Tag: sustainable meals

Welcome to the fifth stop on our Plant-Based Food Tour of Princeton, and definitely the one a lot of us were most excited for! This post will be your ultimate guide to deciding where to beg your parents or significant other to take you out to dinner, while also keeping the plant-based diet in mind! We’ve discovered that even at a steakhouse, you can still eat plant-based. We hope this post inspires you to both treat yourself and the planet with these high-end plant-based options. 

Agricola Eatery – Most Plant Forward

Price: $$$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★★

Taste: ★★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

It is probably safe to say that Agricola is the most plant-forward of the high-end restaurants in Princeton. I went on a beautiful sunny day and enjoyed their outdoor seating on Witherspoon St. I tried their two entrees that they note as being “inspired by the cultural shift towards sustainable, plant-based eating.” To say that I was thoroughly impressed is an understatement. The LoRe Pea Ravioli featured several veggies such as carrots and peas, used a very creative pea filling, and was topped with an almond pesto. The Spring Vegetable Barigoule was a delicious soup with peas, carrots, mushrooms, and artichokes as well as sourdough bread. Both entrees exceed my expectations by far. They were completely plant-based, tasty, and filling. 

I also tried the Roasted Local Mushrooms, Broccoli Rabe, House-made Fries, and Avocado as sides. They were all fantastic. The fries were the perfect balance of fresh and fried, the broccoli rabe had a nice kick to it, and the avocado was light and simple. The Roasted Local Mushrooms were the star of the sides, though. They were hands-down the best mushrooms I have ever tried. Overall, this meal was very tasty and, most importantly, extremely plant forward. Oftentimes, vegetarian options at restaurants are very dairy heavy. I loved how creative Agricola was with their plant-based options and loved that they were fully plant-based. Agricola is helping lead the cultural shift to healthier and more sustainable diets!

Winberies – Most Surprising Plant-Based Creativity

Price: $$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

For the type of place that serves bar food, I was really surprised with the amount of plant-based options Winberies has to offer! Most places have plant-based appetizers and salads, but Winberies actually had two entrees that I could order! For an appetizer I ordered the beer baked pretzel sticks. It came with three large sticks, which I thought was decent for the $9 price, and they were super fluffy and salty. The perfect appetizer! For entrees, I ordered the veggie rice bowl and the housemade vegetarian burger. While I think the veggie rice bowl could’ve had more flavor, I was really impressed with how many vegetables were included in the bowl and how light the entree was. Typically, restaurants like this tend to make things super heavy, but the veggie rice bowl was delightful and felt good to eat! Most innovative was the housemade vegetarian burger. The burger was made out of portobello mushrooms, brown rice, oats, and beets, and had a really shocking look and consistency. It honestly looked like a real burger and gave a beyond burger vibe but with whole vegetables instead of the scientifically created beyond meat. The burger was definitely mushier than other veggie burgers I’ve had but was really exciting to try and tasted pretty good! Last, but certainly not least, was the apple crisp for dessert. The dish had diced apples warmed up with rum caramel sauce, hazelnut streusel, and vanilla ice cream. How could you go wrong? 

Overall, Winberies really surprised me with their thoughtfulness for plant-based eaters and I would not hesitate to go again with some friends!

Witherspoon Grill – Fanciest Restaurant With the Best Bread 

Price: $$$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★ 

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Witherspoon Grill is located in Hinds Plaza in the centre of downtown Princeton. The restaurant has a large outside eating area for the summer months, and impeccable service. Make no mistake: Witherspoon Grill is a restaurant committed to serving meat, and as such their plant-based options are thin. I ordered most of their non-meat options: Fries, Onion rings, Artichoke Francaise, Asparagus, and the Ricotta Ravioli. A veritable feast. While all of these options were really tasty, they were mainly appetizers, and the only entrée option that was in any way plant-based was the Ravioli. The star of the main meal was undoubtedly the artichoke francaise, however the sauce was a little thick and I left feeling extremely full. This was possibly contributed to by the fantastic desserts: flourless chocolate cake and peanut butter lava cake. Ultimately, I would encourage you to eat out at Witherspoon Grill, but keep in mind that you are going to be limited on creative plant-based options. Oh and one last thing: their bread is fantastic!  

Mediterra – Most Fresh Ingredients

Price: $$$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Mediterra did not have many options that did not include meat or cheese. I tried the Pasta-less lasagna which was flavorful and featured some fresh eggplant, but the portion was very small for the $25 cost. The Market Bowl was tasty and a fun mix of different vegetables. One the side I tried the papas bravas and burrata with fried artichoke. The papas bravas was definitely the best bang for your buck item in terms of plant-forward options at Mediterra (only $8). Without it I definitely would have left hungry. The fried artichoke was fun to try, but the portion size was quite small and the flavor of the artichoke was hidden by the frying method. I was pleased with the chocolate ganache tart as dessert. The rich chocolate tart was complimented well by the coconut crema and raspberry sauce. Overall, I enjoyed the food, but it was unsatisfied with the small portions for a big price. It was clear the ingredients were fresh, which was a plus.

Local Greek – Most Comprehensive Platter

Price: $$-$$$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

For week 5 of the Plant-Based Food Tour, I ate at Local Greek. This restaurant has its main location a 12 minute walk from Fitzrandolph Gate. It also has a location with takeout and very limited outdoor seating on Nassau Street reviewed last week. Over two trips, I tried two entrees, a side, and a salad.

