The best vegetarian local food in Singapore

Laksa

For hearty vegetarian food that hits the spot, head to Lotus Kitchen. Don’t expect to find bland mock meats on the menu – everything is made with premium ingredients such as lion’s mane and pearl mushrooms. The stir-fried laksa ($9.80) is a drier version of the local dish that packs a fiery punch. While it doesn’t have any dried shrimp or cockles, the rich gravy is still packed full of flavour and comes topped with ‘prawns’, mushrooms, tau pok and beansprouts.

Other favourites include the braised mushrooms in a hot stone pot ($18.80) and the stir-fried laksa ($9.80), a drier version of the local dish that packs a fiery punch.  

Chicken rice

After spending 15 years selling chicken rice,the hawker behind 33 Vegetarian Food switched to serving a vegetarian version of the iconic Singaporean dish when he and his wife adopted the lifestyle back in 2014. For just $6.80, you get the full works: steamed and fried ‘chicken’ made from tofu skin, achar, xiao bai cai, soup and a bowl of rice so fragrant, you’ll be questioning how they make it without the use of chicken stock and fat. No detail is too small, either – the steamed ‘chicken’ breast even has a shiny layer of skin, just like the real deal.

Satay

Looking for vegan food that doesn’t break the bank? Visit Loving Hut, a bright and cheery café that's all about eating sustainably in tune with each other and with the Earth. This fully vegan plant-based restaurant dishes up both local delights and Western comfort food. Its soy-based satay ($12.90) comes with generous chunks of cucumber, pineapple and ketupat, which are meant to be dipped in the sweet and spicy peanut sauce. You won’t be able to stop at just one.

Other local delights to pick from include Nynonya mee siam ($9.90), sambal prongs ($15), sesame chickin claypot rice ($9.90) and braised Hokkien noodle ($10.90) – you’ll probably not miss the meat at all. Loving Hut also does catering for special occasions.   

Nonya curry

This Michelin Bib Gourmand winner on Peck Seah Street serves up a curious mix of Thai and Peranakan vegetarian dishes. Its recently refreshed interiors sport emerald green walls, more seats and a better ventilation system – all for your dining pleasure, of course. Order a bunch of dishes to share – but be sure not to miss the Nonya curry ($21). The hearty Peranakan style curry is served with minced mushrooms that resemble meatballs and potatoes. Other vegetarian takes on zi char staples include sweet and sour ‘pork’ and crispy handmade yam rings stuffed with treasures.

Nasi lemak

While Blue Bistro might feel a little bare boned, the colourful dishes loaded with sides make up for its lacklustre interiors. A good case in point is the nasi lemak ($5) – coconut rice is dressed with bright red sambal and served with a mushroom rendang among other accompaniments such as peanuts, mock ikan bilis and cucumber. It’s worth going green for this.