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Cafe Happy
Categories: Restaurants Chinese Restaurants Vegetarian Chinese, Vegetarian [Edit]
102 Kirkland AveKirkland, WA 98033
(425) 822-9696
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 8:30 pm
Sun 11 am - 7:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Charlie P. said: "I went to China Club Bistro's grand opening. Lots of fun. Completely refurbished restaurant from the drab one preceeding it. Cool & authentic looking decorations and warm, friendly service by the GM and the owner. Went back last…" read more »
56 reviews for Cafe Happy
Review Highlights
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"...favorite menu item is the soy meat (number 26 I believe." In 8 reviews -
"I also couldn't resist getting the soy bubble tea." In 7 reviews -
"Mao po tofu is spicy and good." In 3 reviews
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Zane T.
San Francisco, CA
YES PLEASE! Randomly found this spot on yelp because my littlest brother and I were craving boba. Completely fresh, friendly, and the drink wasn't from a powder. Cafe Happy.... we will meet again.
They serve food and sandwiches there, I will have to go back and try. I haven't seen/ heard of any place that serve sandwiches on those white bao buns before. -
Review from Karen F.
Kirkland, WA
5/22/2012
There once were two vegetarian restaurants within a block of each other in downtown Kirkland... Café Happy and Lakeshore Veggie House. Lakeshore Veggie House closed a few years ago, so then there was one.
Café Happy is a little hole-in-the-wall find a block from Marina Park with good vegetarian food (read: not greasy! and not tasteless!) and good bubble tea. We ordered:
- soy meat with ginger rice -- we loved it
- curry tofu with vegetables -- we liked it
- two veggie buns -- we were meh about it, mostly rice noodles.
- two lychee black bubble tea -- yum! but a lot of the bubbles stuck together.
There's one 6-people table and a couple of chairs at a countertop inside and two 2-people tables outside, so we ordered our stuff to go except for the veggie buns. The two owner-operators were friendly and brought out our take-out bag and boxes while we were waiting outside and people-watching. They were a cute older couple and I wanted to put them in my pocket and take them home!
I'll definitely be coming back here on Meatless Mondays and when I need a bubble tea fix within walking distance from home. -
Review from Drew W.
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have been eating here at least once a month for the last 8 years. Small mom and pop place with good cheap food. Their bubble tea is also very good, just be sure to ask for it with real fruit. That makes it MUCH better.
They have lots of options with photos of the dishes to complement them. So even if you do not understand what something is you can reference the images.
I have taken folks here who are vegetarian and who are not, the ones who are not did not realize that their meal was meat free until i pointed it out to them.
btw #19 the Spicy Frys are my fav -
Review from Nick P.
Kirkland, WA
5/21/2012
Maybe if you're vegan you get all super excited about this place because there aren't many options out there. I went because because I like vegetarian restaurants sometimes and the reviewers are all crazy for it. It was just ok, not bad but certainly not amazing. I suppose if I hadn't chewed on some meat in the last 10 years I'd flip out over a soy nugget but for me, I just found it all way too sweet.
Yeah it's hole-in-the-wall but also kinda dirty. The guy brought out some plates, one had a little drop of sauce on it and he wiped it off with his thumb and put the plate down. That's what happened in front of us. I wonder what we didn't see.
The juice was good. -
Review from Allie S.
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hawaiian Ham! To me, it tasted like Japanese curry with pineapple, tofu chunks and the faux ham -- served with the mixed rice, it was SO tasty I was thinking about ordering another plate to go so my boyfriend could try some. But I didn't, because I'm selfish [make that realistic -- that food would not have made it to my boyfriend's mouth!]
The couple who owns/runs this shop was so sweet. When I asked which items were vegan, she pointed out the few vegetarian dishes and then told me everything else was vegan. Love!
This is close enough to home I can come get my faux meat fix at any time -- Cafe Happy truly made me live up to its name!Listed in: Vegan Eating
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Review from Richard D.
Long Beach, CA
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Curry Chow Mein is the best!
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Review from Julie H.
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wasn't sure what to expect since none of us are actually vegetarian... but this place was really good! And the couple that owns it has such a small little set up it's adorable.
