Chai Vegetarian Cuisine

I arrived for lunch just after 1:30, and sadly the food in the bain marie was lukewarm, which was a real shame because the textures and flavours of the many mushroomed dish especially were great. I'd recommend ordering from the menu.

I visited at 3:30pm on a Friday and there was a sign out front saying open however it was not. I came back at 5pm and the sign was gone. I called and no one answered so I suppose I got there just after it closed when I went at 3:30pm. I also went at 10am and 1pm the following Saturday and it was shut. There's no trading hours on the window. Sadly I didn't get to try this place but there are several other vegan restaurants within walking distance so if you don't get the chance to come when this place is open, don't worry, you can get Asian vegan further down the street - try Heart Food. Otherwise there are cafes nearby with vegan goodies and a vegan health food store around the corner from here.

Always nice, I usually go for the bain-marie for a quick lunch, but I've tried a couple of the cook to order options - they're worth the wait!

No matter what I'm eating, it's always accompanied by a drumstick, my absolute pick of the more snacky menu items.

Recommended!

This was a great place to find and I was so glad we managed to find it open!

Unfortunately, we only managed to go here once during opening hours. (The review below seems to have accurate hours)

We tried their cold wraps (which was a strip of a rice paper/burrito wrap style bread, around a big serving of veggie protein. We tried both the peanut and BBQ flavoured. DEFINITELY recommend!).

We also took away two dishes for dinner that night.

I wish they had been open for dinner because I would have loved to have eaten there more often.

The lady who served us was also incredibly helpful, taking us through all of the meals and options. Plus, she was conscious of things like allergies to peanuts which was unneeded for us, but always good to see. Good priced food and lovely staff!

Don't know what the problem is with the phone (see review below) but I was there on February 12, 2014, and it was open, though definitely winding down and running low on food at 2.30pm. Got a decent enough vegan spicy noodles with a couple of mock meat dishes for $11, plus $5 for a pot of excellent organic green tea (leaf, not teabag). Several localoffice workers, who were on first-name terms with the staff and were obviously regulars, looked in for takeaway while I was there. I was told that opening hours are 11.30 to 3.30 Monday to Friday, and 11.30 to 2.30 on Saturday.

tried calling them a few times over a few days. no response at all. anyone know if they are still available?!

This simple vego place is well worth a visit. They had plenty of GF options and the food was quite cheap - I disagree with the person that said it was dear, our dishes were $10... They do have to make some money somehow! The staff were also very friendly and had a sound knowledge of what went into each dish. Tasty, quick service and well priced.

Not a mock meat fan normally, but this is the best I've had outside of China! There are plenty of delicious cook to order non mock meat as well. Family business to boot, could not recommend higher!!
Updated from previous review on Friday January 18, 2013

This cafe has a huge range of tasty food, and very friendly staff. The bain marie options are always fresh, and contain a range of vegan and gluten free options.

Big range on the menu also :)

This place is one of my favourites!

Without a doubt, brilliant vegetarian options! Could eat there every day!

this is an incredible find in Hobart, by far the best vego place in Tasmania ( and I have eaten at them all!). The owners are dedicated vegos and have a love of food. It is family run. Food is always amazing. have ready to eat available, or unique off the menu items. also some beautiful rolls and mock chicken drum sticks. I love this place and would recommend it to anyone!

I always go here whenever in Hobart. I order the leafy greens dish med/hot. I just love, love, love it! I have no idea how they do their mockmeat, but it's amazingly yum. Also, the owners are so friendly, and I look forward to saying hi.

I have had some meal there before and I found the taste a little inconsistent and very greasy

'Chai Gen Xiang' ('Roots of all Green'), better known as 'Chai' is found in Mathers Lane: a quaint strip of shops more like an arcade, located between Liverpool and Bathurst Streets, in the block between Murray and Elizabeth Streets.

I went to Chai a few times for the 'bain marie' lunch special: 2 dishes and rice for $9.50, and there was a different, yummy selection each time, including curry pot & mixed vegetables. The cold selection includes sushi rolls, spicy gluten 'meat' rolls & rice paper rolls. The board menu includes 'Duo Dishes' for two people (Layer Tofu, Chai Wan, Sizzling Ginger Soya, etc), and 'Cook-to-Order' meals (for one person) like Chili Hot Ho Fan, Korean Noodles, etc.

Open 10-5pm Monday-Friday (kitchen closes about 4pm), Saturdays 10:30am-2:30pm.

Catering platters and set menu Take Away dinners are available by phone order.

This small eatery in Mathers Lane is a real find. Immaculately clean with tasty Asian-inspired meals,
including mock meats. Very friendly atmosphere.