Ưu Đàm Chay

Ưu Đàm Chay is a Buddhist-inspired vegetarian restaurant at 55 Nguyễn Du in Hai Bà Trưng district, Hanoi, Vietnam, near Thiền Quang Lake. It occupies a restored colonial house and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The cuisine is Vietnamese vegetarian and vegan, drawing on the tradition of temple cooking in which meat and fish sauce are excluded and flavour comes from mushrooms, tofu, herbs, fermented soy and vegetables. Dishes rework Vietnamese classics without animal products, and the kitchen has a reputation for making them convincing rather than merely meat-free. Vegetarian phở is a signature order, served with a clear, fragrant broth and a range of plant-based toppings. Lotus-seed rice steamed in a lotus leaf is another emblematic dish, offering a delicate aroma from the leaf and a soft texture from the seeds. Mushroom hotpot is a communal option suited to groups and the cooler months. The dining rooms are spread across several calm floors, decorated in a restrained style with wood, plants and soft lighting, and the mood is quiet and contemplative compared with the noisy street-food shops of the Old Quarter. The setting suits families, vegetarians and travellers looking for a peaceful meal. There is no significant wine programme; tea and non-alcoholic drinks are the natural accompaniments. Prices are moderate, at about 150,000 to 450,000 VND (roughly USD 5.75 to 17.30) per person. It opens daily from about 10:30 to 22:00. Reservations are recommended at weekends and can be made by phone on +84 98 134 9898. The restaurant is also a practical choice for visitors who follow a plant-based diet and find it hard to eat in Hanoi's meat-focused food culture, since the full menu is safe for vegetarians and vegans without checking each dish.