Vegan
American
Thai
Delivery
Take-out

North Hollywood vegan restaurant. Extensive menu features Thai food and American food. Uses some organic ingredients. Parking available in the back of restaurant. New location Nov 2012; previously located at 5038 Vineland Ave. Black-owned Open Tue 4:30pm-8:30pm, Wed-Sun 12:30pm-8:30pm.


Venue map for Lotus Vegan
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73 Reviews

First Review by ronitw

LeySauce

Points +31

Mostly Veg
04 Nov 2015

Yum!

i go here for the Curry and vegan cheesecake! Delish!

Pros: portion size

Hungwy

Points +274

Vegan
19 Jun 2015

inflexible. nothing prepared fresh.

Good if you in the area and desperate

jmd

Points +83

Vegan
27 Feb 2014

My Favorite Thai Place

I LOVE this place. They are similar to many other vegan Thai places in LA but Lotus holds a very special place in my heart.
The staff is very friendly and their curries are the best I've ever had. I prefer them to much more expensive curries I've had at gourmet restaurants.
They have too many delicious menu items and desserts to mention. Just go, eat and enjoy!

Onesong

Points +28

Vegan
14 Dec 2013

Fine food

Best faux orange chicken ever made. Their tofu scramble burger is also very tasty.

VeganMarr

Points +73

Vegan
22 Aug 2013

Like that u get a choice of spice level

I like that the dishes are made to order on a rating of 1-5 spice level. I had yellow curry, it distinctly tasted of a coconut milk base, which was nice. I was excited to try the hash browns, but found them a little dry. Friend had ginger veggie dish & loved it. Side salad was tiny. Shared 2 deserts. Oreo cake was so so. Choc cheesecake tasted like a mousse pie & it was delicious, can't wait to have it again. New location on Lankershim is much bigger & has a nice decor. Small pkg lot on side as well as street parking. I don't eat or advocate fake meat, so that isn't an issue for me, but worriesome for others. I was overall happy w/my meal, thus will return.

Pros: will make to order, good desserts, nice decor

Neag

Points +32

Vegan
16 Mar 2013

Whoa

This place is something else. I ordered the vegetable fried rice which on the menu said it broccoli, cauliflower,carrots, celery and cabbage. When it was brought out to there seemed to be wild rice, green onions and bean sprouts in there as well. But since I am not one to complain I just ate it anyway. Also I do not think the waitress would have understood me anyway if I had. Then I order a chocolate chip cookie and get a slice of chocolate pie instead. Then with my drink I wanted the bottled Snapple kiwi strawberry and asked the waitress if it was the same price as the iced tea. She said it was then brings me the Snapple and an ice tea. I do not understand who you call yourself a restaurant of any kind with service like that. Since just getting the simplest of things from this waitress seemed to be an ordeal I did not even ask about just how vegan this place was. I am guessing not much. I just know I will not be going back.

petaleeli

Points +85

Vegan
18 Feb 2013

Best choice of this type in the area

Nice atmosphere, good price, and and good food with extensive choices on the menu, plus easy free parking, as well as delivery; Good Choice!

Pros: Excellent food/good value, Friendly staff, Nice Vibe

vegebald

Points +63

Vegan
06 Feb 2013

Restaurant's NOT Vegan, I'm Convinced!