The first entree I tried is the Greek Falafel Platter, which is a vegetarian option. This falafel was good, but it didn’t set itself apart from other falafels. The accompanying tzatziki sauce improved this and made the falafel less dry. This platter also comes with a small salad, some pita bread, and a choice of rice or fries. I enjoyed the salad, but like the falafels, it didn’t impress me too much. The fries and pita were fine, if standard. 

The second time I ate from Local Greek, I decided to try something new. This was the Gigantes entree, described as large lima beans in a Greek herbed tomato sauce. As seen in the picture below, this is the dish that made my desk look like a bit of a crime scene (presumably because it tipped and spilled during my walk home). I quite enjoyed the warmth of this dish and the heartiness of the lima beans however. Because I am not familiar with this dish, I don’t know if the oily quality of the sauce is typical, but know that this is how the dish was for me. 

Lastly, I tried the Horiatiki salad and the hummus. The salad was fine; I appreciated the feta cheese, but the dressing didn’t add much and there was little else done to the cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and olives besides being sliced up. The hummus tasted pretty standard as well, though I appreciated the chunkier texture of the chickpeas.

Local Greek is located at the intersection of Leigh Ave and John St with a satellite location on Nassau St. The restaurant offers limited indoor dining, takeout, and outdoor seating. There is a good amount of plant-based options on the menu and they are clearly labelled with “vg” for vegetarian and “vn” for vegan. Order the Greek falafel platter for a solid plant-based entrée with a side of fries and a small salad.

La Mezzaluna – Most Welcoming High-End Restaurant

Price: $$$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★★★

After seeing rave reviews for the rigatoni vodka at La Mezzaluna, I had to give it a try for myself. I certainly wasn’t disappointed—I especially loved the sauce, which was rich, creamy, and slightly sweet (would recommend using it as dip for the complimentary bread!). I was even able to sub whole wheat penne for the rigatoni at no additional cost, which I appreciated since most restaurants charge extra for whole wheat pasta. The portion size for the entree was generous and definitely left me feeling satisfied. I also ordered an appetizer of arancini (rice balls) and a side of wild mushrooms. While both were solid dishes, the rigatoni vodka was by far my favorite, and I do wish that the portion size for the mushrooms was a bit bigger. The overall menu at La Mezzaluna is not especially plant friendly, as it uses a lot of dairy ingredients, but there are nonetheless a number of great vegetarian options — rigatoni vodka, vegetable risotto, pumpkin ravioli, truffle gnocchi, and fried zucchini blossom, to name a few. Located down Witherspoon Street, the restaurant is relatively close to campus and seemed quite popular when I went to pick up my food. It has a classy vibe but still retains a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or to simply enjoy a delicious restaurant meal.

Alchemist and Barrister – Tastiest Brussels Sprouts Appetizer

Price: $$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

Alchemist and Barrister far exceeded my expectations to say the least. A big contributor to this was an appetizer special they had for the week which was crispy brussels sprouts with almonds and an asian sauce. I went to eat here with some friends and the brussels sprouts were immediately gone, everyone raving about the amazing flavor. If you see this menu item on the weekly specials again, you must go! An absolute 10/10 and I plan to try and make brussels sprouts at home like this! The other appetizer we ordered was the cauliflower crusted pizza which had mozzarella, pesto, and diced tomatoes. I thought this pizza made for the perfect appetizer and the cauliflower crust was a delicious, plant-forward edition. Lastly, I ordered the beyond burger which was probably the best beyond burger I’ve had at a restaurant. They made the burger really thick, which is my personal favorite type of burger, and the brioche bun, red onion, and arugula were all really awesome editions. The french fries on the side were crisp and flavorful and the pickle was beautifully salty and crunchy. I can honestly say I would return to Alchemist and Barrister and would be excited about doing so… especially if they have those brussels sprouts!!

Mistral – Most Interesting-Tasting

Price: $$$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Mistral is a sophisticated restaurant and bar at the end of Witherspoon, right across from Princeton Public Library. While it has a relatively few vegetarian options (and no vegan options), their dishes are all quite tasty. The ambience is rather cozy, and the atmosphere is not too formal, despite being a high-end restaurant. This week I ordered the endive and beet salad, the herb and ricotta ravioli, and the chocolate tart. I was extremely satisfied with all three dishes, but the highlight of the meal was actually the beet salad. The mix of textures and tastes was well-composed and well-executed. Mistral was an overall positive experience, and I am glad to have visited this week.

*** We are not food critics, but food enthusiasts. This is in no way intended to be a formal critique or review of any restaurant in Princeton, merely a way to encourage students to try more plant-based options when dining out.

Welcome to the fourth stop of the Princeton Plant-Based Food Tour! This week we are hitting it off by exploring the vegetarian and vegan on-the-go options, as always highlighting the accessibility, cost, taste, plant-based ‘friendliness’ and creativity of the different restaurants on Nassau and in the vicinity. We hope that reading this post may inspire you to venture out to get some plant-based goodness, and next week we will be bringing you a review of Princeton’s high-end restaurants!

Jammin’ Crepes – Most Locally-Sourced Food 

Price: $$ 

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Jammin’ Crepes is, hands down, one of the best, coolest places on Nassau. For starters, they sell homemade preserves – how cool is that? Jammin’ Crepes also have a great focus on sustainability: for example, they source from local farmers and food artisans, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the food that they serve. As I stood in the restaurant waiting for my order of a vegan veggie kimchee crepe, I noticed several posters about reusing and recycling and eating locally on the walls, reflecting the overall sustainability focus of the establishment. The Jammin’ Crepes indoor space is amazing – with wooden decor, their menu displayed on wooden-framed blackboards hanging from the tall ceiling, jars of preserves lining the walls, it is like a funky countryside house in the middle of pretentious Princeton architecture. 

