Layonna Vegetarian Health Food Market

the man working behind the counter was so friendly. Im really excited to try out some recipes with my new «fake» meat! Grab a bag of «beef jerky». SO GOOD!

A hidden gem! This store is very small but there are tons of vegetarian fake meats to purchase. Allow your imagination to run wild and cook some creative dishes! Good prices, nice staff, and I always find a nice little Buddha bookmark by the free literature bookshelf near the entrance. Great compassionate local shop to support.

I have been coming to this vegetarian market for years (why I’ve never checked in till recently is a mystery haha). It’s small and easy to miss but the only market of its kind in Chinatown.
The workers aren’t super talkative but have always greeted me upon entering. I usually grab a shopping basket because I rarely leave without a handful of goods. They are happy to answer questions too but be patient as the workers mostly speak Mandarin.
Prices aren’t cheap and have increased over the years but as I mentioned, they don’t really have competition. This is a one stop shop for most of your vegetarian needs (some items are vegan as well) — everything from canned, dried, frozen, and fresh items. Certain items are charged by the pound.
I like the vegetarian fish, «chicken» drumsticks, «ham“roll (I usually get 3 – 4 servings out of one), variations of bean curd, fried fish tofu — basically things that are hard to find at other grocery stores. The dried «meats» are fun too and you can get a little or a lot.
Credit card accepted but there is a minimum charge ($ 20 or $ 25 I believe) — since it’s a bit pricey, it’s not hard to meet it. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area. Bring cash just in case and a shopping bag for all your goods!

This place is very small, about the size of a bodega or corner store but it’s filled with all the vegetarian meats you could every imagine, in a small (~3.99) or jumbo bag (~37.00). I didn’t see any prepared food when I arrived and honestly, the frozen stuff is good enough of a deal that I didn’t even mind. The people who work here are friendly and take note that English isn’t the predominant language spoken here so be cognizant and respectful of that.
I asked for help for a few vegetarian «chicken» items they had and they gladly pointed me to the right items! I was even gifted free produce with my purchase. Pretty sure it’s way cheaper than Trader Joes for the quantity. Thanks again!

Excellent place, I’ve been coming here for over 10 years for their large variety of vegetarian fake meat. A little bewildered by the other poster that called this area «sketchy». It’s on Broadway at the edge of Chinatown very near downtown. Just because there aren’t any white people around, it does not mean that it is a dangerous area.

I am not a vegetarian but I love tofu. This is the only place that I go to buy tofu. The price is reasonable and friendly service.

Came here after my daughter had found a couple of items she really liked. However 2 out of the 3 things we wanted to buy where out of stock. Couldn’t get a definitive answer of when new stock would come in.

Layonna is a required visit for vegetarians and vegans. You can get a lot of items that Rainbow Grocery doesn’t carry.
+1: They sell mock meats in bulk, so you can choose the quantity you want, save some money, and not waste packaging.
+1: The variety of mock meats is pretty insane!
+1: I’m super crazy picky about mock seafood, so I don’t usually like it. I used to go to Las Vegas just to get tuna melts because I think most tuna tastes too fishy. Layonna’s tuna is delicious! I use it for tuna casserole and tuna melts, and it’s a huge hit!
+1: They have a brand of jerky that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else. And it’s named Zen! When I send care packages to vegans, I always include this jerky since it’s so unique to this area.
+1: Their nori is like a tenth of the price of the package I buy at Rainbow or Whole Foods. Such a good deal!
Added bonus: It’s walking distance from Souley Vegan, so you can make an excursion out of it.

This place is awesome. Many local vegetarian restaurants will charge $ 10-&15 for something you could make at home with assistance of the people here. Some are flavored and some you’ll need to marinate.

I’m in heaven! If you are looking for faux meats – this is the place! Every kind of faux meat you could possibly ask for, and at a great price. The ladies working at very friendly and super helpful. I will be back after I eat the 50 lbs of deliciousness.

I checked this place out looking for lunch options, and it wasn’t quite what I expected. They have very little that’s ready to eat (apart from soda, shame on you).
It’s mostly frozen faux meat options. Cool if you’re cooking that, but probably not something I’d buy very often, and might only eat at Golden Lotus or similar.
I’m sure I’ll peek in some other time, but not for lunch.

ALMOST at Broadway and 8^th, so sort of parking options exist. They were really nice and helpful — partner went and bought us FIVE POUNDS of yummy adorable frozen already made up soy and wheat flour and tofu skin and gluten and what not «drumsticks» — these even have little sticks in them. Bargain. Because partner does not eat meat. But now we can have yummy fried things! Er, drumsticks. Also we bought Burdock something — will let you know how wonderful that turns out to be.

Bad bad bad!!! Stay away!
I went to this place after reading all of the good reviews on Unilocal.However when I went inside:
1. The «fake» meats looked horrendous.
But I still tried to look around and find something that I would be interested in trying. Since I am a vegetarian I was definitely going to walk out of there with some type of fake meat to try.
2. The owner was incredibly rude and unwelcoming.
As I was opening one of the freezers to take out a product I was considering, she yelled at me to close her freezer because she did not the door to «fog» up. Mind you, I was the only other person in the store. She was incredibly rude and I decided to just leave and not purchase anything.
Why would I give my money to someone who is rude to me and does not even let me take a good look at their products?
She doesn’t even realize she would of had a loyal customer if only she wouldn’t of been so unwelcoming.
I have other vegetarian friends who were thinking about visiting this place as-​well. After what I have told them — they are NO LONGER planning on visiting Layonna’s.
Layonna I will make sure to tell everyone who ever tells me they are considering to visit your store — to stay away!
You are incredibly rude and you do not deserve to be in business!
*If you want to buy your food from a rude old lady then go ahead and give her your money. But don’t be surprised when she makes you feel unwelcome in her store.

