Plumeria: UH’s Beloved Vegan and Vegetarian Thai Restaurant
Plumeria, nestled in the heart of University Heights, is one of those neighborhood and family staples that keeps you craving for more and more. The restaurant is an oasis of high-quality vegan and vegetarian Thai culinary delights. It’s like stepping back in time to a warm and inviting home, where every meal is a comforting experience.
Founded by owner Patty Thongchua 12 years ago, they use the finest, freshest ingredients. Their talented chefs work hard to create dishes that are a delightful blend of flavors that cater to all tastes and backgrounds, making it a favorite among vegetarians, vegans, and non-vegans alike.
There is a very warm and wholesome vibe when restaurant-goers dine at the restaurant that makes you feel right at home. We had a great time chatting with the passionate and dedicated General Manager, Bee Alignay. She was thrilled to share that they’re still doing really well and getting consistent business.
“We are very homey, very local, we decorate with the goal to make you feel at home,” Alignay says. She enthuses that with Thai flavor, you never get bored. “There’s herbs, lime juice, cilantro, to name a few. There are so many elements that create the flavor and the depth of the dishes that we make,” Alignay elaborated.
The food is super fresh and light, perfect for any size meal- and the curries are amazing, with sauces that are flavorful but not too heavy or processed.
Another poignant aspect to the craft of Plumeria is the beautiful and bright food presentation of the dishes that they deliver. Some menu favorites are the Khao Soi, which is on the Special menu. It is a rich, hearty, and aromatic dish with a combination of coconut milk, curry paste, turmeric, yellow noodles, and your choice of vegan protein. A popular appetizer item to enjoy is the vegan appetizer sampler - a shareable plate of their most popular appetizers of Satay Soy Chicken, Flower cups, Fresh Spring Rolls, Cheesy Wontons or Thai Samosas, and Summer salad accompanied with cucumber sauce and peanut sauce.
Plumeria continues to leave a lasting impression on the community after all these years. Brett Zimmerman, who works as a manager at the Lestats coffeehouse in UH, loves it. He used to be vegetarian. “I’ve been going there for years, very friendly staff. I love how they can make artificial meat taste so real,” Zimmerman said.
Plumeria is shaking things up with fresh new eclectic mocktails on the menu. Always staying ahead of the curve, Plumeria serves up trendsetting drinks and plenty of choices to meet every guest’s desires.
photos by Jennifer Ferrada