i couldn't wait to grasshop my ass right out of there. we were excited to try the no name, which yes, did in fact taste just like orange chicken and yeah that was pretty neat, until we found a long black hair amongst our gluten. if that wasnt enough to turn off us of this place forever, there were a few other delightful aspects worth mentioning. the service was horrible. in the words of our friend who came along with us for dinner, our waitress was a "heinous bitch". the place was dirty, the lights were flickering, and it was empty at 7:30 on a friday night (which should have been a red flag...) the portions are decent, so long as you dont mind someone elses DNA in your dish. read more

As an ardent meat-eater, i was pleasantly surprised with this place! Yummy and huge lunch for $5.25?? Really? The Delight soup was fab, but you gotta be a mushroom lover for it. Also, the spring roll was delish, particularly because of the amazing dipping sauce. Stir fried veggies and tofu were in a great sauce, and the portion was so huge that I had enough left for dinner (even though I ate it as an afternoon snack instead). Just thinking bout this place is making me hungry!! read more

We'd give this 5 stars if Grasshopper didn't have a filthy fish tank in the restaurant. Vegans don't want to see poor fish in captivity swimming around in a small, dirty tank. Otherwise, we enjoy the buffets, especially during BVS events. Edited: Thanks for getting rid of the fish tank :) read more

I'm neither vegan (or even vegetarian for that matter) or much of a fan of Chinese food, but to the Grasshopper I went for their monthly Sunday buffet. I believe I was the only newbie in our group which included two vegetarians and one vegan. I decided to try a little of everything, and honestly I don't know what half of the things were that I ate. I liked everything except the sweet and sour soup (spicy with a weird flavor that I couldn't handle), but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like the meat version either and it was a hit among most of the others. I'm not a huge fan of fake meat stuff, but everything was decent tasting. The favorite by far was the "No Name" - my friend's husband went up for thirds. HEAPING thirds. Myself I prefered just the brown rice and sauteed veggies. There's only so much flavored gluten I can handle at one time. The "chicken fingers" were actually really good though. I have to admit I might have liked them better than real chicken fingers. They were very deep fried (and sweet) with pieces of tofu inside. You couldn't taste the tofu (but it had a good texture) and it was nice not to have to worry about the usual sketchy chicken meat inside. So all in all a nice vegan meal....and then I went home and had a big bowl of ice cream to finish the night off right. :) read more

I have to give Grasshopper 5 stars just for No Name. That is their greatest gift to the world. No Name is quite possibly the best vegan or vegetarian takeout I've ever had. It's almost like the real thing. Ah, I miss you, real thing! Thanks Grasshopper for making this genius gluten creation. read more

Their lunch special is impossible to beat! A pot of tea, soup, and entree with side of rice for less than eight dollars including tax is definitely a great deal in my book. Their food is not the most mind blowing vegan or Asian food I've ever had, and their seitan is a little tough, but service is always prompt and attentive. read more

Awesome chicken plates and huge portion (look at the third photo -- that's what I am talking about). I love it, it's crispy and sweet and delicious and makes you want to be vegan (I'm not, but my crispy crunchy groovy friend is). Their tea sucks -- but what Asian joint-style place doesn't have terrible refried, re-poured black tea? So, if you like that kind of thing, it's for you read more

Almost empty when we got there. Lot's bigger than it looks from outside. You could bring LARGE groups of friends here...there are many table configurations. 4 tops, 6 tops, 8 tops 10 tops...not standard in most places I frequent. Anyway, the food. Appetizer came quickly. Fried spring rolls, hot & tasty. I got the No name, since everybody recommends that. One friend got the noodle, sweet potato, chicken thing...and didn't eat it... another friend got the veggie "bowl"...the bowl was made from crispy noodles. Great! I had leftovers from the No Name and it was good the next day too. Probably not the best food for you in the world, considering it's vegetarian..lots of gluten and fat, but it tastes great. read more

Absolutely horrible. I enjoy vegetarian Asian food in general, but this was the worst meal I've had in Boston. Vegetarians and meat-eaters beware: it's hard to make food as disgusting as what I was served. read more

