VINH LOI TOFU

"This small restaurant, located in a small shopping center, is the busiest shop on the lot. Situated in a heavily populated Vietnamese community, Vinh Loi offers a delicious alternative to the many, many Vietnamese shops saturated in this area.

The restaurant is decorated with vibrant orange walls and red lanterns. Pictures of menu items are hung on the wall behind the cashier. A refrigerator rests up against the entryway, enticing patrons to try a cold Asian drink or other classic beverages. Seating is limited and during rush hour expect to share a table. The cashier/waiter will assign you your seat and will shuffle dine-in guests as needed to accommodate everyone.

The vegan pho, HuTieu soup is classically prepared with vegan ingredients. Pipping hot to your table, the rice noodle soup is adorned with generous pieces of vegan chicken and shrimp, cilantro, mint, mushrooms, and vegan fish sprinklings. Just like the traditional pho, this big bowl of soup comes with a side of mung beans, chili peppers, romaine lettuce, and lime. Delicious, hot, and as spicy as you want, this soup can be altered to your dietary needs (gluten free).

The Mung Bean Noodle Stir Fried is a hefty serving of mung beans lightly stir-fried. The vegan fish sticks is what gives this otherwise unremarkable dish its flavor as the ratio of noodles to bell peppers, onions, and shallots are amiss.

The Tofu Rolls are big enough to be eaten as an entrée. These spring rolls are prepared with common ingredients: noodles, veggies, and an optional protein all wrapped in thin soft rice paper. Two rolls per order are prepared with generous amounts of noodles (rice vermicelli or mung bean), lettuce, a slab of fried or fresh tofu, and your choice of sauce (peanut, coconut, sesame soy, or VL dressing).

Vinh Loi Tofu offers traditional Vietnamese food in a comfortable setting with quick service."

"This place makes their own tofu and soy milk. Menu is marked vegan or vegetarian (owner, Kevin, is a vegan.) Spring rolls are out of this world! Only 3 tables, lots of take-out, small market selection of vegan and vegetarian products. My husband (a carnivore) said he would become a vegetarian if this place was closer to our home in the Antelope Valley!"