Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine
3332 Adams Avenue, San Diego CA 92116Tucked away in the heart of Adams Avenue- the famous strip in the neighborhood of Normal Heights- you will find Tao. Offering healthy Vietnamese/Japanese cuisine with an extensive vegetarian selection, Chef Hung “Eric” Tao also features his homemade tofu and soy milk, which he makes fresh daily. His specialty is his Mango “Chicken” Rice: soy based mock “chicken” pieces sautéed with sweet, juicy mango, and the Tofu Rice Pot, tofu, and stir fry vegetables atop rice served in an iron rice pot. With such popular selections, this casual hotspot will satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
The Serene Flavors of Tao
Review by TableAgent
As my companion and I arrive at Tao in the early evening on this particular Thursday, I park the car on the bustling strip of Adams Avenue. We pass a few local bars and small shops until we reach our destination. Tucked away in a small nook, I see a simple, modest sign out front flagging the establishment. The sign also advertises the fresh, homemade tofu and soymilk that is made here daily. As I enter the cozy, intimately lit dining room, I am instantly overcome with a sense of comfort and serenity. I notice that outdoor seating is not offered; however, there are about twenty tables indoors. There is a Chinese lantern hanging from the ceiling and two rooftop awnings protruding from the wall on each side of the room which gives me a slight feeling of dining on an outdoor patio somewhere in the Far East. The overall feel of the quaint dining room is peaceful. The walls are lined with strings of white lights showcasing words of admiration and the writings of the hundreds of customers who had been there before me. This is the only artwork adorning the walls and I can’t help but feel a sense of joy as I realize that Tao has gained much support and love from the community. In the far rear of the dining room, next to a large fish tank, sits the hostess stand that’s lined with bamboo and adorned with a cherry blossom tree gracefully extending its branches into the dining room. Behind the hostess stand I see a small opening in the wall revealing the kitchen. Asian tunes are playing in the background, completing the overall serene feeling.
After being seated at a table at the far end of the dining room, I am instantly hit with appetizing aromas coming from the kitchen. After a quick glance at the menu I first notice the wide selection of vegetarian dishes, many of which are created with Chef Tao’s famous homemade tofu. With a more thorough investigation of the menu I realize the difficulty in choosing my meal selections. There is wide array of soups, salads, rice, and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian noodle dishes. While contemplating the first course, we are greeted by our helpful server, Brandy. We decide to start our meal with a refreshing tea drink made with Chef Tao’s homemade soy milk called Thai Lemon Aid. Served on ice, the Thai tea mix is infused with lemon juice, sugar, and soymilk. With the first sip my mouth is awakened by the fresh zest of the lemon, followed by the sweet and floral notes of the Thai tea. All of the flavors work well together and are rounded out by the creaminess of the soymilk, making this a refreshing start to my anticipated meal.
I am still pondering my dinner when Brandy arrives with a small plate of Chef Tao’s tofu alongside a bed of mixed greens tossed with his famous citrus dressing. This complimentary salad is offered as a starter to our meal -- something that Chef Tao regularly offers his customers as an ideal way to sample his fresh tofu. With my chopsticks in hand, I carefully pick up a tender cube of the white tofu. The silky texture melts slowly in my mouth, while the tartness of the dressing that bathes the crisp greens excites my taste buds. It is both sweet and tangy, adding a level of excitement to the salad. The greens are also topped with chopped roasted almonds, giving the salad an earthy, nutty flavor and adding extra crunch with every bite. Before I know it I have cleaned the plate and find myself eager to move on to our next appetizer.
We decide on the Vegetable Spring Rolls. There are four large spring rolls served deep fried and lined in a row on a white platter. They are served Vietnamese-style alongside a plate of stacked lettuce leaves and a bunch of fresh cilantro, mint, and basil. I take a perfectly fried, golden- brown roll, wrap it along with each of the fragrant herbs into a crispy lettuce leaf, dip it into the tangy dipping sauce accompanying the dish, and then take a bite. The crunchy coolness of the lettuce on the outside contrasts with the soft and warm filling on the inside and the bright, floral notes of the herbs add a new depth of exotic flavor. The citrusy burst of the dipping sauce adds another dimension to the already complex flavors.
Next, as an entree, we decide on the Lemongrass Shrimp. The shrimp is lightly sautéed with lemongrass, shallots, and garlic, and is served on a platter surrounding a tower of white rice. It is also garnished with cucumbers, snow peas, and tomatoes for added freshness. As I devour one of the jumbo pieces of succulent shrimp I instantly pick up slight hints of the lemongrass and garlic that make for a pleasurable balance of flavor. I pick up another piece of perfectly pink shrimp and scoop it through the fluffy granules of white rice. The result is a heavenly combination and, with the occasional cool crunch of the cucumber and snow peas, gives the dish a well rounded texture.
