Moonlight Cafe

I ordered eggplant tofu hotpot and it was awesome !!
enjoyed our food a lot !!

PHO fo’ everyone! We loved that they had 2 menus, one for vegetarians and one for carnivores. We went to this place twice on our trip to Seattle because we loved it so much. The veggie broth was just as satisfying as the regular.
Phở is so good for hangovers.
Get THE FAKE SESAME beef!

Rating: 5 stars
This review is way over due, but I love Moonlight Café so much it hurts. Not literally, but I definitely go out of my way to eat here as much as possible.
They have so many vegetarian and non-​vegetarian options that for once, ordering isn’t a hassle, you don’t have to ask if your entrée of choice contains any meat by-​products and you feel like you actually have lots of options that isn’t just some sort of pasta dish.
My all-​time favorite item (and subsequently my mom and every single one of my aunts – none of whom are vegetarian, btw) is the Bun Bo Hue Chay. I’ve tried these noodles anywhere a vegetarian version is available in Seattle, Oakland and San Jose and Moonlight makes it the best. Not too spicy, full of a variety of veggie meats accompanied by chewy rice noodles and fresh veggies, this is the perfect meal on any day. In the past month alone, I’ve eaten it 4 times. I just cannot seem to get enough =X.
Another stand out dish – it also happens to be my meat-​loving boyfriend’s favorite – is the vegetarian beef and broccoli. So good and the only time I’ve ever tried beef and broccoli.
Service isn’t the best, but then again Asian restaurants aren’t really know for that… But they do have low prices, large portions and delicious food. Give this place a try!

I love the chicken vermicelli at Moonlight and that’s what I seem to get every time. I don’t like that the place is run down and desperately needs a renovation. I also don’t care for the staff cleaning and cutting broccoli at a table next to patrons. I would eat there more often if that wasn’t the case.

We live very close and have been here so many times! Didn’t realize I hadn’t reviewed it.
Such goodness for the vegetarian and the nonvegetarian alike! My hard to please picky vegetarian dad also likes this place! We have tried many things on the menu and enjoyed everything from soups to stirfries to noodles. Their tofu with mushroom in the coconut sauce is delicious. I love the faux lemongrass chicken even more than the real chicken! They are always friendly and quick, and the prices are wonderful. This is a gem!

«I know a good spot»…glad I trusted a friend’s recommendation to come to this place. As we pulled up in the slightly sketch parking lot, mini-​mart with bars on the windows, a sighting of a man with an unleashed wolf in the lot, and the wonderful smell of the Franz bread bakery, I wasnt sure what we were in for.
Got a slight 80s look to it, with neon signs and décor, some mismatched furniture etc. But the gentleman that greeted us was very nice and I was in too deep to turn around. They have a vegetarian/​vegan menu and a regular menu for meat eaters which is a plus. Everything looked so good and we didnt know what to get. Hot tea is offerred while we comtemplated on ordering from veg menu or regular menu.
Server came back shortly and as we began to order the server triple checked with us to make sure who was vegan/​vegetarian or not. Nice that they take the time to make sure as one of us in the group is vegan. «Real meat or fake meat»??? was the important question.
I decided to stick with the veg menu, I ordered the Tofu Fried Rice but with egg, so it’s non vegan but vegetarian. Super tasty, freshly cooked so it was super hot right off the wok. Very light, not with heavy soy or anything, tasty tofu chunks and a good amount of veg. A heaping plate full too so the portion was a plenty!
My friends ordered Vegan Chow Mein and a Vegan Vermicelli Bowl, I got a taste of both and tasted wonderful and mental notes to order that next time. My other buddy ordered the regular Mongolian Beef and that was quite tasty as well, he enjoyed it very much and it was super flavorful. We all enjoyed everything and I would totally come back. Service was fine, no issues, super friendly staff and pricing was fine too.
As we waddled out into the parking lot after dinner, the wolf was gone.

Love their Sour soup and fish. (Canh chua cá bông lao. Cá kho t). Yummy My clients, friend and family always come here for these authentic Vietnamese dishes. The price is very affordable. Easy parking and close to Chinatown. Five Stars.

This is one of my favorite restaurant. The food is great and the flavors are many it is a great way to enjoy vegetarian food in all of its splendor. There are so many variety that any customer can take delight.

