4 delicious vegetarian restaurants in Singapore

Vegetarian food in Singapore has long been treated like a poor cousin to its more popular counterparts; Japanese, French or Italian.

But there appears to be a change in local culinary leanings with the number of vegetarian eateries quietly mushrooming in Singapore over the past two years. 

Apart from regular fixtures such as Original Sin (Block 43, 1 Jalan Merah Saga, tel +65 6475 5605) and the popular Ananda Bhavan (664 Buffalo Road, tel +65 6297 9522), vegetarians and health-conscious foodies are finally privy to more dining choices. 

The little ones won't even know this is a meatless burger at Veganburg.

Veganburg

Newly opened Veganburg believes fast food doesn't have to be all about greasy burgers, soggy fries, fried chicken and zero nutrition value. 

"There hasn't been a fast food joint for vegetarians," says founder Alex Tan who has been a vegetarian for 12 years.

"I looked at what the big boys offer around the world and realized one big thing was missing: nutrition. So I married my two observations and created burgers out of organic burger buns with GMO-free patties."

The patties, made with soya or mushrooms, are given a twist with the use of ingredients (pineapple) and sauces (char-grilled satay), fries come sprinkled with seaweed instead of salt and soft drinks are avaliable but made with organic ingredients. 

"It's fast food without the guilt," says customer Celine Lim who stumbled upon Veganburg when looking for new places to eat. "I'm more of a meat person but I gave it a try and I've returned since."

44 Jalan Eunos, tel +65 6844 6868

Would you like some meat with that sandwich at Onaka?

Onaka

An acronym for Optimum Nutrition and Kitchen Arts, the name directly translates as "stomach" in Japanese.

It's the brainchild of two mothers -- Tania Chang and Rosalind Lim -- who wanted to feed their children better. Since 2009, the duo have been providing parent-approved meals at their Biopolis branch and more recently at Body with Soul (44/45 Rochester Park, +65 6779 0660).

The menu caters to non-vegetarians as well with a sprinkling of meat items such as a chunky teriyaki chicken salad made with steamed chicken breast strips and a smoked salmon with avocado sandwich. 

The pair have also come up with specialized menus that take into consideration dairy-free, gluten-free, low glycemic index/load, low fat, sugar-free, vegetarian and vegan diets.

"I prefer to call it the Onaka Healing Kitchen," says Lim who feels that a lot of local vegetarian food is generally unhealthy. "Many use mock meat items and deep fry their food, that's the reason I don't position Onaka as a vegetarian restaurant."

Onaka's kitchens are also used to host cooking classes, private events and parties for children and will soon expand to include a catering and home delivery service.

#01-17/18, Onaka @ The Biopolis, 8A Biomedical Grove, tel +65 6464 2007; 44 Rochester Park, tel +65 6778 0246

Polish off the veggie burger post spa treatment at the Green Room Cafe.

Green Room Cafe

Tucked away in the sprawling Bishan Park is the Green Room Cafe, an extension of Aramsa The Garden Spa.

The natural light-filled cafe decorated with palm trees serves spa cuisine with flair: gluten-free risotto with chunks of roasted cauliflower, laced with truffle oil and served with Parmesan cheese and pine nuts; a pumpkin and spinach gnocci with Parmesan cheese and semi-dried tomatoes.

"Vegetarians in Singapore aren't spoilt for choice," says customer Shawn Toh. "And Green Room Cafe is a great addition to the scene because of its menu and relaxing ambience."

Bishan Park II, 1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, tel +65 6556 1533

You won't even notice the lack of sausage on this meatless Paneer Pizza.

Cafe Salivation

To open a successful vegetarian restaurant in jam-packed Little India, making an effort to stand out from the masses is recommended and Cafe Salivation certainly does the job with its bright pink and orange shophouse facade.

"Cafe Salivation came about because of my tremendous interest in international food which I serve at home," says co-owner and vegetarian Karen Raja.

"It was also because of the lack of variety of cuisine in the Little India area available for locals, non-Indians and foreigners who visit the area."

Hence the Indian-Western fusion style menu with signature dishes: a paneer pizza dressed with fresh paneer cheese, tomatoes, pine nuts, raisins and fresh herbs; and the enchilada remo: fresh tortillas stuffed with stir-fried vegetables, tomato sauce and white cheese sauce.

For the lacto-vegetarians, relishes, cakes and desserts are eggless and dishes can also be prepared without garlic and onion.

75 Syed Alwi Road, tel +65 6298 1412