The weekday lunch features a steam table. Has an all-day special plate in addition to a large menu of dishes with a variety of faux meats in rice and noodle, claypots, main entrees, and more. Operated by disciples of supreme master ChingHai. Short walk from 12th St BART station. Apr 2013 reported to be all vegan. Open Tue-Sun 11:00am-8:00pm.
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1301 Franklin St (at 13th, downtown), Oakland, California, USA, 94612
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Last update on 19 Jan 2024 by geometric-noise
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95 Reviews
First Review by tartarugafechada
simgi
Points +81
heavenly fake chicken - Edit
No matter what you order, all dishes are fresh, delicate, delicious and creative and cater to everyone's taste. Being a vegetarian all my life it was exciting to taste chicken and beef and knowing that it was not. We tried the Lotus salad, the Thai salad, the sauteed ginger chicken, the szechuan spicy beef, eggplant in basil sauce, caramelized chicken and sauteed garlic beef and many other things and all were delicious in their own way. And yes, we came back 5 times. Highly recommended!
Read morePros: gorgeous and surprising fake meat dishes, fresh and exotic salads, embarrassingly cheap
Guest
veganinseattle
Points +195
Order From Menu - Edit
I'm from Seattle and look forward to eating at Golden Lotus when in Oakland. I've eaten there on at least five or six occasions over the years - usually for dinner. It's always been pretty good quality.
Read moreOn a recent business trip, I invited a friend to join me for lunch and because we were in a bit of a hurry, we opted for the buffet.
I selected a three item plate consisting of the fried rice, eggplant and green beans with tofu. I was disappointed with the food and I wasn't able to finish my meal.
If you end up choosing Golden Lotus for lunch, I would suggest ordering from the menu since it looks like they don't put much effort into the buffet.
Pros: Affordable, Good Selection
Cons: Buffet Quality
Guest
HappyYogini
Points +72
Great use of spices - Edit
I feel so satisfied after i eat here. The food feels lite but hearty and each dish has great balance in taste and texture. I only wish they'd make the coconut soup with less noodles and more veggies.
Read morePros: Variety of flavors, Hearty, Good value
Guest
idubrawsky
Points +34
Good Food - Good Price - Edit
I went to the Golden Lotus with a co-worker since we're here in Oakland for work. I liked the variety of the food as well as atmosphere. Very simple, good prices. Overall I think it's a great little restaurant in downtown Oakland.
Read morePros: Excellent Food, Good value
Guest
msvegan
Points +377
Delicious - Edit
Everything is good, but, if you arent familiar with there menu a few personal favorites would be:
Read moreAll the apptzers are tasty.
Wonton Noodle Soup.
Garlic Beef; Marinated tender veg meat on a green lettuce salad with a vingerette.
Lamb Clay Pot; Mushroom steams and tofu in a savory brown sauce in a clay pot.
This is the original rest. there is as another one in SF. I prefer the food here to the branch in SF although the menu is the same. It is Asian cafe style seating; nothing fancy. Members of the'Supreme Master'LOL Suma Ching Hi cult. I try to over look it as their food is so good. At least they dont sell her personal items/used clothes or material at these restaurants.
Really delicious food but customer service is def lacking.
They are only one block away from the BART station so its easy if you are on public transport. They also offer validating car parking at a near by lot.
Pros: Delicious, Vegan, One block away from bart or parking lot
Cons: Poor service, Basic seating, Cult
Guest
vegan_geek
Points +80
The Best Vietnamese Restaurant - Edit
I have been to Golden Lotus about 50 times and have even tried their sister restaurants in SF (Golden Era) and Santa Clara (Merit Vegetarian). They are all fantastic.
Read moreFirst of all, resist the temptation of eating at the "buffet" bar. This food is just mediocre. If you tried the food there you'd think I was nuts.
You have to start with the spring rolls. They are uncooked rice paper rolls with veggies and tofu. Best ever! If you want a fried option, the pot stickers are fantastic with the ginger sauce.
