Vegan Chinese restaurant. Menu features a range of simple, very inexpensive Cantonese-style Chinese dishes. From the street, look for restaurant sign in green letters. Tiny, basic space. Has a glass case displaying some faux meats, steamed buns, and Chinese pastry cakes for takeaway. Reported fully vegan Jul 2019. Open Mon-Tue 11:00am-4:00pm, Thu-Fri 11:00am-4:00pm, Sat 11:00am-8:00pm, Sun 11:00am-4:00pm.
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854 Washington St (at Stockton St, in Chinatown), San Francisco, California, USA, 94108
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- Cash only
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Last update on 15 May 2024 by geometric-noise
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103 Reviews
First Review by juliotnunes
GiraffeGirl
Points +258
Felt like an authentic Chinatown experience - Edit
I've been to many Chinatown areas in big cities (NYC, London etc) and China itself and this restaurant felt authentic, so it was nice to find a vegan restaurant among the many eating establishments available.
Read moreFound the staff to be friendly and the service was quick
Food
Starters
Spring rolls (3 large) and Potstickers (6) both nice
Main dishes
STUFF EGG PLANT, BELL PEPPER, BEAN CAKE - stuffed with a weird substance a bit like mashed potato which I didn't really like. Very oily but not unpleasant taste
DEEP FRIED CRISPY TARO ROLLS & BEAN CURD - basically deep fried very light pastry and deep fried balls with the same weird "mashed potato" stuffing
MEATLESS CHICKEN With curry sauce - the best of the main dishes, tasty curry sauce. The tofu texture was actually like fish. Nice broccoli
Whole meal was just over $30 so good value but I wouldn't rush back
Pros: inexpensive, quick service, seemed to be cooked to order
Cons: bit rough & ready premises
Guest
ravKlein
Points +400
Amazing! - Edit
Tastes like real chicken!
Read morePros: Quick Service, Non-corporate, Authentic
ravKlein
Here we are again, seven years later, Zimra, Rocky and me. It's part of our routine to come here. Never a disappointment. We are ordering for entrees for three people!
Read moreGuest
AshleyLorden
Points +1254
hole in the wall, cheap but unimpressive - Edit
Just off the main drag of Chinatown (which in general isn't a nice place for people who don't like seeing dead animals), Lucky Creation is definitely a hole-in-the-wall. When we arrived an employee reading a newspaper was shooed away from a table in Chinese so we could sit. They close at 9 or 9:30 depending on the day, and they did seem to allow anyone who arrived by then to sit, although they might have rushed their ordering a bit. The ambiance is definitely authentic; the restaurant is not clean, quiet or fancy at all, but nothing suggested a concerning lack of hygiene in regards to the food. It is cash only, with dishes in the range $5-10.
Read moreLike another reviewer, I unfortunately saw kitchen employees sit down to their own dinner at a table in the restaurant which was definitely not vegan. I am left to assume it was cooked on shared utensils from their kitchen at the end of the day. Unlike other reviewers, I had no other problems with the staff or service.
What was disappointing was the food. The fried taro "fish" that I saw recommended was so sticky (think a plate of taro mashed-potato style) and bland. The potstickers were super oily and again, bland. Chow fun had the nicest texture of the 3 dishes we tried but again, flavorless. The tea was actually my favorite part of the meal. Nothing was bad, it just wasn't good either. Perhaps I didn't order well.
Do come here:
People with fond memories of Asia
Veg*ns on tight budgets wanting to try something different
Don't come here:
Showing out-of-town veg*ns around SF
Don't like "empty calories"
Worried about cleanliness/professionalism
Pros: cheap, vegan
Cons: cheap
Guest
AileenW
Points +24
Really 100% vegan..? - Edit
I went to Lucky Creation last Thursday, just before 9 pm (closing time). The staff was nice enough to still let us, and pretty much closed as soon as we set at the table. The food was basic, but very ok and affordable. I have been to Lucky Creation a few years ago, and came back as I liked the authentic chinese atmosphere (apart from the fact that the food is vegan), and the simple yet tasty dishes. This time, however, I am not so sure I will return.
Read moreOnce they had served our food (we had simple spring rolls, and fried rice with veggies), the staff sat together at the round table in the restaurant for their own dinner. And much to our shock and dismay, they had meat, a large bowl of cooked chicken and fish. Now I am not squeamish about going to omnivore places as long as they can accomodate a vegan, but if I go to a restaurant which is vegan and even has the word 'vegetarian' in its name, then I expect the kitchen to be meat-free. I would also expect the staff to not devour on meat dishes in the middle of a vegan restaurant.
This left a bitter aftertaste even though it obviously has no impact on their menue and food quality.
Pros: Inexpensive
Cons: Toilets in kitchen need serious cleaning
Guest
solarkismet
Points +239
Authentic Chinese - Edit
We popped in here for lunch and enjoyed our 3 dishes for the most part. It's a small, locally owned all-vegetarian Chinese place...nice to have that as an option in the sea of Chinatown restaurants. It's not fancy but it's good.
