There’s nothing better than authentic Chinese food—the flavors, the warmth, and its incomparable ability to fill you up past comfort. And with the opening of their second dietary–conscious restaurant, the Wu family is trying to make Chinese cuisine an option for everyone to enjoy.
The owners of Unit Su Vege have been specializing in meat–free Chinese cuisine for over 10 years, beginning with the popular Su Xing House located on 15th and Sansom. The Wu family came to the U.S. from China over 20 years ago, and were eager to share the cuisine they love with their new community.
The new restaurant is completely meat–free and kosher, and the menu also features an extensive list of vegan and gluten–free options. Pretty much every traditional Chinese dish you can think of is available, with alternatives like seitan or tofu substituted for meat.
Walking in to Unit Su Vege, there’s nothing that’d tip you off to the utter lack of meat. It looks like any other Chinese restaurant, with ample seating and hanging lights. But when you look at the menu, it becomes clear that the eatery is committed to making a delicious dining experience for all.
Even though I’m not vegan or kosher, I found countless delicious–sounding items to order, and had a hard time choosing just a few dishes. For me, good food is good food—vegan or not. To start, I ordered the tofu fried rice and cold sesame noodles. I was immediately blown away by the flavor of the appetizers, and felt my low expectations rapidly rise.
For the main course, I tried the General Tso’s Tofu, Shanghai Dumplings, and the Moo Shu Tofu Wraps. The General Tso’s sauce was probably the best I’ve ever had, and I didn’t feel like the tofu took away from the flavor. The wraps made me feel like I was being healthy, and it was a delicious and light dish. While I’m not the biggest fan of vegetarian meat, the dumplings were perfectly prepared.
In addition to the delicious food, the menu features an ample selection of teas, milkshakes, and juices, but does not serve alcohol. But don’t despair, the spot is BYOB, meaning it could be the perfect spot for your next club event, or just a night out.
The restaurant is located in the Art Museum district, meaning that it’s just a short walk or an Uber ride away from campus. If you don’t feel like making the trek, they offer delivery.
So if you want to have delicious Chinese cuisine with a vegetarian twist, Unit Su Vege may be the perfect place for you. Even if you’re a carnivore, it's definitely worth trying out. I promise it will challenge any preconception you have about vegan food and send you out the door with a happy stomach—and a vegan fortune cookie.
