Echo Park has no shortage of unique eateries, including many vegan and vegetarian options. Men and Beasts is the neighborhood’s newest destination tantalizing vegan diners to flock there for dinner from as far away as Redondo Beach.
Many vegan and vegetarian diners want to enjoy classic Chinese dim sum, but often find dim sum menus primarily offer meat and seafood. Men and Beasts ensures that you never have to guess whether a dish has meat in it by having a 100% plant-based menu. Dishes include seitan “chicken wings”, char siu made of seitan and tofu instead of pork, and Taiwanese-style gua bao, which are buns filled with shredded king oyster mushrooms instead of meat.
Founder Minty Zhu immigrated to New York from China, and struggled to find foods that she enjoyed. She also felt homesick for the foods she grew up with. Her partner, vegan chef Alex Falco, introduced her to plant-based cooking, which reinvigorated her passion for cookery that she’d lost. Prior to opening Men and Beasts in LA, the couple opened Minty Z in Miami in 2020. Minty Z was one of the city’s most popular vegan restaurants before its closure in 2024. Today, Minty and Alex strive to make Men and Beasts an integral part of Echo Park.
Located just a few blocks from the swan boats at Echo Park Lake, Men and Beasts is the ideal location for date night or treating yourself. Reservations are recommended for dinner, but there is a small tea room where reservations are not required. You can purchase tea and snacks there while you wait for a table to open.
Men and Beasts is located on 2100 W Sunset Boulevard at Alvarado Street, and is closed Mondays and open from 5PM to 10PM Tuesday through Sunday.
