Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Chinese
Asian
Kosher
Vegetarian restaurant near Seattle Center specializing in traditional Chinese cuisine. Majority of dishes can be ordered oil free. Note: the noodles contain egg, as do the fortune cookies offered at the end of a meal. Some of their faux meat contains dairy. Reported closed August 2020.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
364 Roy St (at Queen Anne district), Seattle, Washington, USA, 98109
-
Loading...
-
-
Last update on 03 Aug 2020 by willcwhite
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business
-
-
49 Reviews
First Review by ChristinaZ
sam_the_mermaow
Points +30
Delicious - Edit
I sat down at the menu and wasn't sure what was specifically vegan. Then I noticed a special note that said to ask for a vegan menu, so I did. Ordered the spicy (plant-based) chicken with brown rice, extra hot. It was delicious, quite spicy, and veggies we're very crunchy and fresh.
Read morePros: Vegan menu, Tons of options, Lots of plant-based meat substitutes
Cons: Rice doesn't come with your order, it's extra $
Guest
zeppyblimp
Points +47
Outstanding vegetarian Chinese food - Edit
Huge menu including lots of vegan and/or gluten-free choices. The “stewed salmon” hot pot (be careful not to burn your hands!) and the gluten-free stuffed vegetable rolls are amazing. The fried rice and the hot & spicy chikn are also very good. Pleasant rooms, comfortable booths, fast service. Less than 2 blocks from Hampton Inn Seattle-Downtown.
Read morePros: great food, pleasant atmosphere, good value
Guest
RedCurrantPie
Points +33
Tasty, informal, friendly - Edit
I had the spicy “Mongolian Beef” (the “beef” being vegetarian) and Vegetable Rice; this turned out to be about one and a half meals. The staff were formal and very proper, but friendly. The menu had many pages of options.
Read morePros: Lots of options, Had Tsing Tao beer, Comfortable booth seating
Guest
cookiem
Points +5888
Vegetarian classic - Chinese food - Edit
So, you like Chinese food and takeout, but you can't do the whole beef chow mein or chicken broccoli? Ok, no worries, Bamboo Garden has you covered. I've been here many times over more than a dozen years, and it's always the same. Good food that is fresh and filling, at a decent price considering it's Seattle.
Read moreThe food is neither amazing nor disappointing, it's just reliably good. They have a vegan menu, so ask. But, really, you can have just about anything. I prefer vegetables and noodles, like the thin rice noodles, the green beans and the other pure veggie dishes (Chinese & American broccoli with Shanghai choy- yum!), but you might like things like fake meat and tofu. The menu is so extensive, you should go with many fellow diners and order family style- then you can try all the things you want!
It's nice to have gluten free options, too, so just let them know. Tamari is a substitute they are familiar with using. Brown rice and white rice can be ordered as well as the dishes, but it's extra. It's extra for everything, but that's ok. The portions aren't huge, but they're decent. You'll be full if you order family style, but if you just order one dish, you might still be hungry! Minimum suggestion: 1.5 dishes per person!
Pros: 100% vegetarian, Consistent quality, Understands celiac
Cons: Menu not marked with vegan/ gluten-free
Guest
lomobauh
Points +70
Really good vegan food - Edit
Try the bacon fried rice and the chicken balls, the orange sauce is really good. One of my favorite things to eat. It’s not healthy, but it taste really good. Perfect for weekends!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Cons: When delivering tons of plastic waste, Plastic utensils😒even if you ask them not to, Not compostable packaging
Guest
philippeb
Points +27
Very good Chinese food and friendly staff - Edit
Loved the food. Taste is genuine and the products are very fresh. Very friendly staff. A very good experience.
Read moreGuest
ScottElswick
Points +453
amazing - Edit
So good I’m going back tomorrow. The soups are amazing and the spring rolls are the best I’ve ever ate. Corn chowder was incredible.
Read moreGuest
VeganCuddle
Points +78
Good vegan Chinese food! - Edit
The food is good. Ask for the vegan menu, Some items maybe have egg/dairy(?) because it’s a vegetarian restaurant (I’m not 100% sure). Huge menu. The decor is nothing fancy, kind of a dive. But the food is tasty and good portion sizes. Coming here for dinner is a fun treat. It’s just so nice to not have to worry about animal fat/flesh/flavorings accidentally getting in the food.
Read morePros: many items to choose from, casual , fast service
Cons: not upscale/fancy
Guest
ouija
Points +32
Delicious Chinese food! - Edit
In Seattle for a Seahawks game, staying in the Queen Anne district. Went to the Bamboo Garden with three non-vegans and everybody was delighted with the food. They even had a separate vegan menu. Loved it.
Read moreGuest
Veganryche
Points +50
Bamboo Garden is not Vegan Anymore (they said they were previously) - Edit
Caution: Bamboo Garden is not vegan anymore (they said they were prior but they weren't actually)...
Read moreThere is evidence of dairy, eggs and/or whey in more than just the fortune cookie at the end, in some of the faux meats and other items on the menu as well...
