Vegan
Chinese
Delivery
Take-out
Asian
Vietnamese
Long-time established pure veg Asian cuisine restaurant. Its menu features a varied range of choices from rice and noodle dishes to soy meats, hot pots, refreshing beverages and vegan desserts. Moved here 2014 from its former location on O'Farrell St. Open Mon-Sun 11:00am-7:30pm.
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395 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, California, USA, 94102
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Last update on 07 Feb 2024 by Forman
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241 Reviews
First Review by baruchadam
Blackcorn
Points +79
Delicious and flavoury - Edit
Once a year, during a business trip to SF, I go eat there all by myself or with colleagues. It is one of the best vegan place around with affordable price compared to other place and the food is always delicious and full of flavour.
Read morePros: The Lemongrass "chicken", Nice sweets and desserts
Guest
Lucky2021
Points +24
Cozy atmosphere with tasty large menu - Edit
Each dish I tried had different spices and looked inviting.
Read moreGuest
gettingthere
Points +148
Awesome, but some things need to be improved - Edit
This place is awesome but they need to work on consistency (in terms of flavors, quantity, etc of their dishes, as well as cleanliness).
Read moreSome faves: Thai Fried Rice, Pad Thai (very different from traditional pad thai, but delicious), Rainbow Salad, Pho, Spicy Noodle Soup, Lemongrass Tofu, Garden Vermicelli (but they sometimes forget or omit the mint, which it needs).
The banh mi has too much vegenaise and the protein (yuba) isn't seasoned enough and the chowmein is just noodles with steamed veggies, so I'd avoid those two dishes.
Guest
Amyc26
Points +226
Best chicken and broccoli - Edit
I went twice in 2 days because it was so good!
Read moreGuest
Zurv
Points +1557
Never disappoints - Edit
The lemongrass delux is the best here! The gourmet fried rice is amazing too. Tea is tasty and so is the Mongolian dish. Staff is friendly too. And they have yummy candy bars too!
Read morePros: Lemongrass delux, Fried rice
Guest
HMilton87
Points +190
Great Food Options - Edit
Had the Vietnamese crepe and curry paratha wrap. Delicious, also great desserts and drinks. Thai tea was excellent!
Read moreGuest
Gopala108
Points +4004
Golden Era returns to one of our favorite spots in San Francisco - Edit
Redemption Song---Bob Marley
Read moreLast time me and my beloved went to Golden Era we didn't have a good experience. I had previously gone there heaps over the years. It was time to give Golden Era a second chance after they dropped the ball on service previously maybe two years since we went there.
They were on their A game. Service was on point. Atmosphere was just fine. We both loved seeing so many folks enjoying all vegan meals. Ahimsa.
We ordered the Mushu Rolls as a starter. Four of them and recommended for tasty goodness rolled up in a parantha with avocado and vegan mayo with veggies.
For our main we split the Spicy Sweet Potato Curry subbing tofu for the faux meat. Sweet curry with a bit of heat. Tasty and ample portions. We had this with brown rice.
We were going to get another dish yet this was plenty for us.
We saved room for dessert getting a coconut banana dessert that hit the spot in healthy goodness.
Friendly service. All vegan goodness. Ample portions. Golden Era returns to our favorite spots to frequent in San Francisco once again.
Redemption Song----Bob Marley
Fade to mauna- silence.
Exit music for a motion picture---Radiohead
Thom Yorke is vegan!
Updated from previous review on 2024-01-15
Pros: All Vegan Vietnamese and Thai Cuisine, Affordable, Friendly efficient service
Guest
Seitan_Nic
Points +301
Vegan Vietnamese in the 'Loin - Edit
Decent Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant in the TL. I’ve been going to this spot since the old location on O’Farrell. I think it might’ve been the first fully vegetarian restaurant I ever ate at… anyway, the menu has changed very little through the years. These days if I stop in it’s usually by myself and I usually get the spicy noodle soup. Love a soup that eats like a meal. The Pho is a good way to go too. Pretty cheap and filling.
Read moreMost of the entrees are pretty soy heavy, (a good number of them have tofu PLUS two or three types of soymeat) but most are pretty tasty. The lemongrass tofu is a go to. Love the salads, good appetizers and the last time I had the carrot cake it was pretty great as well
Updated from previous review on 2009-12-03
Pros: Good prices, Good variety , Friendly service
Cons: A little heavy on the soy
Guest
İremÖzkan
Points +30
Unbelievably delicious food with not so delicious desserts - Edit
The title says it all. The rice platters were amazing, I tasted 3 different tofu dishes on mine and they were all very delicious. The mock drumsticks were also very good. Mocha cake was somewhat okay but blueberry cheesecake is the reason this review is not 5 stars. Yet, I feel sorry that I discovered this place on the very last day of my trip.
Read moreGuest
NoahGiddens
Points +117
Good food and good price. - Edit
The restaurant was pretty good and everything was vegan. They also give a lot of food for the price! Definitely a great place to stop if you're already near by!
Read moreGuest
pklehm
Points +121
Good food! Lots of choices. - Edit
Had the house rice clay pot, which was great. Tomato noodle soup was good too.