The vegan veggie kimchee crepe that I got had roasted cauliflower, kale, kimchee and baby spinach (the cauliflower and kale being the ‘seasonal vegetables’ components of the crepe). A little skeptical about this combination at first, I was astonished at how finger-licking yummy the crepe was. While the kimchee spoke to the pickle- and preserves-making skill of Jammin’ Crepes suppliers, the other greens worked very well together to make this crepe taste more like a home-made savoury pie. Although vegan and hence not containing cheese, the filling was soft and stringy and went well with the crepe itself, which, by the way, despite being gluten-free, was absolutely delicious. The portion size was very big; the kimchee made the crepe moderately spicy and also quite messy to eat, so I was glad I was back in my dorm, able to help myself with a knife and fork. Overall, would 10/10 recommend Jammin’ Crepes as a cool sustainability-focused place on Nassau that serves fantastic crepes! 

Small Bites by Local Greek – The Biggest Small Bites

Price: $

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★★  

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★ 

Too tired to make the trek to Local Greek? No worries, Small Bites by Local Greek can satisfy your gyro cravings right on Nassau Street. They offer a vegan gyro that will easily fill you up. It was delicious too, featuring an assortment of vegetables and hummus. It even came with a bonus side dish. I also ordered a side of Greek fries which you can never go wrong with. On top of all this, they gave me a student discount as well, bringing my total to $12 which, for the amount of food I got, was a steal. I would highly recommend checking out Small Bites, especially on a sunny day when you can sit outside while you enjoy your gyro!

Princeton Soup and Sandwich – Cutest Restaurant and Most Complete Meal

Price: $$ 

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Despite being located just behind the Nassau Inn in Palmer Square, Princeton Soup and Sandwich is undoubtedly a hidden gem. I ordered my meal (their soup and half sandwich combo, with fresh made lemonade) and immediately received a text saying that it would be ready in 10. I rolled up to the restaurant, which has a really cute little outside seating area, and found my food already ready and waiting for me. My soup was tomato and basil with rice, twinned with their vegetarian gazpacho sandwich. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these items and the tomato soup was especially delicious. Their freshly made lemonade was a really nice addition to the meal, which was finished off with one of their chocolate chip cookies. Ultimately I was left feeling very satisfied with my order; I mean, what more could I have asked for? Overall the Princeton Soup and Sandwich menu doesn’t have a huge amount of vegetarian/vegan options but those that they do have are extremely good. I would definitely urge you to check it out; if not for the food, then for the vibes of the restaurant, which are honestly immaculate! 

Say Cheez – Most Cheese Options

Price: $

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★

This week on the plant-based food tour, I went to Say Cheez Cafe. This restaurant primarily serves grilled cheese sandwiches, but offers mac and cheese, empanadas, and soups as well.

There are various grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu, but I chose to build my own. This option means selecting one bread, two cheeses, one topping, and a sauce for a total of $4.95. I chose white bread, pepper jack, mozzarella, and Daiya vegan cheddar cheeses with jalapeno toppings and oil and vinegar sauce. The jalapenos were the highlight of my sandwich. The vegan cheese fell a little short of my expectations, but it was inoffensive and I appreciate it being an option for an extra $1.65. The bread was nicely grilled, the vinegar sauce added a nice acidity, and the sandwich was nicely wrapped for eating wherever.

I also tried the Tiger fries from Say Cheez. These are the standard fries dressed with “homemade Tiger sauce.” I liked the sauce, but it didn’t blow me away. It was creamy and slightly spicy. I mixed the ketchup packets in my takeout bag with the Tiger sauce and I much preferred that combo. The fries themselves were fine, though I would have preferred them to be a little more crispy and salty.

At Say Cheez, there is an acceptable amount of vegetarian options, but the only vegan one is to build a grilled cheese with only the vegan cheese. For non-vegans, two cheeses are free with extras costing more. Moreover, there is no vegetarian or vegan protein option. I received a plastic fork in my takeout bag without asking for one, so comment if you’re able to use reusable utensils. 

Say Cheez Cafe is located on the campus side of Nassau Street in the same building as Thomas Sweet. There is outdoor seating, takeout, and delivery. Try the Daiya vegan cheddar cheese to see if you can replace dairy.

Ficus – Best Boba!

Food:

Price: $$$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★

Boba:

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★

Since we came back to campus, Ficus has been my favourite location to catch up with friends over a drink. This restaurant/cafe opened in January 2021, and so it is most well-known as “the new boba place”. The menu is indeed pretty drink-focused, but they do also offer some light lunch options e.g. ‘lifestyle bowls’ and sandwiches. For instance, a vegan friend of mine whole-heartedly recommends the eggplant sandwich. Sadly, I avoid gluten, so when I went to do the review, I got a Beet and Orange Salad, a Chocolate Croissant (for a friend) and Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea. The combination was a little strange, due to the limited vegetarian gluten-free options.

