Vegan
Japanese
Delivery
Take-out
San Francisco vegan restaurant serving Japanese food. Menu features various vegetable sushi, appetizers like gyoza and fried tofu, udon and soba noodle, rice bowls, vegetable tempura, seaweed salads. Its first location is in Berkeley. Open Wed-Fri 12:00pm-2:30pm, Wed-Sun 5:00pm-9:00pm, Sat-Sun 12:00pm-3:00pm.
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762 Valencia St (at 18th, Mission District), San Francisco, California, USA, 94110
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 08 Sep 2023 by villain
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81 Reviews
First Review by Baza
Jess Pizarro
Points +40
fave sushi spot - Edit
SO FRESH! my favorite spots in SF for sushi! I love the noodles, super comforting for a windy day in SF and the sushi is so fresh. They are always so lovely and nice. Great place. Cash only!
Read moreGuest
alicus
Points +221
Cutest.Restaurant.Ever - Edit
This place is a must go. Run by the most adorable ladies on the planet, offering beautifully made Japanese food. Fun Vegan sushi, miso soup, noodles, and Japanese curries. They are always open to customizing your order, and really make you feel welcome and at home.
Read morePros: Excellent service, Delicious, simple food, Very comfortable atmosphere
Guest
StevieSurf
Points +1895
Everytime I'm in San Francisco! - Edit
I love this place - delicious, healthy, flavoursome vegan Japanese food.
Read moreHuge menu. Lots of 'authentic' items. Very popular place so reserve ahead if a popular time. Great for a quieter lunch too. This is perhaps the best vegan Japanese restaurant in the world!
Pros: Extensive menu, Deliciously seasoned , Great barrio for post dinner strolling
Guest
mittimithai
Points +21
I would eat here everyday if I could - Edit
The staff are incredibly nice and the food is perfect.
Read moreComing in from a cold SF evening for some miso soup, tenbou or gyoza and cha-ya rolls is heaven. Tofu curry noodle soup is also a favorite.
Guest
Patrickljaimes
Points +68
Best Ramen - Edit
I visited this place only once, but it was by far the best noodle soup I've eaten. Japanese cuisine is generally subtle, so I don't really agree with the lack of flavor issues from that one experience.
Read moreGuest
thecatacat
Points +30
mehhhhh - Edit
I wanted to try this place because I'm visiting San Francisco and I have to admit, I was skeptical based on the previous reviews. Gave it a shot anyway, and sadly I was not impressed. I got the vegan roll and a noodle hot pot, and both were very bland with hardly any flavor at all. It all looked delicious but it was not very satisfying.
Read moreI didn't finish any of it despite my hunger. The sauce served with the hot pot was not appetising at all either... This place could be so much better!!
Pros: it's vegan!
Cons: it's not very tasty
Guest
Worldvegkitchen
Points +1295
yuck - Edit
I was really excited to try this place. We got the portobello mushroom tempura and a sushi roll. Both were deep fried and tasteless. We felt like we were eating vegan junk food. Presentation was good, but that's all. And who takes cash only in this day and age?? You would need a lot of cash for this.
Read moreCons: bland
Guest
kenvegan
Points +13128
Reasonably Priced Delicious Japanese Vegan Lunch - Edit
I am a huge fan of Shojin vegan Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. Shojin's presentation and food taste is amazing, and it is one of my favorite restaurants in the world.
Read moreWhen I heard about Cha Ya vegan Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, I couldn't wait to try it.
I ordered a combination plate with a shredded salad and the agedashi tofu. It would be very unfair to compare this restaurant to Shojin, as Shojin is a very expensive restaurant. but my experience at Cha Ya was very satisfying.
My meal here was excellent, and $10.50 for a combination lunch at a Japanese restaurant is reasonable. The shredded salad was mild, but delicious. The agedashi tofu was some of the best I have had.
The restaurant is comfortable, and the waiting staff are very kind and helpful. This is now my favorite veg restaurant in San Francisco.
Pros: Reasonably priced, Delicious food
Guest
dkinjer
Points +309
I'm sure I would have liked a different dish - Edit
OK - so I'm not an expert on Japanese food. I ordered the Moon Garden, described as steamed tofu custard with broccoli, shimeji mushrooms, kabocha, snow peas, atsuage tofu, broccolini, carrots, asparagus, zucchini, soybeans and gingko nuts.
Read moreI expected a lot of vegetables, and as it turns out it was almost all tofu custard and just a little bit of vegetables. The custard was OK, but not to be the whole meal - I wanted more vegetables. The menu looks very interesting and I'm sure I would have enjoyed something else. I guess you have to try different things, but since I live thousands of miles away from SF, I won't have a chance for quite a while. A shame! My spouse ordered Cha-Ya Nabe, a vegan sukiyaki, and he was very pleased. The atmosphere of this restaurant is very nice, the service was good, so I wish I came out feeling more satisfied.
