Maitreya Great Tao Hep Kwong Temple

I’ve been coming here since I was a kid! And for as long as I could remember, my family would always have lunch at this Buddhist temple every Chinese New Year Day.
It is a small temple where they serve a vegetarian luncheon cafeteria-​styled from 12−8pm… but only on the 1^st and 15^th day of every month in the lunar Chinese calender! On regular days, I think they are open for prayers, mediations and spiritual classes.
Since today is CNY, our family once again visited this temple for the vegetarian luncheon. Minimum is $ 12 for the meal… but you are welcome to donate more as you wish. Those who work in the kitchen are majority senior volunteers. They are very involved in serving the Buddhist community in Scarborough/​Markham area and providing a warm and delicious meal for us on these special occasions!
The meal includes veggie soup, white rice, tofu mix, veggie mix, bean curd skin, egg crisps with sweet and sour sauce, water and tea. It has been the same food with the same consistency and taste over the past 10 – 15 years lol… they seriously perfected it lol. A variety of snacks are also available on the side table right when you enter upstairs: chips, candies, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, peanuts, etc.
Things you must note while dining there:
Only eat as much as you can eat… you can go back for seconds and thirds. But do not waste any food. You cannot pack food home if you are unable to finish.
It’s a nice cleanse for me from time to time. We hardly eat enough veggies anyway! And the food is healthy and not bland at all. You can certainly give it a try!