The salad came with some goat cheese to sprinkle on top and a zesty dressing that brought out the freshness of the arugula leaves. Not salty, but rather sweet and flavorful, it reminded me of the RoMa beets salad (for those who know it). It was not very filling though, so I probably would not recommend making it your lunch if you are hungry. As for the dessert, my friend said that she really enjoyed the chocolate croissant and to me the boba was, as always, supreme. I will definitely keep coming back to Ficus for the amazing bubble tea that they offer – while they have fewer options than Kung Fu Tea and slightly higher prices, I much prefer Ficus boba and I also love the friendly service and the general atmosphere at Ficus. There is a cafe/serving area on the ground floor, with a seating area for dine-in upstairs and one outside. The restaurant is a good 10 min walk past Green Hall on Nassau, but the yummy drinks more than make up for it and especially on a sunny day the walk provides even more time to chat with friends!

Diesel and Duke – Most Likely to be Cheap and Meatless on Mondays!! 

Price: $ 

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★★★★ 

Next Monday I highly recommend checking out the Meatless Monday deal at Diesel and Duke. Ordering online I was able to get a Beyond® Burger as a part of their Meatless Monday deal for just $5, a Kale Krunch salad for $3.28, and FREE order of fries! I was satisfied with the amount of food for a low price. The Beyond® Burger didn’t completely fool me like other plant-based burgers, but with all the toppings it gave me the feeling that I was eating a hearty burger. The kale krunch salad was not the freshest, but I appreciated the healthy side option. The free fries were a nice added treat! Overall, they have a variety of plant-based options and on any day of the week their regular burgers can be replaced with a Beyond® patty for just $3. It was super easy to order online and the food was ready in no time.

Olives – Most Options & Best Tasting!

Price: $$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

Olives is a small but reliable stop for grab-and-go, located a short walk down Witherspoon. With a rather large menu, they are sure to have something for both vegetarians and vegans. I ordered the Santa Monica wrap ($9) on the vegetarian specials menu, as well as the baklava ($3), which was described as “the best in town”. I was extremely satisfied with both items. The wrap had an ample filling of hummus and vegetables. The baklava was also surprisingly good, and was not overly sweet, which is a common flaw I find in baklava. I will definitely be coming back to try some of their other menu items, and for the baklava too. Altogether Olives is possibly a somewhat hidden gem on Witherspoon and is definitely worth giving a try despite it being a small shop.

*** We are not food critics, but food enthusiasts. This is in no way intended to be a formal critique or review of any restaurant in Princeton, merely a way to encourage students to try more plant-based options when dining out.

Welcome to the third stop on the Plant-Based Food Tour of Princeton! This week we are continuing the international exploration with Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine. As always, we reviewed these restaurants and their plant-based dishes, using metrics like price, taste, and creativity. Next time you eat out, order one of the items we recommend. Follow the Office of Sustainability and Greening Dining on Instagram to see video reviews and come back next week to learn about the best plant-based grab-n-go restaurants!

Mexican

Tacoria – Most Outstanding, Full Stop. 

Price: $ 

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★★ 

Creativity: ★★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★  

Taste: ★★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

If you haven’t been to Tacoria, what have you been doing? Not only does this restaurant have a great range of vegetarian and vegan options, but each of these dishes is absolutely delicious and never fails to bring a grin to your face. At the time of undertaking this review I had never tried Tacoria’s brussels sprouts; having now tried them, I doubt I will ever order meat from them ever again. My order, the brussels sprouts burrito box, was absolutely spectacular. If you are a bigger fan of the mission-style burrito, Tacoria has you covered, also allowing you to customize your order to include a number of ingredients, but most excitingly their golden (fried) avocado. I cannot rave about Tacoria enough, and with the restaurant being located right on the middle of Nassau Street there is simply no excuse not to try it out. Just last week, Tacoria added a new plant-based option to their menu in the form of Beyond Tacoria burritos, which is great news for plant-based eating, but possibly bad news for my wallet.

Qdoba – Most Customizable, Best Fake Meat Options

Price: $ 

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

I can’t say I have been itching to go to Qdoba in a while, but when I learned that Qdoba was now serving Impossible™ meat as one of their protein options, I couldn’t wait to give it a try. I had a customizable burrito bowl with Impossible™ meat as my choice of protein; the best part about Qdoba is that you can customize your meal to be exactly how you want it! It tasted just like a burrito bowl with ground beef. Some of you out there may be looking for more of a veggie-based option, which Qdoba can provide. Rather than choosing a fake meat protein, you can make a veggie burrito/bowl/nachos, etc. However, if you are looking to satisfy your meat cravings without the meat, Qdoba has exactly what you are looking for! Go check it out and don’t forget to get a yummy side of chips and guac to complete your meal.

Taste of Mexico – Most Intriguing 

Price: $

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★★ 

In order to find Taste of Mexico, you have to know where to turn on Nassau street. Luckily for me, I can see the front of the restaurant from my window. Taste of Mexico is a really cute place with beautiful multi-colored lights out front, and a nice seating area for when the weather is nice. Their menu is not particularly creative when it comes to offering plant-based options and only really has a couple of different menu items to choose from. For this review, I ordered the vegetable enchiladas with chips and guacamole as a side. I was a newbie to enchiladas (I know, what have I been doing, right?) and thoroughly enjoyed them, especially the side of rice and beans that was honestly the star of the meal for me. When you order chips and guacamole at Taste of Mexico, be warned you receive A LOT of guac, but it is very tasty so if that entices you, you should definitely check it out. All in all, I would recommend Taste of Mexico, but keep in mind that if you are looking for a truly plant-based option you are going to be a little limited.

Mediterranean

EFES Mediterranean Grill – Most Beautiful Falafel Plate

Price: $$

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★   

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★

This week on my plant-based food tour, I ate at Efes Mediterranean Grill. There I got a falafel plate and hummus.