Read this and listen to the audio in the link at the end of item 4...
http://justanotherveganin.wix.com/bamboogardenexposed#!Beloved-Seattle-Vegan-Restaurant-Is-Actually-Vegetarian/c1sbz/571c324f0cf2dd6f7fca5cc5
(Had to rate the lowest of two cows-after this I would rate it zero cows...) :-(
Updated from previous review on 2016-04-24
Cons: Saying Vegan but not really is unexceptable
Guest
corinal
Points +1728
Vegan Chinese food heaven! - Edit
It is ALL about the sweet and sour chicken. And the lemon chicken. I love these dishes so much that I can't bring myself to branch out much farther because I have to have them when I go. The Buddha Basket is also good and it is fun because you get to eat the basket, which is made out of fried taro. The service is fast and it is reasonably priced. I try to go every time I visit Seattle.
Read moreUpdated on Sunday, 5 May 2013:
After years and years of Bamboo Garden saying they were vegan, it turns out that was not true (see the story here: http://justanotherveganin.wix.com/bamboogardenexposed#!Update-Bamboo-Garden-wants-to-work-with-the-vegan-community-for-greater-transparency/c1sbz/572020990cf2d19e2970574b). I ate there for years thinking it was vegan and I ended up unknowingly eating animal products. I am extremely unhappy with them and I am not sure I will go back even though they seem (after EXTENSIVE resistance) to be revising their menu to reflect what is actually vegan and what is vegetarian. This is so disappointing.
Cons: Lied about being a vegan restaurant, Resisted exposing their ingredients
Guest
Marmot
Points +65
Likely dishonest about vegan options - Edit
Sadly, it has come to light that many of the dishes labeled as vegan might actually contain animal products. I have only been twice and had found the food both times to be over cooked and bland, so I don't feel like I'm missing out too much.
Read moreGuest
Lettuce Muncher
Points +393
Not as I remember - Edit
Took my family here because I remember good food from my college days. Either my standards have changed or the food has changed. First off, there is parking, and by Seattle Center, that is rare. The place is a bit dingy and the bathrooms are very small. No changing table or place to change the baby, and we had walked. Ordered Spring Rolls, two Sweet and Sour dishes and some rice. Holy food dye batman! This stuff was neon orange. It was tasty, but I couldn't get over the food dye. I try to not eat food dye and holy cow! So if you don't mind some Yellow #40 taking up half your dish, eat up. But if you are looking for a more healthy option, you may want to skip this place.
Read morePros: Off Street Parking
Cons: Food Dye, No baby changing
Guest
HeyJudeOregon
Points +126
Very Good but not Excellent Food - Edit
Happy to be able to get this Asian cuisine in this neighborhood, not sure why they call it vegetarian it is 100% vegan. The atmosphere is so-so typical Asian "no music" atmosphere. Portions are generous and they will mix up whatever combination you want.
Read morePros: Vegan, Large portions, Custom Dishes
Cons: No background music
Guest
Veg4Jay
Points +2171
Good Vegan Food - Edit
Not sure why name is Vegetarian, all choices are vegan except the fortune cookie at the end. Good food, service good though staff somewhat impatient. Still, worth it! Good food and prices.
Read morePros: Good Food-many selections, Vegan, Good prices
Cons: Staff could be a bit friendlier....but ok
Guest
Stephen DeVore
Points +36
Some decent choices. Large selection. (Like Halal) - Edit
It has some yummy choices, and some that friends and I thought were not so yummy.
Read moreI've gone dozens of times over the years, and enjoy going back.
You may have to ask for the combination menu.
Favorite dishes:
38. Vegetables Treasure in Pearly Pond (mixed vegetables baked in coconut sauce)
76. Szechwan Eggplant
107. Singapore Style Rice Noodle (yellow curry)
Sweet & Sour
Daily soup (Suggestion: Add pepper, a touch of soy sauce, a touch of red pepper sauce, and stir.)
Fake bacon.
Substitutions often welcome, except maybe certain parts of combinations.
The interior looks better than a hole-in-the-wall place.
A couple of larger, isolated tables for small- to med-groups.
Kosher is similar to Halal.
Last time I asked (years ago), they didn't serve onions or garlic.
Mostly or entirely vegan choices for food
Alcohol/Drinks used to have the option of dairy.
1-2 blocks from the Seattle Center.
Some dishes taste the same, some different from some more-typical Chinese restaurants.
Pros: Some dishes are pretty tasty, Parking lot, Kosher (similar to Halal)
Cons: Some dishes aren't that tasty, Call ahead if it's near a Jewish holiday, Closed certain Jewish holidays
Guest
NaomiBill
Points +48
Soooooo good! - Edit
Loved this place... best vegan Chinese food I have ever had!
