Vegetarian and Vegan Vietnamese Food in Ottawa: More Options Than You Think
If you’re vegetarian or vegan and think Vietnamese food is all about beef pho and grilled pork, think again. Vietnamese cuisine has one of the richest vegetarian food traditions of any Asian cuisine — rooted in centuries of Buddhist practice and a cultural reverence for fresh vegetables, herbs, and plant-based proteins.
At Vietnam Palace Restaurant in Ottawa’s Chinatown, vegetarian Vietnamese food and vegan Vietnamese food aren’t afterthoughts or limited to a single sad tofu dish at the bottom of the menu. They’re woven throughout our 100+ dish menu, reflecting the same care, flavour, and authenticity that we bring to every dish we’ve served since 1989.
Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian, exploring plant-based eating, or simply looking for a vegetarian restaurant in Ottawa that takes meatless dining seriously, this guide will show you everything Vietnam Palace has to offer.
Why Vietnamese Cuisine Is Perfect for Vegetarians and Vegans
Vietnam has a long tradition of vegetarian cooking called “ăn chay” (literally “eat clean/pure”). This tradition is deeply connected to Buddhism, which has been a major cultural force in Vietnam for centuries. On the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, many Vietnamese Buddhists eat exclusively vegetarian — and Vietnamese cooks have developed an extraordinary repertoire of plant-based dishes to serve these occasions.
The result is a cuisine that doesn’t treat vegetarian food as a compromise or limitation. Instead, Vietnamese vegetarian cooking is a fully developed culinary art form with its own techniques, flavour profiles, and signature dishes. It’s not about removing the meat and hoping for the best — it’s about creating dishes where vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, and herbs are the stars.
Key Features of Vietnamese Vegetarian Cooking
- Fresh herbs as foundation: Vietnamese cuisine’s heavy reliance on fresh herbs — Thai basil, mint, cilantro, perilla, sawtooth herb — means that even simple vegetarian dishes burst with complex, layered flavours.
- Tofu expertise: Vietnamese cooks have been working with tofu for centuries. They know how to make it crispy, silky, flavourful, and satisfying in ways that will convert even the most skeptical tofu doubter.
- Mushroom mastery: Wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, straw mushrooms, and king oyster mushrooms feature prominently in Vietnamese cooking, providing meaty textures and deep umami flavours.
- Naturally gluten-free base: Rice and rice noodles form the foundation of most Vietnamese dishes, making vegetarian Vietnamese food naturally friendly to gluten-free diners as well.
- Minimal dairy: Traditional Vietnamese cooking uses no dairy whatsoever, making most vegetarian dishes automatically dairy-free and easily adaptable for vegans.
Vegetarian and Vegan Menu Highlights at Vietnam Palace
Here are the standout vegetarian and vegan dishes you can enjoy at Vietnam Palace:
Vegetarian Pho (Phở Chay)
Yes, you can absolutely enjoy pho as a vegetarian — and Vietnam Palace’s vegetarian pho is proof that you’re not missing out on anything. Built on a rich vegetable broth infused with the same aromatic spices as our traditional pho (star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, charred ginger and onion), the vegetarian version delivers the same warming, fragrant experience.
The broth is loaded with tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables, served over silky rice noodles with the full herb plate on the side — Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, and chili. The depth of flavour in the vegetable broth might surprise you. Mushrooms, roasted vegetables, and the same spice blend used in our beef pho create a broth that’s complex, satisfying, and deeply savoury.
Vegan note: Our vegetarian pho is naturally vegan-friendly. No animal products in the broth or toppings.
Fresh Vegetable Salad Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn Chay)
Vietnam Palace’s fresh salad rolls can be made vegetarian with tofu replacing the traditional shrimp. Wrapped in soft rice paper, these rolls are filled with crispy tofu, rice vermicelli, fresh lettuce, mint, cilantro, and bean sprouts. They’re served with our signature peanut hoisin dipping sauce.
