Tojy, a vegan restaurant located at 113 Le Van Luong Street, opened in May and offers over 60 dishes inspired by Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi and tempura. The salmon sashimi stands out for its color and texture, often making it difficult for customers to distinguish between vegan and non-vegan options.
"The vegan salmon sushi looks realistic," said Thuy Linh, who visited the restaurant in mid-August.
Hoang Cao Khoa, 28, the owner of the restaurant, previously ran a Japanese restaurant in Australia. Upon returning to Vietnam, he opened this vegan restaurant to offer more options for customers looking for plant-based meals.
Khoa, who also serves as the head chef, explained that Japanese-style vegan cuisine is not just about presentation but also balancing flavor and nutrition. As one of the pioneers of vegan sushi in Ho Chi Minh City, he strives to impress diners with the quality of his dishes, the ambiance and the service.
One of the most challenging vegan sushi dishes he creates is flame-seared sushi. Unlike fish, plant-based ingredients are easily ruined under heat, making it difficult to achieve an authentic look. After much experimentation, Khoa finally developed a method to perfect both flavor and appearance.
The vegan salmon is made from ground seaweed mixed with flour, agar and other ingredients according to Khoa's recipe. To create realistic orange and white fillets, he uses food-grade coloring.
Khoa sources his vegan ingredients from a family-owned company with over 20 years of experience in supplying vegan products locally and internationally. The soy sauce, chili powder, mayonnaise and wasabi are imported from Japan.
While the ingredients differ, the preparation and presentation of the vegan sushi follow traditional Japanese practices. The dishes are served on wooden plates with a few slices of pink ginger and soy sauce mixed with wasabi. Customers often describe the vegan sushi as chewy, tender and lightly creamy.
In addition to the vegan salmon, the restaurant also offers vegan sushi sets featuring plant-based versions of octopus, tuna, eel, and shrimp, alongside Japanese rice. Vegan fish sushi is made fresh per order, with a 15-minute wait, while vegetable sushi is served faster. Vegan salmon sushi starts at VND42,000 (US$1.70).
Unlike traditional sushi, where fish can be frozen in bulk, fresh vegetables, fruit and mushrooms used in vegan sushi must be managed daily to maintain freshness. This poses a challenge for vegan sashimi, which requires both freshness and appeal.
The restaurant also serves other Japanese-inspired vegan dishes like tempura, ramen, and udon. Prices are from VND10,000 to VND300,000. Popular orders after sushi include seaweed mushroom soup and rice dishes.
The average meal costs about VND150,000 per person, and the owner notes that larger groups can sample more dishes at a better value.
Le Lam Thao Nguyen, 19, traveled 15 km from Go Vap District after hearing about the restaurant from friends. "The dishes are beautifully presented and taste unique," she said.
Sahil (L), 31, from South Africa, was impressed by how real the vegan dishes seemed. "It felt just like the real thing," he said.
Thai Hanh, 45, a vegan restaurant owner from District 6, has visited Tojy twice with friends. "The food is fresh and suits my taste," she shared.
The restaurant has both a main dining area with shared tables and private rooms. Guests can also sit at the bar to watch the staff prepare dishes and serve them directly.
Tojy can accommodate up to 150 people. The decor includes Japanese-style ceramics and wooden furnishings, creating a warm atmosphere. Many customers come not only for the food but also to take photos.
In July, during the Vu Lan Festival, a Buddhist holiday in Vietnam honoring parents and ancestors, Tojy saw a rise in customer traffic, serving up to 300 people daily.
Given the Japanese vegan theme, the flavors cater mostly to regular vegans, though many customers visit out of curiosity or a desire to try plant-based options. Despite the restaurant's large space, guests may still experience long wait times during peak hours.
Tojy is easy to find, with a parking area and security service. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
