Vinh Loi Tofu

\r Being a strict vegetarian I had been wanting to try this place for a while, and a rainy night combined with a yearning for yummy hot soup gave me the push I needed. I called up an available valley gal-pal, who agreed to meet me there. She is a meat lover of the first degree (her Asian pedigree makes her willing to eat anything that has swum, slithered or crawled, she says). When I arrived first and noticed it was completely meat-free I called to warn her, but she was still down. \r \r The owner Kevin took our order. I asked him to recommend the most popular soup- House Special Soup - and ordered that. My friend had a hankering for Pho.\r \r Opinions on Vinh Loi Tofu will completely depend where you fall on the fake meat contiuum. Personally it kind of creeps me out. My soup was loaded with soy versions of fish, shrimp and cow, and it took a little bit to get used to the fake meaty morsels. I was mostly interested in the delicious broth and noodles which were seasoned to spicy perfection, but at $9.50 I think it was a bit on the expensive side unless fake meat is really your thing. \r \r Ms. Meatlover was not a fan of the fake meat either. Opposite of me, she found it not realistic enough. She picked at her meal, then bought a piece of the vegan chocolate cake, which she also picked at but didn't love. Not a bad experience, but I doubt she would go back on her own accord.\r \r I give this place four stars because I gotta support any place that throws itself so thoroughly into vegan-ness, and it is spicy and noodle-y without being the sooo overdone vegan thai. Next time I will select something without fake meat. I think the higher price point will keep it off the heavy rotation list, though. more

Rumor had it that there was a ridiculously amazing vegan Vietnamese restaurant in Reseda. Now, I am not a vegan, but I have a strange love for all fake meats. If it's tempeh-ed, tofu-ed, or seitan-ed, I am 100% down to try it. So, after seeing all the amazing reviews of Vinh Loi Tofu from the LA foodie bloggers, I knew I had to try it out. My partner in crime and I ventured out to Reseda during prime time rush hour (yeah, that's how I roll) to find this fabled house of animal-friendly amazingness. When we entered the shop, the store's owner, Kevin, was a total jokester and helped us order off the menu. When asked what was good, he replied, ""Nothing's good. It's EXCELLENT!"" We ended up with the house special soup, mock duck curry udon noodles and a mock BBQ duck banh mi. HOLY. CRAP. It was phenomenal. Being Vietnamese, having gone to Vietnam and eaten lots and lots of Vietnamese food, I must say that this was, hands down, my favorite Vietnamese dining experience. Maybe it was the fact that I could devour the food on a guilt-free conscience (I just can't bring myself to eat real duck, but tofu duck? Bring it on), but more so, it was the freshness and boldness of the flavors in each dish. The soup's spiciness is not for the meek, as every single sinus cavity will clear itself after coming face to face with the house special. Our meal was so amazing that I had to order a tofu banh mi to go. I felt very torn between screaming my love for Vinh Loi Tofu to anyone who would listen and keeping this lovely jewel in the valley to myself. But, here I am, blabbing my mouth. Don't say I never did nothin' for the people. Pros: Flavorful, authentic and vegan Vietnamese dishes more

Kevin, the owner of Vinh Loi Tofu, paid a Japanese expert tofu maker to come here and teach him how to make... more

Kevin, the owner of Vinh Loi Tofu, paid a Japanese expert tofu maker to come here and teach him how to make... more

Kevin, the owner of Vinh Loi Tofu, paid a Japanese expert tofu maker to come here and teach him how to make tofu. He will show his production proc... more

Kevin, the owner of Vinh Loi Tofu, paid a Japanese expert tofu maker to come here and teach him how to make tofu. He will show his production proc... more