Laughing Buddha – Chinese
This vibrant sanctuary invites guests into a world of playful plant-based artistry, where the air hums with the sizzle of golden fritters and the aromatic warmth of basil-infused curries. Diners delight in a tapestry of textures, from the satisfying crunch of salt-and-pepper mushrooms to the delicate, silken folds of "on fire" wontons bathed in spicy oils. Each plate, from the pillowy tofu bao to the vibrant green dumplings, celebrates a joyful approach to modern Asian cuisine that leaves both the palate and the spirit feeling nourished.
3766 Piedmont Avenue https://laughingbuddhaoakland.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Chinese
Price range: $$
Dietary options: vegan, vegetarian, high-protein, pescatarian, plant-based, heart-healthy, low-sodium, low-fat, whole30, paleo, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, gerd, south-beach, high-fiber, volumetrics, tlc, renal, alkaline, aip, zone, macrobiotic, lectin-free
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
What diners are saying
Guests rave about the savory, perfectly cooked soups that serve as a standout dish for many visitors. Celebrated for its intimate setting and friendly service, the experience is frequently praised for its welcoming atmosphere and reasonable pricing that makes it a highly recommended local find.
Menu
Starters
- Tofu Lettuce Wraps - $18: crunchy diced veggies & tofu served w/ romaine lettuce & hosin sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Basil Curry Potatoes - $14: wok tossed w/ fresh basil & a hint of spiced curry powder Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Salt & Pepper Trio - $16: crispy tofu, string beans & greens tossed in Chinese 5 Spiced salt & pepper Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Golden Nori Mushrooms - $14: mushrooms crispy fried with nori seaweed batter & tossed in 5 spiced salt & pepper Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- "On Fire" Won Ton - $13: tofu & veggies filled wontons in spicy red chili oil; topped w/ cilantro & sesame seeds Available at: dinner, lunch
- Green Dumplings - $13: steamed sui mai style dumplings filled w/ spinach, corn, black mushrooms & silk rice noodles Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Veggie Pot Stickers - $13: pan- fried dumplings stuffed w/ soya tofu, edamame, napa cabbage & yam noodles Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Veggie Fritters - $13: crispy fritters of potato & taro served with a sweet spicy chili sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Golden Fried Won Tons - $13: fried won ton served with house crafted sweet & sour sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tofu Bao Bao - $15: finger sandwiches served with spicy smokey pan seared tofu, Chinese salted greens, mushrooms & cucumbers Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Basil Popcorn Soy Chicken - $15: crispy fried soy chicken wok tossed with basil & a secret spicy Chinese 5 spiced salt & pepper Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Veggie Egg Rolls - $10: Crispy egg rolls served with house crafted sweet & sour sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
Noodle Soups & Soups
- Won Ton Soup - $15: tofu & veggies filled wontons in a peppery ginger vegetable broth Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Yee Foo Won Ton Soup - $18: golden fried won ton & veggies in a peppery egg flower broth Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Hot & Sour Soup - $15: cloud ear mushrooms & tofu in a peppery hot & sour egg flower broth Dietary tags: High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Nori Seaweed Sweet Corn Tofu Soup - $15: nori seaweed, corn & tofu in an egg white broth Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sizzling Rice Soup - $15: mixed veggies in a house crafted veggie broth; served with crispy rice Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mustard Green & Tofu Soup - $15: in a peppery ginger broth Available at: dinner, lunch
- Szechwan Chili Tofu Soup - $18: tofu, napa cabbage, salted greens & silk rice noodles in a spicy Szechwan peppercorn oil broth Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Veggie Noodle Soup - $18: a bouquet of fresh veggies & udon noodles in a peppery ginger broth Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Eggplant, String Bean & Cloud Ear Mushroom Salad - $16: tossed in a spicy Szechwan black vinaigrette; topped w/ sesame seeds, peanuts & cilantro Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sesame Cold Noodles - $16: peanuts, cucumbers, carrots & pickled veggies in a spicy sesame paste; topped w/ cilantro Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cilantro Tofu Salad - $16: tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, celery & tofu in a soya sesame dressing; topped w/ cilantro & sesame seeds Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Jalapeno Cucumber & Tomato Salad - $15: fresh ginger, cucumbers & tomatoes in a jalapeno soy vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
Chef Specialties
- Laughing Buddha Delight - $22: tofu skin, wheat gluten, napa cabbage, shanghai greens, mushrooms, ginko berries, goji berries & silk rice noodles Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Curry Veggies & Seitan (Wheat Gluten) - $16: veggies, gluten in a spicy coconut curry Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sweet & Sour Veggies & Seitan (Wheat Gluten) - $16: Lychee, pineapple, green & red peppers, zuchinni, carrots, broccoli & gluten in house crafted S & S sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kung Pao Tofu - $16: veggies & tofu in spicy kung pao sauce; topped w/ peanuts Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crispy Basil Shitakes & Tofu - $16: in a sweet tangy basil ginger sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ma Po Tofu - $16: in a spicy mala szechwan peppercorn oil Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Red Chili Tofu - $16: crispy tofu, waterchestnuts, shitakes & snow peas in a sweet red chili sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mustard Green & Tofu Saute' w/ Ginger - $16 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Many