Vietnamese casual restaurant serving noodle soups, savory crepe, spring rolls, banh mi, and simple plate meals with rice, veggies, and mock meats. Tapioca cake and other cakes for dessert. Sells some ready to eat items for takeaway. Under new ownership & fully vegan from November 2021. Off-street parking. Est. 2019 as Nha Hang Chay Hoa Tu Bi Tam. Open Mon-Tue 10:30am-9:00pm, Thu-Sun 10:30am-9:00pm.
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4591 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, USA, 92115
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 03 Jan 2024 by Ladulé
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Added by westcornersville on 17 Jan 2019
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122 Reviews
First Review by KellyBone
spiceislandvegan
Points +1706
Healthy and delicious - Edit
The food here is healthy and delicious. We came from Orange County with a large Little Saigon where there are many vegan Vietnamese restaurants. It is apparently hard to find an authentic tasting 100% vegan Vietnamese restaurant in San Diego. I think this is the only one that is authentic.
Read moreWe ordered Lotus Salad, Bun Rieu, and tofu lemongrass rice plate. They were tasty, not salty, and not oily. The dishes were prepared with care.
The owner is nice and gave us samples of desserts, on the house. We love the cassava cake she gave us. Unfortunately they don't sell it in the restaurant. It was just for samples.
We bought food to go too from the refrigerator section. She gave us more cassava cake with our togo boxes. Thank you!
When we are in SD again we will definitely come back.
Pros: Healthy, Delicious , Homemade tasting
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Stardoby
Points +23
Pho, Duck spring Rolls - Edit
Delicious fresh and great customer service asked for recommendations and the manager took the time to give me great choices cannot wait to go back🥰
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-30
Pros: Fresh, Organic, Homemade noodles and mock meats
Cons: None, None, None
Guest
cr87
Points +191
Incredible - Edit
Amazing staff, and an absolutely massive menu. You owe it to yourself to visit.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-23
Pros: Range of food, Flavor
Guest
MichelleHA
Points +218
Incredibly great - Edit
I love Vietnamese food. This was the best I’ve had. I wish I had three stomachs to try everything on the 60 plus page menu.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-23
Pros: Everything homemade
Cons: Wish it was a nicer sit down experience
Guest
JadaH.
Points +89
Incredible - Edit
Their menu is HUGE so definitely ask the staff for recommendations. I tried some dim sum and noodle soup and was blown away by both. All of the various protein options are some of the best meat substitutes I’ve ever had.
Read moreAnd to top it all off - the little creme brulee they give you at the end of your meal is so good!
Updated from previous review on 2026-01-21
Pros: Good service, Good complimentary water and dessert
Cons: Very expensive
Guest
caro620
Points +39
Best Vietnamese Vegan Restaurant! - Edit
While I was in San Diego for five days, I ended up coming back to this restaurant three days in a row, and that says everything. The food was absolutely amazing every single time, and the service was fantastic: attentive, friendly, and consistent. There’s a huge selection on the menu, so there’s something for everyone, but the “pork belly” is an absolute must-try, perfectly cooked, crispy and full of flavor. If you’re in SD, don’t miss this spot.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-12-26
Guest
Sarah.Robinson
Points +823
Incredible food! HUGE menu - Edit
This place is an absolute gem. Super kind servers, helped with the extensive menu. Like, it's a whole book full of over 1,800 menu items! Very overwhelming at first but just go with what you're in the mood for. It's all so good. You pick your dish, then which of the seemingly endless protein options to go with it. They've perfected the mock meats, it's crazy good! Our table ordered the house bahn mi with mock crispy pork, noodle stir fry with mock shrimp, and a pad thai burrito. All super delicious. You'd have to come here regularly (for maybe 5 years) to try all the options on the menu. They offered a complimentary flan for dessert and it was also incredible. Oh yeah, and the citrus infused water they serve is absolutely delicious and refreshing. Cannot wait to come back again someday!
Read morePros: HUGE menu, fully vegan, Delicious food, Super friendly staff
Cons: It's pricey, but worth it
Guest
vegan_demon
Points +91
Amazing food and service - Edit
The food was delicious- I won’t ever stop thinking about that coconut flan. The staff was incredibly kind and passionate about the food, and my sandwich was delicious. A little on the pricier side for what it is, but considering the work that goes into each dish it is understandable.