I've tried many of the items on the menu, but nothing is close to the caramelized beef. It is the best mock meet I have ever eaten. The teriyaki chicken is very close and comes on a bead of spinach and a rich sauce. The beef salad is a great dish that has you filling lettuce with a mock meat, mint and a delicious sauce. We also like to eat the garlic beef but it is a little greasy.
The spicy (not) noodle soup is great as lunch or to share with friends. If you don't mind the grease the spicy Thai rice is very good.
The only shortcomming that Golden Lotus has is that they only have 2 desserts and neither is very good. Since the food is so good, I never miss the dessert.
Enjoy!
Pros: Caramelized Chicken, Sprint Rools, Spicy Noodle Soup
Cons: Dessert
Guest
Tigra220
Points +10712
Mouth-watering Creations - Edit
Our vegan knowledgeable family had several dishes from Golden Lotus waiting on us when we arrived in town. Beef & Broccoli, Carmalized Chicken, & Vegetable Chicken Black Bean (which I personally did not care for), all with brown rice. With the exception of the last dish, they were quite delicious! If I had more time in the city I would definitely have gone back to try more entrees.
Read morePros: Tasty vegan options
Guest
Mimi710
Points +651
Quick and tasty - Edit
I got a tasty to-go order from here a few months ago. It was a bean and tofu dish and it was tasty and huge. I called in my order ahead of time but it looked the service was quick for walk-in customers as well. I need to check this place out again, but I liked it.
Read moreGuest
d_greenwald
Points +109
Good selection - Edit
I enjoyed this place. The flavor rating was a thumbs up. The serving size was so-so. Not too bad not too great. I finished mine with ease and was still hungry but my girlfriend had to get her leftovers to go.
Read morePricing was standard
Pros: Flavor
Guest
vduplessis
Points +72
I {heart} Golden Lotus!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Edit
yum. everything I have had there is AMAZING. my faves are the carmelized chicken, beef w/ Chinese broccoli, & Chicken salad. my kid loves the chow mein. their Thai iced tea is delish. I'd give this place a hundred more stars & "pros" if I could!
Read morePros: lots of fresh veggies!, light & yummy sauces!, affordable
Cons: uneven service, sketchy area @ night, bad parking during the day
Guest
P.NutButter
Points +44
No complaints - Edit
I used to work near the Golden Lotus and they have a great little lunch menu that you can chose from right there. Although the items offered do not change often, the items are very delicious. Prices are reasonable, as well as portion size. Many items to order off menu as well for dine in or pick up. Friendly staff as well. EXCELLENT CARROT CAKE!!
Read morePros: Quick for lunch, good value
Guest
al
Points +18
YUM! - Edit
This was my first time at the Golden Lotus. The service was fast and friendly. I went after the dinner rush so I'm sure that had something to do with how fast my food was served.
Read moreI had the grilled pork over rice and it was absolutely delicious. The mock pork tasted so real I had to double check to make sure it really was vegetarian. The prices are all very reasonable. They also have a website if you want to check out their menu. www.goldenlotusvege.com
Located in downtown Oakland. Not a bad neighborhood, but it does seem a little seedy at night. Just something to be aware of but I still highly recommend it. :)
Pros: Great food, Fast, friendly service, reasonable prices, clean
Cons: Location (only at night)
Guest
Precious
Points +45
The best vegan and my fav place!!!! - Edit
I stop thru San Fran on my way back to Canada as often as I can!!!! I bring all my non-veg friends and they all luv it!!! The soups and moke meat dishes are soo good!!!! Sweet and sour chicken balls,hot and sour soup,huge yummy salads and so mnay options!!!!
Read morePros: resonable price, good size, great taste
Cons: no alcohol, closed on mondays
Guest
tartarugafechada
Points +76
good place, good people - Edit
Golden Lotus is completely veg and has tons of mock meats and typical East Asian vegan fare. my favorites: the cashew chicken, sweet and sour chicken, tofu with eggplant, and any of the soups. prices are reasonable ($7-$10 for most entrees) and they also offer a lunch menu ($4-$6) and a cafeteria style lunch option that is fast and cheap. i have eaten there many times in the last three years and, just for the record, have always found it to be clean, friendly, and, a-hem, bug-less.
Read morePros: lunch menu, cashew chicken
Guest
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