Vegan N Chicken 1 Indian and Pakistani Food

Abi Hwang Nable

There are very few restaurants where I find myself venture back to the very next day after trying it for the first time, but Vegan N’ Chicken had me hooked after my first bite. I was looking for a simple comfort meal after a long day and decided to try a place. It was around 8:30 and most places in the area were closing at 9 but Vegan N’ Chicken happened to be open until 10pm! When I walked in, I immediately was welcomed with ‘mom and pop’ restaurant vibes. It is a very casual and fairly small restaurant, but it makes for a very comforting experience. You get to seat yourself then they’ll bring you a menu. The menu is simple, but also has everything you’d need. They even have a few seafood dishes! While you wait for your food, you can help yourself to their complimentary soup & hot chai. I’ll admit I have no clue what the soup is, but it is such a great way to start the meal. Especially with some hot chai too! On day 1 we ordered Lamb Tikka Masala ($14.99), Chana Masala ($9.99), Cheese Naan ($3.99), Rice ($2.99), and Vegetable Samosas ($4.99). The servings were very generous for the price compared to other similar restaurants in Berkeley. We did ask for medium spice level, but it wasn’t spicy enough for us so they brought us a plate of onions, peppers, and cucumbers! The Chana Masala was my favorite bite of the night. It was packed with fragrant spices & the garbanzo beans were so tender. The Lamb Tikka Masala was a little bit sweeter than I am used to, but after mixing in some rice or eating it with the cheese naan it was perfect. On day 2, we ordered the Papadum ($2.99), Rice ($2.99), Prawn Vindaloo ($17.99), and Chana Masala ($9.99 - we added paneer to it and didn’t confirm how much it was with the paneer). This time we ordered our dishes spicy to see if it was any different. It really was still not spicy at all, but honestly it didn’t bother us. It was a great way to be able to enjoy the dishes in their entirety. The prawns in the vindaloo were fairly large and the portion was perfect for two people! They were also not overcooked & still had a nice bounce when biting into it. The Chana masala with the added paneer was a great combination as well. Vegan N’ Chicken is honestly a great spot for the college students nearby as well. It’s affordable & could easily be split into two meals even if you just order one dish! Next time we stop by, we’re going for the biryani!

Wilson Potts

I was in the area on an errand and saw this spot pop up on Google maps when I was looking for dinner. Good reviews so I tried it. The food (chicken curry and naan) was stellar and the staff couldn't have been nicer. The free chicken soup and Chai tea is a nice touch, too. Would 100% recommend.

Hana K

Their naan was literally medium pizza-sized; so soft, pillowy, chewy, and wonderful. We got the potato-filled one and the onion-filled one, and both were delicious on their own, but even better paired with the lamb tikka masala we ordered. Honestly, I prefer their naan over Pakwan’s, which is much smaller and thinner for the same price. The tandoori chicken came with rice, a simple salad, and two types of sauce (yogurt and sweet chutney?). Owner was super nice and didn’t get short tempered when I asked about payment option using Groupon. Overall, a fair price for the amount of food. Will be back.

Afroz shaik

Discovered the best Indian/Pakistani restaurant in the Berkeley area, and I couldn’t be more impressed. The restaurant was neat and clean, and the owner was incredibly professional and welcoming. He took the time to go over the menu with us and highlight some standout dishes. Our group of six ordered a variety of items, and every single dish was fantastic, with the Gobi Gosht being a particular highlight. You could tell that everything was made with fresh, high quality ingredients, which made a big difference in the flavor. The food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. I’ll definitely be returning for both the amazing food and excellent service. Five stars!

Bear Gillium

Go on the website, order the entire menu. Nice outdoor seating area available. Be sure to check the specials. They have some amazing soup and chai while you wait as well. Enjoy!

Paul Pettersson (Petersson Fersman)

Great place with fantastic Pakistan food. I came with some friends. When I left, I had more friends. Will be back..

