Cha-Ya is one of those vegan restaurants that has been hit or miss with me. Sometimes I’m very happy with the healthy and simple dishes here. Other times I leave feeling like an ascetic. There’s a lot of talent in the kitchen and if you like Japanese and are vegetarian, coming here is a no-brainer… but if you’re looking to put the smack-down on meat-eating friends who can’t imagine sushi or any other meal without meat, you probably won’t leave with converts.

The tofu custard moon garden ($8.50) is one of the best dishes, with a soft eggy tofu filled with vegetables like a little garden. The eggplant and tofu with miso sauce ($8.50) is tremendous, with soft succulent eggplant elegantly plated and a sweet plum like miso sauce. The deep-fried veggie sticks ($5.75) were tasty as expected for fried food, but the rolls I’ve tried didn’t impress and fell apart easily. The soups are good, but not great, and there’s really no point in getting dessert here with so many mission options around.

This place is so good you’ll forget its vegan. I was skeptical at first but now I am a convert. Try their mushroom soup, the cha-ya roll and the sushi rice with veggies on top. Everything has deep flavors and leaves you feeling full and healthy.