Since I have started my quest to discover the myriad of delicious vegetarian and vegan food in Singapore I have enjoyed thousands of dishes, and am asked continuously which are the very best dishes I have tried so far. To answer that question, I thought it would be better to do a post giving (in my opinion) the best 20 dishes that I have had the pleasure of eating in Singapore. This will hopefully act as good reference for those looking for the 'cream of the crop' dishes that are meat free in Singapore.
Those looking for the best list of best restaurants, I would like to direct you to my Top 10 Vegetarian Places in Singapore post.
**Note - Updated as of 31/10/2013**
So lets begin the list, please bare in mind I haven't ranked these, and are therefore in no particular order:-
20. Chicken Tandoori TikkaI have introduced this delicious delight to many people both vegetarians and meat eaters - Every time it gets overwhelming praise. The texture of this mock chicken, coupled with the beautiful Indian spices make for a truly special and unique treat. The tandoor (an Indian cooking oven) flavour really clings to these mock meats enhancing the flavour wonderfully.
From: Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant - Little India
Price: $7.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousand Vegie (formally known as Deli-Vege) have gained a heady following over the many years that they have been in business. Without a doubt, one of their most popular dishes is the DFC, and it is easy to see why. This dish is a vegetarian version of KFC, with two surprisingly juicy and authentic fried chicken pieces and light and fluffy fries being the highlight of this moreish dish. Definitely a dish I will keep coming back for over and over again.
From: Thousand Vegie - Chinatown
Price: $6.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. LasagnaAlthough I had a rather mixed (some would say largely negative) opinion of LivinGreens, I certainly can't fault this beautiful tasting lasagna, which had excellent visual appeal and looked like a great amount of time had been spent making this dish from the heart. The eggplant and red capsicum flavours burst out of this top notch lasagna, I'm drooling just thinking about it.
From: LivinGreens - Farrer Park
Price: $8.50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Malai Kofta
Indian food is typically held is suspicious regards, among Singaporeans – But it shouldn’t. Gokul is a perfect introduction to the world of Indian food, with Malai Kofta being one of their most delicious curries. There are no onions or garlic used in any of Gokul’s dishes, therefore it can appeal to a wide audience of vegetarians. This creamy and slightly sweet North Indian curry is not spicy and incredibly scrumptious – Goes perfectly with a steaming hot naan.
From: Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant - Little India Price: $10.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Vegetarian Hotplate BBQ FishBring tissues, towels and gallons of ice water and prepare for one of the spiciest, yet delicious dishes that Singapore has to offer. The sambal sauce should come with a warning attached as it is murderously spicy. The texture of the mock fish is wonderful, with sugar cane stems inside to replicate mock bones - Nice touch. Only for those who can take very spicy food.
From: Li Wei Vegetarian - Serangoon
Price: $7.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Sweet & Sour PorkDivine Realm is perhaps more notorious for their hand made noodles, which have attracted attention from all across the island. But for me, the dish I will always order is the sweet & sour pork. I have been eating and loving this dish for over four years and never tire of it. The sauce is tangy yet sweet and the mock meat juicy and succulent.
From: Divine Realm Vegetarian - Hougang
Price: $7.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Spicy Sambal FishDon't be too fooled by the title, compared to Li Wei, this sambal fish is not nearly as spicy. I love that amount of care and attention that goes into this dish. The mock fish is not simply made of soy, it is a mixture of many things all wrapped in a sheet of seaweed that is shaped to look like a fish. It looks simple on the outside, but a lot of effort goes into the construction of such a dish, and for me it was a standout success of this brilliant restaurant.
From: Ci Yin Vegetarian House - MacPherson
Price: $10.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Seaweed RollThis dish brings back memories of one of my first ever vegetarian experiences in Singapore, as it certainly has a soft spot for me. Frankly, many years ago the quality of this dish was perfect, its deteriorated in quality a tad over the years, but it's still some of the best sushi you will find in Singapore - Very healthy too!
From: New Green Pasture Cafe - Bugis
Price: $5.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Hainanese Beef Stew with RiceThe main attraction to this dish is the thick and yummy broth with ingredients such as mushrooms and radish swimming inside. The taste is jam packed with succulent flavour, which rendered me to practically licking the bowl dry. Anyone living in Singapore needs to venture down to North South East West to sample one of the finest dishes Singapore has to offer.
From: North South East West Vegetarian Cuisine - Marine Parade
Price: $6.80
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Handmade Tofu with Special Filling and Roasted SauceThis beautifully delicate dish ranks as arguably my favourite tofu dish in Singapore. The oval tofu is almost scrambled and has a delicious skin. The sauce is neither too thick or too watery. Within the tofu, it is stuffed with vegetables and mock prawn. It certainly exceeded my expectations - A dish I could eat every single day.