One of Chef Tao’s most popular dishes, the vegetarian version of the Mango “Chicken” Rice, is our next entrée. This soy protein, also known as the “Mock Chicken,” is cut into thick chunks and sautéed together with fresh, ripe pieces of mango in a sweet and silky sauce. The dish is served with a blend of perfectly cooked brown, red, and whole grain rice, and garnished with pieces of red bell pepper and snow peas. As I take my first bite of the “Mock Chicken,” I am pleasantly surprised to discover that the texture and taste is surprisingly similar to the real thing. It is a tender, juicy bite of “chicken” that, when combined with the flavors of the juicy mango, adds an intensely sweet and pungent flavor to the overall dish. The rice is soft and flavorful, slowly absorbing the decadent sauce. With each additional bite I enjoy the rich and complex flavors and find myself longing for more as I clear my plate.
For the last entrée we order the Tofu Rice Vermicelli. It is served as an anchor of cold rice and vermicelli noodles, tossed with small ribbons of lettuce, mint, cilantro, cucumber, bean sprouts, garlic, and lemongrass. This is surrounded by a generous portion of lightly fried medallions of Chef Tao’s tofu, served warm and again giving us the pleasurable contrast of hot and cold. The tofu is a perfect silky texture, this time slightly firmer to hold up to the lightly fried outside. The cool strings of vermicelli are light and refreshing, and the crunch of the cucumbers and bean sprouts with the brightness of the cilantro adds extra contrast that makes the noodles come alive.
To our surprise, while Brandy boxes up our minimal leftovers, Chef Tao sends out a complimentary dessert -- a generous scoop of green tea ice cream. This is served on a white plate decorated with fresh pieces of strawberry and mango, and is drizzled with a sweet strawberry sauce. The floral notes in the creamy green ice cream cleanse my palate, and signals that my eating adventure has finally come to an end.
Suddenly I notice there are customers lined up behind the restaurant eagerly waiting for a table and I finally understand why. With a satisfied stomach I get up to go home, but not before I take out my ballpoint pen and sign my name on the wall as a token of my gratitude.
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Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 3332 Adams Avenue, San Diego CA 92116
- Cross Street: Felton Street
- Location: Hillcrest & Uptown | Normal Heights
- Cuisine: Asian | Japanese | Vegetarian | Vietnamese |
- Cost: | Very Inexpensive
- Category: Casual Dining
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Street |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
-
Staff:
Chef Tao
| Chef
- Website:
- Phone: (619) 281-6888
- Features: Takeout Available, Wheelchair Access, Healthy Options,
- Occasion: Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Quick Bite, Trendy / Hip,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Tuesday
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Thursday
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Friday
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
F.A.Q.s
Frequently Asked Questions- Are there any low carb or diet options on the menu?
- Yes, in addition to a number of vegetarian dishes, Tao offers a selection of health-conscious salads.
- Does Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine offer vegetarian and options?
- Yes. Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine has an entire menu of vegetarian dishes which are cooked with 100% soy oil, absolutely no MSG, and separate cooking compartments. They also make fresh tofu daily.
- What are the hours of operation?
- Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine is open daily for lunch daily from 11:00am-2:00pm and for dinner from 5:00pm-10:00pm.
- Is there a dress code at Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine?
- Casual Attire is acceptable to wear to Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine.
Menus
Main Menu
Appetizers
- Wrap it Yourself Salad Rolls -Skewered Beef 8.28
- Skewered Chicken $8.28, Skewered Shrimp on the Stick $10.11, Wild Alaskan Salmon $10.11
- Spring Rolls 7.36
- Deep fried, served with lettuce, cilantro, mint & our famous sauce.
- Japanese Gyoza 8.28
- Wrapped with pork, cabbages, seasonal scallions, ginger, garlic and served with sauce.
- Skewered State Chicken Kabob 7.36
- Garnished with Roasted Peanuts.
- Skewered Chicken Yakitory Kabob 7.36
- Garnished with Fresh Apple Slices.
- Tebashaki 7.36
- Chicken Wings with Ginger.
- Garlic Chicken Wings 7.36
- Deep fried & spice.
Extraordinary Light & Health Conscious Salads
- Alaskan Smoked Salmon Salad 10.11
- Grilled Beef Salad 8.28
- Grilled Shrimp Salad 8.28
- Grilled Chicken Salad 8.28
Try Our Mouth Watering Soups!!!
