Southeast Asia Archives • Cook the Beans

Being a vegan in Singapore is just pure heaven, you can find lots of great options anywhere.

In December 2016 Peta named Singapore the second most friendly vegan city in Asia, so that should mean something 😀

Singapore’s food combines Chinese, Malay, Indian, Western influences, Japanese and Thai, and is rich in vegetarian options. For me the best places were the hawker centres (food-courts), they are easy to find and have a bit of everything from fruit juices, smoothies made with local and exotic fruit, desserts, pure vegan meals and even raw vegan. You will be able to taste all cuisines, from 4$-12$ per meal. You can also look for Indian and vegetarian Chinese restaurants often serving up amazing vegan options.

Singapore

If you eat in a non-vegetarian restaurant be aware that dishes that appear vegetarian on the menu may contain oyster sauce, salted fish, etc. just check with the staff first.

Here are some places that I recommend for having great delicious and affordable food. Remember that healthy dishes that require a lot of efforts and innovation often come with large bills 🙂

hawker centres:

Circuit Road Food Centre has many vegetarian food stalls; here you can try the vegan versions of local dishes such as tahu goreng, satay, briyani rice, nasi lemak (coconut rice), hor fun, chicken rice, laksa, etc.
Fortune Centre at Bugis has many great vegan eateries and more options outside the centre.
Redhill Market and Food Centre – vegetarian cuisine is popular at this food centre, try the Bee Hoon with mock Char Siew from the Ru Yi Yuan Vegetarian Food.
Kim San Leng Food Centre
Bendemeer Market and Food Centre

(many veg food stalls tend to be closed on Monday)

restaurants / eateries:

Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant (Little India) has a very extensive menu (about 400 items of which three-quarters are listed as vegan) and you can sample Indian, Chinese, international and local dishes and desserts all under one roof.
Divine Realm Vegetarian Restaurant – Chinese vegetarian
Nature Vegetarian Delights – Chinese vegetarian restaurant
Xing Hua Vegetarian Restaurant. It’s a Chinese restaurant serving mainly mock-meats
Yi xin vegetarian – the best in china town
Zen Fut Sai Kai Vegetarian Restaurant
Genesis vegan Restaurant
Vegandeli SG
Green Leaf Cafe – Little India.
Veggie King International Buffet
Steamboat Restaurant for international, regional (Japanese, Korean, Thai) and local buffet dishes which include desserts.
Fill-a-Pita -Middle Eastern vegetarian food.
vegetarians from West-side: Hua Jin Vegetarian Family Restaurant and Tanaka Vegetarian Food
Japanese vegetarian food (a bit pricey) Bespoke Japanese Vegetarian Dining and Herbivore
For vegan burgers you have: Vegan Burg and the nomVnom
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery serve vegetarian food.

Tips: Keep an eye out for the Singapore Food Festival, held every year in July.

? Tips on how to travel in Singapore on a budget ?

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia, with a tropical climate, great food, busy vibe where its always something happening I stumble in many cultural activities like concerts, performances, multimedia and water projections, so try to be aware and look at all the billboards and posters that came across to you. As you know Singapore is not the cheapest place to visit when you have a tight budget, but it’s possible, and definitely worths a visit even if short.

I travel by bus from Malacca to Singapore (24RM), took 4hours to the border, then we left the bus twice to show our passports. If you do the same be prepared to run… because the second time you leave the bus, they will give you 20 minutes, so take all your belongings with you and if you lose the bus don’t worry you just need to wait an hour for the next one.

Once in Singapore it’s easy to travel around, they have a good and easy public transport system and almost everyone speaks English 🙂 when using the bus just make sure you have always the correct amount because they don’t give change.

Here is a list of my favorite places, that you should visit and tips to save money:

Places to explore:

Marina Bay – very cosmopolitan, great views, includes The Merlion Square
Botanic gardens – is a Unesco World Heritage Site, It’s more natural than Gardens by the Bay which seems to be more man-made (although very beautiful in its way) – free entry – they have frequent concerts from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra come early and bring a picnic.
Gardens by the Bay – this futuristic garden deserves a visit during the day-light and another visit during the night between 7.45pm and 8.45 pm, when the trees twinkle and glow with music – free entry
Marina Bay Sands – great views
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, great place near The Merlion Square. Has always lots going on (some are free). The shape on the outside was inspired on the famous durian fruit.
Baba House – (Peranakan home) located near Chinatown has a free hour-long tour but booking is required
Sri Mariamman Temple – oldest Hindu temple –free entry
Thian Hock Keng – Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple –free entry
Clark Quay – busy nightlife
Southern Ridges trail – great walking trails through 10km of forest and canopy walks.
China town
Little India
Arab district (great walk early morning before the crowds arrive) don’t miss the Haji Lane – it’s heaven for art and culture lovers.
Orchard Road

Museums:

Art Museum (free on Fridays after 6pm), incredible good
Peranakan Museum (1/2 price after 7pm – $5)
Asian Civilisation Museum (1/2 price after 7pm – $5)
National Museum ($10) – check the website for free guided tours – offered daily

If you have time:

Movie Mob – free outdoor movie with drive-in concept and picnic events. Happens around Singapore (check their page)
Haw Par Villa (founder of Tiger Balm) outdoor exhibitions of Chinese mythology and legends. – free entry
East Coast Park – 15km stretch of beach (can get busy during the weekend)

Accommodation: it will be your biggest expense in Singapore, so you must do your research with time and book before your arrival. Backpacking is by far the cheapest option you can get something for $20-30 p/night. If you want more privacy and be in contact with local people airbnb would be a good option.

Eating: hawker centers are by far the cheapest and best option you have to taste Singapore’s multi-cultural food. I have tried many different ones and they were all a complete delight for every foodie,a main can cost from $3-7. Remember that in Singapore you can drink tap water it is safe and clean.

I hope you don’t miss Singapore from your travel list.

? More about vegan food in Singapore ?

Tag: Southeast Asia

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