Wild Ginger: Pan-Asian Vegan Cuisine

If you've never tried tempeh, this is the place to start loving it. Photo © Veganfriendly.com

For years, Wild Ginger in Soho was one of my favorite places to go for a vegetarian dinner even before I was vegan. Inside, the dining room is incredibly small, but unlike most other Manhattan restaurants, the management doesn’t pack the place with as many tables as possible and make all the customers bump elbows with the blind dates next to them. If there’s anything that I dislike the most when I’m eating out, it’s having to listen to people being so awkward with each other that it makes me feel nervous for them. In contrast, Wild Ginger’s tastefully arranged tables with plenty of space between them in addition to a dark and earthy décor make the place feel cozy instead of bustlingly busy.

Personally, I think their appetizers are the best items on the menu, and they host a great variety of dumplings, including shumai and samosas. I’m also a big fan of tempeh, and Wild Ginger cooks their Satay Tempeh well and doesn’t over-sauce it. As for a main course, one can enjoy their hot or cold Asian noodles, in soup or dry, without having to worry about weird ingredients like fish sauce or meat extracts that traditional Asian restaurants may use. They also have soy protein prepared in many different styles, so whether you like it sweet and sour or black peppered, there are plenty of options for a filling mock-meat meal.

When I go, I like to customize my dinner by getting a couple appetizers and one of their salads, which are generously portioned and beautifully served with unique mixtures of ingredients. Try the Watercress Salad with avocado, beets, alfalfa sprouts, and a sesame sauce for healthy filler before you decide on which amazing dessert to order. My favorite is the Vegan Cheesecake despite how small of a portion I get because it has such a great texture without being too heavy. If I’m splitting with someone, the Peanut Butter Bomb is rich, chocolate-peanut buttery, and huge. You can even ask for a scoop of vegan ice cream on the side. The waiters are always super nice and never keep me waiting for very long no matter how packed it is. Even if I’m just getting takeout, they won’t hesitate to bring me a cup of tea when I ask (and sometimes even if I don’t).

Though the prices might be a bit steep for an everyday lunch, they offer a 15% off coupon with student ID through the Campus Clipper. Wild Ginger in Soho is conveniently located a couple blocks away from NYU’s Broome Street dorm and is a short walk from Lafayette. Take advantage of the student savings with the coupon below, and enjoy a great vegan/vegetarian meal for less at Wild Ginger!

-Avia Dell’Oste
@Hunter College

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