Buddha Bodai vs. Bodhi: Which is the Better Veg Restaurant?

Buddha Bodai and Bodhi are two vegetarian kosher restaurants in Chinatown just a couple blocks away from each other. You might think they’re affiliated, but they’re not.

I’ve tried both as a local, and I’ll try to share the lore I’ve heard in this post, as well as my preference based on food.

Which restaurant was first?

Buddha Bodai is the original restaurant, and urban legend has it that the founder and his business partner had a conflict, so they split and the partner started Bodhi (originally also called “Buddha Bodai”). This is why you see “the original” in the name of Buddha Bodai on Google Maps.

Funnily enough, since Bodhi was also called Buddha Bodai at one point, you’ll see some Buddha Bodai signs inside Bodhi.

Which is better?

I’ve eaten once or twice at Buddha Bodai, and at least three times at Bodhi, and I prefer Bodhi. The flavors, textures, and variety are much better, in my opinion.

I especially like their selection of BBQ meat dishes, made to mimic char siu. The texture and flavor is pretty convincing: chewy, sweet, and savory. The noodle soup is light but still delicious, while the chow fun is more substantial. The only thing I’ve tried that I wouldn’t super recommend was the General Tso’s veg chicken, as I felt that it was doughier than meaty. My brother said he still liked it though (he had ordered it).

On the flip side, we tried the taro duck at Buddha Bodai, and the texture and flavor just wasn’t there. It felt like we were eating just a flaky taro appetizer and not a meat substitute. On the flip side, the fried rice was good, but then the hot and sour soup was really too acidic (we didn’t finish it).

If you only have time to visit one, I would personally recommend Bodhi over Buddha Bodai.

Do both restaurants handle dietary restrictions?

Both Bodhi and Buddha Bodai have a separate gluten-free menu. Their dishes are also all kosher. Based on my research, it appears that Buddha Bodai is majority vegan with some vegetarian dishes, and Bodhi is totally vegan.

Let us know what you think if you go to either!