Bodhi: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant (the place most people still call Buddha Bodhai) is one of the best reasons to head into Chinatown. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan, kosher-certified, and built around plant-based takes on classic Chinese and Cantonese dishes. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just curious, you can order anything here without reading the fine print.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant

The short answer: all of it. Bodhi Kosher went fully vegan in July 2023, which means there are no eggs, no dairy, and no hidden animal products anywhere on the menu. The restaurant is also kosher, certified under Cup-K (Rabbi Israel Mayer Steinberg), so the standards for ingredient sourcing are strict on top of the plant-based commitment. The menu spans dim sum staples, regional Chinese dishes from all four culinary traditions, noodles, rice plates, soups, and even vegan sushi. You won’t find a single dish here that isn’t safe for vegans.

Signature dishes to order

The vegetarian ribs with salt and pepper are a standout. They’ve got a chewy interior and a crispy, salty crust that makes them easy to mistake for the real thing. Vegan pork buns are another crowd-pleaser, and the BBQ mock meat consistently gets called out in reviews as exceptional. For dim sum, the steamed mock shrimp dumplings and fried spring rolls are both worth ordering. On the entree side, Kong Pao mock chicken and sweet and sour mock pork show off owner Kent Zhang’s knack for Cantonese flavors. If you’re going with a group, the mixed hot pot in a spicy Northeast style is a solid choice. The sesame balls make a great finish.

How to order

Dim sum is the main event, especially at lunch. You get a paper menu at the table, mark what you want with a pencil, and dishes come out as they’re ready. Lunch specials run around $8.95 and offer real value for Chinatown. The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:45 PM, no reservations needed. You can also order takeout directly through DoorDash or pick up online via their ordering page. The restaurant gets crowded at peak lunch hours, so going a little earlier or later pays off. Tea is free with your meal.

What to watch out for

A separate gluten-free menu exists, but at least one reviewer found the labeling inconsistent with actual prep. If you have celiac disease, talk to the staff directly before ordering rather than relying on the menu alone. The restaurant carries the Buddha Bodhai name on its website URL and Instagram (@buddhabodhai), which causes some confusion with The Original Buddha Bodai at 5 Mott St. Those are two separate, unaffiliated restaurants. The one at 77 Mulberry is Bodhi Kosher, and it’s the fully vegan one.

Is Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant worth it?

Yes, especially if you’re in Chinatown and want a full meal that doesn’t require any guesswork. The combination of 100% vegan food, kosher certification, and genuine Chinese cooking from across all four regional traditions is hard to find anywhere in the city. Prices are reasonable, portions are generous, and the 4.6 Google rating across more than 2,200 reviews backs up what you’ll read on HappyCow and TripAdvisor. Kent Zhang has been running vegetarian Chinese kitchens since 1999, and the depth of the menu reflects that. It’s the kind of place where non-vegans forget they’re eating plants.