Read morePros: good food, all-veg
Cons: could use a little extra cleaning
Guest
Eric_
Points +734
Basic - Edit
Simple, cheap, and nice - but nothing like vegetarian restaurants in China.
Read morePros: Price
Guest
Veganessss in SF
Points +67
Best vegan Chinese food. Anywhere. - Edit
Lucky Creation has been my favorite restaurant for almost 20 years! Favorite dishes: wheat gluten puff combination, veggie sausage (from the case), seaweed rolls (from the case), pot stickers, won ton soup, mixed vegetables in golden nest, gluten puff with curry sauce chow mein, meatless lemon chicken. Be prepared to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Tuesday June 25, 2013
Pros: Delicious vegan food
Guest
crewumiami
Points +78
Chinese in China Town - Edit
From the reviews, I was a bit skeptical, but I happened to be checking out China Town while on vacation and it was time for lunch. As others have stated, it is located on the side street off the Main Street. Inside, it is small, and at the counter, there is an assortment of faux meats cooked you can get by weight. The menu was pretty good, and dishes could be shared. the pot stickers where a bit greasy, but soooo good. Fried rice dish really was really good. also had the chow mien....not really sure what was in it but it was good. overall, I would go back especially for the price. the staff was nice!
Read morePros: price, taste, location
Cons: cash only
Guest
Elsinore13
Points +23
Disappointment - Edit
I went here in May 2011 and Lucky Creation is one of the most disappointing restaurants I went to.One man's dirty is another man's quaint, but this joint was just outright shabby. Our appetizer which was supposed to be warm was ice cold and only reheated in the microwave when I mentioned it. The rest of the food was not worth the money. My boyfriend(who is non veg)didn't complain, but I felt so bad making him have such a bad meal. Maybe this place changed over the years, based on previous reviews, but I would not recommend this place at all.
Read moreGuest
sfek
Points +26
mushrooms are the highlight. - Edit
This is a hole-in-the-wall, but as long as you don't have other expectations its fine. I ordered the "deluxe vegetables" which were fantastic! There were like 6 or more types of mushrooms. I also ordered the fried bean sheets with lemon sauce as recommended by another review. It was flavourless and dripping with sauce, I barely touched it and left what remained.
Read moreI would highly recommend the vegetable/mushroom dishes.
Pros: mushrooms, quick service
Cons: small location, deep fried food
Guest
VeganTex
Points +215
Lucky Creation - Edit
Great food, great prices. If you're in chinatown check this place out.
Read moreGuest
Kumquat
Points +68
Hit the spot - Edit
My daughter and I loved this place. Our food was excellent, which is really all that matters to us. The service left a little to be desired, but they were trying to serve quite a crowd of people. It's a very small place, but people were packed in and I kept thinking we were all going to burst out like wearing jeans two sizes too small. When we first arrived there was quite a line and I spent a good time waiting in it before realizing they were all actually just headed to the counter for to-go items. To be seated you basically just need to barge in. Cash only. If having strangers really close bothers you get something to go (and in full disclosure I ate there on Chinese New Year so it may not always be that busy).
Read morePros: Tasty, All vegan, Cheap
Cons: Crowded, Cash only, Small
Guest
Seitan_Nic
Points +282
Greasy Chinese in Chinatown - Edit
This is the greasy fast-foody Chinese that you crave. Er, if you crave that sort of thing. I've eaten at this place quite a few times, and while I've never been floored by the food it is really good. They do gluten very good. I also really like the fried taro appetizer. The downside is it is an unclean little greasy spoon. If you need to use the restroom you'll have to walk through the kitchen, and it is not at all an appetizing experience. My girlfriend even saw a dead fish in there once!
Read morePros: Good greasy Chinese, Gluten puffs, taro, Cheap
Cons: Not the greatest service, Kinda gross kitchen, kinda REALLY gross, Kitchen used to prepare meat for staff
Guest
AshleyxMichelle
Points +215
Good food, not nice to look at. - Edit
Lucky Creation has really good food. I had a mixed vegetable dish. It was mostly a bunch of different types mushrooms. It was really good though. The prices were cheap too. They have a lunch special as well. It was run down and not that clean though.
Read morePros: good food, cheap, good portions
Cons: run down, dirty
Guest
Delve
Points +302
Addiction - Edit
Whenever I visit San Francisco I go here every single day. Now - I'm not exaggerating...it's absolutely true. I am addicted to the Bean Sheets with Lemon Sauce. A few years back I used to try the other dishes...the mushroom ones always made me happy, but the rest never really did "it" for me...as I'm not a big mock meat fan. BUT now that I've had the bean sheets I barely order anything else. I think if you have a chance to visit Chinatown you should definitely try this neat little place out. It is small, and you have to look up for the Green Sign with it's name on it..otherwise you're likely to pass right by it.
Read moreIt is a bit dingy and 'hole in the wall-ish' but well worth at least one try.
