Vegan
Take-out
Asian
Vietnamese
Asian bistro serving Vietnamese vegan dishes including banh mi sandwiches, pho, vermicelli noodles, and various dishes with tofu and faux meats. Has Thai ice tea and vegan desserts. This branch became all vegan in 2018. Relocated from 6171 Mission Gorge Rd Ste 118. Open Mon-Sun 11:00am-8:00pm.
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4616 El Cajon Blvd suite 3, San Diego, California, USA, 92115
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 04 Mar 2024 by Guest
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Added by FrayDoh on 23 Apr 2015
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61 Reviews
First Review by FrayDoh
Januareegirl
Points +26
Great for the price - Edit
The food was good, some things could've been better (they used frozen mixed vegetables in the fried rice) but for the price & the huge portions it was definitely worth it. They only have almond milk for their teas, I would've preferred an alternative option since I try to avoid almonds, but this is just a personal preference & the tea tasted delicious. I would eat here again. Also they have a dog friendly patio which my corgi appreciates.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-09-23
Pros: 100% vegan, Price/Portions, Dog friendly patio
Guest
LyndaWatts
Points +66
Disgusting - Edit
My friends and I went here for my birthday, And it was quite literally some of the grossest food I've ever had in my entire life, I have never sent food back until I ate here. The vegan shrimp tasted like I was chewing tires, my friend's food was ice cold and also tasted horrible
Read moreGuest
mfoy
Points +192
Loved it - Edit
Generous servings of creative dishes with a variety of fake meats and plentiful produce. We would totally eat here again.
Read moreGuest
cwl666
Points +1430
My picky omni family loves it - Edit
My grandmother who doesn’t like anything and is never hungry ate her entire garlic shrimp noodles. My burger and fries dad is obsessed with the shrimp po boy bahn mi. I can’t emphasize how impressive this is because I usually can’t take them to vegan restaurants!! I usually get a bahn mi to go too! The quality can be a bit inconsistent but always good... just sometimes less so. Service always great too! And hey if you’re lucky vegan donuts next door and the market for all kinds of products as well :))))
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-06-17
Guest
jamber79
Points +376
Amazing - Edit
Love the beautiful decor that makes you feel like you're in a zen garden. Nice relaxing music playing too. Had the crispy fried tofu, wonton noodle soup, and jasmine tea. Each were so incredibly delicious. I can't wait to try more dishes here. Service was a little slow but friendly. Will definitely be back!
Read moreGuest
RobertHaro
Points +34
Great food - Edit
Had the orange chicken it was great! And my wife had the beef pho soup. Would come back again.
Read morePros: Many options!
Cons: None
Guest
StephanieL14
Points +109
All Vegan - Edit
I'm fortunate to live only a few blocks away from The Purple Mint. I love that they are completely vegan and they offer takeout. They have the best appetizers, especially the Double Delight Spring Rolls. So yum! My favorite entree is the Tofu Eggplant Delight, although it's pretty spicy. (It turns out that they will gladly make the Tofu Eggplant Delight with no spice. Yay!)
Read moreWe have ordered takeout numerous times during the pandemic and have had no problems! :)
Updated from previous review on 2020-01-21
Guest
tropicalvegancafe
Points +64
AMAZING ALWAYS - Edit
I can't stop myself from coming here at least once every 2 weeks omg! The food here is so amazingly fresh ! I usually order their Kung Lao Chikn or their Steak entree , and I mist say .....SPEEEEECHLESSSSS!
Read morePros: Authentic flavors, Great prices, Great customer service
Guest
stelloich
Points +20
Amazing experience everytime - Edit
The veggie pho with tofu is always my favorite. An abundance of juicy tender veggies including bokchoy broccoli carrot squash onion. Service is quick and lovey. The seating is relaxed and spacious. Sometimes they play bad music tho.
Read morePros: All vegan options , Has indoor outdoor
Guest
danicastys
Points +28
Amazing - Edit
Yum!!! The orange ‘chicken’ was THE best I’ve ever had. The duck appetizer was amazing. The Vietnamese sub was soooo good. The kung pow ‘chicken’ and eggplant tofu was super good as well. I’d recommend the Thai ice tea too! Damn good
Read morePros: So ducking good, Better than real meat for all of the reasons , Good prices and totally worth it
Guest
jenl716
Points +52
Delish - Edit
Ordered take-out. The orange chicken and shrimp springs rolls were awesome and would definitely order again. Also got the house combo fried rice and garlic shrimp noodles. These were good, but wouldn't get them again.