I went here for lunch after getting off the plane because it was the closest place on Unilocal to where I was staying. It looked promising from the outside, even though it said vegetarian in the outside. The restaurant was full when we entered in, but we were seated immediately. I was happy to find that they had a vegetarian menu and a non-​vegetarian menu. It took a long time for the servers to come around and take our order. And then even longer for our food to come out. We ordered a crispy noodle dish, a bowl of phở and a small bowl of congee.
The food was delicious. The crispy noodle dish was crispy not crunchy and when it hits the sauce it gets soft enough to not be soggy. The flavors in the sauce were spot on, and it came with snow peas, broccoli and shrimp.
The phở was also very good. The broth was very tasty and the meat was good. It was cooked a little more than I prefer, so that it ended up being slightly chewy, but pretty on par.
The congee was not good.
Overall a good experience. I was really hungry and tired getting off the plane, so that may have skewed my review.

Returned here for the first time in ages today, and I am so glad I did. This place is terrific for vegetarians and has some goodies for the omnivores and carnivores too. It’s off the beaten path a bit, just a stone’s throw from Northwest Tofu, Pratt Fine Arts, Pratt Park, etc., but it is worth finding your way here.
The menu is extremely diverse with lots of veggie stuff, a fair amount of it featuring faux meat with thrilling flavors and textures… there’s no way that this stuff is good for you, it’s far too delicious in a way that implies some time in a deep fryer.
I stopped in today and had General Tso’s «chicken» for lunch, and I’ve got to say that General Tso was one heck of a good cook. No wonder he reached the rank of General while Harlan Sanders never made it past Colonel. If they ever met, I’d bet General Tso would say, «Colonel, shine my boots!» and Col. Sanders would have to do it, and while he was doing it, Gen. Tso would tell him how bad his chicken sucks it. He might even bump him down to Major or Captain.
But I digress! Moonlight Café’s meatless homage to General Tso was delicious and the perfect size with a side of steamed rice, and it was super cheap! The guy at the counter could not have been friendlier.
This is officially my favorite cheap eats in Seattle now. Go go go! Wooo!

I love to come here for a good Vietnamese meal. They make a good Canh Chua (Vietnamese sour soup), Ca kho To (Fish Simmered in Caramel Sauce), Bo Luc Lac (Shaking beef), Salt and pepper shrimp (Ask for shell off)
Soup is full of veggies, flavors, and 3 – 4 filet pieces of fish. Bean Sprouts, tomatoes, pineapple, okra just to name a few. I’d rather come here and order, then spend time at home making. Cost comes to about the same anyway, plus you save time.
Ca Kho is also good here, I like to use the sauce that comes with it over my rice. Give it more flavor.
My favorite dish they have though has to be the salt and pepper shrimp, always make sure to order it with the shells off. Much easier to eat, and you get more of the flavors this way, rather if you have the shell on, you end up peeling most of the flavors off.
The shaking beef is ok at time, they do tend to overcook the beef. Try to ask them to have it rare to medium rare, other wise it becomes a little too chewy.
Phở Ga here is also good, decent size and price for a good bowl of Phở Ga.

Fake meat lovers (and meat lovers) rejoice! Very solid place for fast and reasonably priced Vietnamese food. Even though parking can be an issue in the ID, Moonlight Café has its own dedicated parking lot, which de-​stresses the whole going-​out-​to-​eat-​and-​park issue.
Service is pretty fast and it’s easy to see why this place is so popular: the food rocks and there are a variety of options for both meat eaters and vegetarians… orrrr just meat eaters attempting to be healthy, which is me on most days since I am really too lazy to exercise. Anyhoo, I recommend all the meat products (of which I’ve tried and loved many), but also the udon soup with tofu and fake meat. Normally, I fear soups as the broths can be quite bland or overly salty, but this broth, I’m into. Also, I never leave hungry, as their fake meat is pretty legit and given out in ample portions (as fake meat goes… fake-​meat loves know what I’m talking about!)
Finally, I love that this place is clearly an old Denny’s. There are various booths and seating options (slightly elevated or not) for your nostalgic pleasure. And pleasure you will have, because frankly this place is fantastic on the taste buds and on the wallet!

