Vegan-friendly
Ovo
Take-out
Vietnamese

Est. Dec. 2023. Vegetarian Vietnamese staples including noodles, soups, and entrees. Most dishes are vegan but some contain egg and are not always clearly labeled, so please inquire. Open Mon-Sun 10:00am-9:00pm.


Venue map for Chay Restaurant
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37 Reviews

First Review by jcatanzano3

cookiem

Points +5952

Vegan
14 Aug 2025

Excellent Vietnamese Veg Food

I adore Vietnamese food, but as a veg*n, it's difficult to be assured that your dishes are veg*n in traditional Vietnamese restaurants. I am so very thankful for Chay, as it is absolutely delicious and fabulous.

However, there is no online ordering just old-fashioned call it in. Please note that they prioritize the dining room cooking over carry out, but, if you go during a very busy time, you'll probably be better off calling in your order and picking it up up.

The restaurant is not gigantic, but it's not tiny. It's a good size, but, veg*n Vietnamese makes folks come a running', so the place can feel smaller than it is.

What to order on the menu? All the things! We went for the papaya salad, which was the biggest serving at a restaurant for this dish, ever. I jest not nor speak in hyperbole - there was so much food! This is true for ALL the dishes, even the mango sticky rice where I feel like the serving of the pandan sticky rice was twice as much as other establishments.

They have so many delicious dishes, I can't wait to go back for more. They have fried rice, fried noodles, soup noodles like pho and others, vermicelli platters, spring and summer rolls, papaya and other salads, tofu dishes, vegetable dishes (like bok choy or string beans), and many other dishes.

I'll probably be back vey soon! See you there!

Updated from previous review on 2025-08-14

Pros: Vegetarian, Portion size, Freshness

Madisonian

Points +1327

Vegan
25 Jul 2025

Vietnamese vegetarian and vegan food in Northern VA

We tried Chay for the first time and shared several vegan dishes including the Beef and Broccoli, the Vegetable Delight with tofu, and the clam dip with rice crackers appetizer.

The clam dip was quite tasty and very different than any other vegan seafood dishes we've tried at other restaurants. The other two dishes, which we've had at several other Asian restaurants in the area, were fine but not necessarily better. Though, in fairness, we were impressed by the beautiful presentation of all of the dishes on our plates.

All of the servers were very attentive and welcoming. Portions were generous and reasonably priced. We would recommend that one try to visit at an off time, as the dining area is small and reservations are not accepted.

Pros: Friendly and welcoming servers, Varied menu of vegan and vegetarian dishes, Generous portions

VonDrakkenBird

Points +33

Vegetarian
15 Jul 2025

Great

This place in sunflower on my top two all Veg restaurants in Nova. The Food is mostly Vietnamese, and the dishes are very interesting and flavorful. Nice staff and very attentive table service.   The location and the size of the establishment are the only negatives for me. They don’t take reservations, so choose your dining time wisely or you’ll wait in the asphalt parking lot for 40mins. Hey Frank, we need to either increase their capacity or start taking reservations. Sucks driving in 20-25 minutes to get there only to find out you have to wait another 30 to 45 minutes to be seated. This is where sunflower gets the nod from me.

Pros: Food quality , Service , Parking

Cons: Location, Indoor capacity… small

sbheller

Points +209

Vegan
18 Jun 2025

Fabulous all-vegan restaurant

Really delicious food. Extremely friendly and attentive service.

Pros: All vegan!, Super delicious., Awesome service.

BadriVishal

Points +60

Vegan
12 May 2025

Amazing food

The owners were incredibly kind and welcoming, which made the visit even more special. Every dish we tried was packed with flavor and beautifully prepared.

The BÒ XÀO BÔNG CẢI XANH (‘beef’ and broccoli) was savory and satisfying, with the perfect texture. The vegan shrimp had a surprisingly authentic taste and a great bite. I especially loved the CHẠO GÀ CUỘN SẢ (lemongrass drummettes)—so fragrant and full of flavor. And the CHẢ ỐC (vegan escargot ham) was one of the most unique and delicious things I’ve ever tried!

If you’re looking for plant-based Vietnamese food that doesn’t compromise on authenticity or taste, this place is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be coming back!

LineshShah

Points +237

Vegan
09 Feb 2025

Excellent

Very good food and outstanding service.

Pros: Great food, Fabulous service, Reasonably priced

Cons: None

cstein40

Points +355

Vegan
06 Feb 2025

Viet-great

Everything tastes like the “real” thing. The clay pot has fat back from tofu that tastes great.

perillaprincess

Points +74

Vegan
02 Jan 2025

Jfc SO 👏 GOOD

When my local vegan pho spot closed, I was devastated. Distraught! Derelict. Woe was me! How somberly I carted my bedraggled self to every vegan-pho-stocked establishment to no avail!!

THEN CAME CHAY’S TO RESCUE MY SORRY [censored]. 🤜 Their vegan pho is DELICIOUS with flavor-packed broth, scrumptious soy meat, and fresh delectable veggies! I swear you can’t go wrong with ANYTHINGGG here — their bok choy, eggplant, and green bean dishes are all seared to perfection with that mouth-watering wok hei! The staff are tremendously friendly and the co-owner frequently darts between tables entertaining guests with tales of his wife’s recipes. This 👏 is 👏 a 👏 must-VISIT y’all!!

Pros: Food, Staff, EVERYTHING

Cons: Please, don’t be ridiculous

mdurgan

Points +41

Vegan
19 Nov 2024

Yummy, yummy!

Such good food! I've been here twice. Got a ban-mi today, and a vermicelli bowl a few days ago. I left nothing on my plate both times. I think this will be a routine place soon.

