Review Summary
Overall impression after several visits
Soy Vegan is one of the strongest vegan Vietnamese restaurants I visited in Munich-Maxvorstadt. The full menu is vegan, so ordering was easy and relaxed. The best dishes were the vegan duck, coconut curry, coconut soup, pho, My Quang, spring rolls, summer rolls, rice sets, hotpot and Vietnamese-style tapas. At lunch, I paid €10–20 per person. For a standard dinner, I paid €20–30 per person. For rice sets, hotpot or several dishes with dessert, I paid €30–40 per person, and in a larger group with many items the bill reached €60–70 per person. The food was flavorful, fresh and well presented. The main drawbacks were limited credit card payment, difficult parking, dim lighting and loud noise during peak hours.
Food Review
Vegan duck
The vegan duck is the dish I recommend if choosing only one item. The outside was crisp, the inside was tender, and the sauce brought together saltiness, mild sweetness and spice. It was much more convincing than many basic meat alternatives. With rice, vegetables and curry-style sauce, it worked as a full meal. For a dinner with vegan duck, I paid €20–30 per person.
Coconut curry and coconut soup
The coconut curry had a rich broth and clear spice. The coconut flavor was creamy without becoming too heavy. Some spicy dishes were genuinely hot, so ordering carefully is better for anyone sensitive to heat. The coconut soup in the sets was one of the highlights. It had sweetness, freshness and enough depth to support the rice dishes. For curry or soup with a main dish, I paid €10–20 at lunch and €20–30 at dinner.
Spring rolls and summer rolls
The spring rolls were properly fried and crisp. They were not pale or undercooked, and the filling worked well with the crunchy shell. The summer rolls were fresh, tightly wrapped and especially good with the peanut sauce. In the lunch menu, the starter and main dish combination was excellent value. I paid €10.90 for the lunch menu, and adding a drink cost €2.90.
Pho and My Quang
The pho broth had real depth despite being fully vegan. Herbs, vegetables and noodles made it a satisfying bowl. My Quang was more distinctive and aromatic. Anyone who likes strong Vietnamese noodle dishes should order My Quang. At lunch, these dishes kept the bill at €10–20 per person. At dinner with drinks, I paid €20–30 per person.
Udon and fried noodles
The fried udon had a deep sauce and plenty of vegetables. The noodles were soft but still had bite. Fried rice noodles with tofu, seitan and vegetables were also a reliable choice. Some dishes had a strong amount of shiitake mushrooms or bell peppers, so ingredient preference matters here. For noodle dishes, I paid €10–20 at lunch and €20–30 at dinner.
Rice sets and Reistafel
The rice sets and Reistafel were the best option for sharing. Several small plates, curry, soup, tofu, vegetables and vegan meat alternatives came together on the table. The portions were filling, and the variety made the meal more interesting. For rice sets or Reistafel, I usually paid €20–40 per person. For groups, I recommend the Reistafel over ordering only individual mains.
Hotpot
The hotpot worked well for a longer dinner. The broth was flavorful, the portion was generous, and two people could eat comfortably from it. It was a good choice for a slower meal with conversation. For hotpot, I paid €30–40 per person. It was more expensive than a basic main dish, but the amount and flavor made it worth ordering.
Desserts and drinks
The vegan chocolate mousse was not overly sweet, which made it a good dessert after a rich meal. Mango and banana in sticky rice with coconut milk were also enjoyable. Matcha ice cream was a pleasant finish. For drinks, iced tea, alcohol-free cocktails and teas were strong choices. Vietnamese coffee was watery on one visit and too sweet on another, so I would not place it as my first choice.
Waiting Time and Reservation
Lunch
At lunch, I often entered without waiting. Food usually arrived within 10–15 minutes. The lunch menu was convenient because the starter and main dish came quickly, and the bill stayed clearly within €10–20 per person.
Dinner
For dinner, a reservation is recommended. Between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the restaurant was often full. On some visits, it took longer to receive menus or pay the bill. Once the order was placed, the food often arrived quickly, but service attention was less consistent during peak hours.
Payment and Prices
Payment
Payment was one of the weakest points. Visa and Mastercard were not reliable options. Depending on the visit, EC card, PayPal or cash was needed. First-time visitors should bring cash or an EC card. Asking about accepted payment methods before ordering is the safest choice.
Prices
At lunch, I paid €10–20 per person. The lunch menu at €10.90 plus €2.90 for a drink was the best-value option. A normal dinner with a drink cost €20–30 per person. Reistafel and hotpot cost €30–40 per person. With several dishes, desserts and drinks, the bill rose to €40–50, and in a larger group it reached €60–70 per person.
Service and Atmosphere
Service
The staff were usually friendly, fast and attentive. Even in larger groups, many dishes arrived almost at the same time. During busy hours, attention dropped. Empty glasses were not always noticed, and paying sometimes took longer than expected. Overall, service was good, but it was not equally steady in every situation.
Atmosphere
The restaurant had a dark, modern and cozy interior. It worked well for dates and meals with friends. However, some tables were too dimly lit. When the restaurant was full, it became loud. Some tables were close together, which made longer meals less comfortable on busy evenings.
Parking and Restroom
Parking
Parking was difficult. Around the restaurant, paid parking or a longer search should be expected. Public transport is the more convenient option.
Restroom
Restrooms were available. The restroom area was very dark and less inviting than the dining room. On one visit, I saw a staff member leave the restroom without visible handwashing and then work with ice behind the bar. That was a clear negative point and needs improvement.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The biggest advantage is the fully vegan menu. The selection is large, the dishes are flavorful, and even non-vegans can enjoy the food. The strongest dishes were vegan duck, coconut curry, spring rolls, summer rolls, Reistafel and hotpot. The lunch menu offers a lot of food for a clear price. The kitchen is usually fast, and the presentation is attractive.
Cons
The limited credit card payment is inconvenient. At night, the restaurant can be loud and crowded. The lighting is sometimes too dark, some tables are close together, and parking is difficult. The restroom area is weak compared with the dining room, and the ice-handling incident after a restroom visit was a serious downside. Some vegan chicken items were less convincing than the vegan duck.
Satisfaction and Revisit Intention
Satisfaction
Soy Vegan satisfied me mainly through its food. Vegan duck, coconut soup, Reistafel and summer rolls were the best choices. If I recommend only one dish, I recommend the vegan duck. For two or more people, I recommend ordering a Reistafel.
Revisit Intention
I would visit Soy Vegan again, preferably at lunch or earlier in the evening. Those times are quieter, the waiting time is shorter, and the lunch menu offers the best value. For dinner, I recommend reserving a table and bringing cash or an EC card.
Location Description
From Alte Pinakothek and Königsplatz
Soy Vegan is located in Munich-Maxvorstadt and fits well before or after a visit to the Kunstareal. From Alte Pinakothek, walk northwest into Maxvorstadt. From Königsplatz, the way leads past Lenbachhaus and the Kunstareal toward Theresienstraße. The Theresienstraße U-Bahn station is also close enough for an easy visit. The location works well for lunch, dinner and meeting after a museum visit.
Check the restaurant location on the map
Food Photos
This review is connected to the city review page below.
Munich Place Reviews