Read morePros: AMAZING food (especially dessert), great service
Cons: A little expensive
wordWrightd
Little expensive? Prices went up over 30%. Love the food, but to someone on a budget.
Read moreGuest
Globalgirlalways
Points +16
Something for everyone! - Edit
So many items to chose from and all freshly made-even the water is delicious! The owner Helen and all the staff are very kind and helpful. A definite must for anyone- vegan or not (yet😉).
Read morePros: Large Selection, Freshly made, Friendly staff
Cons: None!
Guest
Chirry
Points +470
Very good, small portion, menu is huge - Edit
I forgot what we ordered but everything was very good. The owner was nice enough to give us some desserts to try and they were good. Portion is ok. Wish it could be a little more bigger. But the menu is huge. We didn’t know where to start. Will definitely come back and try more of their dishes
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-07-03
Guest
Gaian1
Points +65
So tasty and so healthy. Best vegan place in SD. - Edit
The warm and friendly atmosphere is very casual, but be prepared for some gourmet vegan dishes! The Lemon Grass Tofu is fabulous and you can get it with duck or fish if you prefer. The Bahn Mi Tofu sandwich is similarly excellent. The menu is vast and takes a long time to find the dish you want. The staff is excellent at answering questions and they have all the standard Vietnamese dishes prepared to perfection. Even their free water is special, hinted with mint and cucumber. They pay very close attention to detail and everything tastes super fresh. They air fry much of their ingredients and you can tell by how healthy it feels and how your body responds.
Read morePros: No meat. Anywhere., Superb flavors and textures., All fresh ingredients.
Cons: Not easy to park in the area if their lot is full., Wish it was closer to my house.
Guest
rosh_
Points +48
Incredible food, great service - Edit
Absolutely incredible food and a great dining experience. This was our first time eating at TTC despite living here for a number of years, and I wish we had discovered it sooner. The waitress was incredibly kind and took the time to talk to us about the restaurant and founder’s history/story, the ingredients they use, and how they prepare the food. We got a stir fry dish, a noodle dish, a salad, and mu shu, and it was all so fresh and flavorful. The mock meats were some of the best I’ve ever had. The menu is somewhat overwhelming to look at for the first time, but I doubt you can make a bad decision. We will definitely be back!
Read morePros: Incredible flavors, Kind waitstaff, Excellent mock meats
Guest
OliviaPai
Points +22
best vegan food in San Diego - Edit
We are regular customers of this restaurant. Everything is made fresh in house and you can really taste the quality and care put into making the food. It’s absolutely delicious and the service is stellar as well. It’s a small spot, seemingly hidden and unassuming but trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Read morePros: the food, the service , the homemade water and complimentary desserts
Guest
lauramo
Points +16
Left no crumb - Edit
I’m a vegan mom on a San Diego vacation with my two adult kids. While they have had their share of vegan meals, when faced with a choice, they typically choose meat. But before we even stood up from the table tonight, they were asking when we were coming back. Music to my ears!
Read moreI had made a list of vegan restaurants to try while in San Diego and found Thanh Tinh Chay recommended multiple times on Reddit. We got the BBQ pork banh mi sandwich, Mapo Tofu rice, Thanh Toan Noodle bowl and 3 creme brûlées. Everything was SO GOOD! If we had to choose a favorite dish, it was the Thanh Toan Noodle Bowl. It had these crispy bits of “pork belly” that we were all fighting over. The banh mi sandwich was the best vegan banh mi I’ve ever had. I’m not gluten free, but everything was also gluten free which honestly I never would have guessed. The bread was excellent. Even the water was divine prepared with apple and other healthy ingredients that apparently detoxify the liver. So refreshing!
The creme brûlée was perfection. I would love to know how to make it. Perfect texture and sweet crispy top.
The staff was friendly and attentive, and it was just a nice vibe. The menu is extensive. It would be easy to eat here daily and never eat the same thing.
Thanh Tinh Chay did not disappoint! Another reason to visit San Diego! Yay!