- Hu Tieu Sea Food 8.28
- Wide rice noodles, fish balls, fish cake, shrimp, pork, chicken, scallions, cilantro.
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang 8.28
- Cambodian Spring Rain noodle, fish balls, fish cake, shrimp, pork, chicken, scallions, cilantro.
- Wonton Noodle Soup 8.28
- Pork & shrimp wonton, scallions, cilantro.
- Pho Beef Noodle Soup 7.36
- Rice noodle, slices of beef, onion, scallions, cilantro, basil, bean sprout, lemon & herbs.
- House Special Hot & Sour with Shrimp or Fish 8.28
- Bean sprout vegetables, tomatoes, tamarind, pineapple, basil, lemongrass, garlic, chili, cilantro & choice of shrimp or fish sole fillets.
- Miso Soup 3.50
- Small tofu bean sprout onion seaweed.
- Chicken Ramen 6.68
- Slices of tender boneless chicken ramen, marinated shitake mushroom, scallion, Kambo Boko.
- Chicken Udon 6.68
- Thick white flour noodles, marinated shitake mushroom, scallions & Kamo Boko.
- Chicken Soba 7.36
- Buckwheat noodle, marinated shitake mushroom, scallions & Kamo Boko.
- Tempura Ramen 7.36
- Ramen, shrimp tempura, marinated shitake mushroom, scallions & Kamo Boko.
- Tempura Udon 7.36
- White flour noodles, shrimp tempura, marinated shitake mushrooms, scallions & Kamo Boko.
- Tempura Soba 7.36
- Same as Tempura Udon except with Buckwheat noodles.
- Nabeyaki Deluxe Special Udon 8.28
- Thick white flour noodles, marinated shitake mushrooms, scallions, Kamo Boko, 3 steamed shrimp & 2 shrimp tempuras, Tanako.
- Nabeyaki Deluxe Special Soba 6.68
- Same as Nabeyaki Deluxe except with Buckwheat noodles.
- Curry Ramen 6.68
- Carrots, potatoes, onions, chicken topped with scallions & hard boiled egg.
- Curry Soba 6.68
- Buckwheat noodles, carrots, potatoes, onions, chicken topped with mushrooms & scallions.
- Curry Udon 6.68
- Same as Curry Soba except with thick white flour noodles.
- Yakisoba 7.36
- Stir fried noodles, chicken, squid, shrimp, onion, cabbage, bean sprout, carrot, Worcestershire sauce.
- Yakisoba Soba 7.36
- Stir fried noodles, chicken, squid, shrimp, onion, cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, Worcestershire sauce.
- Yakiudon 7.36
- Stir fried noodles, chicken, squid, shrimp, onion, cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, Worcestershire sauce.
Refreshing Summer Dishes
- Vegetarian Rice Vermicelli 7.36
- Rice Vernucelli with Shrimp and Pork 8.28
- Rice Vernucelli with Shrimp 8.28
- Rice Vernucelli 7.36
- with choice of Spring Rolls or Chicken or Pork.
Rice Dishes
- Hainanese Chicken Rice Pot 8.28
- Shredded boneless chicken, shitake mushroom, onions, garlic, ginger, scallion.
- Sole Fillets Rice Pot 11.95
- Sole fillets, ginger, garlic, wine, scallions, cilantro.
- Wild Alaska Salmon Rice Pot 12.87
- Salmon fillets, ginger, garlic, wine, scalions, cilantro.
- Wild Red Snapper Rice Pot 12.87
- Red Snapper fillets, ginger, garlic, wine, scallions, cilantro.
- Mango Chicken Rice 9.20
- The blend of chicken with mango produces a fragrant, soft and intoxicating butter flavor.
- Stuffed Tofu with Eggplant & Peppers 10.11
- Tofu, eggplant and bell peppers, stuffed with shrimp and fish paste, pan-fried to perfection and topped with rich sauce.
- Garlic Fish 10.11
- Breaded, deep fried fish with chili, garlic, lemongrass and simmered in a deep rich sauce.
- Lemongrass Pork Chop 10.11
- Pork, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and rice.
- Lemongrass Chicken 10.11
- Chicken, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, served with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and rice.
- Lemongrass Shrimp 10.11
- Shrimp, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, served with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and rice.
- Oden- Japanese assorted Stew 8.28
- Cabbage, spinach, assorted fish cakes, daikon radishes, egg, tofu, onion and potatoes.
- Garlic Chicken 8.28
- Boneless chicken marinate with spices, deep fried and sautéed with garlic and chili.
