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EPICUREAN The Veg Culinary Voyage A lover’s paradise, Singapore, in the last decade, has seen a rise in restaurants serving vegetarian fare. With vegetarianism increasingly becoming a lifestyle choice, stand-alone restaurants serving a range of such cuisines are mushrooming all over the Lion City. LIVING goes vegetarian in gastronomic Singapore.

n oft asked recommendation by people visiting Singapore is for vegetarian cuisine. Over a decade ago, eateries serving vegetarianA fare in this foodies’ paradise could be counted on one hand, with a finger or two to spare. However, with vegetarianism increasingly becoming a lifestyle choice, there is an escalated demand for stand-alone restaurants serving a range of such cuisines. Beyond the obviously ubiquitous Indian, there’s also Italian, Mediterranean, Western, Peranakan, Chinese, Japanese, and new with basil and mozzarella. Address: Block 43, Jalan Merah Saga. preference for meals start with the age organic, holistic, healthy alternatives. Other dishes high on the list are the Tel: +65-6475 5605 inviting red beetroot soup or in total The restaurants we’ve featured here Bosco Misto comprising spinach, feta contrast the sunshine yellow roasted have won numerous culinary accolades, and tofu made into patties coated with Food #03 pumpkin and yellow peppers soup, but it is word-of-mouth publicity crushed almonds and sesame seeds. Located adjacent to an art gallery- accompanied by fresh, home-made that has resulted in their continued The low-calorie Principessa is a cum-museum in Little India, this focaccia or wholemeal bread. popularity and regular repeat clientele. combination of drizzled with vegetarian restaurant (named after one Pizza lovers will the Mix Grilled LIVING presents an alphabetical listing balsamic . of the owner’s art projects) is a blend Pizza with its healthy wholemeal crust of pure vegetarian restaurants in the Middle Eastern specialities are of bohemia and style. In the narrow, heaped with spinach, peppers, feta and Lion City. represented via the mezza plate with elongated space, raw bricked walls are egg. Likewise, the Dugu Burger, a zesty servings of koresh, hummus, baba broken by windows with curlicue metal tempeh patty topped with organic oyster Original Sin ganoush, tzatziki and falafel accompanied grilles and the tables are accompanied by mushrooms and grilled vegetables, is Original Sin continues to reign as the with pita bread. If you want something sleek steel chairs. It is a venue you would interesting. first Mediterranean vegetarian restaurant more substantial, order the Moussaka associate with the young arty crowd. The Sizzling Banana Cow, so named in Singapore, located in the expat- (baked layers of char-grilled eggplant, The creative Western-style menu because of the shape of the sizzling friendly Holland Village. Here, you can potato, tomato and lentils, infused with is changed every few weeks. The plate it is served in, is basically a dine al fresco or in the cosy, candlelit Middle Eastern ). interior with its earthy tones in Whilst here, you should also try the and coffee tints. Indianised masala pizza with eggplant Proprietor and Culinary Director and yogurt. And make sure to save space Marisa Bertocchi is one of the prime for desserts – the marble cheesecake and reasons for guests’ repeated visits. The tiramisu get a thumbs up! lady obviously loves her vegetables and plays on multiple flavours and textures in each dish. Must-haves here are the n At Original Sin, located in the expat- Magic Mushroom comprising oven-baked friendly Holland Village, you can dine al fresco or in the cosy, candlelit interior with its earthy portobello stuffed with ricotta , n The Bosco Misto at Original Sin comprising tones in mustard and coffee tints spinach, and pine nuts, topped spinach, feta and tofu made into patties n The Original Sin Haloumi

120 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 121 Shojin Ryori, the Zen temple cuisine served at Enso Kitchen, is inspired by the Zen Buddhist philosophy and uses fresh seasonal ingredients – vegetables or food from plant sources – to capture the natural flow of energy.