Friendly owners. And staff. Good frozen and homeaide vegan products.
Look at prices, because it can get expensive fast. But most items are priced good. Some items way cheaper than whole foods.

We like the Thai chicken (sweet and spicy). It’s very similar to some dishes we’ve had in restaurants and is really easy to make.

Thank you Layonna for providing «mock» meat for us fellow vegetarians/​vegans!!! Many years ago when I would do «no meat» for Lent, I thought it was the hardest task. They hardly had anything out there. I ate tofu and veggies for 40 days and 40 nights.
As the years past, several companies stepped up with amazing meat substitute, which made giving up meat on Lent easier and easier. Once I turned vegan, my honey told me about this place and how they provide «mock» meat that looks and taste just like the real deal. At first I thought, how would he know since he’s been vegetarian/​vegan almost all his life… then I realized that’s the key «almost» all his life. He once ate meat, it’s not like he came out of his mom’s tummy and said I want to be vegan.
Even though he told me this I had to try it out for myself and sure enough I did and it was crazy good. Some of the items don’t taste like the real deal, but the spices they add to it makes up for it. I was surprise it looked similar to the real thing.
They sell mock ham, chicken, beef, scallops and fish… how is that possible? Who knows… They sell by the bulk if you own a company, which I’m sure this is where most of the restaurants get it. If you’re like us just two people, you can purchase items by the pound or pre-​packaged. They also sell, dried noodles, sauces and can products. The prices are very reasonable.
When we first came here I was overwhelmed by the choices, but my favorite so far is the Veggie Steam Buns, Chicknon Chunks, Chicknon Drumsticks, Pork Chuncks and Beef Strips.
My honey is a happy camper because I get to create new dishes in c/​o Layonna. He is more than happy to stop by this place while heading home from BART… see what he thinks of the place.
View my pictures of the creations I’ve done!

The more I visit Layonna, the more I appreciate what this local business means to the Vegan community. Layonna Market is billed as a «health food market». I wouldn’t exactly call it that since they don’t really sell fruits and veggies. They’re more like a Vegan butcher shop without the stench of death. While it certainly doesn’t look like much from the outside or inside, (it’s about the size of a bedroom) you’ll find they are stocked with a whole host of items. Just be sure to check the ingredients as I’m not 100% sure if everything is completely Vegan. They have the English labels slapped on as an afterthought as most of these products are made in Taiwan or elsewhere overseas.
They sell an entire line of mock meats that run the gamut from your average «chick-​non», to abstract items such as «Abalone-​non», along more obscure things you wouldn’t dream of recreating. In fact, if you’ve had faux meat from any of the local Bay Area restaurants, chances are it came from Layonna as they supply many of the local restaurants.
While you shouldn’t be doing your regular weekly grocery shopping here, it’s a great place to stock up on some accouterments to compliment your main dish of veggies. I love their drumsticks with the sugar cane «bone». Glaze ‘em up ‘n bake those bad boys and you have gourmet appetizers at home. Better yet, drop ‘em in the deep fryer for an unhealthy, yet oh so yummy splurge. I also get their «pork chunks» that my babygirl transforms into the most amazing Adobo & Pancit you’ll ever eat! Lately we’ve been getting their steamed buns. Throw these in a steamer basket and BOOM! you have something you can’t even get at most restaurants. All at $ 3.49 for a pack of six. While I wish they had more flavor, they have a great texture. Nothing a little banana sauce or Sriracha can’t remedy…
The ladies that run the shop are all very friendly and helpful, even with limited English. The prices are pretty fair. You won’t find it elsewhere for much less. They also stock a few other must-​haves for all of your Asian cooking needs such as fish-​less sauce, noodles, wrappers, ramen, and more such as huge bulk containers of MSG if that’s your thing. Being located a few blocks from 12^th street BART means I can hop off, grab a few items, then hop back on to head home where my babgygirl will create magic in the kitchen utilizing their ingredients.
To see a few of the dazzling dishes my honey has made utilizing Layonna foods, check this out:

Layonna is a vegetarian paradise. For anyone who cooks regularly for themselves and is vegetarian, this place will have ingredients found nowhere else. Layonna supplies ingredients to many of the local vegetarian restaurants (Golden Lotus notably) As such, most everything sold there is available in normal consumer size packages, and giant $ 50 bags for professional kitchens.
Some favorites are the veggie bar b que pork, and veggie beef strips, but if you’re like most vegetarians and miss eating bacon: then Layonna has you covered there. Their veggie bacon comes in a large chunk and requires thin slicing or dicing. It works well in omelettes or salads, and should satisfy most folks’ craving.

Layonna’s is kind of like a vegan toy store. I came here specifically for bulk chicken steak (used at Love n Haight, and sold in the smaller packages in places in SF) and Layonna’s sure did deliver. Since the packaging and serving sizes don’t really make sense, it’s hard to gauge how many actually come in the package. But for $ 35, you’ll be set on fake chicken for quite a well.
Other highlights at Layonna’s are the chicken chunks and drumsticks. I can’t wait to come back and get some new items.

Layonna Vegeterian has all kinds of vegeterian stuff: canned, dried, frozen, dried, etc. some bulk packs (mock abalone and other meats) are in the refrigerator.
eats: «ground» brand, Mock beef jerky (vegetarian3.29, 6 ounce)
–comes hot too, tastes like beef jerky, cheaper.
–mostly made of mushroom, salt, soy sauce and spices. potassium sorbate used as perservative.
–made in taiwan
–98 calories/​ounce
–4% fat, 11% soduium, carbohydrate 6%, dietary fibre 26%
–has slight sweet & low taste.
crumbs
–can now enjoy beef jerky, guilt free