- Chicken in Ginger Spices 8.28
- Marinated with ginger and spices over rice.
- Tasty Red Chicken 8.28
- Sautéed wired bell peppers and chili served over rice.
- Curry Rice 8.28
- Choice of pork or chicken. Served with rice, carrots, potatoes, sukine and onions, topped with mushrooms and scallions.
- House Curry Chicken 8.28
- Chicken, eggplant, carrots, potatoes, sukine, onions and scallions, served with rice.
- Sesame Chicken in Citrus Sauce 10.11
Side Orders
- Extra Meat 2.99
- Steamed White Rice 1.99
- Extra Vegetables 1.99
- Extra Egg 1.50
- Mixed Wild Rice 3.00
- Extra Shrimp 4.60
- (3 each)
Vegetarian Dishes
In our commitment to excellence in vegetarian fine dining, we used 100% soy oil, absolutely no MSG, and totally separate cooking compartments for preparing the vegetarian dishes. You needn't worry about meat touching your food. Our tofu is handmade fresh daily.
Appetizers
- Spring Rolls 7.99
- Deep fried with carrots, onions, jicama and taro roots, served with lettuce, cilantro, mint and our famous sauce.
- Tofu Rolls 7.99
- Rice papers, tofu, lettuce, mint, bean sprouts, cilantro, rice noodles and spicy house sauce.
- Tofu Rolls 7.99
- Zucchini, yam, tofu, pumpkin.
- Tofu Yakitori 7.99
Main Dishes
- Hainanese 11.03
- "Chicken" Rice Pot: Shredded "chicken," shitake mushrooms, onions, garlic, ginger and scallions.
- Garlic "Chicken" 11.03
- "Chicken" tofu, broccoli, garlic, wine and scallions.
- "Lamb" Delight 12.87
- "Lamb," mixed vegetables, ginger, garlic, wine and scallions.
- Eggplant Tofu 12.87
- Eggplant, breaded tofu with garlic sauce.
- Mango "Chicken" Rice 12.87
- The blend of "chicken" with mango produces a fragrant, soft and intoxicating buttery flavor.
- "Chicken" in sizzling spicy citrus sauce 10.28
- "Chicken," zucchini, asparagus, celery, garlic, ginger and chili.
- 5-Spiced Bean Curd and Pepper Stir Fry 11.03
- 5-spiced bean curd, bean sprouts, onion, chives, bell peppers, chard, ginger and garlic.
- Eggplant and String Beans with Basil 10.11
- Mixed Vegetables & Tofu with Sweet Citrus Sauce 10.11
- Spinach & Orange Saute with Cashews 10.11
- Stir Fry Curry Rice Noodle with Bean Curd 11.03
- Mango with Chicken Nuggets in Plum Sauce 10.11
- Tofu Braised in Black Bean Sauce and Asian Kale 10.11
- Tao's Handmade Tofu 12.95
- with oyster mushrooms in sizzling Basil Black Bean sauce.
- Tao's Handmade Tofu 12.95
- Oyster mushrooms and asparagus with Lily flower.
- Stir Fry Rice Noodle with Tao's Handmade 12.95
- Pineapple Fried Rice 11.95
- with sunflower seeds and soy protein.
- Tao's Handmade Tofu 12.11
- Zucchini, shitake mushrooms and onion in rice pot.
- Pineapple Curry 11.95
- Pineapple, butternut squash, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, turmeric, basil, onion, broccoli and yams.
Salad and Soup
- Mixed Loose Lettuce 9.20
- Mixed with 5-spiced bean curd and roasted almonds.
- Spinach Salad 9.20
- With mango and crisped onions.
- Vegetarian Pho 8.28
- Rice noodles, tofu, snow peas, straw mushrooms, broccoli, onion and cilantro.
- Hu Tieu 8.28
- Wide rice noodles, "shrimp," spiced bean curd, snow peas, scallions and cilantro.
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang 8.28
- Wide rice noodles, "shrimp," spiced bean curd, snow peas, scallions and cilantro.
- Organic Miso Ramen Soup 8.28
- "Egg," tofu, mushroom, broccoli, seaweed and scallions.
- Su Ramen Soup 8.28
- Sukiyaki Soup 11.03
- Lotus root, mushrooms, tofu, spring rain noodles and mixed vegetables.
