15 Healthy Vegetarian Options in Singapore

An argument I often hear is 'I want to become vegetarian, but vegetarian food outside is also not healthy whaaaat'.  There is a certain degree of truth to this statement.  Most hawker stalls (and restaurants for that matter) are not healthy in any definition of the word - They are using an overly generous amount of poor quality oil and salt.  Not to mention the dreaded three letters - MSG.  There are, however, numerous options for those wanting to eat vegetarian/vegan food the healthy way.  The purpose of this post is to highlight these 'healthier choice' eateries, for those wanting to conform to a healthier diet.  Enjoy!

*List is in no particular order.

Ranking System for Health
Rank 1-3 - Food that is healthy, but is still absolutely delicious.
Rank 4-7 - Increasingly healthy.  May be a little bland/mild, but joy can still be had from eating.
Rank 8-10 - Not particularly enjoyable to eat, but definitely as healthy as it gets.

*Note - The ranking system above details the eateries based on how 'healthy' I percieve them to be.  Rank 1 being the least healthy (but still much better than typical hawker stalls) and Rank 10 being the most healthy.  I am not putting taste as a priority in this list, so please be warned, if you're visiting eateries that are ranked 8-10, then the food may be bland and tasteless by most peoples definition.


1.  Food for Life - Bishan

Healthy food inside a hawker centre?  Thanks to Food for Life this is now possible.  Located just above the Bishan bus interchange, Food for Life offers low salt, low oil food made in the healthiest way possible.  China born cook Lu Hua and Singaporean auntie Shirley are two of the nicest workers you are likely to meet in the vegetarian/vegan scene, who take great pride in their food. They blend potato and pumpkin soups fresh to order, and have rice dishes and other goodies.  May perhaps be the healthiest eatery in all of Singapore.

MSG?  None
Rank: 9
Organic?: Most ingredients 
Vegan?: A few items contain eggs
Find out more: HERE





2.  Brownice

Brownice has revolutionize itself lately.  For many years it has been known for its healthy take on sinful ice cream, by using no milk, cream or egg - Instead, using organic brown rice for their desserts.  The calories are about one third of conventional ice cream, with almost zero fat.  More recently Brownice also launched an extensive range of vegan cheese (using mainly nuts) pizzas.  There are also a range of interesting ice cream cakes available, all once again using brown rice as the core ingredient.

MSG?  None
Rank: 5
Organic?: Some ingredients 
Vegan?: 100%
Find out more: HERE






3.  Organic Sunnychoice

Next up is Sunnychoice - If you're looking for food that is really light in salt and oil then this is definitely a place you should visit.  Their nasi lemak is a particular favourite amongst their regular customers.  Sunnychoice have reinvented themsevles over the years, and have placed less of an emphasis on health lately, but nevertheless it is still one of the healthiest eateries around. 

MSG?  None
Rank: 6
Organic?: Some ingredients
Vegan?: Mostly vegan
Find out more: HERE


4.  New Green Pasture Cafe

I have fond memories of New Green Pasture, as it was one of the first vegetarian eateries that I ever visited in Singapore.  Located on the fourth floor of the Fortune Centre, this little eatery is a great place to escape the bustle of Bugis.  Chef Sophia can produce some truly excellent dishes, which are flavourful, yet healthy.  I particularly love her vegetable sushi roll. 


MSG?  None
Rank: 6
Organic?: Most ingredients 
Vegan?: 100%
Find out more: HERE


5.  Onn Vegetarian

Onn is one of the least healthy on this list, but I do find them to be a lot more healthy than most hawker/coffee shop stalls in Singapore.  Chef Wai's foundations of cooking are from his hometown in Anson, Malaysia.  No MSG used, and a significantly reduced amount of oil and salt.  The food is out of this world, some of the consistantly best vegetarian food I have ever eaten.

MSG?  None
Rank: 2
Organic?: None 
Vegan?: Most dishes are vegan, mock meats used may have milk/egg
Find out more: HERE








6.  Happy Tree

Newly opened in 2014, Happy Tree have received quite positive feedback since launching.  Customers are treated to a variety of colourful smoothies/juices as well as main courses.  The chef prides himself on using no MSG, no deep frying and no white sugar in any of the food.  They also refrain from using any colouring, preservatives or processed foods.  You will be hard pressed to find healthier food than this in Singapore.