Treasures - $22: veggies & quail egg saute'served in a crispy shredded taro root basket; topped with cashews Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lotus Root, Cloud Ear Mushroom & Taro Saute' - $18 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ginger Sauce Eggplant - $16 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Dry Braised String Beans - $16 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Healthy Veggies - $18: tofu skin, napa cabbage, snow peas, cloud ear mushrooms & ginko berries Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- General Tso’s Soy Chicken - $20: crispy fried soy chicken wok tossed with black shiitakes in a spicy tangy sweet soy glaze; garnished with broccoli Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Triple Mushroom Saute' - $20: seasonal mushrooms saute' in a vegetarian oyster sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Black Bean Sauce String Beans & Tofu - $16: wok tossed with jalapenos, green & red peppers in a spicy chili ginger black bean sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Peipa Tofu Claypot - $20: hand crafted soy pork tofu balls, napa cabbage & shiitake mushrooms simmered in a vegetarian oyster sauce with a hand full of silk noodles Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shanghai Greens, Shitakes & Goji Berries - $18 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lemongrass Eggplant, Mushroom Ball & Tofu - $18: Eggplant, mushroom balls & tofu wok tossed in a lemongrass ginger soy glaze with a hint of chili Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Rice
- Veggie Fried Rice - $16: wok tossed with egg (request no egg for vegan) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pineapple Soy Ham Fried Rice - $18: wok tossed with egg (request no egg for vegan) Available at: dinner, lunch
- Taro, Nori Seaweed & Cashew Fried Rice - $18: wok tossed with egg (request no egg for vegan) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Basil Tofu Fried Rice - $16: wok tossed with egg (request no egg for vegan) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mushroom & Salty Olive Green Fried Rice - $18: wok tossed with egg (request no egg for vegan) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Jasmine Rice - $2 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Brown Rice - $3 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Noodles
- Veggie Rice Noodles - $16: freshest veggies wok tossed with angel hair rice noodles Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Veggie Chow Mein - $16: freshest veggies wok tossed with Shanghai style thick chewy egg noodles Available at: dinner, lunch
- Singapore Curry Rice Noodles w/ Egg - $16: freshest veggies wok tossed with angel hair rice noodles in a spicy curry Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crumbled Tofu Zha Jiang Mein - $20: crumbled tofu, salty preserved greens in a sweet, spicy savory bean paste over egg noodles Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Black Pepper Veggie Udon Noodles - $18: assorted veggies wok tossed with udon noodles in a soya black pepper glaze Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Triple Mushroom Chow Mein - $20: seasonal mushroom & greens wok tossed with Shanghai style noodles in a soya glaze Available at: dinner, lunch
- Black Bean Sauce String Beans & Tofu Lo Mein - $18: soya seasoned egg noodles topped with string beans, tofu in black bean sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vibrant Glass Noodles - $18: cloud ear mushrooms, edamame, corn, carrots, 5 spiced tofu & yam glass noodles tossed in a sweet sesame soya & topped with roasted sesame seeds Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Dessert
- Sesame Balls - $6: filled w/ red bean paste Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, Renal
Frequently Asked Questions about Laughing Buddha
- What should first-time visitors know about this restaurant?
- First-time visitors should expect a welcoming, intimate Chinese restaurant featuring highly-rated savory soups, plant-based dishes, and reasonable pricing.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Laughing Buddha accommodates diverse diets with vegan, gluten-free, keto, and low-carb options like tofu lettuce wraps and basil curry potatoes.
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- The restaurant offers a welcoming and intimate atmosphere frequently praised by guests for its friendly service and vibrant setting.
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Triple Mushroom Saute' and Mustard Green & Tofu Saute' w/ Ginger both work for multiple diets, including low-carb, vegan, and gluten-free.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- With a 4.0/5 rating, guests frequently praise the restaurant for its reasonable pricing and high-quality, perfectly cooked savory soups.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- Rated 4.0/5, this moderate-priced Chinese restaurant distinguishes itself with an extensive plant-based menu, intimate atmosphere, and highly praised savory soups.
- What's the best way to experience this restaurant?
- Enjoy the intimate setting and friendly service while sampling savory soups, "on fire" wontons, and plant-based dishes at reasonable prices.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Customer reviews do not mention any specific concerns, instead highlighting the savory soups, friendly service, and welcoming, intimate atmosphere.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Laughing Buddha specializes in Chinese cuisine, featuring a modern, plant-based menu with dishes like tofu bao, dumplings, and wontons.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- Laughing Buddha is a Chinese restaurant with a moderate price level ($$) that is frequently praised for its reasonable pricing.
Restaurants near Laughing Buddha
- Mr. Green Bubble — Chinese
- Shangri-La Vegan — Chinese
- The Chocolate Dragon — Chinese
- Shangri-La Vegan — Chinese
- Shooting Star Cafe — Chinese
- Shan Dong Restaurant — Chinese
- UC Dessert — Chinese
- United Dumplings — Chinese
- Lin Jia Asian Kitchen — Chinese
- Lulu Cafe — Chinese
- Little Moon Bakehouse — Chinese
- Purple Kow — Chinese