The falafel plate was quite good. The falafels were a beautiful green in the middle, tasted great, and were cooked nicely. For $3 I added a large shepherd salad, seen on the left of the entree. This was perhaps even better than the falafel. I really enjoyed the tomato, cucumber, and seasoning. Before adding the tzatziki sauce and another sauce which I couldn’t identify, I found myself wanting the fries and falafels to be a bit saltier and more flavorful. Adding both sauces and mixing the falafels with the salad fixed this however, making a tasty combination. After my wonderful experience of hot takeout at Chennai Chimney last week, I was a little disappointed by the temperature of the entree when I opened it in my dorm, but I’m sure the cold shepherd salad factored into that.

I also tried the hummus and pita bread off of the sides menu. The hummus was no frills, plain hummus, but I did like it. I am someone who doesn’t prefer too much roasted red pepper or additions to my hummus, so take that how you will. The pita bread is store bought, but it does the job. I believe each $.40 order of pita bread is 2 pieces since I ordered $.80 of it and I got 4 pieces in packaging for a 6-pack. 

Efes Mediterranean Grill is located at the intersection of Olden and Nassau, right across the road from Hoagie Haven. It took me 8 minutes to walk from there to the middle of campus and another 4 to get to Whitman. Google Maps says it’s a 17 minute walk, so come here when you aren’t pressed for time. I forgot to ask for no plastic utensils, but I didn’t receive any regardless. This pleased me, but remember to bring your own utensils or your reusable bamboo ones from the Office of Sustainability! There is limited indoor dining, takeout, and some outdoor seating, not in service on cold days. Though it is not the most value for your money, I recommend the falafel plate.

Mamoun’s – Most Flavourful 

Price: $

Bang for Your Buck: ★★★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Mamoun’s is a deceivingly long restaurant located at the top of Witherspoon street. I ordered the combo plate, a dish that allows you to select any three of their vegetarian options to be served over rice or salad. I chose falafel, baba ganouj, and hummus, whilst also ordering a side of baklava for good measure. I was absolutely blown away by the assembly of items I chose; each was a taste sensation arranged pleasingly on a plate. The rice and falafel in particular were extremely tasty, and once I had finished my dish I sincerely wished I had more left. If you have a sweet tooth I would 100% recommend the baklava, which is an absolute delight. The combo plate was just one of a number of plant-based options on offer at Mamoun’s, which are all well worth your time and money. 

Another huge bonus of Mamoun’s is the speed with which they complete your order: I had ordered, paid, and received my food within 10 minutes! All in all I would urge you to go and check out the plant-based options at Mamoun’s, as you will certainly not be disappointed!

*** We are not food critics, but food enthusiasts. This is in no way intended to be a formal critique or review of any restaurant in Princeton, merely a way to encourage students to try more plant-based options when dining out.

Welcome to the second stop on the Plant-Based Food Tour of Princeton! While we may not have traveled in a long time, this tour will be taking you around the world over the next couple of weeks. This week we are featuring Asian cuisine in Princeton and how you can eat plant-based at these restaurants. We are going to give you our take on these restaurants and their plant-based dishes, using metrics like price, taste, and creativity. Don’t forget to check in next week for the next part of our international cuisine tour as we explore Mediterranean and Mexican meals!

Chennai Chimney – Best Takeout Experience and Most Creative ‘Doughnut’

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★

On the second stop of my plant-based food tour, I went to Chennai Chimney, an Indian restaurant on Chambers Street. This restaurant has an extensive menu, so I decided to eat vegan (with one exception) to narrow down the choices. I got khadar sabzi for my main, sambhar vada as a side,  and non-vegan garlic naan. I really enjoyed my experience, and I recommend the sambhar vada of what I tried.

The khadar sabzi was great. I am not someone who seeks out spice, so I ordered the mild heat, and it was the perfect level of slightly challenging spice. The menu describes this dish as “seasonal vegetables tossed with peppers, onions, tomatoes, [and] crushed coriander,” and that is very accurate. I loved the variety of fruits and vegetables; there were more than I could identify. The dish came with basmati rice that made it a more filling meal. The liquid was a little oily, which I didn’t mind, but others might want to avoid. I also can’t say it had a lot of protein, so try something else if that’s what you’re looking for.

My favorite dish I tried at Chennai Chimney is the sambhar vada, found in the “Chennai Specials” section of the menu. The website described this dish as “South Indian deep-fried lentil doughnut immersed in sambhar, onion, and crisps.” I had never tried sambhar vada before, so I didn’t quite know what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The doughnuts were very filling and bites of them dipped in the sambhar were delicious. Once again, the spice was perfect for me and you can increase it if you’d like. In the sambhar were peppers which added color and flavor to the dish. It was $6.95 and I recommend it to all eating at Chennai Chimney for their first time.

Lastly, I tried the garlic naan out of the breads section of the menu. The naan was beautifully charred with ample garlic spread on top. I personally would have liked a little more salt, but otherwise it was some good naan. Add this onto your order if you’d like a little more food for just $3.75.

Overall, I was quite impressed with Chennai Chimney. The food tasted great, the takeout was steaming hot after a 15 minute walk from Nassau Street to Whitman, and they didn’t give me any napkins or disposable utensils like I requested. For the most value, get the sambhar vada and experience a whole new meaning of doughnut.

Chennai Chimney offers a 10% discount on both dine-in and takeout for Princeton students. They have indoor seating, takeout, and delivery. The only plastic waste came from the bowls of food and plastic wrap to keep it hot.  Find this restaurant across from Milk and Cookies on Chambers Street off of Nassau.

