Vegetarian Dim Sum in Seattle
Vegetarian Bistro
Finally, Seattle has it’s own vegetarian Dim Sum, first spotted on the slog, with the newly opened Vegetarian Bistro. Dim sum is three dollars for three pieces, which is reasonable considering it doesn’t take a whole lot of this stuff to fill you up.
In New York, I used to frequent Vegetarian Dim Sum House which was not only delicious, but also amazingly cheap. The prices are really good at Vegetarian Bistro and I definitely enjoyed my meal. My only wish is that the dim sum menu was a bit larger, but hopefully that will come with time.
The meal started off with some nice jasmine tea while we browsed the menu. We opted to get the following dishes.
Steam Hum Bun
This was easily my favorite because it was both delicious and hard to pin down.
Pan Fried Bean Curd Roll
A great mix of taste and texture. The outside had a paper thin quality to it that seemed crackly and crispy while the inside was soft and tasty. The sauce it came with added a nice touch.
Deep Fried Mash Potato
Not my favorite, and more or less what one would expect, but still good overall. The crispy outside and soft inside make for a nice experience. Plus, it’s fried potato, so it’s an easy crowd pleaser if you drag the frightened and uninitiated for their first dim sum experience.
Kung Pow Beef
This was pretty spicy but had an undercurrent to it that reminded me the meals I would have in Taipei. Whatever is the source of that taste, I haven’t a clue as I’m happy to leave it as a point of mystery.
Pumpkin Cake
For desert, these little cakes were made to look like pumpkins. The taste was that of a black bean sweet desert. I like the subtly-sweet taste though it’s not for everyone.
Dim Sum Wishlist
There are a few things I would like to see them add to their dim sum menu as business picks up. The names and picture are from my favorite dim sum place in New York.
- Sweet and Salty Balls
- Rice Flour Rolls with Mock Ham and Coriander
- Mashed Taro Treasure Balls
- Monk Dumplings
- Steamed Sesame Paste Buns
Permanent Link
Don’t forget about the wonderful ginger sweet potato soup at the dim sum place in NYC. That was my favorite dish!
That stuff looks good. With so many things that either have the words buns or balls in it how can you go wrong?
I can’t wait to check this out. I’m always getting invited to dim sum but not been able to indulge.
Thanks for the review, I am going to check it out tomorrow. I am pretty darn excited to have vegetarian dim sum in Seattle finally!
Thanks for giving us lots of comments and we will try to do as best as we can to provide all of you delicious food
I, too, am very excited to have access to worry-free dim sum, after being left out for so long. I won’t be back in town for a few months, but will make a point of visiting this bistro!
This is my new favorite restaurant in town. And I love the dim sum. I’m allergic to fish and seafood and it’s great to have dim sum I can eat. Everything I have tried on the menu has been excellent.
I’ve eaten at Vegetarian Bistro twice, and highly recommend it. In addition to being 100% vegetarian, Vegetarian Bistro also offers many vegan options. I’ve tried–and enjoyed–the Steam Hum Bun, Pan Fried Bean Curd Roll, Deep Fried Mash Potato, Shrimp Balls, and Pumpkin Cake. I look forward to my next visit.
10-16-06 Hi, is Vegetarian Bistro still in business, Ron
I was just down in the I.D yesterday for some disappointing late night chinese at a place that considered “lots of vegetarian options” to mean lots of pork and seafood dishes that had vegetables in them. I was teased through the whole meal by seeing the Vegetarian Bistro through the window, although it was closed. So yes, it’s still in business as of yesterday, just not the spot for late night cravings.
Thanks for the post. This and other reviews convinced me to give this place a try and I was very pleased. They have a nice atmosphere and friendly staff, setting it immediately apart from your average ID restaurant, and yeah, the food is amazing. We sampled nearly all of the Dim Sum (outstanding) and the honey walnut “prawns” (very prawn-like indeed). I am vegan but the folks I went with are meat-eaters and even they were impressed with the quality of the food and how tasty a vegetarian meal can be. I wasn’t paying attention when the sweet spherical dessert with the sesame seeds was ordered, but whatever it was you’ll need to get one.
Cheers!
Can you deliver hot food to my boyfriend whom is a very busy touring musician? He’s in Seattle right now!
the food was marvelous
i go there every week and save about half my money than going to that other veggie restaraunt.
Every time i go there, something new appears in my face and it never dissapoints me.
I would live there if i can.
and trust me im not a veggie finatic.
its nice and quite,
you have to have the general tso chicken
ITS THE BEST!
it fills my tummy everytime.
the food was marvelous
i go there every week and save about half my money than going to that other veggie restaraunt.
Every time i go there, something new appears in my face and it never dissapoints me.
I would live there if i can.
and trust me im not a veggie finatic.
its nice and quite,
you have to have the general tso chicken
ITS THE BEST!
it fills my tummy everytime.