Vegan
Thai
Take-out
Asian

Casual restaurant offering vegan menu of Thai and Asian style dishes using vegetables, a variety of mock meats, no garlic or onion. Sample items include salt n' pepper fried tofu, fried rice with vege ham, vegan chickn burger, green curry, noodle soup with tofu & veggies, and savory sesame pancakes. Accepts cash and NZ Eftpos. Open Mon-Fri 12:00pm-3:00pm, 5:00pm-9:00pm, Sat 11:00am-9:00pm. Closed Sun.


196 Reviews

First Review by studioahimsa

Dmitry

Points +215

Vegan
13 Jan 2011

Not bad

It's practially vegan as they said there only 2 items in their extensive menu that weren't. I had very nice boiled dumplings, laver (seaweed) and ham soup, which was OK (the "ham" tasted sort of pickled-ish), pickled veges and beef (with a kind of noodles), which would have been quite yummy if it hadn't been rather hot and hotter as I got to the bottom of the bowl (say that you'd like it mild if it matters to you). I also had a couple of nice juices, one of which was made of few layers of different kinds, which was tasty. I thought I detected a slight tiny wiff of tap water in their free water bottles (probably filtered), and I advised them to consider cheap bottled spring water instead (less eco-friendly for some). I had my meal while reading NZ vegetarian mag and overall it was not bad at all. The service was quick and the staff very friendly. I popped in Sat morning it was open, but the lady said actually they were not, so check the hours.

Pros: practically vegan, good food, friendly staff

misssakura

Points +61

Vegan
17 Jul 2010

Don't expect gourmet cuisine

We first started going to the sunflower about 3 years ago. It was easy to miss, a dingy back room of a run down mall.The menu was so vast that it would take 10 minutes just to go from cover to cover. Luckily they have brightened up the interior since then and cleaned up. Food safety is vastly improved (I did once see a cockroach underneath a fridge). The other great thing is that they have reduced their menu to just 2 pages since their early days. Sunflower vegetarian is junk food. I mean that in the nicest possible sense. When I want an indulgent, greasy chinese takeout this is my go to restaurant. You won't find health food here. Sunflower excels with their fried rice dishes which are comfort food to the max, the 'ribs' being my favourite as well as any sweet and sour type dish. The good thing is they do put a lot of vegetables in with the food unlike other chinese restaurants in the area. They make the best wontons, ask for extra sweet chili sauce. I keep going back because they do try to improve, the staff are friendly and the food is good, if not amazing. You get quite a lot of food for the money. Also it's best to avoid rush hour as they only have 1 chef who can get a bit slow at times. Call in advance to see how busy they are. One time we waited for 45 minutes. If you combined a fried rice (they do an excellent fake egg stir fry rice) from here with the sticky pork from Golden Age you'd have the best of both worlds! Not very practical but hey.

Pros: good value, friendly staff, lots of choice

Cons: a bit greasy, service can be slow

philjdomm

Points +945

Vegan
29 Nov 2009

unfortunate mishap

hole in wall type...
ask them to reduce their sodium....
other than that, its all right

Petesternz

Points +1447

Vegan
07 Jun 2009

Struggling to see the beauty

I've read the reviews, but just don't get them. I have eaten here twice, and yet to experience even a decent meal. In fairness, I did try to get the dumplings, which I've seen someone else order (takeaway), and they were out. The food I've had was greasy and bland. The buffet looked uninspiring, and my tastes of a friend's meal confirmed the look. In a location where strong other vegan offerings abound (Raw Power, Revive), I don't see the appeal of this place. Stay away in particular from the soups, which turn out to be water, oil and noodles.

Cons: the food

Jeff Sanders

Points +81

Vegan
13 Feb 2009

Happy Fortune

I've never knew the actual name of this place, we just call it 'Fortune' for some reason. I've been going here for years, this place is simply the best! Value for money, great friendly staff, awesome food and a menu that doesn't seem to end. The dumplings are always good, steamed buns with red bean paste, banana sago pudding, chicken fried rice, the noodle dishes, the curry... I could go on. The decor is a little basic but who cares, there was always a big group of us dining here when I was in Auckland. Damn I miss that chicken fried rice! 谢谢你

Pros: Tasty, cheap, friendly staff

Cons: not open 24 hrs

Aloo

Points +7705

Vegan
02 May 2007

Asian style- authentic

Despite the elevator music, a nice place to sit and lots of options on the menu. Staff very friendly and helpful. They checked with me about dairy in one of the options I had ordered, which was much appreciated. Lots of mock meats, good for the non-vegos that were with me, they were satisfied and happy with thier meals. Non-BYO or licenced.

Pros: Food, service

Cons: that, elevator, music!

studioahimsa

Points +32

Vegan
13 Feb 2007

good place!

i have been here for 3 weeks and have been to vegetarian cafe 4 times! i ove their dumplings and spring rolls most. a lot of their stuff has fake ham which i hate but its a good place for a snack.

Pros: cheap, good location, good hours

Cons: fake ham, non-fake meat dishes smal, NOT SPICY




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