Pros: interesting menu, nice atmosphere, good service
Cons: not accurate enough description of food
Guest
bianchina
Points +167
Enjoy Japanese food again without the worry! - Edit
What a treat to come here and know that no dead fish of any kind is lurking in any of the food! Vegan sushi is beautifully presented. All had a fresh, delicious and healthy taste. Excellent!
Read morePros: Vegan Japanese!, Delicious and healthy, Aesthetically pleasing
Cons: Seems like no brown rice
Guest
Chia
Points +3635
Healthy, Delicious Japanese Vegan Cuisine - Edit
I had first read about Cha Ya San Francisco on HappyCow, and have eaten here 3 times. Was just here in October 2012 for lunch. Here's my Cha Ya Vegetarian Japanese review.
Read moreIt's moderately sized (as far as San Francisco restaurants are considered where is high) staffed by several Japanese members of what seemed like a family. The menu is extensive with many selections of Japanese food that's all vegan.
My husband have had the hot soba noodle soup (rich, satifying broth + mushroom slices and veggies), the seaweed salad (okay), and the Cha Ya roll (rice and veggies sushi roll coated in light batter and fried). We also had a lunch special, for $9.75, you get white rice, miso soup, and choice of two appetizers or salads--we got the gyoza (pan fried dumpling) and the spring roll (it's fried).
This food is authentic Japanese and very delicious. I like it.
Clean space with minimal Japanese decor. Nothing fancy, just good food.
Pros: healthy and delicious, authentic flavors
Cons: needs better ventilation
Guest
philjdomm
Points +945
yummy cha ya - Edit
yummy
Read morePros: single booths, neighbourhood, yummy
Guest
·X·
Points +21596
Cha-Ya - Edit
My experience here was quite the opposite of my experience at their Berkeley location - this location was terrible. Everything I ordered was a huge disappointment, and the staff recommended the items I ordered. For starters I had the spring rolls (which were tasteless and the sauce accompanying them actually tasted like vomit) and the pot stickers (which were very greasy and flavorless). I was really hopeful for my entree given my experience with the entrees, but alas it was no better. Per the staff's recommendation, I ordered the vegetable tempura with potato noodles, so I had thought this would be a winner. The veggies just did not taste good and the tempura was bland and greasy. The soup was the same and I just couldn't stomach any of it. Given my displeasure, I doubt I'd ever return to this location.
Read moreGuest
sglcklch
Points +3055
Needs improvement - Edit
I had the takusui, which was potstickers with veggies in a light broth served in a pot. Nothing to write home about, maybe other dishes are better. Prices are a bit high, service slow.
Read morePros: big menu
Cons: slow service
Guest
Kumquat
Points +68
Good food - Edit
My daughter and I ate dinner here while visiting SF and really enjoyed it. We ordered way too much food because we just couldn't decide (so we also had Cha-ya breakfast). The food was very good, the servers were very nice when you could get ahold of them. Don't expect lightning fast service. I sat there for a long time after we had finished eating trying to flag someone down to get our check. I finally walked up to the counter and I think that might be what you're supposed to do. Cash only. We initially tried to stop in for late lunch a few minutes past 2, but they had just closed. So don't go at odd hours.
Read morePros: All vegan, Tasty
Cons: Crowded, Cash only, Open limited hours
Guest
iwoof4u
Points +75
Perfect - Edit
This was our second stop on our vegan tour of san francisco and definately did not disappoint. The mushroom miso soup I could eat every day! We had mostly vegan sushi rolls which were a delight. Nice knowing that you can get these without worrying about a regular sushi resturaunts "veggie" rolls being prepared with the same utensils as the fish. WE will definately make is here next time we are in San Francisco to try some entrees.
Read morePros: Vegan Sushi, Awesome Miso
Cons: Cash Only
Guest
kennyp353
Points +1674
Great cheap informal dining option in Mission - Edit
Been past it many times, never went in - wish I had before today. I had a lunchtime special: $9 for miso soup, sushi and a fried tofu dish. Decent food, friendly service, a total bargain.
Read morePros: good food, cheap, friendly
Cons: opening hours, location a bit of a faff
Guest
VeganTex
Points +215
Cha-Ya - Edit
Another quality veg*n restaurant in San Francisco's Mission district. If you're a short timer, definitely check out a veggie friendly place in the Mission.