Read moreGuest
Calix
Points +47
Typical chinese restaurant, except all vegan! - Edit
I use to love going out for Chinese food before I went vegan. Because of how difficult it can be to ensure your food is actually vegan at most typical Chinese restaurants, I haven't had it in a couple of years. My partner and I tried this for the first time when my mom (omnivore) came into town to visit, and we all loved it! The fried rice was amazing, as were all the multiple dishes we each tried. I loved all the little veganism pamphlets in the waiting area too.
Read moreI should say, I don't think the fortune cookies are vegan, but everything else on the menu is supposed to be.
Pros: Atmosphere, Big menu with all the traditional dishes
Guest
Posi Britt
Points +679
Sweet and sour pork the proper way! - Edit
I loved this place! It was a short walk from our hotel and really tasty. Be warned though, as mentioned in other reviews a lot of the food is deep fried. We ordered the sampler appetizer platter and everything was fried. I was excited at first but the more I ate the more I realized that maybe I didn't need all the batter in the world. Still tasty though.
Read moreThe taste of sweet and sour pork has haunted me for awhile since becoming vegan. I have always loved the sweet stickiness of the sauce but also the battered pork. Most resteraunts have one or the other. Never both. This place had the best s&s pork I've ever had. I want more.
We also ordered a spicy noodle dish. I wasn't sold on it because I found it a bit boring but my husband loved it. Definitely a place I'd eat at again. I'd like to try one of the Buddha bowl things. They looked really good.
Pros: ALL THE FRIED BATTERY FOODS, Large menu, Asparagus in a lot of dishes
Cons: A lot of fried foods, Can be hit or miss on taste, Fortune cookies not vegan
Guest
seachelseashore
Points +37
So Sad But I Won't Be Going Back - Edit
It was pretty flavorless and there was hardly any sauce. I hope it improves!
Read morePros: Mostly Vegan, Convenient
Cons: Flavorless
Guest
bwolmarans
Points +90
oily - Edit
Note to self: this place goes big on batter and oils. I've dined at many a Taiwan style Chinese vegetarian establishment and this one is the oiliest by far. I ordered the salmon (a common standby item which I've had at several other places) but never seen it battered as it was done here and again, extra oily. I also ordered the almond chicken which came as several sausages of thick deep fried batter not unlike a (soy) hot dog on a stick. Inedible. I will come back and try something else.
Read moreGuest
Eat More Kale
Points +36
Great food - Edit
We ate there several times and were really pleased with the food and service. Food was highly varied, with plentiful portions. The brown rice was delicious, which is something we usually don't take big note of because we eat brown rice everyday, but at Bamboo, it was unusually flavorful with great texture. We loved the hot and sour soup, although it was missing some of the sour that we anticipated. The spicy eggplant was rich and delicious. We also had a number of vegetable dishes, all of which were great, including one that included giant, thinly sliced giant oyster mushrooms.
Read morePros: flavor, good value, service
Cons: missed onions and garlic a little
Guest
vegan_ryan
Points +3869
Great food, fooled a meat-eater - Edit
This place has great vegan versions of what you'd find at a typical Chinese restaurant.
Read moreUnfortunately, the fortune cookies keep them from being an all-vegan restaurant.
The food was so good that my friend said he wouldn't have known it wasn't meat, if I hadn't said it was a vegetarian restaurant beforehand. The food quality was that good.
If you're in town, I definitely recommend this place.
Pros: All-vegetarian, Fools meat-eaters
Cons: Can't cut the 1 non-vegan item out??
Guest
kzollman
Points +123
Mediocre vegetarian Chinese - Edit
The service was good and, of course, it has a huge selection for vegetarians. The food I had was good, but far from the best example of vegetarian Chinese food. It's a fine restaurant for a lunch or simple dinner, but I wouldn't go far out of my way for it.
Read morePros: Service, Selection
Cons: Mediocre food
Guest
steveveg
Points +2424
Pleasant vegan restaurant - Edit
A nice pleasant place to have a vegan meal. Ours was gluten free. There are a lot of gluten-free choices. We had the hot and sour soup, which was good but a tad sweet. Overall excellent.
Read morePros: excellent food, efficient, friendly service, family friendly
Guest
Boboveg
Points +25
Great food - and right next to Seattle Center - Edit
Offers dependably-good vegetarian food. I've eaten there for decades and only once or twice had a dish I didn't like. Most often, it's delicious and reasonably priced.
Read moreIt's just a block away from Seattle Center (closest to the opera house and theaters), making it my pre-show favorite dining spot.
They have some free parking in their lot - but not always enough.
Pros: Good food, Near Seattle Center, prompt service, Reasonable prices
Cons: Good, but not as good as it used to be, Heavy on oil
Guest
Meggie and Ben
Points +1786
So good! - Edit
Love this place. Great food. The atmosphere is meh--kind of like a cheap/chintzy Chinese place, but the food is great. Favorites are the sweet and sour pork, crispy beef, and Stewed Shiitake and Oyster Mushroom with Potato and Carrot in Satay Peanut Sauce. Great place to go with a group of friends and eat family-style.
Read moreGuest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.