Bay Explorer
Lotus Leaf
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Location: 277 Parrott St. San Leandro, CA 94577
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Phone: 510-614-7799
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Pricing: $$
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Hours: Mon-Thurs 11AM - 2:30PM, 5PM - 9PM Fri 11AM - 9:30 PM Sat and Sun 11:30AM to 9:30PM
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Description: Living in San Leandro, I don't always feel like I have a ton of vegan options when I want to order out. Luckily I have Lotus Leaf in downtown San Leandro and they literally take care of all my vegan needs and cravings plus my girls love it too! They have a whole vegan menu complete with tons of dishes that you would traditionally eat with meat including lemon grass chicken, fish clay pot, beef broccoli, crispy fish, and vegetable pho. Plus the regular display of crispy tofu etc. They also have smoothies- just the best mango smoothie we ever had. They are so big that my girls and I always split one and it is plenty for all of us! The veggie spring rolls are fresh and tasty. The veggie eggrolls are crispy fried goodness. The "chicken" curry soup is good for your soul. And the lemon grass chicken is so realistic that I called the restaurant back after we got it and told them they gave me the wrong order with real chicken- they were like no that was vegetarian chicken lol.
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Highlights: I am addicted to the vegan vermicelli plate! Every time I go here I want to order something else and I just can not bring myself to- it is that good! It is of course made with vermicelli noodles, there's some fresh salad on top with yummy dressing, and then three kinds of faux meat like beef, pork, and something else. When you combine all these elements it makes for such a good taste. It also comes with a veggie roll, that's so crunchy and delightful. My daughters always order the orange chicken with a side of rice and split the mango smoothie. The curry soup is my favorite if ever I don't feel good so hearty and soothing. The newest highlight on this menu is the ginger fish- my friend ordered it the other day and it totally blew our minds! This vegan fish was exactly like fish, we couldn't believe it. Crispy and flaky on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. Even the non vegan friends at the table thought it was so good- I highly recommend checking that one out!
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Tips: Take a friend and share! Or take two friends and share! The more the merrier and the more menu items you can try! This place is also really good for ordering take out!
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