Read moreGuest
stokedonspokes
Points +81
Amazing Vegan Japanese - Edit
If i could afford to eat here everyday, I would. The lunch combos are a really great deal
Read morePros: lunch combos!, great sushi, friendly staff!
Guest
Chef Kati
Points +120
WHAT A FIND!! - Edit
As a chef specializing in Japanese Vegetarian cuisine, I normally don't even bother with Japanese restaurants (fish broth and food that is overly salty or sweet). During our recent stay in SF, my husband, daughter and I went to check out Cha-ya and boy do we wish it was in our city! I lived in Japan for 8 years and certainly am well-acquainted with authentic flavors. Cha-ya is CLEAN food with dishes that are creative and perfectly seasoned. It was packed when we arrived (always a very good sign) and we were seated in less than five min. The dashi (broth) of the Mushroom Udon was superb as was the Tofu Cream. We can't wait to go again on our next trip to S.F.
Read morePros: Speedy service, All dishes were amazing!, Wonderful Staff
Cons: No branch in Seattle
Guest
Mimi710
Points +640
Good food, bad service - Edit
I went here on a Saturday night when I was starving. The place was packed - no open tables - and there was only one server. The server didn't acknowledge me at all until she had a table for me. She sat me at a table with three empty chairs, when I was only one person. I had made friends with the people standing behind me in line (a non-vegan couple) and waived over for them to sit with me. They talked to the waitress and then came to me and told me that the waitress said that she couldn't sit them at my table b/c I might not like that. So I told a busboy it was okay and the couple sat with me - but that was definetly odd. There was a lot to choose from on the menu. The soup that I got came in a cute traditional clay pot. I got to sample a lot of things because the couple let me try their items - and they got a lot (they really like Japanese food). The mochi and azuki bean dessert was different, but amazing. I would not recommend the deep fried eggplant dish if you don't normally eat deep fried food. My stomach felt weird for three hours after I ate it and I wans't sure if I was going to throw up or what. The sake was served hot was good. It was only my second time having sake so I can't really rate it as amazing or not. It was my first experience at a vegan Japanese restaurant, and besides the bad waitress it was a good experience. Definetly check this place out if you are in SF, but go to Herbivore first (on the same street, a few blocks up). If you are staying at Elements Hostel Herbivore is one block over from you and just a few doors down from the corner. This place is just down the street a bit from there. Oh yea, and some of the menu items are small so you'll need to order a few things to feel full.
Read morePros: lots to choose from, yummy food, near Hostel
Cons: deep fried eggplant made me sick, unfriendly waitress
Guest
diva
Points +71
Seaweed Salad Bliss - Edit
They have two locations in the Bay Area and they both are great!
Read moreI like their Seaweed Salad a lot. It is very refreshing. Also the soups are great.
The lunch menu is much less expensive then the dinner one and you get the same amount of food.
The down side is that it can be really loud in there and the tables are a bit close together.
Pros: Soups, Seaweed Salad
Cons: Loud when busy
Guest
soma
Points +115
Cha-Ya SF visit - Edit
Clean and cozy restaurant serving decent Japanese vegetarian food.
Read morePros: large portions, stunningly hot (temperature wise) noodle, awesome vegan desserts
Cons: not kid friendly, wait long time to be seated, cash only
Guest
atandt
Points +141
japanese cuisine with a difference - Edit
if you want non-traditional Japanese veg food, try this place. never had maize in my maki, or a vegan chocolate cake at an asian place before! interesting concepts for your plate and your palate.
Read morePros: old favourites
Cons: non-traditional
Guest
Seitan_Nic
Points +282
Great Japanese goes vegan! - Edit
This place is great! I've had almost everything on the menu and have had very few disapointments. My favorites include the Cha-Ya nabe (vegan sukiyaki), the Shattuck roll and the seaweed salad. Also, it is a fact: they have the best Miso soup ANYWHERE! Fanstastic service, too!
Read morePros: Great food!, Great Staff!
Cons: Can get crowded.
Guest
craigmc
Points +35482
japantastic - Edit
i went to japan about 11 years ago, in those days there was no happy cow, and guide books were not that clued up.
Read morei wish i found somwhere like this when i visited. this place had great service, both the starter and main were fantastic. big portions, but filled with lots of veg as well as noodles. if your in san francisco, you must visit here!!!!
Guest
Baza
Points +91
Please open in Japan! - Edit
I wish there was a Japanese restaurant as good as this in Tokyo for a vegan like me. I really hope they open a branch here in Japan one day.
Read morePros: reasonable price, not `in your face waiters, best Japanese food
Cons: bit of a wait to enter, not in Japan
Guest
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