Thanks to Singapore’s reputation for being a foodie haven, we’re never short of dining options. And this applies for folks with just about any sort of cuisine and dietary requirements, too – options for vegan food is slowly but surely growing on our little red dot. So whether you’re a vegan by choice or just want to switch things up on the food front, here are 10 places to get your delicious no-meat-no-dairy kick.
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The aim of this restaurant is “to bring sexy back to vegetables”. So a plant-based diet is what you’ll get here; as a bonus, it also makes its own vegan cheese, using nuts and an assortment of herbs and spices. The place also specialises in raw food cuisine and promotes farm-to-table whole foods. It also offers a juice cleanse menu, an ideal way to start a detox programme. Don’t miss the nori rolls ($14 for six pieces), which come in kim chi and achar variations, both of which are made in-house.
24 Keong Saik Road; afterglow.sg
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A cosy cafe nestled in a residential area, once you find it, you’ll be glad you did. Not only is the food vegan, the owners also place strict restrictions on the use and abuse of MSG, sugar, salt and oil, so you’ll definitely be fed healthy meals here. The cuisine is a mix of East and West; think pasta, noodles and rice dishes. Innovative items include Bakuteh Rice ($8.90), Nonya Laksa ($7.90) and Nasi Lemak ($10.90).
115 Owen Road; www.facebook.com/genesisvegan
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Part of a family of vegan restaurants all over the world, the menu items here are made with only wholesome, plant-based ingredients. Each Loving Hut outlet is individually owned and chooses its own menu; the dishes served here have Asian and Western influences, with a few local favourites thrown in too – and are all 100 percent vegan, of course. Interesting options include Sweet & Sour Nugget Rice ($10.90), Ocean Fillet & Chips ($13.90), Masak Buah Keluak ($20) and Nyonya Mee Siam ($9.90).
229 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01; lovinghut.com.sg
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Love fast food but you’re vegan? Fret not, nonVnom is here to fulfil your cravings. The burger buns are homemade from all-natural ingredients, and are prepared by steaming (instead of toasting or pan-grilling), for a healthier, non-greasy bun. The patties are either soy, potato, mixed vegetables or mushroom-based and are free of dairy products, onion/garlic and alcohol. Burger choices include Umi Teriyaki ($7.90), King Mushroom Head ($8.90) and Beetroot Hummus ($8.90). Also on the menu are soups and salads, as well as a range of desserts.
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #B1-44 and 18 Tai Seng Street, #B1-02; www.nomvnom.com
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All of the burgers here are 100 percent vegan with nine to choose from, all of them made from a combination of their fibre-fuelled buns, farm-fresh greens, GMO-free patty, and gourmet sauce. Try the Smoky BBQ ($8.90), with a thick, succulent mushroom patty slathered in vegan cheese and smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, or the Char-Grilled Satay ($8.90), with a rich satay sauce infused with exotic spices and herbs, drizzled over a grilled soy patty. A burger isn’t enough for you? Then top up your meal with some seaweed fries or chillin’ broccoli.
44 Jalan Eunos; veganburg.com
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This charmingly quaint cafe in the heart of Little India boasts a pretty good selection of vegan dishes. The cuisine is predominantly Western and Mediterranean, with a few subtle Indian influences thrown in too. Options include Chickpea & Brown Rice Burger ($11), Crispy Tofu Steak Sandwich ($14), Buckwheat Pasta with Caramelised Onions & Edamame ($15) and Mexican Rice with Vegetable Sofrito ($14). It also serves a very enticing set lunch from Monday to Friday, 11am to 2pm, with a choice of main course (there are three vegan options) and a drink for $9++.
176 Race Course Road; www.cafesalivation.com
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With a menu that’s suitable for vegans, the food served here is made from ingredients that are fresh, organic, local, seasonal and unprocessed. You choose a dish – brown rice, NYC onion bagel, leafy greens salad or wholewheat wrap – and a filling, with options such as smoked salmon with avocado and egg ($9) and Cuban mojo chicken with guacamole ($9). There are also several weekly specials, such as Smoky King Oyster Mushroom and Quinoa Corn Succotash on a bed of lima bean puree. Don’t miss their vegan muffins, which come in interesting choices such as chocolate zucchini.
514 Bishan Street 13 2/F Bishan Cafeteria (above Bishan bus interchange); www.facebook.com/TheWholefoodKitchenSG/
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Vegan ice-cream? Why not! The ice-cream served here contains no dairy, eggs, milk or artificial chemicals. Instead, it’s made with organic brown rice milk and evaporated cane juice. What you’ll get as a result is less than 3% fat and a mere 80-140 calories per scoop (compared with 300-500 calories per scoop from most ice-cream brands). Do we hear you say “Yay!”? Then head here for delicious flavours such as Gila Gula Melaka, Choc Fudge Brownice and The Perfect Matcha. You can also get food here, with a wide range of pizzas and pastas that’ll satisfy your Italian craving.
53 East Coast Road and 8 Sin Ming Road, Sin Ming Centre, #01-03; brownice.weebly.com
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Raw food takes centrestage here and even though it’s not a purely vegan eatery, there are many vegan options on the menu. ‘Healthy’ is the key word – the cafe uses no red meat, cow dairy, white sugar, preservatives, additives or artificial colouring, and gluten-free alternatives are available too. Vegan dishes include Zucchini Pesto Pasta ($15.50), Grilled Tofu Guacamole wholewheat wrap ($15) and Taco Boats ($17). There are soup and pizza options too.
779 Bukit Timah Rd; www.balancedlivingasia.com/living-cafe-and-deli
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As its name suggests, no meat is served in this vegetarian restaurant and 90% of its dishes can be enjoyed by vegans. Korean food lovers will enjoy the meatless dining here, with authentic Korean flavours as a result of ingredients sourced and imported from that country. They also make their own kimchi, which doesn’t contain fish sauce, garlic or any meat or seafood products, so it’s suitable for vegans too. Check out the menu for vegan options such as kimchi fried rice ($9.90) and Kimchi Bulgogi Fries (opt for no mayonnaise, $10.90). The staff is also trained to answer queries from vegans and to adapt the dishes accordingly so don’t be shy to ask.
1 Irving Place #01-31, The Commerze@Irving; thebonelesskitchen.com
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