Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Five Color Special Appetizer
All Day Dimsum Trio
Fresh Triple Mushrooms with Thai Basil
Lobster in Black Bean Sauce
About
The Original Buddha Bodai Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant 佛菩提
Welcome to The Original Buddha Bodai Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant (佛菩提), a hidden gem nestled at 5 Mott St, New York, NY. This unique establishment redefines the dining experience for both vegetarians and those who are simply looking to explore the delights of Asian cuisine without compromising their dietary choices.
The Original Buddha Bodai specializes in exquisite kosher vegetarian traditional Chinese dishes. The menu, infused with creativity, beautifully melds flavors that cater to various dietary preferences, including pescatarian and vegan options. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely lunch or a festive dinner, this restaurant presents an array of flavorful choices that entice the palate.
- Diverse Menu: From fried rice to mock meat dishes, every bite at Buddha Bodai is crafted with care. Dishes like the BBQ "pork" (char siu) have garnered rave reviews for their remarkable resemblance to their meaty counterparts, making them a hit even among non-vegans.
- Mock Meat Excellence: The thoughtful use of soy and wheat proteins allows for a delightful experience of familiar textures and tastes. Diners have noted that the mock shrimp closely mimics the real thing, offering a satisfying seafood experience without animal products.
- Health-Conscious Offerings: Attention to dietary restrictions is a priority here. With gluten-free options clearly labeled, this restaurant caters to those with allergies in a welcoming atmosphere.
- Warm, Inviting Ambiance: The space combines casual elegance with a comfortable dining environment, featuring both indoor seating and heated outdoor options for alfresco dining. It's perfect for families, groups, or a cozy night out.
What sets The Original Buddha Bodai apart is not just its extensive menu, but also its dedication to providing a warm dining experience. With an array of amenities—ranging from free Wi-Fi to military discounts—the restaurant goes the extra mile to ensure every guest feels at home.
In a city that often prioritizes the hustle and bustle, Buddha Bodai offers a refreshing retreat where every dish is not only flavorful but also crafted with the utmost integrity. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or a curious food lover, a meal here promises to deliver joy and satisfaction.
So why wait? Experience the irresistible allure of The Original Buddha Bodai Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant today. Your taste buds will thank you!
For reservations or to learn more about their offerings, give them a call at (212) 566-8388.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ I came bc I have bad food allergies and this place made my Asian interest health free! I got the general fried mushrooms and cooked broccoli dish. It was interesting good on a weird way, and for starters the egg rolls which is good but not fantastic ! I would return because they honor my food allergies - gluten free and none gmo or msg content. Remember it's not your typical Asian establishment ! ”
“ Very good vegetarian and vegan options at this restaurant. Service is good as well. Eaten their food a few times and it's consistently good. ”
“ I've been coming here semi regularly for the last several years, and I've never been disappointed by any of the food I've gotten here. Almost entirely vegan dim sum and Chinese food (although they stop serving most of their dim sum items after ~4pm or so). I like that they've been able to start labeling some of their food items that are gluten-free since I'm mostly gluten-free. My favorite thing to get is the BBQ "pork" (char siu - one of the few non-gluten-free things I occasionally get) because it's so convincing that even my non-vegan friends love it. The mock shrimp doesn't quite get close but the mock beef is great, so the rice noodle rolls (Cheung fun) are very satisfying and nostalgic to get. The other item I've been getting recently is the fried cumin lamb. Excellent texture and nice flavor that even my non-vegan boyfriend enjoyed. Food can take a bit longer to prepare when they're super busy, but it's worth the wait when I do have to wait. ”
“ I was here with a large group (15 I think) and we ordered a variety of dishes including 3 noodle dishes, one fried rice, 3 or 4 mock meat dishes and some vegetables like eggplant and bok choy. It was all ordered to share family style. We also ordered some spring rolls. For drinks we stuck to tea. Everything was flavorful and service was good. When dishes needed to be cleared they were. The teapot were also replaced with full ones. It seems a spacious restaurant even though it doesn't seem that way from the outside. ”
“ Looking at the extensive menu here, you might assume this is a normal Chinese restaurant and miss the fact that it's entirely vegetarian. The fact that they can recreate such a large array of traditional dishes using mock meats is amazing to me. While personally I'm not the biggest fan of mock meats, preferring either the real thing or just eating normally-vegetarian things directly, I was pleasantly surprised by the food here. The mock shrimp had a taste and texture that paralleled the real thing. The mock fish also made a decent attempt, though I preferred the shrimp much more. I also ordered the pineapple beef which the waiter heavily recommended (to my table and many others as well). The beef is a bit more noticeably fake than the shrimp, though not too much more than say a meatball or meatloaf (I also liked this more than the fish). The service is friendly and the prices are cheap. Personally I might not come here when I can eat meat elsewhere, but it's a great choice when dining with vegetarians! ”
“ If you're a curious mind like me and being a vegetarian is barring you from visiting most of the cuisines, then the Original Buddha Bodai is for you. A complete package of Vegetarian dishes, right at the heart of Chinatown, I ventured into this bodega for a dumpling and ended up having just more than that. You get greeted with a warm pot of tea. The service was prompt and they recommend their popular dishes. The waiter also recommended a new dish that was yet to get launched. It was the Shrimp with Mango. It wasn't on the menu. My order: Steamed Dumplings Shrimp with Mango bits We wanted to try this place because it was affordable but ended up spending a lot since the shrimp dish wasn't on the menu. The shrimp was too thick. Btw, the shrimp was just soy. Mangoes and shrimp, not sure what that combo was. The dumplings were amazing! ”
“ Service was pretty great. The automatically bring you a kettle of hot tea! Wonderful! I ordered a plate of dumplings and some sesame balls . Everything was freshly made and very delicious ! The decor was cute. ”
