Hi, I am Lee, Vegan Dad, Wellness Chef, Runner and Lover of Nature. Mindfully existing and sharing perspective on the topics of
health, food,compassion,community, and more.
This is a story of one family’s quest, driven by their Dad–Vegan Dad–to find the tastiest, most delicious, planet saving-est, animal-loving, Vegan Food in Southern California. This journey brought us from the shore of the Pacific to the base of the Angeles National Forest.
We ate, talked, walked, drank, laughed, read, grooved to the music, drove, swam, climbed all over Los Angeles County, having the epicurean time of our lives all the while not one animal was consumed on our journey.
Thai scramble at Martha’s in Hermosa Beach
We started at Martha’s, located on 22nd Street in Hermosa Beach. Not a vegan place, but with a few vegan options on the menu. Their Coffee was delicious and they had my fav: oat milk. I ordered the Thai Scramble: red peppers, hummus, carrots, broccoli, Thai peanut sauce, red slaw, and lundberg farms 7 grain rice–so tasty I did not even miss the Tofu eggs…
It’s a great bustling place, right next to the beach, friendly, efficient service too.
When you’re done, take a walk down the Strand, you won’t regret it!
Vegan Dad Approved!
Breakfast at Martha’s in Hermosa Beach
Next we had to head East and North, to Pasadena. We checked into our hotel and found ourselves hungry again. Where t? Vegan Sushi and Asian Fusion. We found The Naughty Vegan.
Waiting for our food outside the Naughty Vegan
Nothing like the feeling of finding a Vegan restaurant where EVERYTHING is VEGAN. I get so happy and excited when I’m trying to decide what to order. Usually I just want everything!
At the Naughty Vegan I got the Spicey Korean Beef Bowl (seitan/soy “beef” seasoned in a house-made Spicy Korean Glaze, served with Broccoli, Carrots, Jasmine Rice, Sesame Seeds, and Green Onions).
Some of the kids got the Orange Chicken (house “chicken” made of fried breaded cauliflower, served with steamed broccoli, pickled carrots, and a bed of jasmine rice).
And of course our Vegan Sushi 🙂
Naruto Roll (crispy fried “shrimp,” avocado, and cucumber, topped with lemon slices, Sriracha, Naughty Glaze, and sesame seeds)
Charmander Roll (shredded “shrimp” mix, avocado, cucumber topped with thinly sliced “salmon” and oranges finished with spicy mayo, sriracha, green onions sesame seeds).
The food was so delicious and the people working there took so much pride in what they were doing. It’s a pleasure to go to a place with people who believe in what they are doing and are knowledgeable about what they serve.
Panda and Naughty Boy both started out as a pop-up. Panda served Burgers and Bowls, while Naughty Boy rolled Sushi to the communities of the greater Orange, Long Beach, and Los Angeles. Both brands quickly grew and realized they should collaborate on a store front to keep the integrity of their food, progressive culinary creativity, and service, proper. Part of the One Colorado Food District on Union Street, enjoy delicious vegan options of your favorite sushi and bowl options! 100% plant-based Asian fusion!
They had some tables on the street out front, but we took our bounty under a tree at a nearby park! So good! Sushi is probably what I miss the most, and Naughty Vegan’s take was so close to the real thing …except all the real fish are still swimming!
Vegan Dad Approved!
The haul from the Naughty Vegan in Pasadena
Much more to come in my search for Vegan Deliciousness. Please reach out if you go to one of these places (make sure to tell them Vegan Dad Chronicles sent you!) or if you find another one that I should explore.
To all those Fathers out there , past and present . A day to thank you all for what you do, how you act, for the example you are to your children of how a person should conduct themselves in our world . Our Fathers impact us in so many ways , our looks, our patterns, our views, our values, our relationships.
My Dad is in me ..in so many ways , non more than my love of cooking and creating delicious food for those I love. Yes…he was not a Vegan, but as he aged he did cook a bit healthier.
He is in me at work , I so try to emulate his work ethic and his humanity and how he truly cared about the people that worked for him.
I repeat his sayings all the time , my favorite being “If your hands moved as fast as your mouth , you would be done by now”
He worked hard my Dad, he created a bakery
that fed and truly impacted the lives of so many people, families, and generations .
The people could taste, and feel the results of his love and pride , and talents(He was so creative and good at anything , much more than me) in whatever he did .
One of biggest sadness in life is not carrying on what he started . It was not meant to be
I realize , but the feelings sometimes linger
In the recesses of who I am . You know,
We spend our lives trying to make our Dad proud , whether they are still on this earth or beyond. It can help drive us or make us feel we are not good enough. My Dad always made me feel , I’m good, I knew he was proud of me.
He just did not judge me in accomplishments
,But in how I lived my life, treated others , cared about my community , and dealt with adversity . I remember telling him about me leaving the business, closing a store with his name on it …it was a gut wrenching , heartbreaking time on many levels . One of the biggest being a son disappointing his Dad.
He said ..I love you and I only want you to be happy .. No judgement, no anger only the rock solid love a man who cares for you and let’s you know you are most important ..not things,
It’s been a tradition of mine , every since I lived in California many years ago to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I developed a love for Mexican Cuisine that persists too this day. Back in Omnivore days I did create many a meat and seafood based Spanish feast. As I look back , I think I made Pernil(Traditional Slow roasted Marinated ..can’t even say it!) 5 times the year before I became Vegan. But I finally saw the light of living without any animals flowing through my body! It’s taken some time and practice but now it’s just as good and it’s all Plant Based !
NachosFrom the insidePlant Based Cheese Sauce
We had Enchiladas, Fajitas, Tacos, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Cashew Nacho Cheese Sauce,Guacamole , Basmati Mexican Rice , Roasted Zucchini,Squash,Peppers,Onions,Sweet Potatoes and Carrots..
Even more fun my daughters came down with their friends, taking a break from their last week and 1/2 of college to enjoy our feast !
Almost College Graduates❤️
I always make to much, so after feeding them and food for their roommates …I’ll be eating Mexican At least till Mother’s Day!
On May 23, 3021 I will be running in the LA Marathon , as a part of the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Research’s Training Team. I am running this year in memory of Don Ryan , to raise money to help find a cure for this deadly disease. Please Donate if you are able . Thanks
The Vegan Dad MOVEment 