With an increasing number of cafes and restaurants serving up delicious, wholesome vegetarian food, there’s no better time to go meatless than now. Here are our favourites.
With an increasing number of cafes and restaurants serving up delicious, wholesome vegetarian food, there’s no better time to go meatless than now. Here are our favourites.
If you think vegetarian food is all about deep-fried stuff and starchy sauces, these eateries will prove you wrong. They cater to your needs, whether you are pescatarian, ovolacto vegetarian or vegan, with a range of vegetarian cuisine prepared with Peranakan, Thai, Western and local influences.
THE LIVING CAFE
This is one of the pioneers of the raw food movement in Singapore. While it has a good range of raw and vegetarian dishes, hormone-free chicken and fish also feature on the menu. However, the cafe does not use red meat, cow’s milk, and white sugar. Nor does it add preservatives or artificial colouring to its food.
The menu also includes gluten-free alternatives for the gluten-sensitive or -intolerant. Dishes include salads such as Asian Quinoa ($18) and Pumpkin Rocket ($18) with caramelised onion; salmon or chicken Brown Rice Nori Roll (from $13), Zucchini Pesto Pasta ($15.50) and Raw Broccoli Mushroom Pizza With Macadamia cheese ($20).
Where 779 Bukit Timah Road (just before Sixth Avenue), tel: 6468-4482
Open 11am-7pm (Mondays to Thursdays); 11am-10pm (Fridays); 9am-10pm (Saturdays); 9am-8pm (Sundays)
Info http://www.balancedlivingasia.com/the-living-cafe/
Feast on a range of raw foods, including a Raw Vegan Nut Cheese Platter ($14), where the nut cheese is made of cultured cashews and probiotics, Raw Guacamole Dip Platter ($14), and Afterglow Avocado Kimchi Rolls filled with almond “rice”, ($14 for six). Then there is Raw Lasagne ($20) made with sheets of zucchini, as well as salads (from $15).
Where 24 Keong Saik Road, tel: 6224-8921
Open Noon-2.30pm; 5.30-10.30pm (Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays); 5.30-10.30pm (Wednesdays and Thursdays); closed on Sunday
CAFE SALIVATION
This offers Western and fusion vegetarian cuisine. Breakfast dishes range from Scrambled Paneer On Toast ($11) to eggless Mini Pancakes With Maple Syrup & Strawberries ($11).
It also serves soups, including a Tomato Ginger Soup With Crunchy Chickpeas ($8), salads, sandwiches, like the Desi Sandwich ($11) with grilled potatoes on white bread smeared with green chutney and topped with cucumber and tomato, as well as burgers, pastas, pizzas, and even a Thai red curry rice.
The menu indicates which items are vegan-friendly and gluten-free, as well as dishes that can be prepared without onions or garlic.
Where 176 Race Course Road, tel: 6298-1412
Open 10am-10.30pm (Sundays to Thursdays); 10am-11pm (Fridays and Saturdays)
Info http://www.cafesalivation.com
WHOLE EARTH
Expect tasty, homestyle fare from this Peranakan-Thai vegetarian restaurant that was on the Singapore’s 2016 Bib Gourmand list. Its most popular dishes include Oatmeal Tofu, Assam Pedas Vegetables, Penang Rendang With Mushrooms, and Crispy Yam Ring Basket. Prices of dishes range from about $15 to $20.
Where 76 Peck Seah Street, tel: 6323-3308
Open Daily, 11.30am-3pm; 5.30-10pm
Info http://www.wholeearth.com.sg
SUFOOD
Italian-inspired, meat-free Sufood is run by home-grown restaurant chain Putien. Tuck into dishes such as Snowflake Strawberry Salad ($11.80) and Smoked Mushroom Risotto ($19). Others to also try include Burdock Root & Cashew Broth ($4.80), Zesty Oyster Mushroom Stone Pot Rice ($14.80), and its signature Star Pizza With Cream Cheese & Wasabi-Tomato Sauce ($17.80). Set meals range from $27.80 (four-course) to $39.80 (eight-course).