SO DELICIOUS! I'm not a huge fan of tofu and was really nervous about what I might be getting into, but after sharing a giant appetizer sampler with my friend, I was excited for what was next. I ordered the Sweet and Sour Sensation, which, I've been told, is one of their staple meals. It was absolutely delicious. The portions are huge and the prices are totally reasonable. The atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired, but who cares? It's amazing. read more

Our waiter did not speak enough English to take our order- the hostess had to come over to "clarify," by which I mean take our whole order again. No one there could tell me what the "gluten powder" on the menu description was. What we got to eat did not look at all like the menu described. I wasn't expecting fake meat (just veggies), but fake meat I got, and it seemed gristly! No one ever came to check in on us once the food was served. It gets two stars, since we didn't have any bugs and the food was edible, but I'll never go back. read more

This was probably the biggest waste of calories, money and sodium intake I've ever experienced. I had the veggie chicken fingers- what a joke. It's bland tofu battered and fried in what seems to be unseasoned corndog batter. Basically just a giant bland flour ball. I also ordered the asparagus mix with seitan chicken. Basically it was a tin of brown oil with little bits of asparagus and five pieces of seitan that tasted similar to the smell of sewage. I dont think I've ever had a more unpleasant meal than this before. It was so bad that it was laughable. 0/10. Dont waste your time, money, or caloric intake on this place. read more

Tasty seitan in a thick, meaty sauce with tons of veggies. Dozens and dozens of options. A dream come true for vegetarians missing meat. Even BYOB, which is unheard of in Boston. Fried wontons are great, too. Cleanliness, I wonder about, given reviews mentioning roaches... read more

I love the vermecelli dishes here. I would also recommend the light assorted appetizers, it has yummy seawead salad, sesame buckwheat noodles, summer rolls, and edamame. The gluten dishes I am not that big of a fan of. But for a vegan restaurant, this is the best one that I've been to. read more

The place I take people who are in town for just one night, the place I'd save if all restaurants but one had to be destroyed. Reliably delicious, so much so that I think my blood pressure rises with anticipation just waiting for the food. I came to Grasshopper first as a meat-eater, and never missed the neat a bit. The chinese eggplant slides into your mouth like liquid, the vermicelli rolls are fresh and huge, and if you're ever lucky enough to catch the infrequent buffets, you will be in heaven in ten different ways. read more

As a vegan, this is where I come when my body craves for greasy Chinese food. They serve in huge portions for incredibly reasonable pricing. The famous No Name is of course one of my favorites, but the Chow Foon Pockets I think deserves more notice. Don't miss the all day buffet on the third Sunday every month. read more

Big portions for a decent price, but the food was gloppy. Bound in Snow's bathroom description was quite apt. Thankfully, I didn't get ill from the food, but I had serious doubts about their cleanliness after visiting the restroom. read more

Vegan chinese food, good portions, great service. Highly recommended.

I am not vegan but tried this place out of curiosity and it was really good. The food was delicious. I went with a friend and we shared a few dishes - lo-meiln, "beef" & broccoli, spring rolls, and dessert (vegan cheesecake). Like I said, I'm not vegan so I wouldn't come here every day but it was good and I'd recommend it to anyone. read more

Sad to write this review. Have been going to Grasshopper for years. Addicted to the No Name (General Tso chicken without the chicken). Yes it is greasy. But it is cheap, good portions and tasty! The staff are pleasant, though the atmosphere and decor are sorely lacking. So, why the two stars you ask? Roaches. Had heard rumors but on the last visit I spotted two German Cockroaches (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_cockroach) climbing the walls. Would have put me off my food had I still been eating at that juncture. Very sad. Hope they get this problem sorted out! read more

