Et Cetera
Main Street's Bo Kong Vegetarian Restaurant now closed

by
Helen Halbert
on
March 5, 2010
at
11:58 AM

Sad news, Vancouver vegetarians.

Bo Kong Vegetarian Restaurant, meat-free mainstay and Main street favourite, has closed shop after its lease expired. The Buddhist eatery, known for its dim sum offerings and faux-meat fare, was consistently ranked as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in and around Vancouver, placing third in the Straight’s Golden Plates category last year.

Locals looking to satisfy their cravings for veggie-friendly Chinese food can still find solace at the Richmond location (80–8100 Ackroyd Road), just a short walk from the Canada Line’s Lansdowne or Richmond-Brighouse stations, as well as 3G Vegetarian Restaurant on Cambie or Bodhi Choi Heung Vegetarian Restaurant on Fraser.

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Comments

therzo
Fri, 2010-03-05 12:41
Too bad. After The Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurant (was that the name?) on Pender in Chinatown closed a few years ago this was a good alternative.
 
John Lucas
Fri, 2010-03-05 14:51
Damn! There goes a Main Street institution. I can't even count the number of Bo Kong meals I've eaten. And it was always, always packed in there, so business was obviously pretty good. Did they choose not to negotiate another lease? Or was that not even an option (i.e. is the building being knocked down to make way for new construction)?

This city needs more Buddhist vegetarian restaurants. If anyone can suggest alternatives (and don't say "eating meat" unless you want to seem very unfunny), please list them here.
 
Nathaniel
Fri, 2010-03-05 23:52
@John Lucas: Cook for yourself, like a grown-up. Also- eat meat.
 
Kulpreet Singh
Sat, 2010-03-06 01:12
There's a good one called "Spicy Vegetarian Cuisine" on #3 Road near Cambie in Richmond. http://dinehere.ca/richmond/spicy-vegetarian-cuisine
 
Nancy from Vancouver Meatless Meetup
Sat, 2010-03-06 17:07
They say they will open again, once they find a new venue.
 
Reg
Sat, 2010-03-06 20:00
Score one for the good guys!
 
J C
Sat, 2010-03-06 22:46
The lease was getting too expensive. The landlord kept increasing the price of the rent. The Richmond location is going to be gone soon as well. They definately will open another one once they find a new venue but not soon.
 
Mike C
Sun, 2010-03-07 19:40
The Buddhist temple on Steveston Highway in Richmond serves up some pretty good Buddhist vegetarian meals using vegetables grown on their own farm. I don't think they serve meals to the public every day though... only on the weekends. And they don't have the variety that Bo Kong has.
 
T Mah
Wed, 2010-03-10 14:29
I've just heard the news now and am so disheartened! Bo Kong was my favourite place for fresh, vegetarian cuisine. I really hope they find a new venue soon. Viva Bo Kong!
 
Rebecca
Mon, 2010-03-15 21:04
This place is near by and pretty good:
Bodhi Choi Heung Vegetarian Restaurant
3932 Fraser St, Vancouver
 
Crys
Mon, 2010-03-29 07:38
We went there last night, not knowing it had closed. Disappointed! However, just a couple of streets over is the Bodhi, another Buddhist Chinese restaurant (3932 Fraser), like Rebecca said. The food is good, portions are a bit smaller than the Bo Kong. We'll go again but also will get to the Richmond Bo Kong before they close too!

The Main St. Bo Kong space is being renovated and will soon open as another Chinese veg restaurant by the looks of it.

Earthsave puts out a complete list: Vancouver Vegetarian Dining Guide.

Also try Happycow.net for more options.
 
vanhat
Wed, 2010-03-31 08:45
Whole Vegetarian Food Inc. is opening a restaurant at the old Main Street Bo Kong location.
 
Vita Wang
Sun, 2010-04-11 22:44
Whole Vegetarian Restaurant Now is OPEN at the old Main Street Bo Kong Location,Tel:604-876-8899
 
Mike Smith
Sun, 2010-05-23 18:05
Whole Vegetarian Restaurant. Same Food, Nice ambience, great location & same super nice staff
see
http://www.wholevegetarian.com/
for the new layout.
Great eats!!!
 
Charles Cohen
Tue, 2010-07-13 21:08
The Richmond Bo Kong, next to Boston Pizza, has closed.

My wife and I are in mourning.
 
Martha Barker
Tue, 2010-07-13 21:24
It was a family hang-out and a wonderful eatery to take guests from afar. The staff always knew my brother and greeted him by name with a delighted smile on their faces. Also great on Jewish holidays. The dish I'll miss the most of all is the spicey green beans. I ate them by the fistful.
 
Rob Fillo
Fri, 2011-10-21 21:46
The Richmond Location is now closed as well as the Main Street Location. However, the BoKong has relocated to the corner of Kingsway and Knight Street. YAY!!!! :)
604-876-3088
 
 
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