Vegetarian Pho & Vegan Vietnamese Food in Ottawa — Vietnam Palace

Think Vietnamese food is all about meat-heavy broths and beef pho? Think again. At Vietnam Palace in the heart of Ottawa’s Chinatown, we’ve been serving some of the best vegetarian pho in Ottawa — along with a full lineup of plant-based Vietnamese dishes — for over 35 years. Whether you’re fully vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to eat lighter, our kitchen has you covered with dishes that don’t compromise on flavour.

Located at 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R4, right on Ottawa Chinatown’s main strip, Vietnam Palace is one of the few Vietnamese restaurants in the city where vegetarian and vegan diners can order with confidence — not as an afterthought, but as a genuine part of the menu.

Why Vegetarian Pho at Vietnam Palace Is Different

Let’s be honest: most vegetarian pho in Ottawa is just regular pho minus the meat, served in a bland vegetable broth that tastes like hot water with a few herbs floating in it. That’s not what we do.

Our vegetable pho starts with a deeply flavoured broth that’s been simmered for hours with roasted vegetables, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander seeds — the same aromatic spice profile that makes traditional pho so addictive. We build layers of flavour from charred onions, ginger, daikon, and mushrooms, creating a broth that’s rich, complex, and satisfying on its own.

Then we load it up. Fresh rice noodles, fried tofu, seasonal vegetables, bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime, and fresh chili. Every bowl is customizable — add extra tofu, swap in different vegetables, or pile on the hoisin and sriracha at the table.

The result? A bowl of vegetarian pho that stands proudly next to our famous beef pho. No apologies, no compromises. Our 664+ Google reviews back that up — vegetarian diners regularly name Vietnam Palace as their go-to spot in Ottawa.

Our Full Vegan & Vegetarian Vietnamese Menu

Pho is just the starting point. Our full menu features over 100 dishes, and a significant portion are vegetarian or easily made vegan. Here’s what you can expect when you visit.

Vegetarian Pho & Noodle Soups

Our signature vegetable pho is the star, but it’s not alone. We offer vegetarian versions of several noodle soup styles, each with its own distinct character:

• Vegetable Pho (Phở Chay) — Our aromatic vegetable broth with rice noodles, tofu, and fresh vegetables. The must-try for any first-time visitor.
• Wonton Soup (Vegetarian) — Delicate vegetable-filled wontons in a clear, flavourful broth with bok choy and noodles.
• Hot & Sour Soup — A tangy, warming bowl loaded with vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms. Perfect for cold Ottawa winters.

Tofu Dishes That Actually Taste Amazing

We take tofu seriously. None of that bland, unseasoned, barely-cooked tofu that gives plant-based protein a bad name. Our kitchen prepares tofu multiple ways:

• Lemongrass Tofu — Crispy fried tofu tossed with fragrant lemongrass, chili, and onions. One of our most popular dishes across the entire menu — vegetarian or not.
• Tofu with Mixed Vegetables — Stir-fried seasonal vegetables with golden tofu in a light garlic sauce.
• Salt & Pepper Tofu — Crispy cubes with a spicy, salty crust. Addictive as a starter or a main.
• Curry Tofu — Rich Vietnamese curry with coconut milk, potatoes, carrots, and crispy tofu. Served with steamed rice or a fresh baguette for dipping.
• Tofu Satay — Grilled tofu with our house-made peanut satay sauce. Creamy, nutty, and deeply satisfying.

Vegetarian Spring Rolls & Appetizers

No Vietnamese meal is complete without spring rolls, and our vegetarian options are some of the best in Ottawa:

• Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn Chay) — Rice paper wrapped around crisp lettuce, vermicelli, mint, cilantro, and julienned vegetables. Served with our house peanut dipping sauce. Light, refreshing, and perfect for summer.
• Fried Vegetable Spring Rolls (Chả Giò Chay) — Crispy golden rolls stuffed with taro, glass noodles, mushrooms, and vegetables. Shatteringly crispy on the outside, savoury on the inside.
• Edamame — Steamed and lightly salted. Simple, perfect.

