What to Order at a Vegetarian Restaurant? Easy Picks at Vo Uy

What to order at a vegetarian restaurant when the menu has so many choices? If you are dining alone, you can start with a rice dish or a noodle soup; with family, you can combine a salad, a hot dish and a dish to share. Vo Uy suggests how to choose by taste and portion size for one person, two people and the whole family. Read on!

Ordering vegetarian food by number of people

You do not have to order a starter, a main course, a hot pot and a dessert in one meal. A simpler way to order vegetarian food is to decide what kind of meal you want, then choose your dishes and ask about suitable portions.

Vegetarian dishes for one person

If you want to choose quickly, look at the rice, vermicelli, pho, hu tieu or vegetarian noodle dishes first. These options are convenient when you are dining alone or when everyone wants their own portion.

However, not every rice dish is served in a small single portion. Some dishes may be meant for sharing, so ask the staff before ordering. For noodle soups, you can also ask about the accompanying ingredients to choose a dish that suits your taste and diet.

What to order at a vegetarian restaurant for two

When dining with a relative or friend, you can choose dishes with different flavours and textures. For example, a salad can be paired with a hot dish, then rice or hot pot added as needed. You do not need to order many dishes just to make the table look full. If you both love the same ingredient, you can still choose a few dishes made from it, but vary the cooking methods so the meal feels less repetitive.

• Starters: Salads, seaweed salad or vegetable salads make a light start to the meal.
• Side dishes: Fried mushrooms, banh hoi with vegetarian betel-leaf rolls, or vegetables that are steamed, stir-fried or fried for a change of flavour.
• Main dishes: Fried rice, a vegetarian rice dish or a small hot pot if you both want to enjoy a hot soup together.
• Desserts: Sweet soup (che), sam bo luong or yogurt are good choices to finish the meal.

You should also adjust the number of dishes to the portion sizes and how hungry you both are. If you want to try several dishes, choose moderate portions or ask the staff about serving sizes before ordering.

Vegetarian dishes for families

When eating out with your family, choose dishes with a variety of flavours that suit different ages. A family menu usually includes a starter, dishes to eat with rice, a hot dish to share and dessert, so everyone has plenty of choice. You can try the following combination:

• Starters: Seaweed jelly salad, vegetable salads or rolls give a fresh, light start before the main dishes.
• Dishes with rice: Vegetarian kho quet dip, tofu, or braised dishes made from vegetarian ribs and mushrooms make the menu more varied.
• Shared dishes: Hot pot is worth considering when the family wants to gather around and enjoy a hot dish together. You can add vegetables, mushrooms and other sides depending on portion size.
• Desserts: Sweet soup, fruit or other light, lightly sweet desserts to round off the meal.

If your family is large, check the portion size of each dish with the staff beforehand to order the right amount. For families with young children or older members, choose mildly flavoured, easy-to-eat dishes and ask in advance about spice levels and ingredients.

If you are dining with family or a large group and are not sure how to combine dishes for the best vegetarian meal, you can try the set menus Vo Uy has put together or learn how to order vegetarian food for a group.

What kind of meal do you want?	How to choose
A quick, easy meal	Choose a rice dish or a noodle soup, then ask about the portion
Rice with several dishes	Combine rice, a tofu or bean dish, vegetables and soup to suit your appetite
Sharing dishes with others	Choose dishes with different flavours and cooking methods
Hot pot	Ask about pot size, ingredients and sides before ordering more

Tips for ordering at a vegetarian restaurant

To enjoy a delicious meal that suits your needs, consider a few things before ordering at a vegetarian restaurant.

Choose dishes that suit your taste and diet

Everyone has different preferences and eating habits. Think about your taste before ordering, for example whether you prefer light, rich, spicy or non-spicy food. If you are dining with several people, choose dishes with easy-to-enjoy flavours so everyone can share them.

Besides taste, also pay attention to your diet. If you are vegan, do not eat eggs or dairy, or avoid the five pungent spices, let the staff know in advance so they can recommend suitable dishes. This helps you choose the right menu without having to change dishes after ordering.

Ask about ingredients if you have allergies

If you are allergic to certain foods, tell the staff clearly before ordering. Ingredients such as peanuts, soy, sesame, mushrooms or nuts can appear in many vegetarian dishes, including sauces and seasonings.

