TL;DR
University Avenue is one of the Twin Cities' most underrated vegan corridors. Ngon Vietnamese Bistro has permanently closed, but iPho by Saigon (704 University Ave W) still delivers generous vegetarian pho and vermicelli bowls at budget prices, and Life Juices (450 Lexington Pkwy N) is a 100% vegan juice bar with cold-pressed juices and acai bowls. The whole corridor is Green Line light rail accessible.
University Avenue: The Twin Cities' Most Underrated Vegan Corridor
University Avenue is not the first street that comes to mind when Minneapolis vegans plan a dining excursion. That is a mistake they should correct.
The stretch of University Avenue running through Frogtown and Hamline-Midway in St. Paul is one of the most culturally diverse food corridors in the Twin Cities - and that diversity pays direct dividends for plant-based diners. Vietnamese cuisine, built on complex broths, fresh herbs, and tofu, is naturally vegan-friendly in ways that most Western restaurant menus are not. On University Avenue, you are surrounded by Vietnamese kitchens that know what they are doing with tofu and vegetables.
There is a practical bonus: the Green Line light rail runs the entire length of University Avenue. Park once or skip the car entirely - every restaurant in this guide is within walking distance of a light rail stop.
Update: Ngon Vietnamese Bistro Has Closed
Ngon Vietnamese Bistro at 799 University Ave W was once the polished vegan-friendly anchor of this corridor. It served tofu pho, lemongrass tofu clay pot, crispy spring rolls, and marinated tofu banh mi in a more refined bistro setting than most pho counters on University Avenue.
That restaurant is now permanently closed, so do not plan a dining trip around it. The good news is that the corridor still works well for plant-based diners. iPho by Saigon is the current first stop for vegetarian pho and tofu dishes, while Life Juices covers the fully vegan juice bar side of the neighborhood. Keep Ngon in mind as context for why this stretch earned a vegan reputation, but use the current picks below when you are deciding where to eat today.
1. iPho by Saigon - The Budget Workhorse
704 University Ave W, St. Paul | $ | Vietnamese Tue-Sun (Closed Monday)
iPho by Saigon is the working-lunch version of Ngon - no-frills, generous, priced for real people. The dining room is straightforward. The menu is longer than you need. The portions are larger than you expect. The prices are lower than they should be.
For vegans on University Avenue, iPho fills a critical role: a reliable, affordable meal that does not require advance planning. The vegetarian pho here uses a mushroom-forward broth that has genuine savory depth without relying on meat stock. This matters - mushroom broth done right is a different animal (sorry) from meat broth, and iPho treats it seriously.
What to Order at iPho by Saigon (Vegan)
Vegetarian Pho with Mushroom Broth - The anchor of the menu for plant-based diners. The mushroom broth is earthy and deeply flavored. Large bowl, excellent value. Add extra basil and squeeze a full lime wedge in - the acid brightens the whole bowl.
Tofu Lemongrass Stir-Fry - Tofu with lemongrass, chili, and vegetables over rice. Simple, direct, satisfying. This is the dish you order when you want something fast and filling.
Summer Rolls - Fresh rice paper rolls stuffed with vegetables, herbs, and rice noodles, served with peanut dipping sauce. Light and fresh - a good counterpoint to a pho bowl if you are eating with someone.
Vermicelli Noodle Bowl - Cold rice noodles with fresh vegetables, pickled carrots, cucumber, and herbs. A cooler-weather alternative to soup that works particularly well in summer.
The vibe: Classic Vietnamese lunch counter energy. Busy, efficient, unpretentious. The staff move fast. You will be fed and out the door in 30 minutes if you need to be. Come back on a slower day when you can linger over the menu.
Note: Closed Mondays. Plan accordingly.
2. Life Juices - Hamline-Midway's Fully Vegan Juice Bar
450 Lexington Pkwy N, Hamline-Midway | $ | Vegan / Juice Bar Tuesday-Saturday only
Life Juices is not a restaurant - it is a mission. This is a 100% vegan juice bar in Hamline-Midway anchored around organic, cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, acai bowls, and smoothies. Everything on the menu is plant-based. There is no navigating around dairy or hidden ingredients.
The cold-pressed juice lineup covers the standard bases (green blends, citrus-heavy cleanses, beet-based earthy options) and does them with actual quality ingredients. The acai bowls are built for substance, not just Instagram - thick acai base, real fruit, granola, and a proper topping situation.