Sides
- Assorted Brown, Red and Whole Grain Rice 3.00
- (1 bowl)
- Tofu 2.00
- (1 piece)
- "Shrimp" 4.00
- "Chicken" 3.50
- Organic Tofu 3.00
Dinner Menu
APPETIZERS
- Wrap It Yourself Salad Rolls 0.00
- (Rice papers,lettuce,mints,bean sprouts,cilantro,rice noodles & spicy house sauce) SKEWERED BEEF.... $8.28 SKEWERED CHICKEN....$8.28 SKEWERED SHRIMP ON THE STICK...$10.11 WILD ALASKAN SALMON....$10.11
- Spring Rolls 7.36
- (Deep fried,served w/lettuce,cilantro,mint & our famous sauce)
- Japanese Gyoza 8.28
- (Wrapped w/pork,cabbages,seasoned scallions,ginger,garlic & served w/sauce)
- Skewered Sate Chicken Kabob 7.36
- (Garnished with roasted peanuts)
- Tebashaki 7.36
- (Chicken wings with ginger)
- Garlic Chicken Wings 7.36
- (Deep fried & spiced)
SOUPS
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang 8.28
- (Cambodian spring rain noodle,fish balls,fish cake,shrimp,pork,chicken,scallions,cilantro)
- Wonton Noodle Soup 8.28
- (Pork & shrimp wonton,scallions,cilantro)
- Pho Beef Noodle Soup 7.36
- (Rice noodle,slices of beef,onion,scallions,cilantro,basil,bean sprout,lemon & herbs)
- Miso Soup 3.50
- (small tofu,beansprout,onion,seaweed)
- Chicken Udon 6.68
- (Thick white flour noodle,marinated shitake mushroom,scallion & Kamo Boko)
- Yakisoba 7.36
- (Stir fried noodle,chicken,squid,shrimp,onion,cabbage,bean sprout,carrot,worcestershire sauce)
RICE DISHES
- Hainanese Chicken Rice Pot 8.28
- (Shredded boneless chicken,shitake mushroom,onions,garlic,ginger,scallion)
- Wild Red Snapper Rice Pot 12.87
- (Red snapper fillets,ginger,garlic,wine,scallion,cilantro)
- Mango Chicken Rice 9.20
- (The blend of chicken together w/mango produces a fragrent,soft and intoxicatingly buttery flavor)
- Garlic Chicken 8.28
- (Boneless chicken marinated w/spices,deep fried, & sauteed with garlic & chili)
- Garlic Fish 10.11
- (Breaded,deep fried fish w/chili,garlic,lemongrass & simmered in a deep rich sauce)
- Tasty Red Chicken 8.28
- (Sauteed with bell peppers & chili,served over rice)
- Curry Rice 8.28
- (Pork or chicken, rice w/carrots,potatoes,sukine,onions,topped w/mushroom & scallion)
VEGETARIAN DISHES
VEGETARIAN APPETIZERS
- Spring Rolls 7.99
- (Deep fried,carrot,onion,jicama,taro roots served w/lettuce,cilantro,mint & our famous sauce)
- Tofu Rolls 7.99
- (Rice papers,tofu,lettuce,mints,bean sprouts,cilantro,rice noodles & spicy house sauce)
VEGETARIAN MAIN DISHES
- Hainanese 11.03
- ("Chicken" rice pot with shredded "chicken",shitake mushrooms,onions,garlic,ginger,scallion)
- Garlic "Chicken" 11.03
- ("Chicken",tofu,broccoli,garlic & scallion)
- "Lamb" Delight 12.87
- ("Lamb", mixed vegetables,ginger,garlic,wine,scallion)
- Eggplant Tofu 12.87
- (Eggplant,breaded tofu with garlic sauce)
- Mango "Chicken" Rice 12.87
- (The blend of "chicken" together w/mango produces a fragrant,soft and intoxicatingly buttery flavor)
- Mixed vegetables & Tofu 10.11
- With sweet citrus sauce
- Tofu Braised in Black Bean Sauce and Asian Kale 10.11
- Tao's Handmade Tofu 12.95
- (Oyster mushrooms in sizzling basil black bean sauce)
- Spinach & Orange Saute with Cashews 10.11
- Pineapple Curry 11.95
- (Pineapple,butternut squash,lemongrass,garlic,ginger,tumeric,basil,onion,broccoli,yam)
SALADS
- Mixed Loose Lettuce 9.20
- with 5-spiced bean curd and roasted almonds
- Spinach Salad 9.20
- with mango and crisped onions
REFRESHING SUMMER DISHES
- Vegetarian Rice Vermicelli 7.36
- Rice Vermacelli w/ Shrimp and Pork 8.28
- Rice Vermacelli 7.36
- (with your choice of spring rolls,chicken or pork)