Guest
MattRoth
Points +162
Ngon Lam! Delicious ! - Edit
Organic …Vegan… Healthy
Read more200 items
Pros: Filet Minon, Banh “Lettuce” Mi, Tea
Cons: None
Guest
VirgilMiller
Points +89
The best Vietnamese place! - Edit
Amazing, amazing food! Definitely a go to if you’re in San Diego. Service was wonderful too! Killer food and great service.
Read moreI had the spicey beef noodle soup the broth was off the charts!
Pros: Lots of options, All fresh made, Great service
Guest
zoedet
Points +140
Amazing food and so kind - Edit
So many vegan options, all delicious, and the servers are very kind
Read moreGuest
NYCswimmer
Points +1190
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Edit
Read moreThanh Tinh Chay is an absolute gem for plant-based Vietnamese cuisine! The flavors are fresh, vibrant, and incredibly authentic. The pho is rich and satisfying, the banh mi is perfectly crisp and flavorful, and the variety of mock meats is impressive. The staff is warm and welcoming, making the dining experience even better. Whether you’re vegan or just love great food, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommend!!
Pros: Lemongrass tofu, crème brûlée , House tea with refills, service, Truly everything I tried ❣️
Cons: It’s not that important but the place could benefi, From a better internal design
Guest
ClaudiaRolnick
Points +44
Great food and excellent service - Edit
This place is amazing! Huge menu, great food and very friendly staff
Read moreEverything is gluten free on top of being vegan, which is a plus
Updated from previous review on 2025-02-26
Guest
joqi.love
Points +16
Must try - Edit
I love this place so much. All meats are made in house. Everything I’ve ever tried has been delicious. Super friendly staff who go above and beyond to make sure every order is perfect
Read moreL
Pros: Service, Food quality
Guest
Ellenkm
Points +947
Biggest menu I’ve ever seen! - Edit
Food was delicious, but the menu was overwhelming huge, luckily with pictures. (Bring a crowd if you want to try a bunch.) We had to go by recommendations because we didn’t know where to start. Food was delicious and very homemade, including the tofu. Atmosphere was eh, but worth the trip. Highly recommend to every vegan who makes the same dishes every day. Very inspirational.
Read moreGuest
emilyycu
Points +34
Best ever! - Edit
Kindest staff and some of the best vegan meats and Vietnamese food I’ve ever had.
Read moreGuest
vegvibez
Points +276
Best food in SD - Edit
Holy cow. I am truly amazed by how authentic this food was and how many options there were! I was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the amount of food on the menu and how sooo much of it is GF. The staff were so friendly. I would eat here everyday if I could. I wish they had more locations! #Veganuary
Read morePros: So many options!, Gluten free options , Authentic food
Cons: Expensive (but worth it), Atmosphere… eh
Guest
Headeik
Points +69
Incredible food - Edit
Incredibly delicious Vietnamese food. We tried a ban mi and the lotus salad. Everything was so fresh and tasty. The host/waitress was very kind and let us try some dessert. We will be coming here again and again!
Read moreGuest
NicoleParks
Points +4041
amazing vietnamese food - Edit
food was incredible!! tried the pork belly banh mi and dried pho noodle with crispy chicken. they also gave us free dessert which was really good!!
Read moreGuest
TamlynShimizu
Points +402
Just go! - Edit
Amazing food, water and creme brulee. I really loved the Helen buns and crispy beef buns and the creme brulee. They will sing on your birthday!!
Read moreGuest
Ladulé
Points +604
Unparalleled dining experience, but expensive. - Edit
Not only is the food delicious, made in house (tofu, mock meats, soy sauce, etc.), and fresh, but the staff is lovely.
Read moreThis restaurant is the pinnacle of vegan dining, and very affordable with decent portions. Will be my go to.
Update 12/2/2024:
They have increased prices to an prohibitory level. You used to be able to get a tofu bahn mi for around $5, now that's around $20.
$13.20 for French fries is probably the most absurd thing on the menu.
Equally shocking is that this restaurant is in a low-income neighborhood, so although it used to be a place where locals could grab some nutritious food, it is now impossible.
It's a shame that this is what they have to do to survive, but that's the climate we live in.
Updated from previous review on 2024-12-02
Pros: Incredible food, Variety of options, Amazing staff
Cons: Expensive
Guest
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