Rice & Vermicelli Bowls

Our vermicelli bowls and rice plates are endlessly customizable for vegetarian diners:

• Vermicelli with Lemongrass Tofu — Cool rice vermicelli topped with crispy lemongrass tofu, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, crushed peanuts, and nuoc cham sauce (we can make it vegan on request).
• Rice with Curry Tofu — Steamed jasmine rice with our aromatic Vietnamese curry and tofu.
• Rice with Stir-Fried Vegetables — A simple, satisfying plate of seasonal vegetables over rice.

Mock Meat & Plant-Based Options

For those who love the textures and flavours of meat but eat plant-based, we offer select dishes with mock meat alternatives. These aren’t afterthoughts — they’re prepared with the same care and seasoning as our traditional dishes. Ask your server about current mock meat options, as availability rotates with our kitchen’s sourcing.

Vegan-Friendly: What You Need to Know

There’s a difference between vegetarian and vegan, and we respect that. Here’s how we handle it at Vietnam Palace:

• Fish sauce is a cornerstone of Vietnamese cooking. Many of our dishes use it, but we can substitute soy sauce or vegetarian fish sauce on request for vegan diners.
• Our pho broth for the vegetarian version is naturally vegan — no animal products.
• Egg appears in some dishes (fried rice, certain noodle dishes). Let your server know if you’re avoiding eggs and we’ll guide you.
• Fresh spring rolls are vegan as-is. Fried spring rolls — check with us, as the wrapper may contain egg.

The best approach? Just tell us you’re vegan when you order. Our staff knows the menu inside and out, and we’ll steer you right. We’ve been doing this for 35+ years — plant-based dining isn’t new to us.

Why Ottawa’s Vegetarian Community Loves Vietnam Palace

Ottawa has a growing community of vegetarian and vegan diners, and finding restaurants that genuinely cater to plant-based eating can be a challenge — especially when you want something more exciting than a salad or pasta. Here’s why vegetarian food lovers in Ottawa keep coming back to us:

It’s Not an Afterthought

Some restaurants treat vegetarian options like an obligation — one sad dish at the bottom of the menu. At Vietnam Palace, plant-based dishes are woven throughout our menu because Vietnamese cuisine naturally incorporates tofu, vegetables, rice, and noodles as main ingredients. It’s not a workaround; it’s authentic Vietnamese cooking.

Flavour That Rivals the Meat Dishes

Our lemongrass tofu is one of our top-selling dishes overall — not just among vegetarians. When your vegetarian restaurant option is so good that meat-eaters order it too, you know the kitchen is doing something right.

Mixed Groups Welcome

Dining out with a mixed group of vegetarians and meat-eaters? Vietnam Palace is the perfect solution. Everyone finds something they love on our menu. The vegetarians aren’t stuck with one option, and the meat-eaters get their pho fix. It’s a restaurant where nobody compromises.

Affordable Plant-Based Dining

Let’s talk value. Our vegetarian dishes are priced fairly — often less than the meat equivalents. A hearty bowl of vegetable pho or a loaded vermicelli bowl won’t set you back much, and portions are generous. In a city where vegan restaurants can charge premium prices, Vietnam Palace keeps it real.

Vegetarian Vietnamese Food: A Tradition, Not a Trend

It’s worth noting that vegetarian eating has deep roots in Vietnamese culture. Buddhist tradition in Vietnam means that many Vietnamese people eat vegetarian on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, and fully vegetarian restaurants (called quán chay) are common throughout Vietnam. The dishes we serve aren’t Western adaptations — they come from a genuine culinary tradition that’s been refined over centuries.

When you eat vegetarian Vietnamese food in Ottawa at Vietnam Palace, you’re getting the real thing. Our recipes draw from this tradition, using techniques and flavour combinations that were designed to be meatless from the start — not retrofitted.

