Latest Reviews
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This is my all time favorite restaurant. I have brought my family and friends here, not telling them it is vegetarian (vegan). I always order. When th…
Meredith
Lotus Pond
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I'm not vegetarian, but this is hands down the best tasting and fresh Chinese food in victoria! I order at least a couple times a month. It's decently…
Carina Therese
Lotus Pond
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i don't know why this place is rated so high. the food is too greasy, unhealthy, salty and too tasteful but not tasty. not authentic, not delicate, an…
P,T&M
Lotus Pond
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Lotus Pond serves Asian, Chinese and Vegetarian. Incorrect or missing information? Make a report, or claim the restaurant if you own it!Details
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8 Reviews on “Lotus Pond”
I’m not vegetarian, but this is hands down the best tasting and fresh Chinese food in victoria! I order at least a couple times a month. It’s decently priced and the delivery is always great! My favorite dish is the Buddha’s feast. The combination for $23 is 2 full sized dishes with spring rolls and choice of soup and rice. Great deal and tons of food for leftover lunches. Definitely worth the visit.
i don’t know why this place is rated so high. the food is too greasy, unhealthy, salty and too tasteful but not tasty. not authentic, not delicate, and not healthy at all. the mock duck was pretty much just deep fried tofu-unhealthy and not even tasty.
The food was like cheap take out Chinese. It was not worth the price. I won’t be eating here again. Good if you like greasy food, bad if you like quality
My girlfriend is a vegetarian and Lotus Pond was one of the first places she took me to. She was nervous and excited, hoping I’d love it as much as she does. Food-wise we are a bit mismatched. She’s a vegetarian with multiple food phobias and neuroses. I am an omnivore keen to try most anything and an appreciation for foods many hold their nose to (natt for instance). But we do have some common ground and she does have good taste and discerning palate, neuroses aside.Lotus Pond is Buddhist vegetarian and according to the in house literature that means no garlic and no onion. Apparently Buddha forbade eating anything in the allium family because it stirs passions, anger, etc. That is a hard thing for a guy like me – who grew up with garlic, onions, leeks, chives and shallots – to get past. But that also don’t use MSG or anything with artificial colouring. The restaurant itself looks, to my mind, what a no frills Chinese restaurant might have looked like in the 1940’s: basic, dully white with a yellowish light. But the place is usually packed and with good reason, the food *is* good. My girlfriend loves the soy balls, which I am ok with. We both love and periodically crave the turnip cakes (which may actually be daikon radish). The soups are a bit bland, but generally the food is flavourful, though maybe muted after the typical Chinese restaurant. And I won’t knock the mock meat either – caught myself s few time forgetting that what I was eating wasn’t actual meat.
If i have to go downtown durning the day i make sure i am finished my errands around noon so i can go to the Lotus Pond! Vegan Turnip cake…. Oh yum! I always go for the buffet which is pay by weight of plate. Inside is small, tables are well placed, and restaurant staff are super wonderful. It is the most pleasant of experiences whether dining alone, or with friends. You can also make up a container for take away, or order from menu. I wish i had a photo of the sweet, and fruit area. Lotus cakes are so beautifully presented, and the fruit provided is very fresh. Items are rotated quite frequently so all food is warm and fresh. I have never been disappointed. Note: although remaining items at buffet are reduced after 2:30pm i choose to go earlier for best selection. Vegan Restaurant serving Chinese food based on Buddhist principles.
My go-to lunch downtown. When I’m walking around downtown this is the only place I crave for lunch. Not great quality but the buffet is so tasty and fun.
Usually really good. I’ve eaten here many times over the years and LOVE IT 95% of the time… but every once in awhile, the food’s off-the-mark. Sadly, the other night was off. Doughy ginger-b and undercooked (slimy) shitake delight. Bleh. Maybe the regular cook was off? Or someone got distracted, but sadly not very appetizing. I will be back bc I’ve had some UNREAL delicious meals here, but I think I’m giving LP a break for awhile. Worth a visit… don’t let the decor deter you, and I’ve always had great service.