[Singapore Vegetarian Food] Nature Cafe

(Nature Café @ Aperia Mall)

Nature Café is a vegetarian bistro which started business some 15 years ago and currently has 4 outlets across Singapore in Jalan Bukit Merah, Kallang (The Aperia Mall), Boon Lay (Trade Hub21) and Suntec City.  With over 200 items on the menu, these are some of the items on the menu, just to name a few:

·         Local favourites such as Chicken Rice, rojak, wanton noodles, kway chap;

·         Local stir-fried dishes aka tze-char; and

·         International cuisine includes those such as Western burgers and steaks, Korean spicy noodles (bibimmyeon), Thai Green Curry, Japanese Tonkatsu. 

You name it, they might just have it.  In my opinion, the top 3 must-try from the café are:

1.       Hong Kong Style Char Siew Chicken Rice

2.       Japanese Style Chicken Steak Rice

3.       Monkeyhead Mushroom hotpot

Beverages extend beyond the regular teh and kopi, but there is a variety of gourmet tea and coffee (with simple latte art).  For non-tea or coffee drinkers, there are other choices such as hot chocolate, hot vanilla or juices to choose from.

I find their pricing to be quite reasonable, considering the comfortable environment and helpful service.  Food dishes costs $5 and above while beverages are $3 and above.  The place is conducive for individual diners, small group gatherings with family or friends and even for large group gatherings. 

  

Visit website for address for the various outlets: www.naturecafe.com.sg

[Singapore Vegetarian Food] The Boneless Kitchen

Those of us who have visited Korea before would know the difficulty of finding proper vegan/vegetarian food in the Land of Kimchi.  Even for the nation’s most popular side-dish, kimchi, although it is primarily a vegetable dish, it is not vegan-friendly because of the sauce used in the preparation process.

Singaporeans are very fortunate to be living in a city where vegetarian food is readily available.  The Boneless Kitchen, the first meatless Korean casual dining restaurant in Singapore, moved to its currently location in Tai Seng about 2 years ago.   Garlic, onion, animal products and seafood are not used.  However, egg and dairy products may be used for some of their food.

The restaurant has table-seating and floor-seating options for those who prefer a more authentic dining experience.  And one of the best things about the restaurant is that there is no service charge and GST, apart from the consistent food quality!

A total of 4 appetising side-dishes (banchan) will be served at the start.  Unlike other restaurants, the side-dishes are refillable but with a small charge to avoid food wastage.

Their range of main dishes is comprehensive and has every ever-green Korean dishes including Korean Army Stew (Budae JJigae), Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae), Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (Soondubu Jjigae), Stir-fried Sweet Potato Noodles (Japchae), Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap) Scorched Rice with Vegetables (Bibimbap), rice roll (gimbap) etc which are available in single-person portions.   The cost of main dishes are reasonably priced between $9.90 and $12.90.

Ala carte side-dishes such as Kimchi pancake (Kimchi Jeon), Korean Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki) are available as well.  The side dishes are mostly under $6 and the portion size is quite decent.  Some dishes may contain egg, and diners may request for egg to be omitted.

When I am there with friends, my preference is to go for the hotpot stew (jeongol), which is similar to our oriental dining culture of having steamboat.  The Korean Army Stew and the Kimchi Jeongol are highly popular.  The soup can be refilled at a small charge.  It is quite enjoyable to have a slow meal, laze around in the cosy restaurant and enjoy the K-pop songs.  However, do be mindful and be considerate if the waiting queue outside the restaurant starts to build up.

In fact, the restaurant can get quite crowded especially on Fridays and weekends.  To save the hassle of waiting with a growling stomach, try their online reservation is available through the restaurant’s website (www.thebonelesskitchen.com).


The Boneless Kitchen
1 Irving Place #01-31, Commerze @ Irving Singapore 369546
Opens daily from 12pm to 9pm
Tel: 8457 6464

Directions:
3 mins walk from Taiseng MRT Station

[CNY 2015] Lunar New Year Vegetarian Steamboat and Lo Hei Yusheng

Planning for a eat-clean this lunar new year?  Vegetarian steamboat and Lo Hei Yusheng will be available from Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery from 14 February to 5 March 2015!  For enquiries, call 6849 5333.



 

 

 

Vegetarian Foodhunt of the Year! Registration is now open!

Hey foodies, here's your chance to take part in a foodhunt with a special food theme ~ vegetarian food!  Show your prowess on Sunday, 26 October 2014 on how you can find interesting food with your creativity and resourcefulness and win Capitamall vouchers! 

 

Registration is now open until 19 October 2014!  If you're between 17 to 35 years old, sign up for the foodhunt!  Details are available at http://youth.kmspks.org/y-lifestyle/vegetarian-food-hunt/

 

 

 

[Singapore Cafe] Mooncakes from Metta Cafe

More traditional baked mooncake choices from Metta Cafe which offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian selection.

The Milk Tea Mixed Nuts, Osmanthus Seaweed King Melon Seeds and Green Tea Pistachio Nuts flavours sound interesting.  Shall check them out soon!