These rolls are a perfect example of how Vietnamese vegetarian cooking doesn’t feel like a compromise. The combination of textures (crispy tofu, crunchy vegetables, soft rice paper) and flavours (fresh herbs, nutty sauce) creates a completely satisfying eating experience.
Vegan note: The rolls themselves are vegan. Check with your server about the peanut sauce ingredients.
Tofu Stir-Fry with Lemongrass (Đậu Hũ Xào Sả Ớt)
This dish takes the same technique and flavour profile as our popular lemongrass chicken and applies it to crispy-fried tofu. Cubes of golden, crispy tofu are wok-tossed with fragrant lemongrass, chili peppers, onions, and a sweet-savoury sauce that caramelizes beautifully.
The key to great tofu stir-fry is the frying technique. At Vietnam Palace, the tofu is pressed to remove excess moisture, then fried until the exterior is golden and crispy while the interior stays soft and creamy. This textural contrast is what makes the dish so addictive — the crispy edges soak up the lemongrass sauce while the soft centre provides a satisfying bite.
Served over steamed jasmine rice, it’s comfort food that happens to be plant-based.
Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Chả Giò Chay)
Vietnam Palace offers vegetarian versions of our famous crispy spring rolls, filled with a savoury mixture of taro, glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, and cabbage. The filling is seasoned with the same aromatic blend used in our traditional spring rolls, and the rolls are fried to the same shattering crispiness.
Eat them the traditional way: wrapped in lettuce with fresh herbs and dipped in nuoc cham (check with your server about the fish sauce — a vegetarian alternative may be available) or sweet chili sauce.
Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables
Sometimes simplicity is perfection. Vietnam Palace’s stir-fried mixed vegetables feature a colourful array of fresh vegetables — broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, mushrooms, baby corn, carrots — wok-tossed at high heat with garlic and a light sauce. The quick cooking preserves the vegetables’ natural crunch, colour, and nutrition.
This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice for a simple, wholesome, and satisfying meal. It’s proof that Vietnamese wok technique can make humble vegetables taste extraordinary.
Curry Vegetables with Tofu (Cà Ri Chay)
Vietnam Palace’s Vietnamese curry is a coconut milk-based curry that’s naturally suited to vegetarian adaptation. Replace the meat with tofu and you have a rich, fragrant, deeply satisfying curry loaded with potatoes, carrots, onions, and golden-fried tofu.
The curry sauce — made with coconut milk, lemongrass, curry spices, and aromatics — is naturally dairy-free and incredibly flavourful. Served with crusty baguette (a nod to Vietnam’s French heritage) or steamed rice, it’s the kind of dish that makes you forget you’re eating “vegetarian” because it’s just so good on its own merits.
Vegetable Vermicelli Bowl (Bún Chay)
The vegetarian vermicelli bowl features cool rice vermicelli noodles topped with grilled or fried tofu, fresh vegetables, shredded lettuce, pickled carrots and daikon, crushed peanuts, and nuoc cham dressing. It’s colourful, textured, and balanced — every component contributes something essential to the whole.
This is one of the most popular vegetarian orders at Vietnam Palace, and it’s easy to see why. It’s fresh, filling, and packed with flavour from the herbs, pickled vegetables, and peanuts. No meat, no problem.
Tips for Vegan Dining at Vietnam Palace
While many Vietnamese dishes are naturally vegetarian, adapting them for strict vegan requirements takes a little more attention. Here are some tips:
Watch for Fish Sauce
Fish sauce (nuoc mam) is a foundational ingredient in Vietnamese cooking — it appears in broths, dipping sauces, stir-fries, and marinades. For strict vegans, this is the main ingredient to watch for. When ordering, let your server know you’re vegan and ask about fish sauce alternatives. Many dishes can be prepared with soy sauce or vegetarian seasoning instead.
Check Egg Content
Some dishes may contain egg — particularly fried rice, certain noodle dishes, and egg-based wrappers. Ask your server about specific dishes if you’re avoiding eggs.
