Cha-Ya

142

Vegan Sushi (full roll) in the dinner menu at Cha-Ya in San Francisco

Veggie tofu curry soup at Cha-Ya in San Francisco

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Cha-Ya
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268

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Vegan

Vegan

Japanese

Delivery

Take-out

San Francisco vegan restaurant serving Japanese food. Menu features various vegetable sushi, appetizers like gyoza and fried tofu, udon and soba noodle, rice bowls, vegetable tempura, seaweed salads. Its first location is in Berkeley. Open Mon 5:00pm-8:30pm, Wed-Sun 5:00pm-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 12:00pm-3:00pm. Closed Tue.

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762 Valencia St (at 18th, Mission District), San Francisco, California, USA, 94110
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+1-415-252-7825
chayasf.com
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Last update on 25 Jun 2025 by villain
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88 Reviews

First Review by Baza

Results

Mimi710

Points +693

Vegan

19 Jul 2008

Good food, bad service - Edit

I went here on a Saturday night when I was starving. The place was packed - no open tables - and there was only one server. The server didn't acknowledge me at all until she had a table for me. She sat me at a table with three empty chairs, when I was only one person. I had made friends with the people standing behind me in line (a non-vegan couple) and waived over for them to sit with me. They talked to the waitress and then came to me and told me that the waitress said that she couldn't sit them at my table b/c I might not like that. So I told a busboy it was okay and the couple sat with me - but that was definetly odd. There was a lot to choose from on the menu. The soup that I got came in a cute traditional clay pot. I got to sample a lot of things because the couple let me try their items - and they got a lot (they really like Japanese food). The mochi and azuki bean dessert was different, but amazing. I would not recommend the deep fried eggplant dish if you don't normally eat deep fried food. My stomach felt weird for three hours after I ate it and I wans't sure if I was going to throw up or what. The sake was served hot was good. It was only my second time having sake so I can't really rate it as amazing or not. It was my first experience at a vegan Japanese restaurant, and besides the bad waitress it was a good experience. Definetly check this place out if you are in SF, but go to Herbivore first (on the same street, a few blocks up). If you are staying at Elements Hostel Herbivore is one block over from you and just a few doors down from the corner. This place is just down the street a bit from there. Oh yea, and some of the menu items are small so you'll need to order a few things to feel full.

Pros: lots to choose from, yummy food, near Hostel

Cons: deep fried eggplant made me sick, unfriendly waitress

diva

Points +71

Vegan

14 Jul 2008

Seaweed Salad Bliss - Edit

They have two locations in the Bay Area and they both are great!
I like their Seaweed Salad a lot. It is very refreshing. Also the soups are great.
The lunch menu is much less expensive then the dinner one and you get the same amount of food.
The down side is that it can be really loud in there and the tables are a bit close together.

Pros: Soups, Seaweed Salad

Cons: Loud when busy

soma

Points +115

Vegetarian

22 Jun 2008

Cha-Ya SF visit - Edit

Clean and cozy restaurant serving decent Japanese vegetarian food.

Pros: large portions, stunningly hot (temperature wise) noodle, awesome vegan desserts

Cons: not kid friendly, wait long time to be seated, cash only

atandt

Points +141

Mostly Veg

21 Jan 2008

japanese cuisine with a difference - Edit

if you want non-traditional Japanese veg food, try this place. never had maize in my maki, or a vegan chocolate cake at an asian place before! interesting concepts for your plate and your palate.

Pros: old favourites

Cons: non-traditional

Seitan_Nic

Points +332

Vegan

30 Oct 2007

Great Japanese goes vegan! - Edit

This place is great! I've had almost everything on the menu and have had very few disapointments. My favorites include the Cha-Ya nabe (vegan sukiyaki), the Shattuck roll and the seaweed salad. Also, it is a fact: they have the best Miso soup ANYWHERE! Fanstastic service, too!

Pros: Great food!, Great Staff!

Cons: Can get crowded.

craigmc

Points +41937

Vegan

11 Oct 2007

japantastic - Edit

i went to japan about 11 years ago, in those days there was no happy cow, and guide books were not that clued up.
i wish i found somwhere like this when i visited. this place had great service, both the starter and main were fantastic. big portions, but filled with lots of veg as well as noodles. if your in san francisco, you must visit here!!!!