I also couldn't resist getting the soy bubble tea. yum!
We ordered curry fried rice, mabo tofu, sweet and sour "chicken", and "beef" with spinach. My boyfriend usually hates fake meat but he loved it and even asked if we had a place like this in hawaii. Great place! -
Review from Justin T.
Kirkland, WA
3/25/2012
How can you not love cafe happy? The couple that runs this place is so pleasant and welcoming. The food is reasonably priced and comes out quick! We're big fans of the vegetarian buns.
Not a vegetarian by trade but this place does a good job of making me forget that there's no meat in their dishes. We are Cafe Happy fans! -
Review from Mandy E.
Seattle, WA
3/7/2012
I'm always on the hunt for good vegan food, and this place delivers! I have avoided it for years b/c of its...lack...of curb appeal. I was drawn in by the reviews on here and it didn't disappoint. I had a #5 (Ma Po tofu) and my friend had #1 (curried veggies). She's not a vegetarian/vegan, but she loved hers too. Great for the price, delish brown rice, excellent flavor and just the right amount of spice. I'm really happy I work in Kirkland and can make this a regular lunch spot!
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Review from Spring T.
Atlanta, GA
3/13/2012
I really like this place in Kirkland! - the Taiwanese couple are so adorable and so very nice .. and dare I say, happy? Cafe Happy! The menu is similar to that offered at Chinese Buddhist vegetarian restaurants in Asia. I had originally planned on trying their rice vermicelli but the picture on the wall looked unappetizing, so I opted for their fried rice - needed some salting but good enough. I tried their curry vegetable soup and didn't like it much.
Still, I wouldn't mind coming back to try their veggie and soy meat buns. And the boba that everyone's raving about. -
Review from Shilpa T.
Bothell, WA
2/24/2012
Love Love Love this lil place tucked away in Kirkland a minute's walk from the water front. A delight if you are a vegetarian and a must try even if you are not. Have tried a lot of their dishes and My recommendation is the MaPo Tofu. Prepared Fresh right before your eyes, served earnestly and downright delicious. An old Buddhist couple owns the place and they are the ones who cook and serve. Everything on the menu is made with faux meat and chicken and an excellent take on the real thing. Highly recommend!
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Review from Samuel S.
Kirkland, WA
9/11/2011
I didn't really expect bubble tea and ice cream from a vegetarian restaurant ....
but no joke, this place actually serves the best bubble tea in Seattle.
I have been to many other places for instance tapiyoca express, boba express and even oasis in downtown Seattle, none can compare.
For bubble tea lovers who live in Kirkland and are always struggling to get bubble tea without driving 20 miles away to Bellevue, you know where to go now.
Besides, every food item here is 100% family made, nothing cheesy and "plastic". Although it takes a while to cook, I'm sure you will love your soy meat .... -
Review from Nicky L.
Kirkland, WA
2/24/2012
The place is very small and odd. I ordered #62 which is something Hawaiian for to go. When I first saw what I ordered, I immediatly lost my appetize. I put it back in my fridge. Two days later, i had nothing but this box to eat. Surprisingly, it tastes fantastic. I wonder if i was starving and lost my sense. To prove it, I went back there again 'n ordered #9 something that look like mapo but in a spicy version (mix with ginger 'n fresh spinach as side). This dish is not as exotic as the first but I enjoy its natural taste, no MSG, I will definitely make a third visit. I like to try beef noodle which is recommended by Seattle magazine. BTW, the old man that serviced me is super nice. Not because of sweet talk but he is attentive in his service 'n kind.
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Review from Melissa F.
Bellevue, WA
8/9/2011
This place serves traditional Chinese vegetarian fare. People who can't eat gluten need to steer clear. All of the fake meat is gluten.. AND DELICIOUS.
It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall and when you go in, you realize it's even smaller than it appears on the outside. There's exactly one table inside, so be prepared to take your food elsewhere to eat. There's a tiny little kitchen and one little stove. The downside is that your food takes a little while to cook, the upside is that your food tastes totally home-cooked and authentic and you can watch them cooking it.
