2633 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 109 (between Cedar and Chestnut, near Fresno State)
Fresno, CA 93710

559.294.2199

Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Closed Sunday

by Jessi Hafer

Jasmine Garden has an extensive menu of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes. While there is not an obvious “Vegetarian Menu,” there are lots of things to choose from as you look over the menu, including Mongolian Tofu, Mongolian Vegetables, Lemongrass Tofu, and several “House Sautéed Specialties,” which can be made with choice of meat or vegetarian style. We had the “Peanut” dish with tofu, a beautiful blend of bamboo, bell pepper, onions, carrots, fried tofu, and a wonderful peanut sauce, nicely balanced with the vegetables so that it’s not overpowering. The Mongolian tofu was also good. We ordered it as “spicy,” and while most restaurants’ “spicy” is not that noticeable too us, “spicy” was noticeable at Jasmine Garden—so specify spiciness with caution if you’re not into that kind of thing.

Jasmine Garden has several noodle dishes to choose from, including some of my usual choices: pad thai, pad see-ew, and drunken noodles. Instead of one of my usuals, I had the Thai Curry Noodles, and it was one of the best noodle dishes I’ve tried in a while! With bean sprouts, ground peanuts, green onions, and curry sauce, it goes wonderfully with some fried tofu.

The menu dons a few choices for pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup. Like just about everything else on the menu, they were willing to make it vegan (make sure you indicate no beef/chicken broth, fish sauce, or eggs), but they warned that the pho wouldn’t have a lot of flavor with just the noodles and vegetables. They weren’t kidding! That said, with a little help from the hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and soy sauce on the table, the pho was actually quite nice.

The fresh spring rolls (with tofu) came with a fantastic peanut sauce. We also tried a couple of the beverages. I’m a fan of coconut juice, lighter than the coconut milk you might be more familiar with, and Jasmine Garden serves theirs with some slices of coconut “meat” in it. We also tried the tamarind with palm seed drink. It was… interesting! It wasn’t bad, but it had a sweet/sour flavor I wasn’t prepared for (even though the waitress told us it would be sort of sweet and sour). Try it if you’re feeling adventurous!

The best thing about Jasmine Garden is that the staff is very nice, upfront, and accommodating with the modifications that can be made for vegans. I only hope that when I go back I’m willing to talk to them again, and see what all they can make vegan, so I try something new… but I’ll probably just have the Thai Curry Noodles!