bubbling banana pancake with spiced orange jus. For those with a sweet-tooth, the choice between the Chocolate Brownie and Ginkgo Nuts with Fresh Strawberries is equally rewarding. scrambled paneer with toast. served here) is inspired by the Zen An average Shojin Ryori meal would Address: 109 Rowell Road. Eggless desserts and cakes are as Buddhist philosophy and uses fresh have what is considered to be the king Tel: +65-6396 7980 loved as the pancakes with maple seasonal ingredients – vegetables or of this cuisine – goma dofu (sesame and the visually attractive strawberry food from plant sources – to capture tofu). Essentially, there are only two Cafe Salivation parfait. the natural flow of energy. This means main ingredients: kuzu (wild Japanese The candy stripped walls and Jain cuisine without onion and the ingredients of a Shojin meal change arrowroot) and sesame that bind diaphanous salmon-pink curtains is also available for the asking. according to the seasons, with Enso together to form a tofu-like texture. certainly jazz up this place. Breaking Address: 75 Syed Alwi Road. Kitchen changing theirs every month. In the Shojin method of cooking, the perception that Little India eateries Tel: +65-6298 1412 The Sunday lunch begins with a ingredients are minimised to enable the serve only , the vibrant starter followed by the main course of diner to taste the natural flavours. The Cafe Salivation (part of The Raj Group Enso Kitchen six items presented on a tray setting, cooking requires much detailed attention of Restaurants) aims at satiating the Located in a conservation, pre-war dessert and a free-flow of Japanese tea. and effort. vegetarian lover’s every craving from shophouse in Chinatown, the 20- Presentation, colours and flavours make So if on a Sunday the mood strikes pastas, pizzas, burgers and sandwiches seater Japanese eatery scores high on for a multisensory experience. for a zen-like experience, Enso Kitchen to Mexican wraps and eggless Western exclusivity. It operates quite differently desserts. Accompanying the meal are from the other restaurants. For one, it refreshing drinks, mocktails and a variety has no fixed menu, and, secondly, Enso of Italian coffees. Kitchen opens only once a week – for Clients walk into Cafe Salivation as lunch on Sundays. Obviously, the tables much for the Mexican Enchiladas Remo here are booked well in advance. (with tortillas stuffed with stir-fried Shojin Ryori (the Zen temple cuisine vegetables and topped with tomato sauce and white cheese sauce), as for the Kidney Bean Quesadilla, Paneer Pizza and Italian Penne Arrabiata. The restaurant n The candy stripped walls and diaphanous also serves a grilled desi sandwich with salmon-pink curtains certainly jazz up Cafe Salivation n The Sizzling Banana Cow at Food #03, so n Clients walk into Cafe Salivation for the potatoes, tomatoes and green named because of the shape of the sizzling Mexican Enchiladas Remo with tortillas stuffed with n The Nifty at Cafe Salivation – a plate it is served in, is basically a bubbling stir fried vegetables and topped with tomato , popularly found at every restaurant that aims at satiating the vegetarian banana pancake with spiced orange jus sauce and white cheese sauce street corner in Mumbai, and the spicy lover’s every craving

122 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 123 is your destination! Address: 14 Ann Siang Road. Whole Earth, on Peck Tel: +65-8133 1182 Seah Street in the Central LingZhi Vegetarian Restaurant Business District, is the LingZhi from the TungLok Group is the undisputed pioneer of haute only vegetarian Peranakan vegetarian Chinese cuisine. Having and Thai food restaurant been in the business for over 10 years, in Singapore was opened the spacious flagship outlet remains on Orchard Road with another branch by its pioneering ‘green opened on Novena Square. team’ in 2003 as the The dishes at LingZhi are devoid of result of a calling to serve the mock meats/seafood and gluten products which are increasingly passing healthy and enjoyable for ‘vegetarianism’. Mushroom lovers plant-based food. will find a gamut of choice here, as the chef expertly combines an assortment of these (some with woody overtones), Deli-Vege with and vegetables. This new age fusion vegetarian Top of the list has to be the Vegetarian restaurant, serving creative Japanese, Mushroom Hot Pot, combining over Chinese and Western dishes, is suitable 10 varieties of mushrooms (shiitake, for diners looking for interesting cuisine abalone, golden, black fungus, velvet, in a cosy, light-hearted ambiance. lingzhi, straw, button, white fungus and At Deli-Vege, the owner stresses that oyster) in either a clear, laksa or tom yam “healthy and tasty vege food is our first broth (available only at the Velocity @ priority.” For those yearning for chicken Novena Square outlet). or fish, the restaurant has vegetarian The signature dishes include the mock options made from soya protein Sautéed Monkey Head Mushrooms with Dried and flavourings. The three most popular Chilli and the Crispy Wild Mushrooms dishes are Claypot Rice (which comes with with Aeroponic Vegetables Salad and Sautéed shreds of ‘chicken’ with mushrooms Honshimeji Mushrooms. Other delectable and carrots), ‘Fish’ and Chips (where creations are the asparagus and the mock fish is wrapped in seaweed capsicum served in a potato basket and and coated with tempura powder and Bombay Cafe the sautéed broccoflower and fungus fried) and the famed Japanese Yakitori The interiors are funky. Shades of with the chef ’s special blended sauce. (made from several bite-sized pieces fuchsia dramatised with black used to Address: 541 Orchard Road #05-01 of ‘chicken’ on a bamboo , their tasteful advantage. Bollywood Liat Tower. Tel: +65-6734 3788 and barbecued over charcoal and served with dominates the décor with a collage, 238 Thomson Road, #03-09/10 Deli-Vege’s special ). posters and plasma screen showing Velocity @ Novena Square. The Laksa, reputedly one of the best clippings from Hindi movies jazzing up Tel: +65-6538 2992 vegetarian versions in Singapore, brings the walls. in many regular clients. This - The Bombay Cafe experience is based spicy noodle soup has its origins nostalgic, especially for those yearning in the Peranakan culture, a merger of for Mumbai street food and snacks. The n Sautéed honshimeji mushrooms, asparagus n Enso Kitchen, the 20-seater Japanese Chinese and Malay elements, found range is extensive – from authentic pav and capsicum served in potato basket at eatery scores high on exclusivity. It opens only LingZhi primarily in Singapore and Malaysia. bhaji, bhel puri, vada pav and ragda patties to once a week – for lunch on Sundays n The ‘Fish’ and Chips at Deli-Vege where the n The main course at Enso Kitchen Address: 200 South Bridge Road. an impressive list of including gol mock fish is wrapped in seaweed and coated comprises six items presented on a tray setting Tel: +65-6223 9868 gappas and varied pakoras. The tandoori- with tempura powder and fried