I'm a strict vegan for 37 years for moral reasons so even a little bit of egg, whey, or animal stomach in the food is enough for me to boycott Lotus Vegan. To me, they're just another one of those "Fake Vegan" thai places that have sprung up all over Los Angeles county. They got caught dead to rights by testing equipment by Quarry Girl testing "High" for eggs in their pancakes, so I know they don't have a conscience and can't be trusted. When I visited the restaurant in February 2012, the first thing I asked the waitress was how genuinely vegan their food was. She was clueless, didn't know how to answer me. I asked her about their fake meats, did they have whey or other animal products in them. Again, she was clueless, excused herself to ask the chefs, and came back and reported that they didn't know what I was talking about; she couldn't even pronounce "whey" even when I spelled it out and explained it to her. Experienced as I am with these type of irresponsible restaurants, I made the easy conclusion that if they didn't know what "whey" is, then they'd have no idea if their fake meats were truly vegan as many of the "vegetarian" food manufacturers coming out of Asia have been found to be intentionally mislabeling their products and hiding their animal-based ingredients. Remember folks, whey almost always has a HUGE amount of animal stomach (rennet) in from the cheese-making process. When they talk about "Whey Protein", most of that protein is the stomach flesh! The Milk protein goes into the cheese, the rennet stays behiind in the whey! There is very little "vegetarian" cheese out there, and subsequently almost all whey is full of animal stomach. Anyway, regarding Lotus Restaurant, as it was a slow night, it would have been very appropriate for the chef to come out and personally discuss this with me IF they had any real genuine concern about true veganism. I'm not the type to make a fuss or drama, so I simply ordered three basic thai vegetable dishes, stayed away from the fake meats, and have opted to never return. I found the three entrees to be very average at best and the portions a slight bit on the small size, and therefore kind of overpriced: I'm not a big man, and I was with my 75-year old vegetarian mother who doesn't eat much, and yet we easily consumed all three entrees completely. The small restaurant has no real atmosphere, just Kind of "Blah". conclusion: if you're a genuine vegan or vegetarian, STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!

Pros: Close to home

Cons: NOT a Vegan Restaurant, NOT a Vegetarian Restaurant, Food is average at best.

SarkisMambreian

03 Mar 2013

I agree... There are to many Vegan Thai wanna be places out there.. This place is no difference.. If the waiter or waitress doesnt know the type of soy protein they are serving.. then you probably shouldnt even bother to order..

Chia

Points +3635

Vegetarian
31 Jan 2012

Okay

I had read about this place on happycow, and here's my Lotus Vegan review.

Came here with 2 friends for dinner some time back. We opted to sit outside because the inside felt cramped and kinda dark. The ladies working were both Thai and friendly, and service was prompt.

We shared an order of fresh spring rolls, a red curry with soy fish, a flat rice noodle dish with tofu, a tom kah kai soup, and the sticky rice with mango dessert. Everything was nicely presented.

My friends enjoyed their meal. I thought the food was okay. The dressing that came with the spring rolls was sugary and watery for my liking. The curry was heavy on sugar and salt as well (typical Thai, I guess), and it also tasted thick. The noodles were simple and tasted fine. But I did not like the tom kah kai soup. Although it was salted and seasoned, it tasted flat and boring.

Overall, I think this place has potential to become even better, and I hope to see it do well. If I'm in the area again, I will return and try more dishes.

Pros: friendly & prompt service, extensive menu, all vegan

Caleb Abisai Nuila

Points +35

Vegan
11 Sep 2011

Hidden Jewell

This location might be in a area that might not look all that great however, when you enter the restaurant you get that welcome home feeling. The food is great tasting, great looking and everything is made with care and love. The portions are great and the price is just right.

Pros: Mom and pop feel, Great prices , great tasting food

alyssa

Points +111

Vegan
02 May 2011

Great Neighborhood Place

My fiance and I just found out about this place and we've eaten there once together and he brought a carnivore co-worker there within a week. So far we recommend everything we've eaten: "fish" wrap (best with the Asian sauce), red curry with "pork", spicy eggplant with pepper "steak"; and, most of all, the "chicken" and pancakes. The pancakes are gluten-free and made with kalmut flour. They melt in your mouth. Probably the best pancakes I have ever tasted. The fried "chicken" was crispy and juicy without being too greasy. No reason to ever go back to Roscoe's! Super friendly staff; clean, nicely decorated restroom; open late, which makes it even better. Oh, they also sell Gorilla Life juice. Gotta get your greens in after eating your pancakes!
UPDATE: Been going here for a while now and have to recommend their Tom Ka Kai soup and their Pad Thai with "chicken." Seriously, their Pad Thai is the best around!

Pros: lot of food choices, great prices, friendly staff

zaphod46

Points +409

Vegan
29 Jun 2010

Great Casual Dining

Lotus Vegan is a great place for casual vegan-thai (with the requisite breakfast food). It's small, but has a little bit of sidewalk seating if you need more open space. The food was tasty and they easily accommodated my wife's peanut allergy. We were there with three kids under three in the middle of the afternoon and they were very flexible with arranging seating, providing high chairs and booster seats, and not minding the occasional scream from a teething toddler.

