Masao Kitchen - Waltham

I can't believe that I slept on this one for this long. As someone who appreciates clean, mindful eating, this cafe certainly checks the box on all fronts for me. Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you. The food is top-notch, and you'll find warm,home-style, high-quality, vegan food here. They definitely run out of food fast, so highly recommend going in earlier. I mayhave also met the owner, Masao, who runs the place today and he's incredibly sweet.

The owner seemed surprised when I walked in, and with a disposable container in hand, asked if my meal was for takeout. I decided to sit down and enjoy lunch there, though no other customers were treated the same way. The food was excellent, and the dessert was delightful as well. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the place was clean. I left a tip and said thank you on my way out, but received no acknowledgment. Vegan food is meant to elevate people's consciousness, or so they say. I'm not sure about that, but I'll give it another try next time and see if anything changes.

This place is really good and really cool. It is not fancy, but you can tell the owner works there. The focus is on high quality great tasting food that is real. It is buffet style, you pick what you want and pay by weight. There is limited seating andthere were people at the door before it opened on a Thursday evening. EDIT: Only open for lunch and takeout since pandemic.Still great food but it is no longer buffet and no dinner hours. EDIT: 5/1/22 Buffet eat in or take out is now available atlunch.

Masao's Kitchen is hands down one of the best places for vegan comfort food I've ever encountered. I feel so fortunate to live nearby! The seitan cutlet is simply the best I've ever tasted, and it somehow becomes even more amazing when prepared in BBQ style! I visit Masao's regularly, and it's always the highlight of my day. I've never tried anything there that I didn't absolutely love.

I tried their vegan noodle bowl (small), and although I'm not a vegan, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. The vegetable broth had a rich flavor, and the tempura vegetables added a nice crunch. The small portion was quite filling, but if you prefer a larger size, they offer a big one for double the price, so you'll be well taken care of if that's what you’re looking for.