NB: VEGAL KITCHEN CLOSED IN 2006.

V Rating: VVVVV
Where: 73 Frenchman’s Rd, Randwick
When: Mon - Sat 4.30pm - 10.00pm
Tel:(02) 9398 4406
Price: Entrees: $4 - $6. Mains: $9 - $13.50.

For the past 17 years, Vegal Kitchen has been quietly serving vegan goodness to the locals of Randwick. Tucked away in a small corner shop, its most noticeable feature is a large neon sign blaring ‘vegetarian’. As Andy (my partner) said, a restaurant which considers this to be its best selling point has got a lot going for it.

Inside the decor has a homely, slightly kitsch appeal. There are only seven tables, all staffed by the kind owner / hostess. She is happy to give information about any of the dishes, and was very friendly and attentive.

Vegal Kitchen is an Asian vegan / vegetarian restaurant with an extensive menu. There is a choice of four entrees, plus eight smaller soups. For mains, there are about around 56 dishes to choose from including tofu, vegetable dishes, ‘big’ soups, tempeh, noodles and a whole menu section devoted to fried nori rolls (did I mention yum?). There is also a range of gluten dishes which refreshingly are not dressed up as fake meat. Each day there is a specials list of about ten items, which included sang choy bow the night we were there.

Vegal Kitchen also offers set menus for 2-3 and 4-6 people. These range in price from $25 - $30 per head. Andy and I went for the first set menu option which offered a plate of mixed fried entrees, ginger steamed vegetables in soy sauce, crispy sweet and sour gluten with sesame seeds, fried nori roll with satay sauce, and steamed rice (a choice of brown or white). We topped up the mixed entree with a soy drumstick each (sheets of tofu wrapped around a small stick.)

To round off the night we indulged in a yummy sweet boysenberry tofu (soy) ice cream. This is 100% vegan and made specially for Vegal Kitchen. It also comes in vanilla and chocolate. It costs $4.80, or $6 on top of an apple or banana fritter or fresh fruit.

The best dish from the set menu was the Chinese vegetables. Lightly steamed and carefully flavoured with soy sauce and ginger, the dish was refreshing. The mixed entrees were also good. The spring rolls were crunchy and only mildly fried, allowing the vegetable filling to give off a fresh flavour. We also had tofu balls, which tasted like scrambled eggs fried in a ball with corn and peas.

I was less enamoured with the satay nori rolls (but then I’m not a big fan of sweeter sauces). The satay was quite dark and heavy, and overpowered the nori rolls. The thin sheets of crispy gluten speckled with sesame seeds were tasty, although the strong sweet and sour sauce meant it was better to savour a few pieces, rather than eat a whole dish.

Afterwards we agreed that it was unfortunate we’d chosen this particular set menu as it’s not indicative of the vast majority of Vegal Kitchen dishes(all I can say is that our better judgement was obscured by our extraordinary hunger). We’ve eaten at Vegal Kitchen before and were delighted with all the dishes we tried, which were very tasty and well prepared with fresh ingredients. I can particularly recommend the nori roll in miso sauce and the eggplant dishes.

Serving vegetarian food is part of a wider spiritual belief for Vegal Kitchen, who sees vegetarianism as the way to a peaceful and healthy life. It is a non-alcoholic restaurant. However, there is a lovely range of drinks including four different freshly squeezed juices (from a relaxant to a revitaliser)and different types of Asian teas.

Overall, Vegal Kitchen is an excellent vegetarian option, particularly if you’re after a tasty and affordable dinner in a low key setting. It can easily cater for a small dinner for two, or a large group of vegans or vegetarians. If you are planning a group you should book as there is only limited room. Two thumbs up!

Share This