Pros: low prices, casual

Cons: slightly cramped

ninagi

Points +36

Vegan
29 Mar 2010

Terrific vegan eatery in N Hollywood

During my recent three-day visit to Hollywood my companion and I ate dinner here every single night. The food was impressive, esp. the entrees (green curry and spicy eggplant were two favorites; curries in general seem like a good choice)--side salad and spring rolls somewhat less interesting , but still good. Staff was ultra friendly & helpful as well: by our last evening, eating here felt like visiting w. good friends. Highly recommended.

Pros: tasty food, great staff

Cons: limited ambiance

christopher byron

Points +106

Vegan
16 Nov 2009

i love lotus

lotus is a great place to eat. I would definitely recommend going here. I used to live a few blocks away from lotus so ive spent a lot of time familiarizing myself with the menu. I never really had a bad dish there. I really like the faux fish sandwich. The lunch specials are all great as well. They come with a salad, spring role and an entree. Definitely find some time to come here.

Pros: great food, excellent selection, speedy service

Cons: could use better inside decorating

gr8vegan

Points +2369

Vegan
21 Jan 2009

Owners are the Chefs = best food

Lotus's food is fresh and wonderful. Its easy to fall into the mindset of "yet another vegan thai restaurant" in Los Angeles, but Lotus is top notch in execution and friendliness. If you're in the North Hollywood area Lotus is a key weapon in your vegan eating arsenal! Open until 10:30pm! Steamed Dumplings are fantastic!

Pros: friendly, chef's are owner, will customize your dish

Island Hopper

Points +61

Vegan
03 Dec 2008

The Truth

I have eaten at Lotus Vegan since it first opened. The owner and his family are great people. They are also very friendly, accommodating and always willing to help with recommendations. The menu has many options, the portions are good, food is fresh and every item I've ordered has been good. The place is small but I've never had to wait for a table. You can't go wrong here.

Pros: Staff, Options, Food Quality

PiscesCG

Points +10

Non Veg
17 Jul 2008

Good Choice among few

Vegan restaurants are few and far between in LA, especially in the Valley. So it's great to have Lotus Vegan as a choice. They take their job seriously, and I have had very good experiences here. I'm not sure if the chefs change around, as the food is sometimes inconsistent. I've ordered the pancakes and tofu scramble a couple of times. The first time the scramble was greasy and the pancakes were not fully cooked (I had the "tropical" ones w/ bananas and blueberries). Second time (I love my pancakes!), the whole dish was perfect!

I've had the same problem with the High Protein Salad (which is a mix of lettuce, garbanzo beans, edamame, tomatoes, avocados w/peanut dressing). First time it was perfection. The next time the edamame had the "almost turning rotten" tang to them. Had the salad tonight, and it was very good, but light on the toppings.

The most consistent dish I've had was the See You; it was always perfect. My husband enjoys the lentil loaf, and I've enjoyed the Breakfast Burrito #4, which is a lentil and sweet potato wrap.

Overall, you really can't go wrong here. Decor is the usual neighborhood Thai...slightly tacky, but forgiveable. The service is always helpful and friendly.

Pros: Healthy cuisine, Good value , Friendly staff

Cons: Some inconsistency, Tacky decor

erbavore

Points +108

Vegan
13 Jul 2008

Nice presentation, food was ok

The presentation of the food was almost like a 5 star restaurant. The service was exceptional and friendly. Our waitress, Taya, was actually a vegan. In 100% of my reviews of other Thai restaurants, I've always been irritated by the level of service and non friendliness. To receive this type of service from a Thai restaurant is actually amazing.
As for the food itself, the statement at the table was: "they didn't do anything wrong." The fresh spring rolls were a bit flat, yet the red curry was rather tasty.

If you are in the area, you can't go wrong by eating here.

Pros: Presentation, Extraordinary Service, Patio

Cons: Inside Decour

ronitw

Points +741

Vegan
16 Jun 2008

New Excellent Vegan

We are thrilled to have this new place in our neighborhood. The food is excellent and elegantly presented. Prices are reasonable and the service is friendly. We ate there at least three times.




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