Location: Ottawa Chinatown’s Vegetarian-Friendly Destination

Vietnam Palace sits at 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R4, in the heart of Ottawa’s Chinatown. The neighbourhood is one of Ottawa’s best dining districts, and it’s a particularly great area for vegetarian food lovers. Within walking distance, you’ll find Asian grocery stores stocking everything from fresh tofu to exotic mushrooms, and several other restaurants with vegetarian options.

But if you’re looking for the most flavourful, most satisfying vegetarian pho in Ottawa — the kind that converts skeptics — Vietnam Palace is where you need to be.

Getting here is easy:

• Street parking available along Somerset St W
• OC Transpo buses run frequently along Somerset
• A short walk or bike ride from Centretown and Little Italy
• The Chinatown Gateway Arch is right nearby — you can’t miss it

What to Order: Our Vegetarian Starter Guide

First time visiting Vietnam Palace as a vegetarian? Here’s what we’d recommend:

For the pho purist: Start with our Vegetable Pho. It’s the dish that put us on the vegetarian map in Ottawa. Load it up with hoisin, sriracha, bean sprouts, and fresh basil.

For the adventurous eater: Go for the Lemongrass Tofu with a side of steamed rice. It’s bold, crispy, fragrant, and unlike anything you’ll get at other Vietnamese restaurants in Ottawa.

For sharing: Order a plate of fresh spring rolls, salt & pepper tofu, and a couple of bowls of pho for the table. Vietnamese food is meant to be shared — pass the dishes around and try everything.

For the cold Ottawa winter: Our Curry Tofu with a baguette for dipping. Rich, warming, and exactly what you need when it’s -25°C outside.

Order Vegetarian Vietnamese Food for Takeout & Delivery

Can’t make it to Chinatown? Our vegetarian dishes travel well. Pho comes with broth separated from noodles and toppings so everything stays fresh. Tofu dishes and rice plates hold up beautifully for takeout. Call us directly at (613) 238-6758 for pickup, or find us on major delivery platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Vietnam Palace have a separate vegetarian menu?

Our vegetarian and vegan options are integrated throughout our main menu, clearly marked for easy identification. We have dozens of plant-based options across appetizers, soups, noodle bowls, rice plates, and stir-fries — not just a small vegetarian section.

Is the vegetarian pho broth actually vegan?

Yes. Our vegetable pho broth is made entirely from plant-based ingredients — roasted vegetables, aromatic spices, and herbs. No animal stock, no fish sauce. It’s vegan-friendly as prepared.

Can you make dishes vegan on request?

Absolutely. Many of our vegetarian dishes can be made fully vegan by substituting fish sauce with soy sauce and omitting eggs. Just let your server know when you order, and we’ll accommodate you.

What are the best vegetarian dishes at Vietnam Palace?

Our most popular vegetarian items are the Vegetable Pho, Lemongrass Tofu, Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls, and Curry Tofu. The Lemongrass Tofu is a standout — it’s ordered by vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Is Vietnam Palace good for mixed groups of vegetarians and meat-eaters?

It’s one of the best restaurants in Ottawa for mixed groups. With over 100 dishes on the menu, everyone finds something they love. Vegetarians have dozens of options, and meat-eaters get their famous pho and grilled meats. No one compromises.

Do you have gluten-free vegetarian options?

Many of our vegetarian dishes are naturally gluten-free, including pho (rice noodles), rice plates, and fresh spring rolls (rice paper). However, soy sauce and some sauces contain gluten. Let your server know about allergies and we’ll guide you to safe options.

How much does vegetarian food cost at Vietnam Palace?

Our vegetarian dishes are very affordable, typically ranging from $12-18 for a full entrée. A bowl of vegetable pho is one of the best meal deals in Ottawa — filling, flavourful, and easy on the wallet.

Can I order vegetarian Vietnamese food for delivery?

Yes! Our vegetarian dishes travel well. Call us at(613) 238-6758 for takeout, or find us on delivery platforms. Pho is packaged with broth separate from noodles and toppings to maintain quality.