Pros: vegan, good prices, unique
Cons: a bit dingy, small/may be hard, to get a table when busy
Guest
kennyp353
Points +1674
Disgusting hygiene, rancid food - Edit
So I'm going directly from the best veggie Chinese I've ever had (in Quebec City) to the worst - this one.
Read moreI walked in to the dirtiest restaurant I have ever seen. There was so much dirt on the floor - dirt from a day's tables but also dirt like hair and other revolting miscellany. The serving counter grille had ground-in grime the like of which I would have expected the authorities to close down years ago. As we sat eating, a kitchen staffmember wheeled a huge trash bin right through the dining area, brushing its exterior encrusted with filth against guests' clothes - I have never seen anything so unhygenic.
I had chicken with chilli sauce, someone already remarked about the unpleasantness of the Worthington fake meat, others remarked about the blandness of the sauces - I second both, it's as if the chef just heated up some revolting Unilever emulsion since he had no imagination to add any flavours of his own. It had a rancid aftertaste, which was at least more taste than it had in the first place. The table next to me barely touched their food yet the staff just took their money without asking what was wrong. Charging for rice was cheeky, too.
I called ahead to check on their closing time - they said 9.30, yet at 9.11 they put up the closed sign and locked the door. Worth knowing if you're crazy enough to want to go here.
Pros: your only option in Chinatown
Cons: filthy dirty, not cheap, filthy dirty again
Guest
amberk13
Points +303
Definitely different - Edit
Went on a Tuesday evening (7/22) and a small line had formed inside. A friendly local young woman gave me a heads up on what to order and what to avoid and I was so excited as well as hungry. The place is small, but run efficiently. They have specials on the table as well as their regular menu. We ordered the potstickers and stuffed bean cake as our appetizers. The potstickers were good, the bean cake just strange. For our entrees, we had the chicken with vegetables (spicy) off the specials menu along with the vegetables with shrimp balls (spicy), also off the specials menu and the taro fish. The taro fish was the best -- crispy on the outside, shaped like a fish and yummy. The specials I am sorry to say were not so good. The chicken was cubed fake meat a la Worthington canned fake meat. It had a strange taste and the veggies were fresh, but could not compensate for the taste. The shrimp balls dish was just awful -- the sauce was gloppy and tasteless and no amount of sambal could fix it. The service was fast and efficient and I only wish the food had tasted better.
Read morePros: Location was easy to find, Affordable, One of a few vegetarian places in SF
Cons: Food was not so good, Fake meat shouldn't taste like meat
Guest
condekedar
Points +9511
Great food, service, location - Edit
This is a quaint, small restaurant run by a few women. The service was consistently friendly and the menu is large with a number of mockmeat and vegan Chinese dishes. They even have unusual mockmeats like mock-goose.
Read moreI loved my diced chicken curry, which was light, fresh and filling. Their mock chicken looks like tofu, but the taste and texture is actually quite close to real chicken, which might be a plus or minus point depending on your point of view. I was not so impressed with the vegetable deluxe stir fry, which was a variety of different mushrooms (including unusual white fungus), with a couple of vegetables, in a watery soy sauce. It lacked zing. On a whole, though, I think their food was excellent. Prices are extremely low (under $7-8 for most dishes), but you have to pay $0.70 for each small cup of rice, so it adds up to much more. I was disappointed that they didn't have brown rice. Still, this is a nice joint to get a simple, fresh, tasty vegan Chinese meal.
Pros: Prices, Location, Tasty food
Cons: Charges for rice, No brown rice
Guest
isabeldivine
Points +77
Yummy - Edit
The food was fabulous. At first we were a little scared of the hole in the wall atmosphere but once we realized the tantilizing smell in the air was coming from the fresh roasted candied walnuts cooling on the table next to us our bellies began to rumble. It is a definate must see next time you are in SanFrancisco's China Town.
Read morePros: Excellent Food, Easy to Find, Friendly Staff
Cons: Small, Scary Bathroom
Guest
craigmc
Points +35482
great - Edit
very much a hole in the wall cafe. Very small, with two lovely ladies in charge.
Read moregreat hot and sour soup and the price are a bargain. you guys in the usa, don't realise how great you have it. the only downside was the rice could ahve been steamed rather than boiled.a bit harsh i know!!!!
Pros: great staff, great price
Cons: boild rice!!!
Guest
ChristinaZ
Points +32
Such a dive and I love it - Edit
I go here whenever I get to San Fran. A total dive, avoid the bathroom if you can. Food is great and reasonably priced. I love the service and always look forward to going there when I am in the Bay Area! I love the sweet and sour pork the best!
Read morePros: good food, good price, good service
Cons: frightening bathroom
Guest
juliotnunes
Points +744
Lucky Creation - Edit
Nice small tasty restaurant. Food was very good and the service was very promt. Number 26 meatless chicken with churry sauce and number 40 braised bean cake with assorted vegetables with churry sauce. Would diffiantly go back again.
Read morePros: Promt, Affortable
Guest
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