KBG Korean Barbeque and Grill – Most customizable

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★★

KBG was very easy to make plant-based because they primarily offer build-your-own bowls. They have tofu as a protein option (and shrimp tempura for the pescatarians out there). They have a plethora of veggies to add to your bowl; however, there were not a ton of seasoning differences between the various veggies. I will also say if you prefer a crispy tofu this is not your place. They do have a wide variety of sauces that you can spice things up with! The portion size was pretty big, but the vegetable spring rolls were also a nice addition to the meal.

Nassau Sushi – Most Creative Veggie Sushi

Price: $$

Bang for your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★★ 

Plant Forward: ★★★ 

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

I loved my experience at Nassau Sushi.  A lot of restaurants can be pretty boring with their veggie sushi options, but Nassau Sushi is definitely putting in the effort to be more creative with their vegetarian and vegan-friendly sushi. I tried the oshinko roll and the sweet potato roll; both were delicious. Oshinko is a type of yellow radish and I love the crunch; other veggie sushi I have tried have been kind of soggy so I appreciated the oshinko roll. The sweet potato roll was really fun with both its presentation and flavor, as it featured stingy fried sweet potato. I also thoroughly enjoyed the vegetable tempura and the tofu teriyaki appetizers. You can never go wrong with fried foods! I was definitely expecting the tofu teriyaki to be more firm and even crunchy, but the flavor was unbeatable, I can’t lie. I felt super full after this heavy meal, so I would recommend not doubling up on the fried foods in the future, but it was still a delicious experience! I highly recommend Nassau Sushi, especially in the warmer months, as they have great outdoor seating. 

The Mint – Most Menu Options

Price: $$

Bang for your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

The Mint is an Indian restaurant with a huge menu, featuring plenty of plant-based options. I tried the vegetable samosa—turnovers stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas—and the palak paneer—cottage cheese in a creamy spinach puree, served with a side of rice. The two samosas were generously sized and stayed nicely crisp on the outside while plush on the inside. I would definitely recommend eating these with the mint and tamarind chutneys that they come with, which balance out the richness of the samosa with notes of freshness and sweetness. I appreciated the creaminess and strong spinach flavor of the palak paneer, although there was far more puree than paneer and I found the cheese to be a bit bland. On the whole, I was really impressed by the extensive number of vegetarian options at The Mint and the overall variety of its menu. There is a special Vegetables section on the menu with 26 items and ingredients including paneer, lentils, and chickpeas. Although vegetarian dishes are far more abundant, there are also seven items marked as vegan. I would definitely recommend exploring the menu at The Mint! With so many options, ranging from entrees to breads to desserts, there’s definitely a way to satisfy your taste buds while eating plant-based as well.

Amazing Thai – Most Unique

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★★ 

Ease of Access: ★★

I really went out on a limb with the food that I decided to try at Amazing Thai. They have so many cool options I wanted to try it all. I got their pad thai fried rice (fun, right?!), drunken noodles, and mock duck. The pad thai fried rice was an extremely interesting experience; I think pad thai flavor belongs with noodles, not rice, but it was still such a fun dish to try. The drunken noodles feature wide noodles, similar to pad see ew, which I love so I enjoyed this dish. It wasn’t the most flavorful noodle dish I have had, but it wasn’t bad by any means. The highlight of my experience at Amazing Thai was the mock duck. They did an excellent job replicating duck from the flavor to the texture. I am a huge duck fan and had high expectations and Amazing Thai did not disappoint. I would highly recommend.

Thai Village – Most Consistent

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Thai Village offers the option to make most of their entrees with tofu or just vegetables, so it is super easy to get a tasty, plant-based meal. They offer a wide variety of noodles, curry, and rice dishes – plus other creative specials. I had the pad thai with tofu. There was a large amount of tofu and it was well-prepared. Their to-go service is super quick and you get a better deal on prices if you call them and place the order rather than using an online ordering platform. Their to-go packaging is mostly plastic, which is not the most sustainable option, but they did ask if/what utensils I needed in order to minimize excess waste. Thai Village is a little bit of a ways down Nassau, but it is well worth the trip!

Schouse Szechuan Cuisine – Most Creative 

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

Plant Forward: ★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★

While I wouldn’t say that Schouse has a “plant forward” menu, a vegan or vegetarian can definitely easily find something to eat here. The restaurant has a section of their menu which is just vegetables prepared in different ways (probably meant to be sides) which I really appreciate, as often I don’t want anything super fancy; I just want a nicely cooked vegetable! I ordered the eggplant with garlic sauce and the lou mein with vegetables (with no egg!) It was my first time ever trying eggplant so I was definitely hesitant but the dish ended up being super flavorful! If you like eggplant, you would definitely like this dish. The lou mein was solid and plentiful, definitely a go-to if you’re looking for a staple noodle! Overall, though Schouse has a pretty meat-heavy menu, they totally surprised me with their delicious vegan options!

Ajiten – Coziest!

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant-Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease Of Access: ★★★★★

Ajiten, with its unassuming storefront right down the street from Rockefeller College, is a rather quaint Japanese restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. Currently their indoor dining space is open, but somewhat limited; if you’re visiting with more than four people, it’s worth considering ordering takeout instead of dining inside. Their main specialities are ramen and sushi, both of which are unfortunately not vegetarian. While lacking a sizable vegetarian menu, they did have a handful of options; I tried the server’s recommendation of the vegetable croquette curry [$13.00], as well as the cucumber umeboshi (pickled plum) rolls [$7.50]. The curry could have had a bit more substance to it, but the flavors were good, and the vegetable croquette was very light and crispy. As for the rolls, they were somewhat basic, but well-made nonetheless. Ajiten would be a nice excursion with a small group, with its short distance from campus and straightforward menu. 

