Vegan
Chinese
Delivery
Take-out
Asian
Vietnamese
Long-time established pure veg Asian cuisine restaurant. Its menu features a varied range of choices from rice and noodle dishes to soy meats, hot pots, refreshing beverages and vegan desserts. Moved here 2014 from its former location on O'Farrell St. Open Mon-Sun 11:00am-7:30pm.
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395 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, California, USA, 94102
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Last update on 07 Feb 2024 by Forman
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235 Reviews
First Review by baruchadam
teal_ocean
Points +122
To Die For Desserts - Edit
We ordered lots of choices to try as much as we could. As another reviewer said it was a little ' hit or miss'. But the hit was right on. The crepe, soup, eggplant and desserts were fabulous! A good, cheap, fresh meal.
Read morePros: Friendly staff, good portions
Cons: Sort of dingy, Tenderloin area sort of smelly
Guest
in2insight
Points +626
Not as good... - Edit
I have been to this place once before, and thought it was awesome.
Read moreGoing back in Jan 2011 I found the food and service both to be bland and lacking.
Next time will go to Loving Hut.
Guest
·X·
Points +22294
Best Vegan Chinese!!! - Edit
Generally I'm not a huge fan of vegan Chinese food, but since this place was footsteps from my hotel I decided to give it a shot. I ordered the spicy chicken/potato dish and absolutely loved it! I could not believe how good my meal was. It was well cooked and the fake chicken tasted fantastic. Golden Era is part of the Supreme Master group - based off of my experiences, this group really knows how to make some delicious food! Definitely try this place out if you're near it (as well as the other SM places)!
Read moreGuest
Seitan_Nic
Points +293
Veg Viet in the 'Loin - Edit
Decent Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant in the 'Loin. Their largely vegan menu is good except for a few misses. I like the Buddha Bun, the Vegetable Fu Young, and the Vietnamese crepe as far as appetizers go (the Spring Rolls and Pot Stickers too). The Wonton Soup is good, and the Vietnamese Sweet and Sour soup is incredible. The Pho is good, cheap and filling. Most of the entrees are pretty soy heavy, (a good number of them have tofu PLUS two or three types of soymeat) but most are pretty tasty. My favorite is the Eggplant Mushroom. I would recommend AVOIDING: the Tay Ho rolls(appetizer), the Seaweed Soup,the Indian Rice and the Curry Vegetables. The fish isn't very oceany in flavor, but it ranks high with many of the processed soy enthusiasts I know. Oh, and the Shrimp is not vegan, but the Carrot Cake is and it is delicious!
Read morePros: Good prices, Good food, Friendly service
Cons: A few menu misses, A little too heavy on the soy...., If only they'd use wheat-meat!
Guest
sfliberal
Points +52
One of the Best! - Edit
Golden Era is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the Buddha Bun (Vegetarian Pork Bun), Fresh Veggie Rolls, Pho, Mongolian "Chicken", Lemon "Chicken", Caramelized "Chicken" and Avocado Smoothie. The menu is primarily vegan. The fresh veggie rolls are among the best I've had and the pho is probably the best I have had, filled with yummy noodles, veggie ham, tofu and the fresh mint. It's truly soothing. They also have a lot of animal rights/welfare literature and helping to further our cause.
Read morePros: Buddha Bun, Veggie Rolls, Primarily Vegan
Guest
Mimi710
Points +640
Lots to choose from and all vegan! - Edit
This place is all vegan which is awesome since the name leads you to think otherwise. There is lots to choose from on the menu. The first time I went I was with a large group of people so we were able to order (and share) a number of menu items. The vietnamese crepe is amazing. I was a fan of the lemon tofu chicken, but I would recommend ordering it with a side of vegetables so that you don't just end up with a plate of tofu for your meal. A few of our dishes weren't as good so it is a bit hit or miss but if you go with a large group there is something for everyone. They have a lot of seating so it is good for groups.
Read morePros: selection, price , vietnamese crepe
Cons: some items fail
Guest
Delve
Points +302
Yummy for your tummy - Edit
I've eaten here several times..although I only get the chance when visiting San Francisco...um obviously. I've always had a good experience here..and tend to end up at this place on Halloween..two times as a matter of fact. It was unusual seeing children come in for trick or treating. I live in a city where that's just not the case. So that kinda added to the excitement..I mean that in a very non-dorky way. Anyway all dishes I've tried have been worth getting again: from the dumplings to the lemon chicken. I wish there was a restaurant like this in Houston.
Read morePros: good food, trick or treating kids
Guest
AshleyxMichelle
Points +215
Very good - Edit
I really like this place. I got the sauteed basil mushroom, it was really good. Also I was with someone who thought they ate meat. I told them they didn't eat meat and they were shocked. They also really enjoyed it here a lot. They gave lemon water instead of water. Just a hint of lemon, it was really good.
Read morePros: great food, friendly staff
Guest
craigmc
Points +35612
still great - Edit
i was here a couple of years ago, and i 'm glad to say the place hasn't changed.
Read morestill good staff, and a wide selection of dishes. variety of mock/tofu and veg dishes. the food was still very fresh and several specials. maid dishes were between us$7 and us$12. the tofu cheese cake was the business.
Pros: location, staff, foooood!