Read morePros: All vegan. Good flavor. Saved 5% by paying cash
Guest
staylor
Points +983
Great vegan place - Edit
There’s lots of Asian vegan restaurants in Southern California and this place is pretty great. Generous portions and great flavor! Plus the inside of the restaurant is really beautiful.
Read moreGuest
Jaspinkgrl01
Points +64
Great food - Edit
I had the filet mignon and my mother had the kung pao chicken. It was very delicious, but the kung pao chicken was a little too crispy for my mother. Will come back again!
Read moreEdit: When we came back during the afternoon time, we barely barely saw the waiters. For our first visit, we had a very nice waiter that always refilled our water. The second visit we barely saw the waiters after they took our order. Every other table but us received water jugs but us. The food did taste good.
Pros: Decent portion sizes
Cons: Good service depends on the time you go.
Guest
ahooley123
Points +24
Best Vegan Restaurant! - Edit
I have been here multiple times and every time is better than the last. Their food is some of the tastiest vegan food I have ever had and their service is awesome. The food comes out really quick and they are very attentive and friendly. Definitely recommend their lettuce wraps appetizer and walnut shrimp! Also the Thai iced tea is delicious.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Reasonable prices , Exceptional service
Cons: None
Guest
Greenstone
Points +96
Amazing - Edit
The food was amazing! Fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. Everything we ate was a joy filled delight. I would eat here all the time if I could!
Read moreGuest
yaronlavian
Points +25
Wow, just wow - Edit
I’m a big supporter of vegan restaurants.
Read moreDon’t see much around as much as I want to where I live. But every time I get to be in San Diego- purple mint is the only place that I think about. It’s like having a song in your head all day and you won’t stop thinking about it until you listen to the song- that’s how I feel about purple mint.
Great service, amazing food, they make it super fast and everything they serve is just amazing.
Highly highly recommended!!!!
Pros: All vegan- lots of options- never boring , Taste like real meet just without the gilt , Fair prices and fast service
Cons: NON
Guest
tikita
Points +114
Sizzling “Steak Filet Mignon” - Edit
First off, what I write here is an understatement as it is very hard to accurately describe such a delicious meal as the one I had. This was my first time here and from the big poster at the window outside the restaurant showing this “steak”, I couldn’t set my mind free of that image, so I had to order it. Salad and rice were perfect but the highlight was the meatless protein, tender, perfectly seasoned, smelling good, tasting better. I enjoyed each bite wishing it would never end! I tried to figure out what spices were used but could not... I just know it was a perfect blend. So I can only say you must try this soon!
Read morePros: Spectacular food, Great customer service , Warm ambiance
Guest
KaylenaBecker
Points +335
This place is great! - Edit
I came here with a friend and we didn't have that high of expectations because from the outside you don't know what you're going to get. It is located in a small strip mall, but strangely they have three vegan shops all right next to one another, which is a score for all vegans! We started with the fried wontons which were great! Quickly after our meals came out. We shared the orange chick'n and the filet mignon (never thought I'd say those words again) and we were SO happy with our selection. We are aren't usually big on meat alternatives, in particular the pictures looked VERY real so we were hesitate, but when the food came out it was not as realistic as we had anticipated. The flavors were AMAZING and I would definitively eat it all again! Definitely worth the money! And the ambience and service were amazing too!
Read morePros: Amazing flavor, Amazing atmosphere, Amazing service
Cons: pricey, but worth it
Guest
mick_.
Points +35
Amazing!! - Edit
Beautiful atmosphere, very welcoming. Great friendly service. Food arrived quickly. Tons of options that all looked delicious. We had the vegan pho, which was incredible and the kung pao chicken that was the best. 2nd time here this week. So good!
Read morePros: All vegan. , Inexpensive, Tons of options
Cons: None
Guest
WholeFoodLovers
Points +932
Purple Mint is 100% Vegan - Edit
Went to Purple Mint today to enjoy lunch with a friend. We knew they were going 100% vegan and we wanted to support this change. The Green Papaya Salad, Clay Pot and Lemon Grass Tofu with Noodles was what we ordered along with Buddha's delight and Passion Fruit Lemonade. Everything was delicious. The Claypot is such an interesting flavor and the Lemon Grass Tofu with noodles is my go to. (I never order the "meat" items since I find them too meaty). The Green Papaya Salad was my friend's favorite. The staff was attentive and the food is delicious. My only complaint is the place is usually cold and the door open, but I bring a coat and it works out.
