Christoff.ai

Tofu Vegan

restaurants•
London
London

Tofu Vegan

105 Upper St, London N1 1QN, UK

Interactive map
Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

In a city where vegan Chinese food often feels like an afterthought, Tofu Vegan on Upper Street has cracked the code with authentic regional dishes that happen to be 100% plant-based. This isn't your typical health-conscious compromise cuisine – it's proper Chinese cooking that just happens to use mock meats and fresh tofu instead of the real thing.

Tofu Vegan: Where Authentic Chinese Cuisine Goes Brilliantly Plant-Based

Upper Street's buzzing vegan hotspot that's converted even the most devoted carnivores

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Step into this modern, unpretentious space and you'll immediately understand why it scores 7.5/10 for energy levels. The open kitchen creates a theatrical backdrop of sizzling woks and steaming bamboo baskets, while yucca plants and tofu-themed art add character without feeling gimmicky. Banquette seating encourages the share-plates culture this place thrives on, and with conversation-friendly scores of 8.5/10, it's clear the acoustics work despite the buzz. The social media-friendly aesthetic isn't accidental – this place photographs beautifully, though it never feels contrived. Dog-friendly policies extend to outdoor tables under the awning, and the overall vibe strikes that perfect balance between lively and relaxed. With flexibility scores of 6.0/10, it's structured enough to feel authentic but casual enough for spontaneous visits. The trendy factor hits 9.0/10, yet it avoids feeling exclusionary.

Food & Drink

The menu spans Sichuan, Dongbei, and Cantonese cuisines with impressive authenticity, featuring everything from wontons in house special sauce to twice-cooked 'fish' and dongbei sweet-potato noodle sheets. The Peking 'duck' pancakes have achieved Instagram fame for good reason – they actually taste authentic rather than like a plant-based approximation. Signature dishes include gong bao king oyster mushrooms and mapo tofu, alongside dim sum, dumplings, spring rolls, and sizzling platters. The mock meats are convincing enough that staff speaking Cantonese and Mandarin provide genuine Chinese hospitality. The kitchen clearly understands regional Chinese cooking techniques, applying them thoughtfully to seasonal vegetables and fresh tofu. Expect noodle soups, stir-fries, and traditional preparations that respect the source material while embracing plant-based ingredients.

Service & Experience

The staff genuinely shine here, offering personal recommendations with the kind of enthusiasm that suggests they actually eat the food themselves. Having Cantonese and Mandarin speakers on the team adds authenticity to the experience, and their willingness to guide newcomers through the menu makes the place accessible to vegan novices and Chinese cuisine enthusiasts alike. Service is described as fast and friendly, though the popularity means queues at peak times. The 12% auto service charge reflects London standards, and booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.

Value for Money

With mains ranging £9-£14 and full meals averaging £25-£35 per person including drinks, you're paying Islington prices for what you get. The 12% auto service charge pushes costs beyond £35 per person with drinks, which feels steep even for the postcode. However, the 'affordable-for-Islington' and 'good-value-vegan' tags suggest it's competitively priced within its niche. Student-friendly credentials and date-night accessibility indicate the pricing hits that sweet spot where it's accessible without feeling cheap. Given the quality of ingredients, authenticity of preparation, and the fact that good vegan Chinese food is genuinely rare in London, the value proposition makes sense for what you're getting.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Expect queues at peak times, so booking through their website is essential for weekend visits. Daily hours run 12pm-10:30pm, making it flexible for both lunch and dinner. Weekend dim sum runs are particularly popular, so arrive early if you're queuing.

What to Focus On

The Peking 'duck' pancakes and wontons in house special sauce are the Instagram-famous dishes that built this place's reputation. Don't miss the gong bao king oyster mushrooms, mapo tofu, and twice-cooked 'fish' for authentic regional flavours.

Christoff's Insider Tips

This is part of a small chain with multiple London locations including Golders Green, Gloucester Road, Spitalfields, and Charlotte Street, so you have options if Angel is packedThe open kitchen creates great theatre if you can snag seats with a view of the actionStaff recommendations are genuinely worth following – they know which dishes photograph well and taste even better

The Final Verdict

Tofu Vegan succeeds where many plant-based restaurants fail by prioritizing authenticity over novelty. The combination of genuine Chinese cooking techniques, quality mock meats, and a buzzing atmosphere creates something genuinely special on Upper Street. Yes, you'll pay Islington prices, and yes, you'll need to book ahead, but the payoff is vegan Chinese food that doesn't feel like a compromise. The 8.5/10 uniqueness score reflects just how rare it is to find this level of authenticity in plant-based Chinese cuisine. While the experience depth scores moderately at 5.5/10, sometimes you want great food in a lively setting without overthinking it.

Christoff's Rating:
7.8/10

Perfect For:

vegan food enthusiasts seeking authentic Chinese flavourssocial groups looking for Instagram-worthy share-plates diningdate night couples wanting something trendy but accessible

Quick Details

1

Tofu Vegan

🇨🇳 Chinese vegan mastery
⭐️ Instagram worthy
⭐️ Share plates perfect
⭐️ Authentic hospitality

This buzzing Upper Street destination transforms traditional Chinese cuisine into Instagram-famous plant-based masterpieces. Peking 'duck' pancakes and chilli wontons taste authentically Chinese while showcasing creative mock meat techniques. The modern space with yucca plants and banquette seating creates lively backdrop for sharing plates adventures. Staff speaking Cantonese and Mandarin provide genuine hospitality with personal recommendations spanning Sichuan, Dongbei, and Cantonese specialties. The open kitchen adds theater to meals that average £25-£35 per person, while multiple London locations ensure accessibility across the city.

What's Great

✓ Instagram-famous dishes that actually taste authentically Chinese

✓ Genuine Chinese hospitality with Cantonese/Mandarin-speaking staff

Keep in Mind

× 12% auto service charge plus Islington prices means £35+ per person with drinks

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Book table 11 at Gloucester Road for peak people-watching or queue early at Angel for weekend dim sum

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Daily: 12pm-10:30pm"
📍105 Upper St, London N1 1QN, UK
💷£££
📞+44 20 7359 1868
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Tofu Vegan has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

Vegan London 2025: Plant-Based Revolution Beyond Tofu reference image

Vegan London 2025: Plant-Based Revolution Beyond Tofu

restaurants in london•
Aug 21, 2025
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