Franchia: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Franchia Vegan Cafe is the rare thing in Manhattan: a restaurant that’s 100% vegan, where you don’t have to ask what’s plant-based because everything is. Opened in 2003 as the casual sister to the more formal Hangawi, Franchia sits at 12 Park Ave in Murray Hill. It draws from Korean cuisine as its base, then stretches across Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and Malaysian flavors in a multi-level space with dark wood latticework and a ceiling mural inspired by Korean palace architecture. It’s equal parts restaurant and tea house.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Franchia

The entire menu is vegan. You won’t find fish stock in the broth, dairy in the desserts, or egg in the dumplings. Every dish is plant-based by default, and the kitchen uses creative substitutes throughout. Think shiitake bulgogi instead of beef, tofu-based “shrimp” tempura, and seitan “duck.” Desserts are all non-dairy too, including a matcha tiramisu and a Dubai-style cheesecake that regulars keep coming back for. Beer, wine (including organic and vegan-certified options), sake, and craft cocktails round out the drink list alongside an extensive tea program.

Signature dishes to order

Start with the spicy kimchi dumplings or the vegan calamari. The tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes in gochujang sauce) is a crowd favorite and a good test of how seriously the kitchen takes Korean flavors. For mains, the stone bowl bibimbap is a reliable pick: vegetables and sauce over rice in a hot stone bowl that crisps the bottom layer as you eat. The sizzling bulgogi plate uses shiitake mushrooms and vegan “beef” with asparagus and broccoli. Sushi rolls are a big part of the menu too, with plant-based versions made from tofu, pickled vegetables, and house sauces. On the tea side, jujube and green plum teas are distinctly Korean and worth trying even if you’re new to that world.

How to order

Franchia is open daily starting at noon. Lunch runs until about 3pm on weekdays at a lower price point than dinner. The full evening menu closes at 9pm most nights and 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations through Resy are a smart call on weekends or for groups. Takeout and delivery are both available. Budget roughly $30 to $40 per person for a full meal with a drink or dessert. There’s also a $39 prix fixe option if you want multiple courses without doing the math.

What to watch out for

Franchia has a dedicated gluten-free section on its menu using GF tamari and sweet potato or buckwheat noodles. But it’s not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. Gluten is present elsewhere in the space, and the restaurant says it can’t guarantee against cross-contact. If you have celiac disease, talk to your server before ordering. For everyone else with a gluten preference, the GF-labeled items are a reasonable choice. Also worth knowing: this is a sit-down, unhurried experience. It’s not a quick lunch stop. If you’re pressed for time, order takeout instead.

Is Franchia worth it?

If you’re vegetarian or vegan and you’re anywhere near Midtown, yes. Franchia is one of the few spots in the city where you can order anything on the menu without checking the fine print first. The Korean anchoring gives it a specificity that most vegan fusion places lack. It holds a 4.6 on Google from nearly 2,000 reviews and a 4.5 on HappyCow, which tells you the community that cares most about all-vegetarian and vegan dining rates it highly. It’s been running since 2003 and doesn’t need to oversell itself. Go for the tteokbokki, stay for the tea, save room for the matcha tiramisu.