Read morePros: Delicious, Fresh vegetables, Varied flavors
Cons: Restaurant is often cold
WholeFoodLovers
Never disappoints. Always a delicious meal with such fresh flavor
Read moreGuest
pyatrus
Points +171
Wonderful Veggie/Vegan Asian Menu - Edit
I focused on vegan versions of standard Vietnamese foods: the summer roll (not fried) appetizer and the "Vietnamese sandwich." They were excellent. For the sandwich, they do NOT include the traditional (halapeno) hot pepper slices so ask for them if you want (hot) authenticity.
Read moreUpdate about "Vietnamese sandwich": 3 options: seitan (chicken or beef flavor) or lemongrass tofu). they now bring all of the ingredients to you so you can select what you prefer (everything in my case!). You must ask for peppers if you want then. There is still the option to have the sandwich made in kitchen & brought to you, if you prefer. Sandwich is larger now & one of their best menu items. Be sure to say you are vegan if you are; they are a vegetarian not vegan restaurant.
I also tried another variant of summer roll and the garlic noodle shrimp dish. The “Prawns” in Garlic Noodles dish was OK, but not great.
Updated from previous review on 2017-09-01
Pros: freshly made, fresh ingredients, option to substitute veggies on some items, option to substitute tofu for fake meats
Cons: Not all menu items are excellent., Be sure to say you are vegan (it is not assumed)
Guest
MattStait
Points +18
Love this place! - Edit
Every time we visit San Diego we make sure we stop at Purple Mint. Everything we’ve eaten there has been fantastic! Most items are vegan or can be made vegan. The drink selection is one of the best I’ve seen - great tea selections and smoothies :)
Read morePros: Lots of options with delicious, well-prepared food, Great decoration and ambiance, Great tea/drink selection
Guest
veganinsandiego
Points +758
Good food, inconsistent service - Edit
We really love the food at this restaurant. The first few times we went, we had excellent service. We recommended it a lot but kept hearing that service was bad. We've had a few bad experiences with service (time, missing items -- but they always make it right) but the atmosphere and delicious food make up for it. Double (nay, triple) check that your dish is vegan; there have been a couple typos on the menu in the past. Drinks are all questionable since they are mostly not labeled vegan. Just double-check when ordering, and expect a few hiccups in service and you will leave full and happy. Our favorite dishes: Yam and Sweet Potato Curry, Kung Pao Chickn, Spicy Noodle Soup, Banh Mi Sandwich.
Read morePros: Good value, large portions, Atmosphere, ambiance , Some excellent dishes
Cons: Inconsistent service , Some questionable items
Guest
dmgstuff
Points +32
I wanted to like it, but..... - Edit
I wanted to like it but the food was just very Bland, I've been there twice and have walked away disappointed each time.
Read moreGuest
Mudnotblood
Points +74
great food and atmosphere - Edit
When you walk in there is a man made pond under you and you can hear the water, great first impression I sat down on a comfy booth seat with a pillow and ordered a Thai milk tea and it was delicious ( I posted a picture). I ordered the pork and shrimp spring rolls on the appetizer section (also pictured) and the meats tasted like the real thing. Yeah purple mint is one of my new favorites
Read moreGuest
Gregpope410
Points +137
Delicious! - Edit
Although this place is not 100% vegan, it has sooo many options! Probably 98%!
Read moreReally good lettuce wraps!
Definitely recommend this place! It's also next to a donut place that offers vegan donuts! ;)
Guest
macoe
Points +37
Great Vietnamese food - Edit
The food here is absolutely delicious! The sizzling steak dish is amazing. I've been vegan for 13 years and it may be the most convincing red meat vegan dish I've had. Note: most but not all dishes are vegan; look for the v. Service is good and place is spacious and cute with outdoor seating available. Very happy to have this fairly close to our neighborhood. Prices are very fair. There's tons of tables so it's easy to go with a group and find seating. Sometimes the parking lot is full at lunch time and I have to find street parking but I've never had that issue at dinner time.
Read morePros: delicious, Lots of seating, affordable
Guest
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