I'm not a vegan, and this place confirmed my reasons not to be. Portions are huge, but the food was mediocre at best, and I have to agree with Camille R. about their meat alternative - I tried the "No Name" Grasshopper Special, and while it tasted alright at first (mostly thanks to the sweet and sour sauce), it really started to have a slippery/rubbery texture to it after eating it as leftovers for two days. The "Eggplant and Tofu Surprise," another Grasshopper Special comprised of asparagus, eggplant, tofu chunks, and peppers in a spicy black bean sauce, was literally an enormous pile of vegetables in a sauce that wasn't spicy at all. Ellen DeGeneres would not approve. read more

I don't know if it's a good or bad sign that my friend Tiffany and I were describing the food in yelp star ratings as we ate dinner. Anyway, my no name was a five, her seitan was like a two (the black pepper sauce was really good on first blush but had no depth) and the appetizers were a two and a half. And just as we agreed upon at dinner that averages out to a 3.16666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666667 so all things equal let's just call it a three. read more

This place is bit better than Budda's Delight but their food is very average. Their bathroom is scary ( graffiti and ugly gray paint all over the place) I have a fish tank myself. I realize the restaurant who take care their fish tank well would pay more attention of their food quality. I found their fish tank has clouded water and their fishes does't seems to be too happy there. read more

I don't even think this place is that amazing but somehow I find myself eating here more than any other restaurant in Boston. I just get these mad cravings for NoName and the wonton soup. The fact that you can get vegan wonton soup is maybe just great in and of itself. (though once there was a worm/grub in it. disgusting AND not vegetarian. they gave me a free slice of cheesecake after i complained so it was all good) All of the other things I have eaten here are underwhelming borderline gross. Like the beef noodle dish I tried that tasted like an old attic. Basically what I'm getting at is if you go here don't order anything besides NoName and make sure to check out the poster of the flying penguin. read more

"Even in the worm that crawls in the earth there glows a divine spark" Not many deals can beat 3d Sunday of the month at this place. Unless you get take-out, your food will come with the Allston kids. They are harmless though very froward, bawdy and ever so hungry, they will steal some of the attention from your delicious meal with their loud stories of last nights adventures, H&M, their bicycles, Alan Ginsburg and these strangly-named bands, you've never heard of. So I'd recommend: if you come along - bring the headphones, if you come with a company seat away from the colorful crowd with glasses. Oh, and make your research before you go there - the waitstaff usually doesn't know the menu and with which mushrooms it is all made. Non-vegetarians also usually love this place. read more

Salty but tasty. However, don't go here on a first, second, or even a third date. The food will give you toxic vegan farts. Service was very good. read more

One of my favorite Vegan Resto, my favorite is the Vg Lobster and every 3rd Sunday I go there with my friends for buffett.

Grasshopper is one of my favorite restaurants! The noname & hot and sour soup are my go to, but I've never had something I didn't like. also the service is amazing, with super friendly waiters who make the whole experience enjoyable. Recently I forgot my phone after eating there and one of the waiters ran down the street to return it to me. read more

Came here for lunch with some friends from work. Food was awesome. Had the no name based on the reviews and it was worth it! My colleagues also had dishes that tasted great although I don't remember the names. Would definitely eat here again! read more

I love meat. Adore it. I eat at steakhouses like it's my JOB. So why am I giving Grasshopper, a vegan restaurant, 4 stars (almost 5, really)? Simple; it's DELICIOUS. I get cravings for the No-Name. If you're in town, vegan or not, you should check this place out. read more

I love this restaurant. The beef seitan is my favorite. The spring rolls are better than any non vegan rolls. The staff are very gracious and the service is attentive. I've never had anything but good food here. read more

Grasshopper is okay vegan-Asian food. Tasty, but nothing to shout about. It's hipster heaven, that's for sure, and the tempura is yummy, as is the "no name." Still, it's largely typical vegan riffs on boring generAsian fare. Go here if you're vegan and you're in Allston, because you really don't have many other choices. read more

I haven't been to this place in ages, but I know that I had some of the best vegan Asian food ever and will def. be going back soon. When my friend took me I had no idea that it was a vegan restaurant (not that it would have swayed me either way) - but the food is hella tasty, vegan or not, and I will def. be going back more often now that I have been reminded about it. read more