Guest
cooldara
Points +325
Best Place Ever - Edit
This restaurant is my favorite in the whole world. The only negative thing I can say is there is only one Golden Era! If you go, you must try the Vegetable Foo Yung and Sweet 'n' Sour Chick'n. They are yummy, affordable, generously portioned, and amazing. Their desserts are fabulous, and you can eat a bunch and not feel like a slob. The neighborhood is cleaning up a bit since some buildings have been closed and a new, more upscale saloon has been put on the block. Don't let the Tenderloin scare you off! This gem of a restaurant is fantastic and everything tastes great as leftovers!!!!
Read morePros: Friendly, Huge Variety, Supreme Master TV
Cons: Closed Tuesdays, Only one location, Only one location
Guest
dinakourda
Points +98
Excellent Desserts - Edit
The restaurant was open, clean, and the decor was nice. Unfortunately, I got a recommendation from the water boy which was lemongrass chicken (at $11 a pop). It was served with slightly steamed broccoli and romaine lettuce that was cold (well, it was cooler than room temperature). There was no sauce so, I wasn't even sure what to do with the extra steamed brown rice I ordered. Geez - I could throw weird stuff together at home - so why go out at all??? I was really disappointed and would have to try it again to be fair. They had mango and sweet sticky rice dessert which was excellent. Not all the desserts were vegan including flan and cheesecake.
Read morePros: Friendly Service, Large Dining Room, Clean
Cons: Nasty Special, Kinda expensive, Cold broccoli
Guest
pupa
Points +122
Old San Frnacisco - Edit
This is a great place in the heart of the city! the location was the reason why we tried it, even though an Asian Vegetarian restaurant is getting a bit boring, but this was rather exiting. i loved the spacious dining room and i enjoyed the well restored interior with the high ceiling and wood-carved moldings! Decor is always a big plus, because it adds to the ambiance of the whole dining. The service was fast and attentive and the menu is rather classic, a lot of mock meats and tofu, classic Chinese and Vietnamese dishes but well made and delicious! i loved the wonton soup! nice clean broth with balance and rich vegetable variety! the vietnamese crape was awesome too. Definitely recommended!
Read morePros: decor, variety, good size portions
Cons: not cheap
Guest
condekedar
Points +9518
Solid vegan Chinese food - Edit
The service was friendly here, though the interior is a bit dreary and dark. I found the taste of my dish, the Ro Ti Chicken, to be nothing special---it seemed like your average vegan Chinese dish in a thick soy gravy---but the quality of the ingredients seemed a bit higher (the fake chicken was huge and had good texture). Next time I'll try some different dishes to get a better sense of their range of flavors.
Read morePros: Service, Ingredients
Cons: Ambience, Indistinct
Guest
jamber79
Points +376
nice find - Edit
I found this place when I was looking for last minute dinner plans. It was good, felt like a traditional Chinese setting. Not the fanciest place, but the prices are inexpensive. The wonton soup was very good. They have a vegan thai iced tea that was delicious. The tofu and vegetable was good but pretty bland, I had to add a lot of soy sauce. Would try again and get a different entree.
Read morePros: price, extensive menu, can walk in
Cons: didn't look like the cleanest place, some food too plain, not enough detail on menu
Guest
Petesternz
Points +1447
Really good Chinese - Edit
Just went there tonight. Really enjoyed the meal. The flavours were exceptional for a Chinese fake-meat meal. Hot and sour soup was delicious, and like the caramelized chicken. Price fair too. If there was a downside, it was exactly what an earlier reviewer listed: they do not "nail" the fake meat. I have had much better beef and chicken then I had here, though every other part of the meal, including the lovely sauces, were delicious.
Read morePros: Fair prices, big portions
Guest
Hallie
Points +70
delicious - Edit
I've been here three times, and always left happy. The sweet and sour chickyn is extremely delicious, but it could pass as a dessert. I've liked just about everything else that I've tried there. Everyone that I've gone with has always had really good things to say about it. The service isn't the fastest, but it's not too bad, and that's usually because they are busy, so what can you really expect? Oh, and try the fresh squeezed orange juice; it's amazingly tasty!
Read morePros: delicious food, nice atmosphere
Cons: crummy part of town
Guest
AnonymousTasteTester
Points +48
Just okay - Edit
First, just so you know, I am extremely happy to have another veg restaurant to add to my ever-growing list. However, their food has room for improvement. Some of it is greasy, the fake meats tasted pretty fake (which some might actually prefer to those that really nail the taste of animal), and the service was a bit slow.
Read moreHaving said that, I loved their coconut water with coconut meat floating in it, and their soup was TO DIE FOR. Highly recommend the veg soup -- you don't just get a cup, you get a pot of it! Very delicious.
Overall, I'm happy they're there, but wish it could be better.
Pros: Great soup, Comfy restaurant, Diners seemed happy
Cons: Food could use improvement, Cupcakes weren't very good, Slowish service
Guest
atandt
Points +141
pitfall-free chinese cuisine - Edit
ever try to order something vegetarian at a non-veg chinese restaurant only to learn that you've been served pork or another mystery animal? not a problem here! large dining area with traditional decor. great family restaurant.
Read morePros: worry-free ordering
Cons: basic flavours
Guest
baruchadam
Points +418
Consistently good vegan food - Edit
A reliable and consistent restaurant that delivers good quality vegan Chinese food. Go for it.
Read moreGuest
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