I got the broccoli "beef"; my companion got mapo tofu, and we got some veggie buns to share. The buns were delicious with veggies, mushrooms, and Chinese vermicelli - MMMM!!! They definitely tasted homemade. He didn't like his mapo tofu so much - I think it was neither very spicy, nor flavorful. My broccoli "beef" was delicious!
Don't go in here expecting kung pao chicken or sweet and sour pork. This is super homemade stuff. -
Review from Michelle Y.
Seattle, WA
3/12/2011 8 Check-ins Here
Me and my boyfriend come here so often that they recognize us coming from a mile away. It looks like a small hole in the wall place that most people can walk right by without ever thinking twice about....but it would be making a mistake to not try this place out. Cafe Happy is special....the sandwiches are fantatic and very affordable for what you get.
My all time favorite menu item is the soy meat (number 26 I believe). I am not sure what they do to get the tofu to have that consistency and nice chewy texture but It is wonderful. The owners are very nice people I will add.. -
Review from Kristin T.
Kirkland, WA
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
sweet store owner, take a little bit of time to get your food because they make it after you order it. the fresh juices are great.
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Review from Gwen C.
7/21/2010
Cafe Happy makes me, well, happy!
It's cheap. The food's good, tasty with epic fake meat but without a lot of grease. They're fast. They're nice and convenient to my internship. They don't use scary junk in their food, they whip it all up from scratch every day. The little old couple that owns the place couldn't be nicer and they know how to make amazing ginger soy meat. It's little, maybe 10 seats. The food is amazingly cheap and the portions are much more American in size than Taiwanese. Oh yeah and they whip up a big, nicely priced soy chai. Four ounces bigger than the bux for $1.50 less, and it's spicier and creamier at once.
The catch: I can't leave my leftovers in the fridge at work. People know what those containers look like and commit grand theft entree. -
Review from Wholey C.
King, WA
1/6/2011
Tasty, fresh, and it's vegetarian! I have had their soups, generous portions & served hot.
I usually order take out, however they do have a few tables/counter.
My soup is packaged well, no spills during transportation. It is worth the stop.
Their prices are very reason, especially for freshly made veggie food! -
Review from Yumiko K.
11/3/2010
Reviews by you Yelpers (and a massive craving for ma-po tofu) lured me into this place. I was really starving, but I was committed to satisfying my craving. I even braved the lunch traffic heading to Kirkland from Redmond (NE 85th is usually a nightmare.)
I parked across from Cafe Happy, and ran into the restaurant salivating like a hungry hyena (or rabies-stricken rottweiler). A tiny Chinese lady was the only one working. She was making sandwiches and some stir-fry dish for other lunch guests, so I waited (still salivating).
Finally, I ordered my ma-po tofu (spicy, of course!) and waited for another 3 minutes. The food came out very fast and looked/smelled great. I couldn't drive fast enough to get back into the office so that I could finally enjoy my lunch.
The sauce was a bit too salty, and more tofu would have been fantastic. Notwithstanding, I frantically mixed the brown rice (Yummy!!) with the dark brown ma-po tofu goodness and inhaled the whole damn thing.
My tummy says thank-you, and that's what matters most in the end! -
Review from Ali A.
San Jose, CA
8/7/2010
I came here for lunch (sort of) and the location is tiny. But then all the good food places are, aren't they?
I ordered a veggie sandwich. Well, first it was "vegetarian sandwich," then I said "number 1," then I just pointed. Then a few minutes later I had my sandwich, conveniently wrapped up in wax paper and on a plate. I could feel that the bread was nice and warm, so without much delay I dug right in.
The food was nothing short of delicious. Fulfilling. Their food isn't ostentatious- it's not the tallest sandwich or the longest sandwich or the densest or heaviest sandwich. It's just humbly great.
Like Cafe Happy, I suppose. -
Review from Laura E.
Seattle, WA
3/31/2012
This place is totally great. I was feeling a little under the weather and working in Kirkland during the week and thought I would get soup. The daughter working at the counter was really sweet and helpful and her parents were cooking the food. I am vegan and she told me that most things are vegan. I am an indecisive diner and had a hard time picking a soup. She took me to look at the pictures to help me out and was so sweet and patient! I wanted it light on oil and she said that everything was really healthy and I would notice a difference in how I felt after eating there. I finally decided on a soup with rice noodles and it was so good! I went back later during the week and got a veggie bun. I have been vegan for awhile and have never tried this before because I was not sure if I could get one vegan. It was homemade and delicious! I went back for a third time that week and got another bun and fresh squeezed carrot, apple and spinach juice. So yummy! This place is amazing. I do not usually eat at the same place three times in a week!