P. I.

FIVE STARS. 100% DELICIOUS! I was a little heartbroken after Indus village, helmed by an elderly gentleman who was the chef who I have been getting my masala special from, for 10 years, decided to close up shop. A month or so passed and I just let it go. Driving by, I saw the new sign, "Vegan N' Chicken" , I held out for one or two days just out of respect for the old man. Tonight I went there after looking at some of the pictures of the fried chicken on Google maps and, OH MY GOD. Run by Abbasi and his son Unzer, VEGAN N' CHICKEN is hitting 100% in every department. They had already sold out of the fried chicken because it sells out everyday because it's that good, and so I decided on the tandoori chicken, which came to my table hot, just a little smoking, that perfect charred Pakistani Lahore Style grill flavor, and the garlic Naan, both of which had been fresh made in house. NOTE: If you get anything Tandoori, either order ahead or have a little extra time as it takes over 20 minutes to prepare! (Thanks to Steven Lucas for reminding me) The chicken was perfectly tender and smoky, and the Naan is to die for. Crispy, chewy, flaky, buttery, perfect. Best of all is that I was able to get in and out for UNDER $20 PLUS TIP. This is completely rare in Berkeley these days, that a working class person can go in and get a nice dinner for 20 spot or close to it. Much needed around here. Affordable food for working class folks. Something that also struck me, I watched an older lady I have seen around the neighborhood for about 50 years since I was a kid, come in and order some food, and watched how kindly Abasi and Unzer treated her when no one was looking. Best of all, is that they converted some empty parking lot space adjacent to the Halal market, into a beautiful looking outdoor patio, which could easily hold 100. I talked with Abbasi and realized he is a true Master restauranteur, who has had restaurants in two different countries and several different major American cities, and he understands the heart and soul of a restaurant. Sometimes you just have a simple meal that blows you away, and it doesn't have to be super fancy and it doesn't have to be at a super expensive restaurant, and it doesn't even have to be super exotic. But it amazes you and keeps you coming back for more, like some of our favorite old restaurants from this area. This is that place. I highly recommend this place for the great food, great people and great new location. Make sure to say hi to Abbasi and Unzer for me! Piero

Alexandria Maisoka

I've known Shabaz and his family for many years, they are always hospitable hosts. There are options for everyone here, vegan or not, the restaurant itself is not entirely vegan, they serve fish and meat dishes too. They have a location in El Sobrante as well as.

I had a good experience coming here. The owner greeted me as soon as I walked in and took my order, he didn't waste any time. I received all my food and he included more utensils and sauces which was awesome. The food was pretty good. I would say it's a bit cheaper than Pakwan and not quite as flavorful, but for a local alternative, they are a great competition and save me a trip all the way to SF. I'll be coming back here again, thanks!

This is me and my family’s new favorite restaurant! The food is amazing and reasonably priced, the people are always super friendly and warm, and there’s always serve yourself chai and soup which is so lovely! Would highly recommend

Vegan N Chicken has become our go-to restaurant where we bring friends and family. The chicken karahi and palak paneer are fantastic, as well as their tikka masala. Don't miss out on the free chai and soup in the corner! The owner and his family are always so kind and welcoming.

This is a no frills, cheap but great quality Indian place. My first time here I met someone who had been coming here for twenty years. The owner made a special effort to check on us and the food. Will definitely return and become a regular.

I had Salmon Tandoori at Vegan N Chicken. This sentence makes no sense, but it was fresh and delicious. The free soup and tea helped make it a great deal too.

FREE CHAI AND SOUP!!!!! (if for some odd reason this isn't enough for you and you need to read more go ahead) The food is great, the student discount is great, they have one of the best naans I've had, and the staff are very friendly. I would recommend their curries with a fresh naan.

We got the mango lassi, butter chicken, garlic and onion naan, vegetable briyani, and an eggplant dish. Everything was so good, water, chai, and soup were complimentary. This place is a must for Berkeley students and people who are craving Indian/Pakistani food an affordable price. Plus there’s 20% off for students ✊😌. The workers are all very kind as well!

This place is the best thing that has ever come into my life. Everything ranging from the food to the sanitation is something that I will forever crave as it is superior to anything I have ever seen. Everyone that accompanied me were very benevolent ultimately making a surreal experience. I would 100% recommend to visit this amazing restaurant.

I had the lamb vindaloo, garlic naan and a mango lassi. All were excellent. As others noted, though I ordered spicy it was quite moderate. Probably many clients here are intolerant of really spicy - the owner checked how I liked the spice level during the meal and offered to bring more spice - but I actually really enjoyed the food as it was prepared. The murals take me back to Pakistan where I travelled as a boy, and the India where I’ve been maybe 50 times. The people working there are serious about good food and do a great job. Thank you! 🙏

sarah chee

This is a no frills, cheap but great quality Indian place. My first time here I met someone who had been coming here for twenty years. The owner made a special effort to check on us and the food. Will definitely return and become a regular.