Read morePros: Choices, Good food, Friendly staff
Guest
Spoon
Points +418
WOW TRY THE LEMONGRASS CHICKEN - Edit
Got the spicy bun bo hue and spicy lemongrass chicken and was blown away. I see why this is a top rated restaurant. 😍
Read morevery authentic Asian food!! So so good
Pros: Vegan!
Guest
Wickedveganghoul
Points +1148
The best Matcha drink I ever had - Edit
I came by for an iced matcha as I was craving it. It was the best matcha drink I’ve ever had. Earthy, creamy, sweet but not too sweet. I came back a few times just for the drink.
Read moreTried the caramel flan as I was craving a dessert. It was really good, perfectly cooked.
I wish I had time to try more but the location is not my cup of tea. 
Pros: Good prices! , Friendly employees
Cons: Parking sucks , It’s downtown SF
Guest
yungveg17
Points +1363
Solid overall - Edit
Nothing was really mind-blowing but it was all respectable. Nice to have such an extensive menu at an all-vegan place. Service was a little slow
Read moreGuest
kittenatheart
Points +86
above & beyond - Edit
this place sure hit the spot, authentic pho taste, huge varity of flavor profiles, wonderful staff, all around perfect. the tempura shrimp was to die for
Read moreps: best coffee of my life here too!
Updated from previous review on 2024-08-12
Pros: authentic taste, flavorful, wonderful service
Guest
Angelo23
Points +286
Oldie but a Goldie - Edit
Golden Era is an OG spot in the city. I'd bet nearly every vegan in San Francisco has tried it by now. It's rock solid with an extensive menu that seems to cover most of SE Asian cuisine. The service is fast and attentive so you can get in and out quickly if you are in a hurry. Great spot for date night or theater/symphony night since it's nearby. Parking might be a bit of challenge but you should be able to find a spot with a few blocks. I usually have lunch here when I'm in the area and always enjoy it.
Read moreGuest
Pilot.lj
Points +1525
Lemongrass deluxe 🤤 - Edit
Great all vegan Asian restaurant. The lemongrass “chicken” is incredible.
Read moreGuest
Tofulicious
Points +1425
Pretty Awesome - Edit
Dined here a couple of times and it was pretty spec. Warning though, it’s right on the outskirts of Tenderloin, drug-fuelled district.
Read morePros: Decent fare, The flan - inexpensive and delish
Cons: Location - dangerous at night if on foot
Guest
CA89SS
Points +2168
Lovely sticky rice - Edit
We ordered a Vietnamese iced coffee which was so nice. The garden vermicelli noodle was very fresh and delicious. The pancake was lacking in flavour compared to what we are used to. We offered a sticky rice for dessert and it was fantastic.
Read moreThis area of town was terrifying. We didn’t realise how unsafe it would feel and nearly turned around and left before arriving. Please take care.
Guest
Dconstructivist
Points +99
What a nice surprise! - Edit
First time here. Ordered lemongrass chicken with a side of white rice. So gooood. Would come back everyday if I lived here to try out the rest of the menu!
Read morePros: Food, Cleanliness, Fast
Guest
MaPa
Points +96
Delicious food and great service - Edit
What can I say. The food was delicious, the menu was extensive and the staff were so friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed it and wish we had more time in SF so we could go back for a visit. So good. The location maybe not great, but even so it was quite busy even at lunchtime
Read morePros: taste, extensive menu, price
Cons: location
Guest
lisamariaschreiber
Points +3977
Great Food - Edit
I could not have imagined better Food. Highly recommend it! I’ve been here twice and I love it. Make sure if you walk to not walk through tenderloin to come here as it’s not super safe. Best would be to take an Uber!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-12-24
Guest
McMallory
Points +2454
Really great - Edit
Everything we got was really great. We tried one of the specialties, a veggie side, and a wonton soup. The soup was HUGE and could have been a meal on its own. The curried king trumpet mushrooms were excellent (if a little over-sauces) and the clay pot tofu and rice dish was phenomenal. The dishes all came out at different times but we were eating family style so we didn’t really care (keep that in mind if you’re not sharing). We ate until we were stuffed and didn’t have room for dessert, but the dessert options looked good.
Read moreThe service isn’t the most attentive in the world and is maybe a little brusque. But I’m used to that in this style of no-frills, good-food place and it didn’t bother me. I wouldn’t have mentioned it if not for other reviews that complained about service. The food didn’t come out super fast but it wasn’t that slow either. Everyone was friendly, just not effusive. If this sort of service bothers you this might not be the place for you, but you’ll be missing out because the food is really good.
Guest
gabs1205
Points +210
Go to spot for takeout - Edit
Genuinely love the options they have here and it’s always been a solid doordash option for me when I lived in the city. Highly recommend their lemon grass soy chicken.
Read moreGuest
madmadgrrl
Points +302
Go to for take away - Edit
Been enjoying them since they were on O'Farrell & love them for an in- person visit but it's a favorite of ours for a take away. Love the pot stickers to start or the rainbow or seaweed salad. Saigon rice plate is nicely balanced & the claypots & noodles are delicious. Yea!
Read moreGuest
tampopo
Points +609
Lots of choice - Edit
I’ve been here a few times over the years and it is always quite tasty, decent portions and I know what to expect.
Read moreGuest
clamchow
Points +1308
Yummy - Edit
I thought the queens special had a good texture and taste.
Read moreGuest
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