Sakura Express – Most Enticing!

Price: $$ 

Bang for your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

Sakura Express is smack dab in the middle of Princeton, located adjacent to Hinds Plaza on Witherspoon Street. While the menu boasts mostly of seafood or meat options, there are also a number of different vegan/vegetarian options to entice you. I was in the mood for sushi when ordered from Sakura, and I therefore opted for the veggie roll, which comes with 18 pieces of avocado, spinach and cucumber sushi. 18 pieces is more than enough to fill you up but I was also intrigued by the seaweed sushi roll, so I added that and the vegetable gyoza to the cart for good measure. I was blown away by the vegetable gyoza, which honestly forced me to wonder why I had ever ordered meat and seafood versions in the past. I would have loved to see a bit more creativity and flavor flair with all of the veggie sushi options; however, they were definitely worth the money I paid for them. Ultimately, Sakura Express is definitely worth your time, and will fill you with a relatively inexpensive plant-based meal!

*** We are not food critics, but food enthusiasts. This is in no way intended to be a formal critique or review of any restaurant in Princeton, merely a way to encourage students to try more plant-based options when dining out.

This series is also on our Instagram (@tigersgogreen)! To check out the video version of this plant-based food tour, click here.

Welcome to the first stop on the Plant-Based Food Tour of Princeton! Every week for the rest of the semester, we are going to show you how to eat plant-based in Princeton, NJ. You may think that Planted Plate or an acai bowl are the only way to get in your plant-based fix, but you’d be surprised what the town of Princeton has to offer for all you vegan, vegetarian, sustainability-minded, or simply food curious folks out there! This week, we will be reviewing noodle and pasta dishes from a range of restaurants, each bringing something unique to the table. We are going to give you our take on these restaurants and their plant-based dishes, using metrics like price, taste, and creativity. We hope you’re ready for another EcoReps x Greening Dining collaboration, because it’s going to be a fun ride. And be sure to check back next week as we dive into our international tastings! 

Tiger Noodles – Most Variety of Tofu

Price: $

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★

Taste: ★★★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★

My dinner tonight was General Tso’s Tofu with steamed rice and a scallion pancake. I wanted a plant-based entrée that had some protein in it, which limited me to rice with tofu. Still, there were a whopping eight (!) tofu options in total to choose from. Luckily, my (ethnically Chinese) roommate quickly came to my rescue and advised me on General Tso’s and also told me to try the scallion pancake. I was very happy with the tofu: fried to a perfect golden spot between crunchy and chewy, its crust scooped up the sweet, sour, and slightly spicy sauce, leading to mini flavor-explosions in my mouth as I bit into it. The steamed rice served well to balance out the intense flavor of the sauce. As for the scallion pancake, my roommate – a harsh critic of Chinese cuisine – declared it non-authentic, but it still hit all the right dopamine-triggering buttons in my brain by virtue of being fried dough. I would highly recommend Tiger Noodles if you are looking for a wholesome and tasty, yet inexpensive, lunch or dinner experience, and if you are on campus, you get a nice ten-minute walk in! The restaurant does not seem to be very vegan/vegetarian-oriented though, so maybe not the best if tofu or avocado sushi are not your plant-based thing. Still, dinner at Tiger Noodles was a blast for me, and you should consider coming to support a Princeton business! (I will probably be back to try more varieties of tofu).

Lan Ramen – Most Creative Fries

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★

Creativity: ★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★

Ease of Access: ★★★

On the first stop of my plant-based food tour, I ate at Lan Ramen. This restaurant has a great location across the intersection from the Princeton Public Library and offers several options for vegan and vegetarian food. Though this week we are trying noodle and pasta restaurants, I actually overlooked the one vegan noodle entree because it’s somewhat buried in the menu. Know that there is the Scallion and Ginger Noodles as a vegan noodle option. Since I didn’t see this option in the moment, I tried the Shanghai bok choy, eggplant fries, and vegetable potstickers.

The bok choy was beautifully fresh and green. It felt like a very healthy meal, being just a few simple ingredients combined with the steamed baby napa. The bok choy with rice and the soy sauce included with the potstickers I ordered was very tasty, but I actually ran out of soy sauce before I finished it all. Know that there’s no protein such as tofu included. If you get this entree, make sure to ask for at least one extra soy sauce container; it brings most of the flavor!

I also tried Lan Ramen’s eggplant fries and crispy potstickers. I had to try the eggplant fries when I saw them on the menu; I’ve had sweet potato fries, green bean fries, and more, but never eggplant fries! The dipping sauce for the fries really made it for me, and once again I ran out just a little before I finished the food. The use of eggplant for fries is very creative, so I commend Lan Ramen for that. I do prefer the sweet potato and green bean fries I’ve tried at other restaurants.

The crispy potstickers were the highlight of my meal. In the container came 5 potstickers with beautiful gold coloring. I ate these with the sauce that came with the fries, and they were delicious. They had baby napa, mushrooms, tofu, and baby bamboo wrapped inside. I loved the look of the inside of them and, paired with the sweet sauce from the eggplant fries, this is the item I would recommend.