Where #02-19 Raffles City Shopping Centre, tel: 6333-5338
Open Daily, 11.30am-3pm; 3-4.30pm (high tea); 5.30-10pm
JOIE
At Orchard Central’s rooftop garden, Joie offers an extensive range of fine vegetarian fare. Tantalising treats include a zucchini tower, lime tofu and green curry emulsion, and a wild rice and eggplant terrine.
Heartier dishes include a truffle risotto and a duo of pumpkin and spinach ravioli. A six-course set lunch is $38.80++, while a seven-course set dinner is $68.80++ per person.
Where #12-01 Orchard Central, tel: 6838-6966
Open Daily, noon to 3.30pm; 6-10.30pm
Info www.joierestaurant.com.sg
GREENDOT
A hot favourite among vegetarians and the health-conscious, Greendot has been serving meatless, fusion dishes since it opened in 2011. Signature dishes include Angelica Herbal Noodles ($7.90) and Signature Mushroom Rendang Bowl ($11.90). Also popular are the customisable bento sets (from $7.90) where you can choose your rice – white, sesame or brown – plus one main and two greens. Gong Bao Fresh Mushroom and Lion’s Mane Mushroom Rendang are must-tries.
If you’re dining with a group, be sure to order the recently introduced sharing dishes – Herbal Lion’s Mane Mushroom ($7.90), Crisp-fried Sweet & Sour Soya Nuggets ($7.90) and Stir-fry Broccoli With Creamy Pumpkin Puree ($5.90) are your best bets. The veggies are fresh, naturally sweet and cooked to perfection; even carnivores would be happy to dig in.
Where 10 outlets, including #02-15/16/17 Paya Lebar Square (tel: 6702-2221); #01-71/72 Bugis Junction (tel: 6904-4842); #02-150 Vivocity (tel: 6873-2301).
Open Outlet hours vary
ELEMEN
You’ll be impressed by the flavourful food and modern presentation here. The dishes defy categorisation as they draw influences from Chinese, Japanese and Italian cuisines, among others. Although diners can order a la carte, the best way to sample the dishes might be to opt for the five-course ($26.80) or eight- course ($32.80) meal. It sounds like a lot, but one of the courses is a beverage.
Alternatively, Double-Boiled Maca Soup is supposed to give energy and stamina. Made without meat bones, the rich, nuanced flavour of the South American root warms the belly on a rainy day.
Sizzling Quinoa Brown Rice is outstanding, too. The quinoa is pretty subtle, but the nutty brown rice, which finishes with a crisp crust at the bottom of the heated stone bowl, is fantastic. Slices of mushroom, red and green bell peppers, and greens make it a hearty choice, while its tangy and lightly spicy sauce makes your tongue tingle.
Where #01-75A Millenia Walk (tel: 6238-0511); #01-113 Thomson Plaza (tel: 6452-0351); #02-85 Harbourfront Centre [no number available for this latest outlet at print time]
Open Daily, 11.30am-4pm; 5.30-10pm
REAL FOOD
The go-to for fresh, wholesome vegetarian and vegetable-centric fare, it offers a good range of gluten-free dishes and energising smoothies, too.
Our favourite: fresh homemade dumplings ($10.80) filled with organic ingredients such as carrots, mushrooms, beancurd, turnip and chestnuts. The tasty dumplings are nothing short of hearty and have a nice crunch to them. You can have them in soup, steamed or fried.
Another dish to try: Pumpkin Pancakes ($11.80). They are wheat- and gluten-free, and sweetened with agave syrup. Complete your meal with a juice or smoothie – there are plenty of options to suit your fancy.
There are also sandwiches, burgers with vegetarian patties made of soya, nuts, grains and legumes, as well as salads, noodles and pasta.
Where #B1-19 South Beach, tel: 6384-2206; #B1-105/106/129 Square 2, tel: 6397-2289; #02-16 Orchard Central, tel: 6737-9516
Open Outlet hours vary
Info http://www.realfoodgrocer.com
THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE STRAITS TIMES ADDITIONAL REPORTING ESTELLE LOW.
