by C Song

Created on: July 05, 2009

For many vegetarians, eating out can pose a dilemma. In imagined worst case scenarios, vegetarians are either relegated to picking at scant steamed vegetable dishes at not-so-vegetarian restaurants, or their omnivorous friends opt out of dinner invitations, for fear of stereotypical vegetarian fare: salads, tofu, and questionably rubbery imitation meats. But these concerns should be dispelled immediately; eating out as a vegetarian these days is much. San Jose has a number of fine restaurants catering to fit the vegetarian lifestyle.

Tofoo Com Chay is a Vietnamese restaurant boasting fresh, quality dishes at a reasonable price. Try the vegan roti drumsticks, and you'd swear that it was the real thing. Tofoo Com Chay also offers classic Asian favorites with a vegetarian twist: pho noodles, This place is a favorite among San Jose State students, a testament that vegetarian fare can be delicious and easy on the wallet; dishes range from $2.50 to around $6.00.Tofoo Com Chay is located on 388 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113

There is much more to Chinese cuisine than MSG and chicken drowned in thick sauces. Located at 1600 S. De Anza Blvd Sogo Tofu is a vegetarian takeout joint offering Chinese foods that are not only healthy, but also cheap. They are most known for their freshly made organic soy products like soy milk, tofu, and beancurd. For a filling lunch, try the box specials which could easily feed three people for the price of one. Sogo Tofu also makes a great vegetarian version of Peking duck and a variety of Taiwanese and Shanghainese buns.

Dandelion Vegetarian Caf, on 1711 Branham Lane, is another option if you are craving some Chinese. This vegan caf will make you feel more cheerful instantly with its clean and bright flower themed dcor. Pick from dozens of starters ranging from vegan Malaysian bread and curry dip to vegan sweet potato pancakes. The vegan rice or noodle dishes range from $4.00 to $5.90 and come in a myriad of varieties: curry udon, vegan spaghetti steak, sweet and sour eel, fish filet, and much more. And don't forget about dessert; for those who can consume dairy, the Chinese pancake with vanilla ice cream is a must. Vegans can opt for an equally delicious dessert of creamy black sticky rice.

Aside from Chinese and Vietnamese food, another type of cuisine that naturally lends itself to the vegetarian diet is Indian, with its common use of legumes and vegetables. For an authentic Indian meal, try Deedee's, an Indian buffet. You can't go wrong with crispy, flaky samosas filled with aromatic spiced potatoes. The rich creamy dahl (stew made with beans, usually lentils) and plentiful curries are enough to satisfy anyone vegetarian or not. Lunch buffets on the weekdays are only $7.99 and weekends are $10.99.

Opa, a Greek eatery located at 1384 Lincoln Ave in the Willowglen neighborhood of San Jose, is a great place to eat with non-vegetarians. This restaurant offers numerous vegetarian options, from meze (starters) like crisp zucchini chips to kira piata (main dishes). The vegetarian pita sandwich, pita pizza, and souvlaki are delicious and reasonably priced. Top it all off with some Greek coffee and baklava, and you're all set!

If you find yourself at a restaurant that seems not-so vegetarian, fear not! Most places can be very accommodating of your dietary needs. Don't hesitate to ask your server for help, and you can always get something specially prepared. Being a vegetarian may limit your eating options, but that is far outweighed by its benefits; expand your gastronomic horizon with new foods and new experiences in San Jose!

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