Though I wasn’t able to try these this time, Lan Ramen also has an “Original Cucumber,” and a “Lotus Root Salad” as plant-based appetizers. For entrees, there is the one vegan option I mentioned earlier and a whole list of vegetable options you can view in the ramen and vegetable section of the menu. It is easy to miss the plant-based options outside of the vegetable section as there are many more meat items and there isn’t a mark to signify that something is plant-based. I would really appreciate it if Lan Ramen added some marks to make it easier to signify these options!

Lan Ramen impressed me with the packaging for their rice, putting it in a sturdy brown paper container endorsed by the green restaurant association. All the other dishes, however, came in a mix of plastic and styrofoam, so I’d really like to see this improve. If you do eat here and you’re comfortable dining indoors, I recommend doing so to reduce waste. Also included in my takeout bag were plastic utensils and two sets of chopsticks. If you don’t need disposable utensils, let the restaurant know when ordering online or by phone!

Lan Ramen is located kitty corner to the Princeton Public Library at the intersection of Hulfish and Witherspoon. It’s about a fifteen minute walk from Whitman College. There is indoor seating and takeout, though outdoor seating is temporarily unavailable.

D’Angelo Italian Market – Best Classic Pasta

Price: $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★

The restaurant is located within the Italian grocery market, which is just a few minute’s walk from Fitzrandolph Gate. From their broad selection of classic pastas, I chose the Pesto Genovese. The sizable portion of penne pasta featured liberal amounts of pesto, olive oil, and parmesan cheese, and was tasty and satisfying! The staff is cordial, seating is available both inside and outside, and the store has a cheery ambiance, with many customers coming and going during lunchtime. Definitely stop by D’Angelo Italian Market if you are craving a great traditional pasta!

Lil Thai Pin- Most Vegan Options

Price $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★★★★

I ordered the edamame appetizer, the Vegetable Pad See Lew and the Vegetable Lo Mein Lover. I was super impressed in general with how many vegan/vegetarian options and alternatives there were on this menu! Almost every item has the option of being made vegan and that warms my heart. The edamame appetizer was a classic and for the price, they give you so much! For the entrees, the Vegetable Lo Mein Lover was definitely my favorite of the two. It came with broccoli, onions, and tofu and while the flavor wasn’t overwhelming, it was perfect for a grab and go bite that filled me up. The Pad See Lew came with bok choy, baby corn, and chinese broccoli. Typically, Pad See Lew is one of my favorite dishes to get at thai restaurants, and while I really appreciated the restaurant having an automatic option to leave out the egg, I don’t feel like the dish was packed with strong flavor. The service was super speedy and conveniently located right next to my apartment, and I ordered through the snack pass app which allowed for no waiting time at the restaurant, which is everything I could ask for in COVID times! I really appreciate how conscious Lil Thai Pin is to offer plentiful vegan options, and with its convenience I will definitely be going back! 

Purinsu Ramen – Most Likely to Leave Feeling Like You Got Your Money’s Worth

Price $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★★★

Creativity: ★★

Plant Forward: ★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of access: ★★★★

I tried the Vegetable Wonton-Men, taking the traditional ramen to the next level with the addition of vegetable wontons. This ramen comes in a miso vegetable broth with noodles (obviously), bean sprouts, mushrooms, and scallions. Oh, and don’t forget the vegetable wontons, which for me make this dish worth it. My initial impression was that this wasn’t the most flavorful ramen I’d ever had, but the wontons added that extra kick I was looking for. They also made the dish really filling. I definitely finished my meal feeling like I’d gotten my money’s worth. I also tried the scallion pancake appetizer, which was delicious with the sauce they give you; this definitely fulfilled my fried food craving, but didn’t feel too heavy or oily at all. I would absolutely recommend Purinsu Ramen for some veggie wontons!

Ramen Stop – Most Likely to Fool You Into Thinking You’re Eating Meat

Price $$

Bang For Your Buck: ★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

Plant Forward: ★★★★

Taste: ★★★

Ease of Access: ★★

I was really excited to see that Ramen Stop offered impossible meat, which I hadn’t seen at a ramen restaurant before. I ordered the Impossible Ramen with vegan miso broth, vegan noodles, impossible meat, wood ear mushrooms, cabbage, and green onions. The impossible meat didn’t disappoint; it added a great umami flavor to the noodles and had a texture that reminded me exactly of real meat. I also really liked the generous amount of vegetables in the ramen, especially the green onions, which were crisp and brought some brightness to the dish. The broth was a little salty for my taste, but it definitely had plenty of flavor. For an appetizer, the edamame tofu nuggets caught my eye and I was curious to see what they would taste like. I was concerned that they’d be soggy after a twenty minute walk back to my dorm, but I was pleasantly surprised to find them still nice and crispy. While the portion size wasn’t huge and the nuggets weren’t very flavorful on their own, I enjoyed them paired with the side of ponzu sauce. Overall, I loved the vegan and vegetarian options at Ramen Stop—they have at least one plant-based dish in every category (ramen, bao, donburi, mazemen) and they use a variety of meat alternatives, including tofu, impossible meat, and edamame. Half of the appetizers are either vegan or vegetarian, so I would especially recommend trying them out! A bit far from campus, but definitely worth a visit.

*** We are not food critics, but food enthusiasts. This is in no way intended to be a formal critique or review of any restaurant in Princeton, merely a way to encourage students to try more plant-based options when dining out.

This series is also on our Instagram (@tigersgogreen)! To check out the video version of the plant-based food tour, click here.