My first trip to the Grasshopper was on a weekend in 2001 with a friend of a friend who lived in Brighton. This was my first exposure to tofu. We had the edamame. It was amazing. I did not yet fully understand the concept of tofu, but I did soon after I ate one of the "chicken" dishes. 2006. I now live 50 ft away from Grasshopper and it's to die for. Really. The tempora is astounding. Light, fresh batter, with even fresher veggies. The "No-Name" is a gift from the vegan heavens. A gigantic fried gluten dish resembling General Gau chicken is more than generously portioned. There is enough food for two days in the "No-Name," but it is so addictive it's impossible to not eat the whole thing in one day. The brown rice is always a delicious side and the plethora of options on the menu are formidable. The house rice is a HUGE portion that could easily feed three people. The "beef" and broccoli is very tasty as well. I'm a lover of cheap Americanized Chinese food, and though there are so many of these joints in Allston, I don't even consider them anymore because of how fresh and (more than) generously portioned Grasshopper is...not to mention the lack of msg and serious potential weight gain from a typical Am-Chinese restaurant. Grasshopper is easily one of tTHE best vegan and Asian cusined restaurants in Boston and maybe even Massachusetts. Regardless of the vegan menu, it's incredible. TRY THE NO-NAME! read more

Grasshopper is a good place to try if you're a vegetarian/vegan--you might not be wowed, but you certainly won't be disappointed. The food is pretty standard Chinese fare, with vegetarian alternatives to meat products. The portions are HUGE, too. I go in every time intending to try a dessert, but always eat too much dinner. read more

Every time I've eaten here I think I forgot how disappointed I was the previous time. The only dish i would probably still get here is the No Name. Seriously. I'm sorry, but I've just moved on to bigger and better Asian vegan cuisine. read more

Stick to what people recommend and you will survive. Dont get me wrong I dig my wheat gluten fried globs they taste like heaven (pouring out cognac to "no name"), but do NOT stray from this advice. My husband who is about as far from a vegetarian as you can get without strictly gnawing on a dead lambs kneecap, and I told him to get any of a handful of items...instead he stole the reigns and rolls out with some noodle dish to be discussed. The appetizers are always lip smacking, I adore the light assorted platter it is something about peanut sauce and rice wraps I could pour them in my throat. DO NOT CONSUME ANYTHING "seafood", gross...gross. GROSS. Eh hem anyway so my no name plate came and of course my hubbys paws are all over my plate his face covered in sweet and sour sauce. His plate arrives *pause* me-"yea I told you". One half hour session of him trying to swallow without chewing and stealing bits from my plate I think he learned his lesson and so have all you readers. The end read more

I loved this place. I used to live right down the street from here and enjoyed the food on many occasions. I like this place because it has almost all the food you see in Asian cuisine, but it is all vegan. The place is cool, but sometimes kind of busy. The lady that owns/runs the place memorizes your order instead of writing it down. I usually got the No Name and the appetizer sampler (I can't remember the name). The appetizers are very good. And finally the vegan cheese cake is always a must. read more

This place is AWESOME! food is great, fan of the vegi beef, The No Name (of course) and the curry chicken style :) The lady who works there is so sweet, I was parked illegally while waiting for my to go order so she offered to let me wait in the car and brought it out to me! great food great service! read more

I love this place. It's so tasty, healthy and you get large portions. However they're not punctual. I'm so frustrated with the restaurant often opening well past its 11am opening time. I work across the street from the restaurant and get lunch break at 11am, so I pop over by 11:05 only to see that they're not open. I'm currently still waiting for the restaurant to open and it's 11:26am right now. I need to head back to work soon, but I'm very hungry and don't want anything else, that's why I'm still here. If they were much more prompt, I'd give them five stars. I initially was going to give a rating of 3, but now it's a 2 because I'm *still* waiting and it's 11:30am now. Update at 11:32am: A man wearing a GrubHub shirt just came up to the door on his phone (supposedly calling the restaurant) confused why it wasn't open, then left. Sheesh! read more