You should also ask about the ingredients and cooking method if you are not sure what a dish contains. For severe allergies, discuss it in detail so the restaurant can check the risk of cross-contact during cooking. Letting the staff know early helps them recommend suitable dishes and avoid unwanted risks.

Balance the number of dishes and people

When eating at a vegetarian restaurant, order just enough based on the number of people and portion sizes. Avoid choosing too many dishes with the same ingredient or cooking method, as the meal can become monotonous. Instead, combine soups, dry dishes, vegetable dishes and filling dishes for a wider range of flavours.

If you are with family or friends, prioritise dishes that can be shared so everyone can enjoy them. When dining alone, one filling main dish is usually a sensible choice. You can also ask the staff about portions and how many dishes suit your group to avoid over-ordering and wasting food.

What to order at Vo Uy Vegetarian Restaurant?

You can use the suggestions below as a starting point. This list is not a fixed menu, and you do not need to order every dish in one meal.

Tam An pho or Lien Hoa hu tieu if you like noodle soup

If you feel like a noodle soup, you can try Tam An pho or Lien Hoa hu tieu. Before ordering, ask which dishes are being served, what comes with them and the portion size. If you have special requests about onions, seasoning or ingredients, let the staff know in advance so they can check whether adjustments are possible.

Seaweed jelly salad for a starter

Seaweed jelly salad is a good choice if you like a crunchy texture and want a salad in your meal. It can be shared, but ask about the portion size if there are only a few of you. Also check the dressing and accompanying ingredients if you have allergies or need to avoid specific ingredients.

Thanh Tinh lotus rice if you want a rice dish

Thanh Tinh lotus rice is a suggestion for a change from plain rice or noodle soups. You can ask the staff about the ingredients and how many people it serves to decide on side dishes. If the table already has rice rolls, bread or starch served with the hot pot, think twice before ordering another rice dish.

Steamed oyster mushrooms with lemongrass if you like steamed dishes

Steamed oyster mushrooms with lemongrass add variety alongside braised, stir-fried or fried dishes. Consider this dish if you like mushrooms and the aroma of lemongrass. Ask about the portion size and the dipping sauce. If you have already chosen several mushroom dishes, you can switch to tofu or vegetables to give the table more variety of ingredients.

Vegetarian crab-tomato hot pot for a hot dish to share

Vegetarian crab-tomato hot pot (lau rieu) is an option for groups who enjoy hot pot. Ask about the pot size, accompanying ingredients and starch before choosing more dishes. If your group prefers other flavours, you can ask about the fermented tofu hot pot, Thai hot pot, kimchi hot pot or fermented sauce hot pot on the menu. The staff will check which dishes are available when you arrive.

Lien Tam sweet soup to finish with something sweet

After the main course, you can try Lien Tam sweet soup for dessert. Order according to actual appetite rather than ordering for everyone in advance. If you are vegan or need to avoid dairy and other ingredients, ask about the current recipe before choosing.

Frequently asked questions

How should two people order vegetarian food?

For two people, you can order about 2-3 dishes depending on portion size, for example a starter, a main dish and a side dish. If you both have a good appetite, you can add a hot pot or dessert for a more varied meal.

What should new vegetarians order?

New vegetarians can start with familiar dishes such as vegetarian rice, tofu in sauce, stir-fried mushrooms, steamed vegetables or vegetarian vermicelli. Choose dishes with easy-to-enjoy flavours and familiar ingredients to get used to vegetarian cuisine.

Is every dish at a vegetarian restaurant vegan?

Not every vegetarian dish is vegan. Some dishes may contain eggs, milk or cheese. State your diet clearly and check the sauces, seasonings and side dishes as well.

Can I ask the staff for menu advice when eating vegetarian?

You can certainly ask the staff for advice when you are not sure what to order at a vegetarian restaurant. They will suggest dishes based on the number of people, your taste and dietary needs. At Vo Uy, you can also talk to the staff directly to choose a suitable menu for yourself, your friends or your whole family.

Conclusion

When you are not sure what to order at a vegetarian restaurant, start with a dish you like and then ask about the ingredients and portions. One suitable main dish or a few well-chosen shared dishes will leave you more time to enjoy your meal.

You can view the Vo Uy menu or call 0902 353 527 for advice and book a table before you visit.

Vo Uy Vegetarian Restaurant welcomes you at 47 Street No. 3, CityLand Park Hills, Go Vap Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you are vegan, avoid the five pungent spices or have food allergies, please let us know in advance so the restaurant can check whether it can meet your needs.