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Review from Brock F.
Issaquah, WA
9/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Need a boba fix? Or want to slow down with some good vege fare? This is a good place to hit up. The owner is from Taiwan and everything I have tried on the menu is delicious.
If you are searching for decent tasting boba (bubble tea), then on the eastside this is it. They have fresh fruit/berry flavors that beat those nasty powders the other boba places use hands down!Listed in: Seattle Taiwanese
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Review from Carrie C.
Seattle, WA
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
#19 Spicy Club Fries. Spicy=check. Club=?. Fries=no. Dee-licious.
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Review from c l.
Santa Clara, CA
1/27/2012
5 stars for the food. We had ma po tofu, curry veg and fried rice - alll were delicious. I also had the apple, carrot, celery juice. Place is very small with one small table to share and a few counters. Will definitely come here again. Everything was savory, flavorful and fresh.
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Review from Lucy D.
Kirkland, WA
5/2/2010
How do these people manage to make tofu taste so good? Everything is delicious. Awesome sandwiches and drinks. This is "healthy veg" food that is actually satisfying, and when you leave you will feel happy and full, rather than greasy, guilt-ridden, and hardly able to waddle through the door.
Even their buns are great! -
Review from kajal d.
Bellevue, WA
10/9/2010
Loved it! Cozy place with simple, fresh and awesome vegetarian food.
I would go back there anytime. The variety of food is awesome too: it is essentially an asian place, but they also do sandwiches that look yummy -
Review from Brittany S.
Seattle, WA
5/14/2010
This place is great for lunch!! I would say that it's not really a sit down sort of place, it's very small, and I noticed that only small parties of 2 will sit down and most, like me, will take the food togo.
Everything is vegetarian so they have a lot of the "fake meat stuff," I haven't had their bubble tea but looks like it's pretty popular. For kirkland the prices are on the cheaper side. Lots of the dishes are taiwanese influenced (the owners are from Taiwan). As far as portions, it's a little smaller than I'm usually see from a chinese place, but everything is really yummy. Try the veggie buns! 2 for $3.50! (if I remember correctly...) -
Review from Ivan I.
Los Angeles, CA
6/24/2010
This place is run by an old Asian couple. They can barely speak English but just point at the menu and tell them what's up. I got the number 1 with Potatoes subbed in place of Tofu. Really good curries, vegetarian meals. I wish this place was in Los Angeles.
Not a lot of place to sit but it doesn't matter. They also make good bubble tea. I got a mango once and it was good, but I tried the red bean and it was not so great. Kind of tasted like drinking a burrito.
Top 3 vegetarian restaurants I've ever been to though. Not pretentious, no bullshit, just good vegetarian food. -
Review from Mohib Q.
Cerritos, CA
10/3/2009
Upon my last visit to Seattle, I found this place to be a good place stop by in downtown Kirkland. It was nice and clean, and very hospitable for a light boba drink or ice cream.
I ended up trying the taro boba smoothie, and was very satisfied. It wasn't made from scratch or anything, but did settle in my stomach well, especially considering the hot day outside. The owner was particularly nice and offered to help my friend sample ice cream flavors before he purchased one.
This place I would recommend for a quick stop over for ice cream or boba if you're in the neighborhood. -
Review from Mika Y.
Redmond, WA
4/28/2008
This is probably the best vegetarian restaurant I have been on the East Side - hands down!
The flavors coming out of the tiny little kitchen are just incredible - the 'beef' noodle soup, the smoked 'fish', and the sauteed 'pork' dish are just over the top - with fraction of the price you'd pay at other vegetarian restaurants.
Can't beat it!!! -
Review from Heather W.
Seattle, WA
2/9/2010
Good:
-food comes out to you lightening quick
-really tasty (try the buns!)
