Sala Vegetarian Restaurant is more than a place for vegetarian cuisine—it offers cultural experiences and the serene charm of Hue. It is an ideal destination for visitors seeking a gentle, relaxing dining experience in a cozy atmosphere accented with soft yellow and brown tones.
1. Restaurant Location:
- Address: 04 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hue City, Vietnam
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Phone: +84 935 919 147
- Price: 40,000 VND to 200,000 VND per dish
2. First Impressions of Sala Vegetarian Restaurant
As soon as you arrive at Sala Vegetarian Restaurant in Hue City, you immediately sense the tranquility and calm typical of the ancient capital. The arched gate, draped with a green trellis, opens into a space resembling a miniature garden, where light and nature subtly intertwine. On the wooden sign, the simple yet welcoming word “Sala” is carved clearly—a warm first greeting to every guest.
Inside, a red-brown brick walkway leads to the main house, surrounded by lush tropical plants—from banana bushes and areca palms to small bonsai pots lining the path. During the day, sunlight filters through the foliage, casting shimmering streaks on the brick floor, creating a clear, cool atmosphere. At night, turquoise LED lights mix with warm yellow lighting, reflecting off large potted plants and crafting a scene that is both magical and inviting.
The interior opens like an ancient Hue home with a touch of Zen. Turmeric-yellow walls paired with dark brown wooden furniture evoke a sense of calm and intimacy. The gentle sound of water trickling from a small pond, alongside large ceramic vases, Buddha statues, and wooden shelves displaying antique ceramics, makes visitors feel as though they are stepping into a vegetarian art gallery rather than a traditional restaurant.
Within just a few steps, Sala Vegetarian Restaurant skillfully transports you away from the bustling streets of Hue to a serene space where cuisine, architecture, and culture merge. It’s a gentle yet memorable beginning to the experience of savoring exquisite vegetarian cuisine at Sala.
3. Featured Dishes at Sala Vegetarian Restaurant in Hue City
Sala’s vegetarian cuisine combines fresh daily ingredients—vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu—with the rich, distinctive flavors of Hue. The dishes are prepared lightly, balancing salty, sweet, and spicy notes, making them suitable for local tastes while remaining accessible to tourists. Each portion is served on warm brown ceramic plates, neatly and harmoniously presented, like a miniature painting.
3.1. Braised Eggplant with Ginger & Tofu with Tomato Sauce
Two “rice-friendly” braised dishes with a strong Hue signature.
- Braised Eggplant with Ginger: Bite-sized eggplant pieces are lightly fried until firm, then braised with soy sauce, sugar, and shredded fresh ginger. Each piece is coated in a thick brown sauce, blended with the gentle heat of ginger and red chili, creating a warm, comforting dish perfect for vegetarian meals.
- Tofu with Tomato Sauce: Tofu is fried until golden on the outside while remaining soft and smooth inside, then simmered in a tomato sauce mixed with soy sauce. Served drenched in sauce and topped with green onions and fragrant ground pepper, this dish feels familiar yet offers a rich, layered flavor.
3.2. Mixed Fig with Sesame and Rice Paper – Hue Specialty
Figs, a fruit mostly found in Hue, are boiled, thinly sliced, and combined with shaved mushrooms, roasted peanuts, and toasted sesame. The dressing includes lemon, soy sauce, and a hint of chili, creating a slightly sour, nutty, and mildly spicy taste. Served with crispy grilled black sesame rice paper, each bite delivers a delightful contrast of crunchy, chewy, nutty, and spicy textures.
3.3. Sour Vegetable Mushroom Soup – A Cool and Refreshing Soup
This soup has a light yellow color, a mild sourness from tomatoes and tamarind, and a natural sweetness from straw mushrooms, lotus root, and tofu. Cooked over medium heat to keep the broth clear, it pairs beautifully with white rice or vermicelli. This refreshing dish balances the flavors of the braised dishes, especially on sunny days in Hue.
3.4. Stir-Fried Broccoli with Mixed Vegetables – Color and Nutrition
Crisp broccoli, flower-shaped carrot slices, mushrooms, and soft tofu are blanched and quickly stir-fried with vegetable oil and light soy sauce, retaining their freshness, color, and crunch. Served with white rice and a bowl of rich fermented bean curd, this simple yet vibrant dish is both healthy and satisfying.
At Sala, every dish is carefully crafted—from ingredient selection to seasoning and presentation. This meticulous attention, combined with a respect for the natural essence of the ingredients, creates a flavor that is “vegetarian but not bland,” a hallmark of Hue cuisine.
4. Gallery
Here are a few photos showcasing the vegetarian dishes at the restaurant and its inviting space.
5. Highlights & Suggestions
5.1. Highlights
One of the first things visitors notice at Sala Vegetarian Restaurant is that every dish is prepared only after the order is placed, ensuring it is always served hot and fresh. This approach shows the chef’s care and respect for each dish—not just cooking for taste, but also for health and quality.
The restaurant’s space also offers delightful surprises. From the outside, it appears compact and quiet, but inside, a large garden area opens up, accommodating dozens of guests. This setting is ideal for families, groups of friends, or tourist groups seeking a cool, peaceful dining atmosphere.
Prices at Sala are very reasonable given the quality of the food and the ambiance. For visitors from temperate or international regions, enjoying a rich vegetarian meal infused with the flavors of Hue at such a fair price is sure to be a memorable experience.
5.2. Suggestions
- Visit early on weekends or lunar holidays: The restaurant is busiest during weekends, full moons, and the first day of the lunar month, often running out of popular dishes early. To enjoy the full menu, plan to arrive before 7 p.m. for dinner or have lunch earlier than usual.
- Mind the lunch break: Sala closes daily from 12:00 to 15:00. For international visitors, this may feel early for lunch, so choosing dinner is a better option to enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace.
- Regular holidays: The restaurant is closed on the 2nd and 16th of the lunar month. Following the peak days of the 1st and 15th, this break allows the staff to rest and prepare for upcoming service. Check the schedule before visiting to avoid missing out.
Sala is more than a destination for Hue’s quintessential vegetarian cuisine—it offers a serene experience within a warm golden interior, a gentle pond, and a cool green garden corner. From Hue Mixed Figs to Ginger-Braised Eggplant and refreshing Sour Soup, each dish presents a complete, harmonious picture of flavors. At Sala, you can savor a nutritious vegetarian meal while soaking in the peaceful rhythm and rich cultural atmosphere of the ancient capital.
If you’re looking for more tranquil dining spaces, this curated selection of fine dining venues offers a variety of exceptional locations in Hue City.