What to Order at Life Juices (Vegan)
Cold-Pressed Juices - The house specialty. Ask which blends are running that day - the lineup rotates with seasonal availability. The green blends tend to be well-balanced (not aggressively grassy), and the citrus blends are genuinely refreshing.
Acai Bowls - Dense, properly built, and filling enough to function as a meal. The toppings are generous. This is a legitimate breakfast or light lunch option.
Wellness Shots - Concentrated ginger, turmeric, and citrus shots. A useful addition to a juice order if you are fighting something off or just want a quick hit of something potent.
The vibe: Community-rooted, mission-driven, unpretentious. Life Juices is the kind of place that exists because its founders believed it should - not because it was the obvious business decision. That comes through in the product.
Note: Tuesday-Saturday only. Confirm hours before making a special trip.
Practical Notes for University Avenue
Getting here: The Green Line light rail is the easiest way to access University Avenue. The Western Ave and Hamline Ave stops put you within a few blocks of iPho and the former Ngon space. For Life Juices, the Hamline Ave stop is closest. No parking stress, no traffic.
Parking: Street parking is generally available on University Avenue and adjacent streets, but the Green Line makes it unnecessary. If you are driving from Minneapolis, surface street parking is easier than you expect.
Budget: University Avenue is significantly more affordable than Grand Avenue or Cathedral Hill. A full meal at iPho by Saigon runs $12-16. Ngon is slightly more at $15-20 per person. Life Juices runs $8-14 per item.
Best time to visit: Weekday lunch is the sweet spot for iPho and Life Juices - shorter waits, same food.
Combine these stops: iPho and Life Juices are about a half mile apart in Hamline-Midway - an easy walk or a single light rail stop.
The Case for University Avenue
University Avenue does not market itself as a vegan destination. It does not need to. The Vietnamese culinary tradition that anchors this corridor has been feeding plant-based diners well for decades - tofu, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and vegetable-forward broths are the architecture of the cuisine, not accommodations.
iPho by Saigon brings the value. Life Juices brings the mission. Ngon's closure leaves a gap, but the corridor still makes a compelling case for crossing the river.
For more St. Paul plant-based dining, see our Grand Avenue Vegan Guide, Cathedral Hill Vegan Guide, and the full Vegan Restaurants in St. Paul overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best vegan restaurants on University Avenue in St. Paul?
The top current vegan-friendly stops on University Avenue, St. Paul are iPho by Saigon (704 University Ave W) for budget-friendly vegetarian pho with mushroom broth, tofu lemongrass stir-fry, and vermicelli bowls; Life Juices (450 Lexington Pkwy N, Hamline-Midway) for cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, and wellness shots in a fully vegan juice bar; and nearby co-op or bakery stops for quick plant-based meals. Ngon Vietnamese Bistro, formerly one of the corridor's best vegan-friendly restaurants, has permanently closed.
Is University Avenue in St. Paul good for vegans?
Yes - University Avenue is one of the most vegan-friendly corridors in St. Paul. The diverse Vietnamese food scene on this stretch of Frogtown means many restaurants have strong plant-based options by default. The Green Line light rail runs the entire length of University Avenue, making it easy to explore without a car. Budget-friendly pricing is the norm - most meals run $10-15.
Is Ngon Vietnamese Bistro still open in St. Paul?
No. Ngon Vietnamese Bistro at 799 University Ave W in St. Paul is permanently closed. It was known for tofu pho, lemongrass tofu clay pot, crispy spring rolls, and marinated tofu banh mi. For a current University Avenue vegan pho option, start with iPho by Saigon.
What should vegans order at iPho by Saigon on University Avenue?
At iPho by Saigon (704 University Ave W, St. Paul), top vegan picks are the vegetarian pho with mushroom broth (deeply savory, generous bowl), tofu lemongrass stir-fry, summer rolls with peanut sauce, and vermicelli noodle bowls loaded with fresh vegetables and herbs. Portions are large and prices are low - this is among the best value vegan meals on University Avenue. Note: iPho is closed Mondays.
Is University Avenue on the Green Line light rail?
Yes - the Green Line light rail runs the entire length of University Avenue between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. Multiple stops serve the Frogtown and Hamline-Midway sections where these restaurants are located. The Western Ave and Hamline Ave stops are closest to the former Ngon space and iPho by Saigon. This makes University Avenue one of the most transit-accessible dining corridors in the Twin Cities.