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Plant-Powered Chinese Cuisine at Garden Fresh

by Ella

Located on El Camino Real in Mountain View, Garden Fresh offers an authentic Chinese dining experience with a vegan twist. The restaurant, founded 22 years ago by Alice Liang, a Taiwanese immigrant, specializes in plant-based dishes crafted from ingredients like soy, mushrooms, yam, and monk beans. Initially expanding to Palo Alto, Liang closed that location due to the challenges of managing two restaurants.

Thai Iced Tea ($5.95): A Refreshing Start

Rating: 8/10

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Garden Fresh’s Thai Iced Tea is served unmixed, with a rich layer of tea at the bottom and a smooth topping of fresh soy milk. While it lacks the typical spice of traditional Thai tea, its sweet and creamy profile makes it an excellent drink to begin the meal. The refreshing nature of this tea complements the bold flavors of the restaurant’s dishes, enhancing the overall dining experience.

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Steamed Veggie Buns ($5.95): Subtle Yet Satisfying

Rating: 7/10

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The steamed veggie buns offer a soft, sticky exterior that provides a satisfying texture. The filling inside consists of tender, almost stringy vegetables with a slight sweetness. While the filling is flavorful, it feels a bit sparse, resulting in an unbalanced bun-to-filling ratio. Nonetheless, for those who enjoy subtle sweetness and soft, doughy textures, these buns are worth trying.

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Orange Veggie Chicken ($15.95): A Standout Dish

Rating: 10/10

The restaurant’s take on orange chicken is a vegan delight. The “chicken” is perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated with a sticky, sweet sauce with a balanced level of spice. The generous coating of sauce enhances each bite, ensuring flavor in every mouthful. The accompanying broccoli offers a fresh contrast to the rich, crispy “chicken,” making this dish well-rounded and a must-try for anyone seeking a vegan version of this classic dish.

Veggie Beef with Broccoli ($12.95): A Missed Opportunity

Rating: 5/10

While the veggie beef mimics the taste of real beef, its texture falls short. The consistency is tough, making it difficult to chew and not as enjoyable as the other dishes. Despite the meat’s shortcomings, the broccoli and carrots are perfectly cooked—tender without being mushy—and provide a fresh, tasty accompaniment to the dish.

Crispy Sesame Prawns ($15.95): A Delicious Alternative

Rating: 8/10

Garden Fresh’s crispy sesame prawns are coated in a thick, flavorful sauce similar to the orange chicken’s. The spicy version adds a nice kick to balance the sweetness of the sauce. The “prawns” are generously coated with sesame seeds, adding a nutty flavor. The batter is fried to perfection, making the prawns crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, delivering a satisfying dish.

Sides: Simple Yet Effective

Garden Fresh offers both white and brown rice to pair with its meals. The white rice is sticky and simple, providing a perfect base to mix with the bold sauces and vegetables that accompany the dishes.

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