-very flavorful sauces (REAL sweet and sour...not that americanized gelatin-y crap!)
-lots of variety on the menu (sandwiches!)
-good portion size instead of enough food for 2-3 meals that you try and fit into your one-meal-only sized belly.
EH:
-Great for dinner if you're the ONLY person in the restaurant. There really is only room to seat about 9 people inside the restaurant at best.
-blink and you'll miss this place if you're driving around looking for it. It's really RIGHT ON THE CORNER of Lake and Kirkland.
-I can't really say if the place was sanitary or not, but it didn't really exude the sanitary vibe. Not that it'll stop me from eating there!
Kitschy:
-it's really the true embodiment of "hole in the wall" along with everything that means. Some people dig that kind of thing. -
Review from Gopal R.
Kirkland, WA
12/29/2011
Simple good vegetarian food that is extremely satisfying. Highly recommend it to all vegetarians out there.
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Review from Ilya P.
Bellevue, WA
4/30/2010
Cafe happy is a small, cozy, family owned, vegetarian restaurant, serving the best tofu dishes money can buy.
Dishes are flavorful and healthy, and the price is right. Seating is limited, but then again, it's part of the charm. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Kirkland, WA
8/27/2009 1 Check-in Here
Before I start, I have to say that I'm not a vegetarian. In fact, I think I need to eat meat in almost all my meals so this place must be good if it can get me to eat an entire vegetarian meal more than once a month.
I really like their Ginger Soy Meat, which is a variety of soy products of varying textures stir fried in a ginger sauce and served with brown rice. (One has the consistency of spam and another chicken...all good) I like my food spicy so I always ask for it to be spicy. I've started asking that it be stirfried with some veggies, which is not a problem. Surprisingly for me, I enjoy it so much that I will crave it about once every two weeks.
This small little hole in the wall cafe is run by a very sweet couple, who are extremely nice. I will definitely be back there to help satisfy my cravings. -
Review from Chris M.
Seattle, WA
6/5/2011
Always friendly service. Great tasty food. Mao po tofu is spicy and good. Haven't tried the sandwiches yet
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Review from Curtis C.
San Mateo, CA
8/2/2010
So read the Seattle magazine detailing the best sandwiches in Seattle. This was right up there with the big boys. Since i work in Redmond and already on the east side, my coworker and i tried hit up this place. We both got the Taiwanese Egg Sandwich which was what was recommended in the Seattle magazine and it did not disappoint. The chinese bread was soft and fluffy, crispy egg, a little bit of cucumbers and the hoisin sauce made it the perfect lunch time snack. I would recommend eating this here since the bread is so soft, it will easily get soggy. This place is cramped and i can see it getting pretty packed with the lunchtime crowd (we came around 1pm so it was clear).
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Review from Ekatia S.
Bothell, WA
6/11/2011
My husband and I have eaten here a couple times and it has always been delicious. We've had the sweet and sour "chicken," broccoli and "beef," and bbq "chicken." We're going to come here often.
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Review from judy w.
Bellevue, WA
1/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is great! It's a little hole-in-the-wall with modest decor and limited seating, but the food is fantastic! We're not vegetarians by any stretch of the imagination, but we love this place none the less! It takes a lot for my hubby to deem something non-meat to be worthy of eating, so it's surprising that he suggests going to this place at least once a week. The Taiwanese fried egg sandwich is the most amazing thing ever! They also have great soy-meat, brown rice, and lots of vegan options. Hubby refuses to eat soy-meat and brown rice anywhere else, but he'll eat it at Happy!
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Review from Andrew R.
Redmond, WA
10/7/2010
I'm a pretty big dude and not vegetarian. Got the broccoli and tofu beef and it was awesome! After I finished, I though I would need to go get a Big Mac to fill me up, but I was suprisingly full. The bubble tea was very sweet and didn't have enough ice. My wife is vegetarian and loved her soup and buns.
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Review from Michael T.
Bellevue, WA
2/12/2011
I stopped into this little joint on my way to the beach for a quick snack. The cafe is really small and is probably best for take out orders. I ordered the vegetarian buns. I'm a meat lover so it's hard for me to say it was amazing but it was good for what it was. Worth trying it if you've never had them before.
