30 October 2009

Singapore is a celebrated food paradise and this is true in so many ways. Not only do we serve up a lip-smacking international spread, we have created a galore of adaptations to please the most fastidious vegetarians. Our racially and culturally diverse population has resulted in a potpourri of vegetarian styles, from Chinese to western, to Malay, to Indian.

So, going veggie makes you think boring lettuce, tomatoes and tofu, think again!

Mock Meat for Real

Bearing strong Buddhist influence, the Chinese vegetarian food culture here presents a unique culinary art. Devout Buddhists adopting strict diets do not consume the allium vegetables garlic, onion, shallot, spring onion (scallion) and chive. Hence, you will not find these ingredients in almost all Chinese vegetarian food here. But this does not equate to blandness.

In fact, Chinese vegetarian food is the answer for those expecting meat-withdrawal symptoms. These sellers have perfected their offerings of mock meat, poultry and seafood that even diehard carnivores may be fooled visually, texturally and by their tastes.
		Chicken Tandoori Tikka

Fortune Centre (a short walk from Bugis MRT Station) is a great place in the city to find a wide variety of Chinese vegetarian food, from rice to noodles to stir-fries. You will also find shops that sell contemporary-style vegetarian food, or fusion food with a vegetarian twist.

Pay as You Please

Annalakshmi is one very famous Indian vegetarian restaurant with Asia-Pacific branches, including one in Perth. Unexpectedly located inside Chinatown Point (Chinatown MRT, Exit E), it serves up a variety of North and South Indian favourites. As if the piquancy of its fare is insufficient, the restaurant charms you with its “pay as you like” model. Yes, you pay whatever amount you wish – with a conscience, of course!

Other great vegetarian choices await you in Singapore. Apart from popping into vegetarian restaurants, you can easily spot one or two purely-vegetarian food stalls at many of the hawker centres or food courts all over Singapore.

Images courtesy of The Hungry Ang Mo

For More Information:

Annalakshmi

Tel: 6339 9993

www.annalakshmi.com.sg

Vegetarian Society (Singapore)

www.vegetarian-society.org/fdl