Vegan-friendly
Asian
Vietnamese
Vegetarian Vietnamese food restaurant, linked to local Buddhist temple. Offers many mock meats. Reported closed July 2023.
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Last update on 13 Jul 2023 by crispi_1971
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Added by eric on 01 Aug 2007
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19 Reviews
First Review by Broomer
chatreuse
Points +5103
Very quick solid meals - Edit
I've worked my way through alot of the menu.
Read moreToday I had the Bun Bo Hue, it was a solid choice. The fried tofu puffs are SO good here, it has a really nice tofu flavour. The depth of flavour of the soup isn't quite as good as what I'm used to from the Quang Minh temple (they've set the bar PRETTY high).
My favourite meals so far from this place are the fish claypot dishes (where eggplant is the "fish"), braised pepper mushroom, braised pepper chickn and tofu, and Hu Tieu Xao (combination stir fried rice noodles), all of which are delicious.
The service is always really quick, so this would be a good option for those with limited time.
Pros: Quick service
Cons: Cash only
Guest
crediblewitness
Points +1773
Great spring rolls & soups. Friendly staff. - Edit
Great spring rolls & soups. Friendly staff.
Read moreGuest
Akasha&Alinta
Points +13
Hidden Gem - Edit
This place is the best!! We have never been so totally satisfied... The food is so healthy it gives a healthy glow effect. My daughter 15 and father 90 neither vegetarian were converted by this eating experience... Top quality home made food direct upon order. This place is the original (been open 26 yrs) and original that other more expensive lesser quality places are emulating... Cant recomend enough!
Read morePros: Food, Friendly staff Heart warming environment , Low prices
Cons: Limited English
Guest
danielle5224
Points +34
Amazing noodle soup - Edit
I always get 32- 5 combination noodle soup, so good
Read morePros: Free tea, Fresh ingredients , Variety
Cons: Titanic “my heart will go on” playing on repeat
Guest
aashkat
Points +629
Average food - Edit
Average taste, clean restaurant
Read morePros: 100% Vegan menu
Guest
ScottB574
Points +85
Overcharged - Edit
Good food, but they overcharged by $10 over the menu prices. There are other options nearby that are more honest.
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: Overcharged by $10!
Guest
hollowforests
Points +24
Original and the best in Footscray - Edit
My partner and I love this place so much, been going since at least 2008.
Read moreGuest
vegiemelb
Points +110
10 YEAR UPDATE: Still going strong - Edit
One of the original vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne from a time when there were hardly any around. Still going strong since I first reviewed it in 2010, now with an updated menu, although it's hard for me to choose anything apart from the wonton noodle soup yellow noodles, which has lately been tasting more delicious than ever.
Read more15 Feb 2010 Review
Went to Bo De Trai in Footscray yesterday for Chinese New Year. There was a chef's special for pho, which is not on the menu and I have never seen offered before. It was delicious, the contents such as some fungus, yam and other faux meats all having their own texture and taste. The pho came with bean sprouts and mint, but I thought they could have supplied more sprouts from my experience of the usual serving size. Someone else said it was a bit salty but enjoyed the dish and ate it all except for finishing off the broth.
Also had a side dish of dumplings which were also delicious and I was happy to have for the first time (I don't think they are on the menu but someone else asked for them), but I thought maybe the spring rolls are better value as they come with lettuce leaves and mint along with dipping sauce.
Delicious food enjoyed in a happy environment on a special day of the lunar calendar.
Updated from previous review on 2010-02-15
Guest
AlexTeo74
Points +49
Great soup noodles - Edit
The Lemongrass spicy noodles and the wanton noodles are a must try!
Read moreGuest
NDVegan
Points +6833
Great value and tasty - Edit
Many tasty dishes. Soups, curries and stir fries.
Read moreThe rice paper rolls are the best value around!
Guest
Wuji_Luiji
Points +2722
Great value all day menu - Edit
Updated review - reopened post covid-19 lockdown with new menu - visit 6 November 2020.
Read moreBo De Trai has a new all day menu with everything great value $9.80 (photo uploaded to HappyCow). I had the wonton noodle soup with rice noodles and made a request for no fresh herbs due to a dietary restriction. The wontons were deliciously crispy and the rest of the soup (containing vegetables and tofu puffs) was tasty too. Fresh chilli and lemon was provided on the side. I’m sure it would have been even better with the fresh herbs it usually comes with too! A lot of the menu has mock meat (that I’m not too keen on) but I might see if I can request substitution of tofu for mock meat in some of these so that I can try more dishes.
Review from June 2017 below:
Great noodle soup!