Customize Freely
Vietnam Palace’s kitchen is accustomed to dietary modifications. Don’t hesitate to ask for adjustments. Most stir-fries, soups, and noodle dishes can be modified to remove animal products while maintaining great flavour.
Communicate Clearly
The staff at Vietnam Palace are experienced with dietary restrictions and genuinely want to accommodate your needs. Be clear about what you can and can’t eat, and they’ll help you navigate the menu to find the perfect dishes.
The Growing Demand for Plant-Based Vietnamese Food in Ottawa
Plant-based eating is more popular than ever, and Ottawa’s food scene is responding. More diners are seeking restaurants that offer genuine, flavourful vegetarian and vegan options — not just a token salad or plain pasta. Vietnamese restaurants like Vietnam Palace are naturally positioned to meet this demand because vegetarian cooking is already deeply embedded in the cuisine’s DNA.
At Vietnam Palace, we’ve seen the demand for vegetarian and vegan dishes grow steadily over the years. Students from nearby universities, health-conscious professionals, Buddhist practitioners, and curious food lovers all seek out our plant-based offerings. And they keep coming back because the food is genuinely excellent — not “good for vegetarian food,” but just plain good.
A Vegetarian Meal Plan at Vietnam Palace
Planning a fully vegetarian meal at Vietnam Palace? Here’s a suggested menu that showcases the best of our plant-based offerings:
For Two
- Appetizer: Fresh vegetable salad rolls (1 order to share)
- Starter: Vegetarian crispy spring rolls (1 order to share)
- Mains: One vegetarian pho + one tofu lemongrass stir-fry with rice
- Drinks: Vietnamese iced coffee or hot green tea
For a Group (4-6 people)
- Appetizers: Fresh salad rolls + crispy vegetarian spring rolls
- Soups: Vegetarian pho for those who want soup
- Shared mains: Tofu lemongrass stir-fry + curry vegetables with tofu + stir-fried mixed vegetables
- Individual bowls: Vegetarian vermicelli bowls for those who prefer a complete individual dish
- Drinks: A round of Vietnamese iced coffee to finish
Beyond Vegetarian: Accommodating All Dietary Needs
Vietnam Palace’s commitment to accommodating dietary needs extends beyond vegetarian and vegan options:
- Gluten-free: Most rice-based dishes are naturally gluten-free. Ask about specific sauces and preparations.
- Nut allergies: Let us know about nut allergies and we’ll guide you away from dishes containing peanuts or other nuts.
- Shellfish allergies: Our diverse menu makes it easy to avoid shellfish while still enjoying a full Vietnamese meal.
- Halal considerations: While Vietnam Palace is not halal-certified, our seafood, vegetarian, and tofu options provide alternatives for halal-conscious diners.
The key is communication. Tell your server about your dietary needs and they’ll work with you to create a satisfying, safe, and delicious meal.
Experience Vegetarian Vietnamese Food at Vietnam Palace
Whether you’re a committed vegan, a curious flexitarian, or someone who simply wants a delicious meatless meal, Vietnam Palace Restaurant welcomes you. Our menu of 100+ dishes includes numerous vegetarian and vegan options that showcase the full breadth and beauty of Vietnamese plant-based cooking.
Visit us at 819 Somerset St W in Ottawa’s Chinatown and discover why Vietnamese vegetarian food is anything but boring.
Hours: Monday 11AM–10PM | Wednesday–Friday 11AM–10PM | Saturday 10AM–10PM | Sunday 11AM–10PM | Closed Tuesday
Go Green, Go Vietnamese
Book a table at Vietnam Palace and explore our vegetarian and vegan offerings. Call (613) 238-6758, email info@vietnampalacerestaurant.ca, or contact us online. Learn more about our story and see why we’ve been Ottawa’s home for authentic Vietnamese food for over 35 years.
Plants never tasted this good. 🌱