10 reasons to turn vegetarian in Singapore

Now that Christmas is over and all the new year feasts done away with, it's time to embrace a greener diet. 

While finding a satisfying vegetarian meal can be a challenge, here are some kind-to-your-wallet, all-embracing cuisines for a great vegetarian meal in Singapore.

Ola! El Toro's vegetarian options are lip-smackingly delicious.

1. Mexican food at El Toro Restro Bar

A nachos mamasita, cheesy hot from the oven, and some good old frozen lime margaritas will set the mood for the night. Add the cozy, alfresco ambiance upstairs, a bunch of friendly staff and a live band on Friday nights and you’ll want to be fluent in Spanish by the time you wrap up your main course of veggie quesadillas and a veggie burrito.

2/F Winsland Conservation House, 165 Penang Road. Tel +65 6887 4787. Open daily, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. www.eltoro.com.sg

2. Italian pizzas at Peperoni Pizzeria

Don’t judge this small hideout at Greenwood Avenue by its name. It has a delicious, crispy crust, wood-fired vegetariana pizza on its menu. If you want to be experimental, order a half-n-half pizza with one of the other meatless options. Remember to sample some garlic bread while you wait for your pizza, your taste buds will be grateful!

6 Greenwood Avenue Hillcrest Park. Tel +65 6465 6556. Open daily, noon-midnight. www.lesamis.com.sg

3. Middle Eastern food at Al Hamra

Savor the ambiance of Holland Village bo-ho vibe by sampling Lebanese cuisine at Al Hamra. The zatar bread-hummus dip combination will leave you craving for a second round of appetizers. Resist the temptation to overindulge and order the vegetable shawarmas for the main course. Be sure to keep an eye on the prices though; people often leave the restaurant with a bit of a shock.

23 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village. Tel +65 6464 8488. Open Sunday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 6-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday & eve of public holiday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 6–11 p.m. chutneymary.com.sg/alhamra

4. North Indian food at Kashmir

Even if you hail from the Indian subcontinent, you’ll find the food at Kashmir to be delicious and authentic, yet a little bit different. The tandoori bharva aloo and vegetable seekh kebab, together with Hindi music in the background, will sure warm up your appetite. Be a little more adventurous for the main course and try choq wangan and dum aloo with crispy roomali roti, and you’ll feel right at home in Kashmir.

52 Race Course Road. Tel +65 6293 6003. Open daily, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., 6:30-11 p.m. www.kashmir.com.sg

Fresh made chutneys and thosai at Murugan Idli Shop.

5. South Indian food at Murugan Idli Shop

Anyone who has eaten at Murugan’s will assure you that you too will rave about the idlis (a south Indian savory cake) after you eat here. It’s impossible to find fresher, softer idlis in Singapore and the Sambhar does them justice. The chaotic atmosphere is a small sacrifice to feel the idlis melt in your mouth.

81 Syed Alwi Road. Tel +65 6298 0858. Open daily, 9 a.m.–11 p.m. www.muruganidlishop.com

6. Western food at Marche

Any vegetarian who’s ever been to Marche in Singapore will definitely return. It’s a pure delight, both in mood and in the quality and variety of food. The fresh vegetables make for good appetizers, the rosti (fresh pan-fried shredded potatoes) is a favorite with most patrons, as is the ever-changing menu of freshly-made pizzas, pastas and wraps. Their home-brewed ice-lemon tea and lemonades will quench most thirsts and you won’t need any convincing to stay for dessert.

#01-39/46 313 @ Somerset, 313 Orchard Road. Tel +65 6834 4041. Open daily, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. marche.moevenpick.com

7. Jane Thai food at Orchard Towers

Most people steer clear of Orchard Towers when night falls but if you dare, venture up to the fourth floor during lunch for some delicious Thai cuisine.

Going through the menu is futile; order some vegetarian (with egg if you prefer) green curry fried rice -- it’s a yummy mash-up of white rice cooked in green curry that you won't find anywhere else.

#04-30 Orchard Towers, 400 Orchard Road. Tel +65 9054 4219. Open daily 6 p.m.-4 a.m.

At Din Tai Fung, the vegetarian dumplings are just as good as the pork-filled ones.

8. Chinese food at Din Tai Fung

Many vegetarians perceive authentic Chinese food as consisting of anything that moves. While largely true, many Chinese restaurants in Singapore offer an assortment of purely vegetarian options.

Din Tai Fung is a welcoming place to sample your first bowl of steamed vegetarian dumplings in a Chinese setting. If your taste buds are resistant to bland food, make your own chili-vinegar dip for the dumplings. Oh, and practice using chopsticks before you visit, you don’t want to be overheard asking for a fork and knife in embarrassing whispers.

#02-48/53 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road. Tel +65 6732 1383. Open Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday, Sunday & public holiday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (last order 9:30 p.m.). www.breadtalk.com/dintaifung

Sample street-style dumplings at Fifth Season.

9. Indian Chinese food at Fifth Season

Take your taste buds on a spice-filled journey with these Indianized noodles, dumplings and soups. The manchow soup and panfried momos are a great starter, and best followed up with Szechuan rice and garlic-chili Hakka noodles. You probably won’t have space for dessert but some Kesar-pista Kulfi, India’s home-made version of ice-cream, is the perfect way to round up the flavors of the night.

28 Race Course Road. Tel +65 6293 4842. Open daily, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., 6–10:30 p.m. www.fifthseason.com.sg

10. Veggie options at The Soup Spoon

As the name suggests, this joint serves soup, and lots of it. Signature soups include the hearty meatless minestrone soup and roasted pumpkin with caramelized apples. For an appetizer, try freshly baked pita with homemade dips and wrap up the meal with a flavor-filled mushroom pesto sandwich.

#B3-18 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn. Tel +65 6509 8765. Open Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday - Sunday, 11 a.m.– 10:30 p.m. www.thesoupspoon.com