I've only had one dish so far, soup with tofu, veggies and noodles with chilli and lemon on the side. I left off the chilli (I like things mild) but squeezed in the lemon and my meal was very tasty. The staff were helpful and there's lots more on the menu I'd like to try. I'll have to come back to try more of it!
Guest
Inga75
Points +150
Vietnamese vegan - Edit
Food is great, gotta have cash tho. Lots of mock meat options
Read moreGuest
Baden
Points +69
good vibe - Edit
still looking for the right dish for me, however loved the prices and the atmosphere. will come back
Read moreGuest
beancurdled
Points +1675
Like in Vietnam - Edit
After travelling in Vietnam recently and eating in LOTS of Buddhist vegetarian restaurants, I'd now say with some confidence that the food at Bo De Trai is pretty true to that culinary tradition. Like a lot of Vietnamese veggie food, the dishes come sparsely seasoned and you add extra spice at the table.
Read moreI enjoyed at Saturday lunch with family here a couple if weeks ago. Like other reviewers here, I appreciated the new paint job. The bright green, pink, and red brings out the plants (some real, some fake) in the window and the colourful, glossy Buddha figurines inside. Between the 4 of us, we shared a serve of rice paper rolls with veggies to start. The veggies in their rice paper rolls are stir fried and I missed the fresh, fragrant greens but the peanut dipping sauce is creamy and delicious. We also ordered the stir fried mixed veggies which included a few tofu chunks, and bean curd with lemongrass which rivalled any we ate in Vietnam. The ginger chicken dish was probably my favourite - succulent and yet crispy, served with a little fried rice that might have been flavoured with coconut and a refreshing soup (or are you supposed to pour this over your rice?). Serving sizes are small but they're served with plenty of fluffy white rice so we left satisfied.
Last weekend I happened to be back in Footscray for an event do I popped in again for lunch and went for the ever popular wonton soup. I think this is hands down the best dish on the menu for only $9. The broth is light and peppery, full of coriander leaves and stems for extra flavour, a few dried mushrooms add a deep earthy flavour, a few chunks of tofu for protein and the starring wontons - deep fried crisp and filled with mostly grated root veggies, they soak up the tasty broth. Served with a fresh lemon wedge and sliced chilli, I dumped in the whole lot and was sweating by the end.
Updated from previous review on Thursday April 16, 2015
Guest
vegan mikal
Points +632
Cheap and cheerful - Edit
The recently refreshed interior of Bo De Trai does make for a very welcome change from the drabness and peeling paint of days gone by. The place is now bright and welcoming!
Read moreThe menu seems to be shorter than it used to be, but it does come with sufficient choices of mock meat dishes, tofu, and veggies. The prices are mostly on the low side, so diners should not expect outlandish portions or rare ingredients.
We came here for a quick lunch. Our orders were delivered promptly, though one dish came about 5 minutes ahead of the other two. Our waitress did not speak sufficient English to explain to us what some menu items contained; suffice to say that if this sort of thing bothers you, then give Bo De Trai a miss.
The food was plain yet tasty. Lunch portions are generally not massive, but we left happy - and with little damage to the hip pocket.
Pros: Upbeat interior, Reasonable portions, Great value for money
Cons: Staff may not speak English, Simple fare
Guest
SimoneTracey
Points +102
Transports You to a Monastry Restaurant in Vietnam - Edit
This place is not flash. However, it's an authentic Vietnamese culinary experience complete with temple musice in the background. I am not super fond of mock meat so I love ordering the wanton soup. This consists of a generous portion of fried wontons, bean sprouts, flat rice noddles (make sure you get the white flat noodle option) soaking in a fragrant spicy broth. So nurturing...
Read moreGuest
Aloo
Points +7705
Hmm Asian style - Edit
I like this place. Staff are friendly, plenty on the menu and the food is nice. What more could you want?
Read morePros: price
Guest
KingKong
Points +124
Great noodles - Edit
I'd try and go during the beginning or middle of the lunar month. Mainly cuz of the specials. Still, during the week they do good noodles and the ginger chicken rice is a bit of a quilty pleasure for me.
Read morePrice isn't bad. Come here for the food.
Try their lamb hot pot.
Affliated with the local Buddhist temple.
Pros: Food, Price, Location
Guest
Broomer
Points +25
Good for food - Edit
If you've got a craving for Vegetarian Bo, this is the place. In fact, it might be the only place. Regardless, it's a bit of an instituation.
Read moreI go every weekend. Food and pricing is good.
I recommend trying their Bo Hue. Lamb pot isn't bad either.
The restaruant is supported by/supports the local Buddhist temple.
Pros: Food, Price, Location
Cons: Ambience
Guest
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