For vegan food — I have to say that this place was very good and reasonably priced. I don’t have too much experience with vegan food but I think it would be safe to say that I would visit again just to have it. The food here actually seems pretty legit for someone who is trying to transition… the fake meat is pretty decent!
Service was a bit slow — we had to ask about 5 times before we were brought water… but it may have been possible that they were short staffed…

What a veghead dream!
Moonlight Café is a wonderful find. It’s very unassuming façade houses a powerhouse of a Vietnamese restaurant inside. Armed with both traditional (meat) and vegan options, Moonlight Café will satisfy a mixed bunch.
Just to clear up any confusion: the green menu is all vegan, despite using «meat» terms. I really enjoyed the vegan pork skewers! I’ve also had both the vegetarian wonton soup, and vegetarian phở. Both are really good, but the fake meat can make the whole meal feel very gluten-​y and heavy for those who are usually stick to tofu and veggies.
Other notes: The service was incredible. The restaurant is very casual. Menu items were very reasonably priced.

I’m so in love with this place! I could live on Moonlight for the rest of my life! Everything they offer is so fresh and flavorful! Even the basil is the freshest you’ll ever see in a restaurant! They even offer a full vegan menu that’s gigantic! Their fresh rolls are the best you will ever have and their vegan soups are packed with so much flavor! Try the spicy tofu noodle soup! It’s amazing!
Their prices are very reasonable at $ 8 – 12 an entrée.
Even at their busiest times your food still comes out fast, hot and always perfect! Everything on the menu is fantastic and I’m never afraid to try something totally different everytime. It never disappoints. The best in Washington hands down!
I looooove Moonlight!

Yummy neighborhood spot in Central District — don’t be scared by the shady strip plaza — not representative of the restaurant, which is completely fine inside. Immense menu with classic Vietnamese eats, completely vegetarian (faux meat). Kitchen whips up everything from beef and chicken phở, vermicelli bowls, claypot, noodle soups, over-​rice dishes… the list goes on — definitely has something for everyone.
We split the sesame beef and the eggplant/​tofu claypot — both were extremely flavorful and tasty. Sesame ‘beef’ hit the spot and eggplant/​tofu was well-​seasoned, perfectly braised.
Pleasant, fast service. Super reasonable pricing ($ 8−12/entrée). Ample space and large tables accommodate group dining.
I was wary of faux meat, but am now a believer — if you need to taste it to believe it, Moonlight Café is for you!

I came here for a birthday dinner, and I was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant offers vegetarian options as well as meat. A huge downfall is Moonlight Café’s service. My friend and I had to wave down the waitress a few times, while the couple in the booth behind us were giving the death stare to the oblivious staff, while waiting for them to take their order for the longest. Plus, my friend noticed that one of the staff taking orders picked her nose… and made eye contact with my friend. Awkward. (& gross…)
I wanted to get the vermicelli with grilled pork & eggrolls, but was told they were out of the pork. Instead, I opted for the lemongrass beef vermicelli, and it was delicious. Surprised, since it took forever to even order, but satisfied with the food outcome. Prices were also reasonable/​average. I guess be prepared coming here, knowing that service will suck, bring some hand sanitizer, but a empty stomach. I would come back next time, and try a rice or soup dish.

A Seattle vegetarian Vietnamese gold standard.
They have a full carnivorous (red menu) and vegetarian (green) menu.
Highly recommend it. The original owner converted fully to Buddhism and is now a nun, she sold the business to her brother and owns another restaurant in Renton.
Family and I have been going here for years.
For vegetarians: the noodle soups are excellent, esp. the veggie phở.
For meat eaters: try the phở ap chap. A crispy heavenly rendition of noodles at the bottom and stir fried veggies at the top.
If you are lucky, you’ll catch a table full of Vietnamese monks eating, it’s one of their favorites too.
Enjoy!

Ah, the Moonlight Café. I love this neighborhood! This place even has a parking lot!!!
So this place is quintessential Vietnamese interior. Large tables in a less-​than glamorous space. It’s super cool that they have separate menus for veggie and meat. It gets really busy during the days, but later at night it quiets down quite a bit.
If you’re going for Phở, this place is good. but not the best Phở around. The other noodle soups can be hit or miss, but most everything will be delicious. As far as apps, the Ch giò is really delicious. It actually is ALMOST as good as Mom’s ;) but a great starter! Some of the mains, obviously I have not tried them all, are also very good. Freshness is key in Vietnamese food and there is definitely a lot of vibrant colors going on with a lot of their dishes.
The food doesn’t blow me away, but it is one of those places that is likely to «hit the spot» every time.

Great food! I ordered the Vermicelli with grilled pork and egg– roll. My daughter ordered the vermicelli lemongrass vegetarian. We both loved the food.
However, servers could at least attempt to be a little friendly. Absolutely void of nah personality. We felt like intruders.