124 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 125 style bharwan aloo and crispy paneer and pepper-filledkurkure mushrooms are delicious. And all of these can be downed with either the Punjabi-style cooling shikanjvi or a thick lassi. Main meals with a strong Indian twist include Chinese or Chindian (as they are trying to popularise it here), Mexican, Western, and of course Indian. The Mexican and tandoori pizza are flavoursome, while the Bombay Cafe sizzler and an unusual chat sizzler exude a delectable aroma while being served. Naturally, the Indian-Chinese all- time favourites: gobi Manchurian, crispy , black pepper mushrooms and American chop suey are all available here. And you can round up the meal with the must-eat, gooey-grainy sizzling restaurant is offset by soft peachy-pink brownie. The interiors are funky. Shades of fuchsia dramatised carpeting and wallpaper. Another smaller outlet, Bombay The chef has successfully managed Cafe Xpress (at the Suntec City Mall) with black used to their tasteful advantage. Bollywood to capture the essence of cooking promises all of the above along with dominates the décor. The Bombay Cafe experience is non-vegetarian dishes without using lunch and dinner buffets. Ideal for office nostalgic, especially for those yearning for Mumbai any real meat. The weekend buffet goers in a hurry. (Friday to Sunday) has a mind-boggling Address: 334 Tanjong Katong Road. street food and snacks. selection of almost 100 dishes to Tel: +65-6345 0070 choose from. Other days of the week, it is the steamboat buffet that proves Whole Earth opened by its pioneering ‘green team’ in Besides this, the Thai dishes include popular. The a la carte all-vegetarian Walking along Peck Seah Street in the 2003 as the result of a calling to serve the signature Olive Rice which can menu (despite the names) includes the Central Business District, the side façade healthy and enjoyable plant-based food. complement any dish on the menu, Shark’s Fin Soup, Spicy Pan-, of the white building facing an open Peranakans, the descendents of Thai Battered Oyster Mushroom and Thai Butter Prawns (fritter-style), Hot Plate plot demands attention. Besides the logo Straits Chinese (early immigrants from Delight where textured soy Pepper Chicken, with barbequed buns and restaurant’s name in green, it’s the Mainland China), inter-married Malays merges with the natural sweetness of accompanying these dishes. black silhouettes of people strolling, and imbibed their customs, culture, pineapple chunks. Address: 201 Balestier Road. some with a dog on a leash that makes clothes, jewellery and food. The restaurant’s name, we were told on Tel: +65-6254 0090/0091 ¨ Whole Earth come alive. The undisputed favourite, Asam Pedas an earlier visit, was because “...we serve Indoors again it is predominantly (literally, sour spicy in Malay) is made wholesome food from Mother Earth.” Copy: Amita Sarwal white which perhaps makes for an ideal of crispy slices of bean curd with a Address: 76 Peck Seah Street. Photograph Courtesy: Bombay Cafe, Cafe setting for the colourful cuisine. flavourful sauce. TheOatmeal Tofu is all Tel: +65-6323 3308 Salivation, Whole Earth, Deli-Vege, Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant, Original Sin, Enso Kitchen, The only vegetarian Peranakan and about textures – crispy on the outside Food #03, LingZhi Vegetarian Restaurant Thai food restaurant in Singapore was and silken within, and can work as a Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant substitute for rice or noodles. Made It is said that a well-known Indian of shiitake mushrooms, the Nyonya industrialist from Tamil Nadu liked the n Bollywood dominates the décor at Bombay Curry takes eight long hours to cook food at Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant so Cafe with a collage, posters and plasma screen on a slow fire. TheYam Treasure Ring much that he flew the chefs down to showing clippings from Hindi movies jazzing is not only visually interesting, but is a Chennai to cater for his party. n The weekend buffet (Friday to Sunday) up the walls at Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant has a mind- n Broccoli with braised monkeyhead treasure trove of vegetables, nuts and Decorated in a contemporary Oriental boggling selection of almost 100 dishes to mushroom at Whole Earth mushrooms. style, the rosewood furniture at the choose from

126 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 Hi! LIVING AUGUST 2010 127