Araya’s Place: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Araya’s Place in Bellevue is one of the few Thai restaurants in the Pacific Northwest where you don’t have to ask a single question about the menu. Everything is vegan. Not “vegetarian-friendly” or “can be made vegan” — the whole kitchen runs plant-based, and it has since 1987. That makes it one of the longest-running all-vegan Thai restaurants in the country, and it’s still drawing crowds to its Main Street location in downtown Bellevue.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Araya’s Place

Every single item on the menu is vegan. There’s no separate section to find, no symbols to decode for meat vs. plant-based. The kitchen uses seitan, tofu, and jackfruit to stand in for traditional Thai proteins, and the sauces are built without fish sauce or shrimp paste. If you’re vegetarian, you’re automatically covered. If you’re vegan, you’re eating the whole menu. Gluten-free items are clearly marked too, so those with wheat sensitivities can navigate the menu without guessing.

Signature dishes to order

The avocado curry is what regulars talk about most — creamy and comforting in a way that holds up against any conventional Thai curry you’ve had. The massaman banana curry is another standout, with a depth of flavor that takes most people by surprise. For noodles, the drunken mushroom dish earns its reputation: four types of fungi in a basil sauce that’s both earthy and bright. The pineapple fried rice is a reliable crowd-pleaser, and the fresh spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce are a solid way to start. The lunch special is worth knowing about — you get spring rolls, pad Thai, salad, and a stir-fry or curry choice, all for around $15. It’s one of the better lunch deals in Bellevue.

How to order

Araya’s Place does lunch and dinner with a break in between. Lunch runs 11:30am to 3pm daily, dinner picks back up at 4:30pm and goes until 9pm Sunday through Thursday, and 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. They don’t take reservations, so if you’re going on a weekend evening, plan to arrive early or expect a short wait. The restaurant offers dine-in and takeout, and they handle catering for groups of 30 or more. Parking in the Main Street area can be tight during peak hours, so budget a few extra minutes for that.

What to watch out for

Because everything is cooked in the same all-vegan kitchen, cross-contamination with meat isn’t a concern here at all. That’s a genuine relief if you’re used to doing the mental math at conventional Thai places. The one thing to plan around is the split-shift schedule — if you show up at 3:30pm, you’re between services. Some reviewers note that service can run a little slow during busy dinner rushes, but the kitchen cooks everything fresh to order, which explains the pace. It’s worth the wait.

Is Araya’s Place worth it?

Yes, pretty clearly. A 4.5-star Google rating across more than 1,600 reviews doesn’t happen by accident. Araya’s has been doing this since 1987, it holds a Thai Select certification for authentic Thai cooking, and it’s earned a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice recognition. For vegetarians and vegans in the Eastside, it’s one of those restaurants that removes every complication from eating out. You can order anything on the menu without a second thought, the portions are generous, and the price is reasonable for what you get. The Bellevue location also has a second Araya’s Place sibling at 5240 University Way NE in Seattle’s University District if you’re on that side of the water.