1 October is World Vegetarian Day!
Like most of you, we eat meat and have (had) our misconceptions about vegetarians and vegans. But this inspiring food journey has taught us so much about them! We’d like to start this article by clearing up 3 Common Misconceptions About Vegetarians and Vegans.
Firstly, people turn vegetarian and vegan for a variety of reasons. They include an awareness of health, religious practices, and advocation for animal rights. Either way, they make our world a greener and better place to live. Secondly, not all vegetarians eat greens and grains only, much less soya only. Sometimes they eat dairy products like eggs and cheese too. Thirdly, vegetarian and vegan food come in all cuisine types and dishes that often taste the same as or better than your real meat dishes!
Where to Eat Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Singapore?
In alphabetical order, we recommend you to try these Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Singapore!
Pita Pan (Vegetarian)
6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square #02-183A
Singapore 039594
Tel: 63372587
Cuisine Type Middle East
Must Try Pocket Sandwich
It is not hard to be taken in by the alluring aroma and inviting colours of Pita Pan Middle Eastern food. On your own, you can customise Pocket Sandwiches (Half $7.90/Full $13.90) starting with your choice of pita, followed by a main filling like falafel balls or Veggie Sharwarna, other vegetables dishes and exotic sauces. All of these at a fixed price and to your own preference, so the Pocket Sandwich is really worth it.
From their menu, we recommend you to try the Red Shakshuka ($11.90) served with fresh baked pitas. Like an all-day breakfast dish, the simple combination of tomatoes, poached eggs and natural spices delivered rich appetising flavours that were fulfilling. Or the Hummus with Mushrooms ($11.90) also served with fluffy soft pitas. Made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic, the dish delivered a subtly sourish, clean and sharp taste.
Sunny Choice (Vegetarian)
434 Upper Bukit Timah Rd
The Rail Mall
Singapore 678060
Tel: 68922383
Cuisine Type Fusion / Western / Chinese / Hakka / Korean
Must Try Hakka Abacus Seeds
For South Eastern Chinese food, try the Hakka Abacus Seeds ($6), made with tapioca (30%) and yam (70%) flour, cooked in olive oil with sea salt. The abacus seeds were so soft and moist, and worked very well in terms of texture with the finely cut vegetable ingredients like mushrooms, carrots and tofu. We thoroughly enjoyed the dish and even had three packets to take away at the end of our meal!
The Hakka Thunder Tea Lei Cha ($7.50) tossed with cashew and almond nuts is also a hit. Paired with it was rich herbal greenish soup that held the brown rice nicely together, delivering an overall well-balanced taste. Other must tries include the Korean Bibimbap ($7.50) served with miso soup. The dish burst with an even distribution of sweet, sour and savoury flavours.
For something lighter, try the Salad Noodle ($7.50) with goji berries, drizzled with plum sauce for a bright taste. Or the pure Vegetable Sushi ($6.50) hand-rolled with no rice, served with wasabi in liquid amino soya sauce for a healthy twist. Wash down your satiation with rich fragrant non-caffeinated Ban Cha, warm Lemon Grass Tea or chilled Rosella.
The Living Cafe (Vegan)
779 Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 268759
Tel: 67628029
Cuisine Type Western
Must Try Acai Kickstart
Check our previous review for The Living Cafe
The Living Cafe is operated by passionate health nutritionist, Dana Heater, who has a vision to advocate raw food diet into our local food scene. For a start, try the Acai Kickstart ($13) filled with what seemed like chocolate mousse, but is in fact freshly pureed Acai from Brazil. Topped with sliced bananas and completed with rolled oats to the brim, the Acai Kickstart would make the perfect breakfast to replenish any lost energy. Furthermore, it is rich in anti-oxidants and Vitamin C.
Our favourite, the Bircher Muesli ($11) had a colourful combination of apple and banana cubes, organic blueberries, trail mix and a layer of rolled oats placed on a bed of freshly made raw coconut yogurt. A final drizzle of honey gave it hints of sweetness and various textures. The Dehydrated Granola Crunch ($8) undergoes twenty-four hours of intricate preparation before it was ready to be served. Presented in a sleek dome-shaped bowl, the mixture of nuts, seeds, young coconut, apple and raisin in homemade almond milk brought about both soft and crunchy textures, and a fruity-nutty flavour that was divine.