Laurel Marinho

Vegan N Chicken has become our go-to restaurant where we bring friends and family. The chicken karahi and palak paneer are fantastic, as well as their tikka masala. Don't miss out on the free chai and soup in the corner! The owner and his family are always so kind and welcoming.

Zaina

The food was delicious and authentic! We definitely plan to visit again! The vibes are amazing and they have a beautiful mural of horses and goats.

Jasmine Irianto

We got the mango lassi, butter chicken, garlic and onion naan, vegetable briyani, and an eggplant dish. Everything was so good, water, chai, and soup were complimentary. This place is a must for Berkeley students and people who are craving Indian/Pakistani food an affordable price. Plus there’s 20% off for students ✊😌. The workers are all very kind as well!

Annalise Kalmanoff

This is me and my family’s new favorite restaurant! The food is amazing and reasonably priced, the people are always super friendly and warm, and there’s always serve yourself chai and soup which is so lovely! Would highly recommend

Katie Mizuno

This is excellent, authentic Pakistani food! We loved the butter chicken curry, tandori salmon, and vegetable tikka masala. I also recommend the samosas. I look forward to trying other items on the menu. They have complimentary chai and soup. I noticed a sign that mentioned a discount for students which I thought was pretty cool. This restaurant is truly a great addition to Berkeley.

Alexander Boles

I had a good experience coming here. The owner greeted me as soon as I walked in and took my order, he didn't waste any time. I received all my food and he included more utensils and sauces which was awesome. The food was pretty good. I would say it's a bit cheaper than Pakwan and not quite as flavorful, but for a local alternative, they are a great competition and save me a trip all the way to SF. I'll be coming back here again, thanks!

Kamran Majid

We recently visited this amazing Pakistani restaurant with a group of 50 people, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious — flavorful, authentic, and beautifully presented. The owner and staff were exceptionally attentive, making sure our large group was well taken care of throughout the meal. The service was warm, friendly, and efficient, even with such a big crowd. Everyone in our group was impressed by the quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for outstanding Pakistani cuisine. 5 stars all the way — we’ll definitely be back!

S EDH

Loved the comp chai tea and soup. Chicken Tika Masala was good.

Yummy, inexpensive Indian food in a no-frills place with good service and no atmosphere. Go here for the food and nothing else. Unless you like sports on TV. I had the chicken with spinach and it was predictably delicious. Self service chilled carafes of water in the fridge. You pay in advance which means no waiting for the check. Vegan options too.

Mark Gorney

Yummy, inexpensive Indian food in a no-frills place with good service and no atmosphere. Go here for the food and nothing else. Unless you like sports on TV. I had the chicken with spinach and it was predictably delicious. Self service chilled carafes of water in the fridge. You pay in advance which means no waiting for the check. Vegan options too.

The food may be flavorful, and the prices may be reasonable, but I would not recommend this place to any self-respecting woman or any person who has a woman who they care about in their life. I went for dinner with my friend last night; while we were ordering, the proprietors of the restaurant told me that I should make sure to order a lot of food because “if I get any skinnier it won’t be good” and that “men like them like a bit of meat on their bones”. I was so stunned that I stayed to eat there (I should have left), and incurred more unwanted interactions about the order that I should eat my food in. It was an appalling level of presumptuous and misogynistic treatment. Neither my friend nor I will ever be returning — I encourage you to do the same.

sarah

The food may be flavorful, and the prices may be reasonable, but I would not recommend this place to any self-respecting woman or any person who has a woman who they care about in their life. I went for dinner with my friend last night; while we were ordering, the proprietors of the restaurant told me that I should make sure to order a lot of food because “if I get any skinnier it won’t be good” and that “men like them like a bit of meat on their bones”. I was so stunned that I stayed to eat there (I should have left), and incurred more unwanted interactions about the order that I should eat my food in. It was an appalling level of presumptuous and misogynistic treatment. Neither my friend nor I will ever be returning — I encourage you to do the same.