From: Yi Xin Vegetarian - Clementi
Price: $8.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bhattura is an infamous oil-soaked dome of artery clogging doom. Having tried countless bhattura all over Singapore, I can say definitively that this one is the best. Not only is its size impressive (it is double the size of a regular bhattura), but the texture is a perfect blend of crunch and chew. Have this bhattura served with channa masala and raw onion, and you will be in heaven!
From: Komala Vilas Vegetarian Restaurant - Little India
Price: $4.20
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are countless renditions of vegetarian 'chicken' rice in Singapore. They range from exceptional to awful. Li Wei's rendition of this dish would probably range as the best I've tried in Singapore. There are two versions - Fried Chicken Rice and Steam Chicken Rice. Both are exceptional. Li Wei has had a reputation for many years now, for their awesome chicken rice. So, if you haven't tried it yet, what are you waiting for?
From: Li Wei Vegetarian - Serangoon
Price: $3.50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Ayam Mesak MerahGokul dishes are inevitably going to feature a lot on this list, as (in my opinion) it is undoubtedly the best vegetarian eatery in Singapore. What makes Gokul so wonderful is the diversity of cuisines you can find there - It is not just an Indian restaurant. This Malay dish, which is perfectly done, is a prime example of that. This rich and fragrant tomato sauce is silky and divine. If you're visiting Gokul, this is another of their many dishes that you must order!
From: Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant - Little India
Price: $8.50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. MousakkaThe price of this dish may cause your heart to skip a beat, and understandably so. Original Sin ranks as the most expensive 100% vegetarian place I have ever been to. However, the food looks like a visual masterpiece on the plate, and for this mousakka the taste is just mesmerizing. Layers of eggplant and tomato (mainly) make up this dish, with a sprinkling of paprika on top. It may be a high end price, but it's worth every cent.
From: Original Sin - Holland Village
Price: $24.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Kway ChapPeople are often quite befuddled when I mention eating kway chap, with their usual response being 'kway chap got vegetarian mah?'. Well, indeed it does. Tian Yi is probably one of the most famous vegetarian stalls in the country, and it is no secret what their famous dish is. If you come during peak periods, you will join a long queue of customers all waiting feverishly for this delicious and affordable dish. The flavours in this dish are immense. Who needs meat? Kway chap can be just as delicious in a vegetarian form!
From: Tian Yi Vegetarian Food - Ang Mo Kio
Price: $2.50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, oh finally - I have found a chef in Singapore that knows how to cook pasta in the correct way. Ever since my first visit to Veggie Cottage, I have been blown away by the outstanding quality of food that is coming from this establishment. This aglio olio is a shinning example of a deceptively difficult dish to cook well, which has been truly mastered by the chef. If you're heading down to Veggie Cottage, then this dish should be on your hit-list.
From: Veggie Cottage - Little India
Price: $6.50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Claypot Trotters RiceKnown in Mandarin as zhu jiao chu. During my food adventures in Singapore I have tried several renditions of this Cantonese dish, they all pale in comparison with the Nature Delights version. It may be an acquired taste, but for me it is a uniquely tasting dish, that gets me salivating just at the thought of it!
From: Nature Vegetarian Delights - Serangoon
Price: $4.50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laksa is definitely a dish that everyone associates with Singapore cuisine. In the vegetarian food scene, there are literally hundreds of stalls/restaurants producing this famous this. But, it is at YWQ where you will find the best, in my opinion. There is no generic laksa paste used in this dish. All the ingredients are made from scratch, which makes a huge difference to the aroma and taste. Whether you enjoy spicy food or not, you will adore this dish.
From: YWQ Vegetarian Bistro - Bendemeer
Price: $4.50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Fried Hor FunI am eternally grateful to my readers for recommending this dish to me, as it is simply outstanding. The texture of the noodles are thin and melt in the mouth. But as my readers will know, what I always look for in dishes like hor fun is the fabulous wok hei flavour. This hor fun had the strongest wok hei that I have tasted in any dish - Chef I applaud you.
From: Lin Lin Vegetarian Delights - Bedok
Price: $3.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Chicken KurmaWhatever you order from Gokul, you won't be presented with a poor dish. The curries especially are out of this world. The chicken kurma must rank among my favourite as it doesn't fall into the trap of being too salty or oily. It has a richness and creamy texture that is balanced expertly with the spices that make up the curry.
From: Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant - Little India
Price: $9.00