Vegan Burg (Vegan)
Founding Restaurant
44 Jalan Eunos
Singapore 419502
Tel: 68446868
Cuisine Type Western
Must Try Mustang Relish
The NEW Mustang Relish burger will be introduced on Tuesday 1 October World Vegetarian Day, at all four Vegan Burg outlets! The burger got its name from the Andrew Llyod Webber’s musical on roller skates, Starlight Express that is set to open 13 November at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre. It incorporates a tender soy patty battered and pan-grilled to perfection between two soft wholemeal bun infused with pumpkin seeds and finely chopped walnuts. Nicely stacked with crunchy lettuce, onion rings, pickles and slathered with english mustard, we thought the burger was savoury and relishable.
For something tangy, try the Hawaiian Teriyaki ($6.90). The chunky sweet pineapple ring enhanced the taste and texture of the pan-grilled soy patty, we thought it made the perfect summer time burger. Other burgers you must try include the Creamy Shrooms ($7.90) and Cracked Pepper Mayo ($5.90). Both burgers tasted so sinful yet they are not, you could hardly tell the difference between soy and meat patties.
If you brought friends, try the crisp Handmade Spinach Pops ($3.90) and toasty succulent Vegan Franks ($3.90) to share. Or end your meal with freshly baked Guilt-free Dessert ($3.80), chocolate cake which was very rich and moist.
World Peace Cafe (Vegetarian)
134 Neil Road
(Opp Pinnacle@Duxton)
Singapore 088863
Tel: 64381127
Cuisine Type Fusion / Western / Italian / Chinese / Korean
Must Try Canneloni
Try the Canneloni ($6.50) which is a combination of carrots, onions and lettuce wrapped in thin crepe. Heated with mozzarella cheese on top to serve, the dish was warm, light and crunchy.
Those who prefer something heavier for lunch, try the Aglio Olio ($6.50) with sauteed mushrooms filled with natural flavours from finely chopped cilantro and chilli pepper. There is also Egg Mayo Sandwich ($4.50) served warm or chilled with lightly salted chips. For snacks with friends, try the Dumplings ($6.50) drizzled with light sauce and sliced ginger. If we counted right, there were ten or more scrumptious dumplings for six-fifty only. Do not forget to try a slice of the fluffy soft and buttery Banana Cake that is baked fresh every day too. It will make a good closure to your meal.
Somehow, we wished the cafe was nearer to our office. The reason extends beyond friendly volunteer staffs and good food that makes you feel home. When you decide to eat at World Peace Cafe, any money you spend at the cafe will go to support meditation classes at Kadampa Meditation Centre Singapore, that is just above the cafe. And special events designed to help people find peace of mind. So it is like doing a good deed with each humble food you eat.
New Green Pasture Cafe (Vegetarian)
190 Middle Road
#04-22 Fortune Centre
Singapore 188979
Tel: 63368755
Cuisine Type Fusion / Chinese / Sri Lankan / Thai / Vietnamese / Japanese / Korean
Must Try Charcoal Noodle
There are more than sixty vegan dishes to choose from the New Green Pasture Cafe, with all of them having different origins and distinctive tastes. We really loved the Charcoal Noodle ($10) and reckon you try it too for its fresh and colourful combination of crunchy vegetables, passionfruit, rice crackers and special handmade creamy sauce, atop a bed of chilled silky smooth organic charcoal noodles. Though the noodle is black in colour, it will not stain your teeth. It is basically unbleached wheat noodle that has been ionised for full retention of natural nutrients.
Have also the tantalising Thai Laksa which rich soup base is an all natural amalgamation of fresh mint leaves, lime and sweet juicy pineapple slices. Or refreshing Vietnamese Roll ($7) with finely chopped vegetables and basil wrapped in thin rice paper, delivering a clean and crisp taste. For something more savoury, try the Japanese Tofu Roll ($7). The textures were so amazing with soft tofu and crispy seaweed floss, we finished the tofu rolls in a jiffy.
Other Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Singapore:
Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant
19 Upper Dickson Road
Singapore 207478
Tel: 63967769
Ling Zhi Vegetarian
Liat Towers #05-01
541 Orchard Road
Singapore 238881
Tel: 67343788
Real Food
6 Eu Tong Sen St
The Central #B1-52/53
Singapore 059817
Tel: 62244492
Whole Earth
Singapore’s first and only Peranakan Thai Vegetarian Restaurant
76 Peck Seah St
Singapore 079331
Tel: 63233308
Did we miss out Your Favourite Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Singapore? If yes, write to us in the comments below so everyone can see! We’ll add your favourite into our list too!
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