5 of us, we ordered about 10 items off the menu including avocado rolls, egg rolls, walnut shrimp, fiery shrimp, crispy seasoned tofu, shrimp spring rolls, beef pho, combination fried rice, orange chicken, kung pao chicken, and thai teas all around. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So one might say I'm insane for not only revisiting this restaurant, but going as far as to order SO MANY menu items, but alas, it wasn't up to me. Our food was delivered to our table fairly quickly, and we all took a moment of silence to begin digging into the feast before us, however, the silence didn't last long. We all collectively agreed that the food was terrible. In fact, we started a game amongst ourselves in which if you lost, you were forced to finish a plate. The avocado rolls were extremely bland - worse than bland even, the walnut shrimp had more sauce than shrimp, the "crispy" seasoned tofu was prepared incorrectly and quickly turned to mush, and the kung pao chicken tasted like cardboard. The fiery shrimp, egg rolls, and thai tea were the only things that we all agreed were good, but everything else was subpar at best. The reviews of this restaurant puzzle me. I find it hard to believe that the chefs were having off days on both of my visits, but to each their own. PLEASE AVOID!!!
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Cristin N.

Yelp
Location is in a strip mall, but they have made the inside and the patio cuter than the exterior would indicate. Ordered takeout at the counter and it was pretty fast and delicious. Staff was efficient and helpful, Had the vermicelli with egg rolls and (vegan) beef, and some of the wontons. I'm not a vegetarian but I choose meatless meals sometimes. The vermicelli was just as good as other non-veggie Vietnamese restaurants I frequent, the beef was noticeably not beef but tasty. Diners all seemed to enjoy the tea, I would have tried it if I dined in. Would go back.
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Andy N.

Yelp
Wow! Take me to the PurpleMint any day because the Vietnamese vegan food here rivals that of San Jose, and I've had my fair share at this point. Delicious quality, stellar flavors, and a fantastic ambiance is how I would sum up this lovely spot. PurpleMint offers a variety of vegan friendly Vietnamese dishes that many people will find familiar, and is a perfect spot to introduce someone to veganism. A lot of meat-options you'd find in other spots like pho, bun bo hue, and bo luc lac (yep, that's a mouthful) have mock-meat alternatives they use from brands such as as beyond, gardein, etc. My friend and I ordered their Crispy Rolls (fried egg rolls with veggies, taro, vermicelli), the Braised Duck Noodles Soup, and their Kung Pao Chicken. The crispy rolls were fantastic - deep fried to perfection and complimented with a vegan sweet and sour sauce. The duck noodles were A++. It had a burst of umami flavor in the broth, wonderful firm rice noodles, with a mock duck on the side that's one of the best texture-wise to other mock duck meats. Finally, the Kung Pao had great chili flavors, seasoning, and nicely fried soy protein with wonderful texture. Everything was magical on the table and left us wanting more. Pro tip - I loved being able to add a medley of vegetables to any dish for $3. It really kicked up our Kung Pao Chicken to have a mix of zucchini, broccoli, bok choy, carrots, and more to amp up the quality and variety of nutrients in the dish. Aside from the food, the atmosphere is spot on. We loved their outdoor, covered patio - very comfortable outdoor seats and plenty of breathing room. The interior is also lined with greenery and there's even a mini pond inside that you walk over upon entering. Hands down would absolutely recommend anyone checking out PurpleMint. I would love to come back here someday for more of their awesome offerings.

J H.

Yelp
Wow! Been craving PurpleMint's papaya salad and finally got it to go from the new place on El Cajon Boulevard. It's even better than I remember and they added vegan beef jerky cut into thin strips with a savory and sweet umami flavor. The papaya salad is cut thinly and has peanuts, cilantro, papaya and peppers. It's light and crisp and perfect for summer. Also ordered the hot and sour soup and it was fresh and full of vegetables. Flavor and heat were perfect combination of tangy, hot and sour. We LOVE this restaurant and look forward to dining in next time. I remember we used to order their yummy smoothies when we went to their previous location. Check out their new location near Hoover High School. Service is superb and ambiance is a serene, welcoming, well-designed bistro setting.
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Alicia V.

Yelp
The orange "chicken" here is one of my favorite things on the menu. I definitely need to return. The staff are friendly, the ambiance and decor give a great vibe. 5/5
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Melissa C.

Yelp
Giving up meat for Buddhist Lent, so of course I had to start off with a meal at The PurpleMint. I enjoy the food here even when it is not lent season. It's always fresh and tasty! I ordered the pan fried noodles, good flavor and a nice hearty portion, enough to share between two people. My daughters got their own dishes as well. The lemongrass "chicken" was delicious! Of course you can tell from the texture that it is not real meat, but just as good. My youngest enjoyed her garlic noodles, well seasoned.. she wasn't a fan of the "prawns", but then again she doesn't like any seafood. Everything was great! From the food, to staff, to service.
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Juanmiguel O.

Yelp
The ambience at this new location is great. Food and service is delicious as always. I definitely recommend trying the potato and sweet potato curry

Corina B.

Yelp
Sooo goood. Speaking mainly of the food bc I had takeout. Enjoyed the spring rolls one with crab the other avo I'd get them both again. Also enjoyed the black rice noodles- sweet baby!! Superb! This place is healthy and delicious. Highly recommend~
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Jagruti L.

Yelp
We enjoyed our delicious vegan Vietnamese entrees. The decor is nice and the service was wonderful.

Emmy A.

Yelp
Good selection of dishes. Fair prices. Tasty dishes. Friendly staff. Cute decor and pleasant ambiance. Fast service.
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Donald P.

Yelp
Bonsoir tout le monde ! This place was extremely delicious, the orange chicken tasted like the real thing, and the crispy egg rolls were out of pocket! The servers were extremely nice and attentive, and I enjoyed the experience and the Japanese Garden themed interior, definitely recommend! À la prochaine !