Laksania - Serangoon

Considering NEX Shopping Centre (Serangoon) is one of the largest shopping centres in Singapore, it is really a travesty that not one vegetarian eatery is present in the entire vicinity.  This is mostly due to the fact that Food Republic owns the food court at NEX.  Food Republic might as well change their name to 'Meat Republic', as they are undoubtedly the most vegetarian unfriendly food provider in Singapore - Almost none of their food courts contain any vegetarian options for customers - Feel free to write in and complain. 


Laksania
Location: 23 Serangoon Central, #B1-08, NEX Shopping Centre
Contact: 66342645
Opening Hours: Daily 10.30am-10.30pm


Warning - This eatery is NOT 100% vegetarian

Laksania is renowned for adding a laksa-style theme to stereotypical dishes.  Starting with the French Fries with Laksa Dip, this side dish was not part of the 'vegetarian' menu, and after asking further questions, I found out the dipping sauce unfortunately contains meat (shrimp I think).  The fries overall were nice and fluffy, but it is a shame they couldn't make the sauce vegetarian friendly.

Price: $3.80.     6/10


Next dish up was the Vegetarian Laksa.  For vegans, laksa is one of those dishes that you must be very cautious of.  Sometimes, it is known to contain cows milk instead of coconut milk, and therefore is not vegan-friendly.  For vegans visiting Laksania, you don't need to worry, as coconut milk is definitely used.  Overall this was a pretty decent laksa.  It didn't have the true authentic homemade feel that a superb laksa should have.  Therefore, it did feel a little generic.  But I was pleased that the soup base was nice and creamy, and not too diluted.

Price: $6.50.     6/10


The highlight of the meal was definitely the Laksa Goreng.  For those who have more specific dietary requirements, you will have to instruct the staff to omit onion, garlic and egg from this dish - Otherwise by default it will have those ingredients.  This dish was surprisingly packed with flavour, due to the fantastic charring of the vegetables.  I was also pleasantly surprised to see a non-vegetarian restaurant using mock meat - To me, it proved that at least some thought was put into making this dish appetising for vegetarians.  Instead of just simply making the same dish, but excluding the meat.  Definitely a dish I would order again if at Laksania.

Price: $7.50.     8/10


Conclusion - 99% of the time, the food I eat is from eateries that are selling only vegetarian food.  Therefore, when I visit non-vegetarian establishments, I tend to have quite low expectations of what the food will be like.  Laksania definitely exceeded my expectations, and certainly provided sufficient options for vegans and vegetarians that might be dining there.  I am still hoping that NEX realises the error of their ways, and opens up something vegetarian.  But until that day comes, Laksania definitely succeeds in providing somewhere vegetarians can fill their stomachs.

Overall Rating
Food - 7/10
Ambiance- 7/10
Service - 6/10
Value - 6/10