Pros: Tasty vegan food, Lovely, helpful staff, So much choice!

Cons: Wish they had a liquor license.

SaritaTelhan

Points +17

Vegetarian
06 Nov 2024

You always leave feeling great and full

I’ve been here a handful of times and every single time I leave feeling refreshed and nourished. They put so much love and health into their food.

Pros: Healthy option, No refined oil, Big portions

ltdaugherty

Points +45

Vegetarian
01 Nov 2024

A new favorite

I’ve had Chay on my list to try. And it lived up to my expectations. The food was excellent and the service prompt and friendly. Nice ambiance. No complaints.

TomVanArsdall

Points +8

Non Veg
11 Oct 2024

Wow!

Excellent menu & food, Fresh ingredients, tasteful setting, helpful staff. Loved the Chay Wrap & Roll Platter. Fun!

JTVA

Points +61

Vegetarian
11 Oct 2024

Yummy Vegan!!!

Such a great spot with good prices for vegan food …live if!

djfriedman1

Points +74

Vegan
20 Sep 2024

Delicious and delightful!

My first time eating here and looking forward to going back. Lovely atmosphere, excellent service and best of all everything we ordered was fresh and delicious.

Pros: Selection , Food, Service

brianizquierdoo

Points +35

Vegan
05 Sep 2024

So good

The heavenly fried rice is so good. Tofu floss is great😄Menu is mostly vegan.

JuneOk

Points +344

Vegan
16 Jul 2024

great viet food, very extensive menu 🤓

been here a handful of times now and my favorites are the broken rice platter, caramelized fish w ginger, and steamed tapioca dumplings!

mochimochivegan

17 Nov 2024

EmilyOh

Points +1205

Vegan
08 Jul 2024

Lovely restaurant

This restaurant is beautiful inside and has open and clean space, as well as nice bathroom. The staff were very welcoming. They are near a grocery store and have a large parking lot.

Everything is vegetarian and labeled vegan. There are a lot of great choices! We will be back. Food was delicious!

Updated from previous review on 2024-07-08

Pros: Good vegan choices , Clean and pretty, Good pricing

battyalex

Points +15

Vegetarian
07 Jul 2024

My new favorite Vietnamese restaurant

The food here is outstanding; everything very fresh and delicious. There are so many vegan options to choose from- you can’t go wrong. It has a lovely ambiance, with beautiful murals and flowers on all the tables. Service is excellent.

vansquig

Points +379

Vegan
29 Jun 2024

Excellent food in a casual atmosphere

I loved everything we ordered: crispy spring rolls, bok choy and mushrooms, and eggplant. Vegan dishes are plentiful and clearly marked. The atmosphere is simple and there’s table service.

Pros: The food was delicious!

LoganMelton

Points +1345

Vegan
27 Jun 2024

Delicious food, mostly vegan!

Lots of delicious vegan options. Authentic Asian cuisine.

veganinseattle

Points +195

Vegan
02 Jun 2024

Excellent Vietnamese Food

I was visiting friends who live in Virginia while on a business trip to D.C. and we wanted to try a new vegan friendly restaurant in Falls Church. I had looked at their menu in advance and it looked very promising. We ordered the Summer Rolls, Fried Singapore Noodles, Vegetable Delight, and Eggplant with Thai Basil. The food came out promptly and every dish was excellent. I was quite impressed with the Summer Rolls filled with avocado, cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, rice vermicelli, lettuce, and basil. It came with a lovely side of peanut sauce. I love singapore style noodles and their version was outstanding. The service was friendly and attentive. It is a rather small restaurant with only ten tables so there is a chance you will need to wait at peak dining hours.

Pros: Great Food and Extensive Menu, Friendly Staff, Comfortable Decor

Cons: Smallish Dining Room, No Hot Tea Option

trogers23

Points +13

Mostly Veg
30 Apr 2024

Food and Service is amazing!

Outstanding all around!! Delicious food and very gracious, super professional staff. Enjoyed every bite!! Must visit!!

VeganKendy_

Points +53

Vegan
01 Apr 2024

New Comfort Restaurant!

Everything about the experience was great. It was easy to find the restaurant and easy to park. The restaurant is clean and has a welcoming atmosphere. The menu is clearly labeled; it was easy to find something vegan that appealed to me. The food was absolutely delicious and exactly as described on the menu. The server helped me add the right amount of spicy sauce to up the heat. Just a perfect experience! I hope everyone gives this restaurant their support!

Pros: All vegetarian , Clearly labeled menu , Good location

Dtnguyen

Points +128

Vegan
28 Mar 2024

Wonderfully thought out dishes

As a Vietnamese person I felt right at home with their selection of traditional classics like Vietnamese sandwiches and pho while also having some lesser known Vietnamese dishes like the vegan clam dip and mushroom congee. Everything I tried tasted delicious and I will definitely be coming back for more!

Dreaming_of_tofu

Points +107

Vegan
23 Mar 2024

Wonderful!

As good as everyone says it is. All our food was fantastic. Creative dishes. Excellent presentation. Vegan options clearly marked.

needlepoint

Points +21

Vegan
15 Mar 2024

Great

Great filling food that was all very different from dish to dish. Highly recommended!

LJVegan

Points +3172

Vegan
03 Mar 2024

New fave!

The staff are so friendly that it's a pleasure to be there. The interior is bright, colorful, and peaceful. Vegan options on the menu are clearly marked. My food was on the saltier and oilier side but I can't wait to go back. Next time, I may ask them to reduce the amount of oil if they're able to. I waited around 10 minutes to be seated. Many groups who came after me waited 20 minutes or more. This was on a Saturday around 3 pm. I wish them nothing but success!




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