Vancouver’s must-try vegetarian and vegan pho joints

Some may tell you that vegetarian and vegan pho is like a unicorn of the Vietnamese cuisine world, but finding an incredible bowl of this elusive soup isn’t nearly so difficult once you know where to look! Even for the die-hard ‘rare beef tripe’ pho lover, this is a definitive list of Vancouver’s best meat-free pho bowls. Dig in!

Vancouver’s must-try vegetarian and vegan pho joints
Grace McRae-Okine By

Pho Linh Vietnamese Restaurant

1
325 Broadway E, Vancouver, BC V5T 1W5

For a hearty bowl of pho to beat the winter blues or cure the weekend warrior’s hangover, look no further than Pho Linh. The broth is incredibly fragrant, with plenty of lemongrass and ginger in the base. An entire page of the menu is devoted to vegetarian and vegan fare; on your first visit, go with the tried and true crispy spring rolls. After that you’ll be hooked, so go nuts. Note: this joint is cash only!

BaoQi Eateri

2
620 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2G5

This tiny joint is a hidden gem when it comes to vegan fare in the downtown core and chances are you’ve breezed past it without a second glance. The tasty vegan noodle soup’s secret is in the fresh ingredients: crisp bean sprouts meet vibrant green basil in the toppings. Pop in and grab the long table with a group, or call ahead to place an order to go and enjoy your bowl of pho in Emily Barnes Park located just around the corner.

Harvest Community Foods

3
243 Union St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2B2

Calling Harvest a restaurant is a bit of a stretch; this little shop in East Van features a bar and two tables where visitors can enjoy unique noodle dishes, and there’s a selection of local and organic groceries to stock up on after you eat. While their menu changes seasonally, you’ll always find at least one vegetarian and one vegan pho option on the menu. This is as far from traditional as you can get – think squash based broths, hazelnut-miso toppings and freshly shaved radish.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Hanoi Pho

4
406 East Hastings St, Vancouver, BC

For the veggie pho-lovers of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, Hanoi Pho is a local haven. Situated on East Hastings, Hanoi provides a serene atmosphere to enjoy your soup in peace. Both the vegetarian and vegan pho dishes are delicious, chock full of veggies and tofu, and topped with caramelized onions. Yum!

Hanoi Pho Restaurant

5
406 Hastings St E, Vancouver, BC V6A 1P7

For the veggie pho-lovers of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, Hanoi Pho is a local haven. Situated on East Hastings, Hanoi provides a serene atmosphere to enjoy your soup in peace. Both the vegetarian and vegan pho dishes are delicious,] chock full of veggies and tofu, and topped with caramelized onions. Yum!

The Red Pagoda Bistro

6
1408 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X9

Red Pagoda has become a special-occasion pho joint for me because of one of the most filling and exceptionally special vegan phos in the city: the peanut satay broth vegetarian pho bowl. There’s nothing else quite like it in Vancouver; the hearty bowl features a rich peanut broth, plenty of veggies, tofu and rice noodles. Arrive starving and expect to leave stuffed to the brim. You can spice it up with Sriracha, but try this broth first on its own. I promise, you won’t regret it!

Chau Veggie Express

7
5052 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3T8

On the slightly more upscale side of the pho-restaurant scale, you’ll find Chau VeggiExpress. This is the ultimate spot for vegan and vegetarian pho lovers. The menu boasts an endless array of sides and mains to choose from. The Candlelit Lantern Pho – prepared with lotus root and a lightly curried broth – is my go-to. Pair it up with the Namaste Rolls and you’re set.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Grace McRae-Okine Grace McRae-Okine
With an addiction to all things internet and a passion for live music, you'll find Grace wherever both the Wi-Fi and the coffee are strong. Her ideal day in Vancouver includes taking in foreign horror films on Netflix, searching for the perfect gin cocktail in Gastown, and nodding along at underground concerts 'till the wee hours. When she isn't hanging out with her Bengal cat Basil, she's promoting shows for Timbre Concerts.
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