MSG?  None
Rank: 9
Organic?: Some ingredients
Vegan?: One smoothie contains honey, everything else vegan
Find out more: HERE







7.  My Vegetarian Way

If you're looking for healthy food inside a hawker/coffee shop then you only have two options in Singapore.  First being Food for Life, and the second being My Vegetarian Way.  Running at Golden Shoe hawker centre for over six years now, My Vegetarian Way stays clear of mock meats and aims to use all natural ingredients instead.  Don't get your hopes up, this food is as bland as it comes.  But I love their pumpkin based chilli, which can kick some life into the dishes.

MSG?  None
Rank: 8
Organic?: Most ingredients
Vegan?: 100%
Find out more: HERE


8.  Create Healthy

I recall visiting Create Healthy many years ago for my review, and I didn't really note them down as being a particular health concious eatery.  Over the years, however, they have made significant efforts to make all their food more healthy.  Another fantastic healthy option at the Fortune Centre.



 

MSG?  None
Rank: 8
Organic?: Some ingredients
Vegan?: Mostly
Find out more: HERE


9.  Real Food Organic Grocer & Cafe

With three locations dotted across Singapore, Real Food is a great option for those who want healthy food that still tastes great.  Real Food even have an outlet in Penang, Malaysia.  Real Food don't use any mock meat, and believe in using real food (literally).  The food is clean, and you know exactly what you are eating.



MSG?  None
Rank: 5
Organic?: Some ingredients 
Vegan?: A number of items contain egg and dairy
Find out more: HERE


10.  Genesis

If you're looking for innovative Western-style vegan food then Genesis is definitely somewhere you will want to visit.  The entire menu is vegan, they even have a number of cheesecakes and pies (all vegan).  On Sundays and other special days they produce their own bread, which is made from 100% wholemeal.  The lasagna is a personal favourite of mine.


MSG?  None
Rank: 4
Organic?: Most ingredients
Vegan?: 100% 
Find out more: HERE


11.  LivinGreens

Chef Barbara is the sole person in charge of LivinGreens, which used to be located along Beach Road, but subsequently shifted to Rangoon Rd around a year ago.  My particular favourite is the lasanga and shepherds pie.  Barbara also has an amazing range of vegan cakes and puddings, which alternate on a daily basis.

MSG?  None
Rank: 6
Organic?: 70-80% of ingredients 
Vegan?: 100%
Find out more: HERE










12.  Piore Organic Vegetarian Cafe

The lovely staff at Piore offer a number of daily specials throughout the week, which receive very favourable feedback.  Located amongst the HDB heartland, the ambiance of Piore is lovely, and can make you feel instantly relaxed.  Their food is healthy, but one can still find dishes that are full of flavour, such as their fried tom yam noodles.  Definitely a great place to be visiting, especially as the Farrer Road area has so few vegetarian places.

MSG?  None
Rank: 7
Organic?: Some ingredients
Vegan?: Some dishes may contain egg and dairy
Find out more: HERE


13.  The R.E.A.L Hut

Recently opened in 2014, The name R.E.A.L stands for Relax Eat And Love.  The menu is a mixture of cuisines, but mainly being Taiwanese dominated.  They also have a range of desserts, such as carrot cake (be warned some of their desserts are not vegan).  The food is not my favourite, but the ambiance is nice and certainly worth visiting.

MSG?  None
Rank: 3
Organic?: Some ingredients  
Vegan?: Mostly.  Some desserts are not vegan
Find out more: HERE









14.  LOVEinBread

The only totally vegan bakery that one can find in Singapore.  LOVEinBread offer a mixture of breads and desserts.  The latter are mainly derived from nuts, and are mostly raw.  Each item at LOVEinBread has an 'organic percentage' on the label, so customers can see what is the percentage of ingredients that are organic in each item.  

MSG?  None
Rank: 5
Organic?: Some ingredients 
Vegan?: 100%
Find out more: HERE










15.  Ci Yan Organic Vegetarian Healthy Food

Located in the heart of Chinatown, Ci Yan is a quiet peaceful little establishment, that has tons of books and antiques all over the walls.  The friendly auntie and uncle running this shop occasionally have daily specials, and always have a brown rice set meal.  They do have more unhealthy items like curry puff, but if you stick to the brown rice then you should be in for a pretty healthy meal.

MSG?  None
Rank: 3
Organic?: Some ingredients  
Vegan?: Mostly
Find out more: HERE


Not enough?  You can also check out these healthy eateries:-

Yes Natural - Review HERE
Fill-a-Pita - Review HERE
Sufood - Review HERE