 

 

 

 

Metta Cafe

32 Simei Street 1, Singapore 529950
Email: mettacafe@metta.org.sg
Tel: 6580 4624
Website: www.metta.org.sg 

Pu Jue Vegetarian Mooncakes (普觉素月饼)

Mid-autumn festival is approaching again!  What mooncakes are you planning to get?  Baked vs snow-skin mooncakes?  For the past many years, my preference have always been to go for baked mooncakes.  But recently, I discovered the yummilicious vegetarian snow-skin mooncakes from Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, the largest Buddhist Monastery in Singapore.  The prices are really reasonable too.

Prices for baked mooncakes range between $32 to $45 per box of 4 while for snow skin, the prices range from $38 to $40 per box of 4 or $30 per box of 8.  This is probably one of the most pocket-friendly mooncakes that you can find in town these days.  If box of 4 is too much, you can get them in single pieces, also at very reasonable prices.

The choice of mooncakes include:

- White Lotus Paste
- Red Lotus Paste
- Hawaii Nut White Lotus Paste
- Olive Seed Red Lotus Paste
- Green Tea Paste with Melon Seed*
- Coffee Paste with Melon Seed
- Mixed Nuts Paste
- Durian Snow Skin*
- Pandan Snow Skin
- Mint Paste Snow Skin*

* Recommended Flavours

(Durian Snowskin Mooncake)

 



The packaging boxes are nice and elegant-looking. 

Sale of these vegetarian mooncakes are available from now until 8 September 2014 at the monastery's dining hall, between 9.30am to 3pm daily.  For enquiries about the mooncakes, please call 6849 5300.


Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
88 Bright Hill Road Singapore 574117
Website: http://www.kmspks.org/about/visiting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmspks?fref=ts

Getting there: Take the MRT to Bishan MRT station.  Walk to Bishan Bus Interchange and transfer to bus 410W.  Alight at the monastery gate's bus-stop .

Vegetarian Dumpling for Dumpling Festival 2014

The Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival (端午节) is a Chinese traditional festival occurring on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. 

The festival commemorates the death of the poet and minister Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BC) of the ancient state of Chu during the Warring States period of the Zhou Dynasty.  A cadet member of the Chu royal house, Qu served in high offices. However, when the king decided to ally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu was banished for opposing the alliance and even accused of treason.  During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal of poetry. Twenty-eight years later, Qin captured Ying, the Chu capital. In despair, Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River.  It is said that the local people, who admired him, raced out in their boats to save him or at least retrieve his body. This is said to have been the origin of dragon boat races. When his body could not be found, they dropped balls of sticky rice into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of Qu Yuan's body. This is said to be the origin of zongzi aka glutinous rice. [story extracted from Wikipedia]

This year, the festival falls on 2 June.  Look no further!  Vegetarian glutinous rice dumplings will be available for sale at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery from 25 May to 2 Jun 2014, 9.30am to 2.30pm.  $3 each.  While stocks last!

[CNY 2014] Vegetarian Steamboat and Yusheng

Looking for a different type of CNY cuisine? How about a vegetarian steamboat or yusheng then? 

website: www.kmspks.sg

SG Cafe Series: Water Drop Teahouse

Water Drop Teahouse is a unique café, located in a corner of Punggol.  Housed in Buddhist Centre, Fo Guang Shan (Buddha's Light Association, Singapore) , the cosy cafe serves vegetarian snacks and meal.  The place seems to be pretty crowded on weekends but fortunately, the café is spacious and it won't be difficult to get seats.



 

While having a cuppa, diners can also browse at the CDs, books, artifacts and accessories available for sale.  It is a good place for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The menu is environment friendly.  You can place your order by writing the order quantity on the laminated menu using a marker pen, present it at the cashier, make the payment and the food will be prepared. 

The café has a good selection of beverages ranging from fruit juices to coffee to tea and even bubble tea.

These were the 2 snacks that I ordered - Fried Pumpkin Patty and Kimchi Roll respectively.  They looks quite ordinary but in fact, they were delicious.

On another occasion, I ordered this tofu peanut snacks.  It was kind of chewy, like mocha.  The sauce was savoury and I thought it was quite unique.  The mocha was also delish.

Ah, and I ordered a noodle dish - 随缘面。  Oh well, I didn't know that it was a mushroom noodles dish and hence, it wasn't to my liking.  I always find that shitake mushroom taste is too strong.

Water Drop Teahouse

Address:

Fo Guang Shan (Singapore)
No.1 Punggol Place (3rd floor), Singapore 828844
Tel ：(65) 6411 0596

Opening Hours：

Tuesday to Friday	:	10am – 6pm
Saturday	:	10am – 7pm
Sunday and Public Holiday	:	10am – 5pm
Closed on Monday

 

Website: http://www.blia.sg/en/waterdrop.aspx

 

Getting there: Take MRT to Punggol Station and walk 6 mins to Fo Guang Shan.

 

 

View Larger Map

Kiat Lim Vegetarian Food (Ang Mo Kio Central)

Looking for restaurant-standard vegetarian food (zichar), yet unwilling to burn a hole in your pocket?  Check out Kiat Lim Vegetarian stall located at Blk 728, Ang Mo Kio Ave. 6, Coffee City Coffeeshop.  Tel: 9693.2138.

During peak days ie. 1st and 15th day of every lunar month, expect the queue to be long (perhaps waiting up to 30 minutes) and claypot dishes will not be available.  Those are dishes that take longer to cook.  But then, there are a lot more dishes which you can try out.

Claypot Bee Hoon （沙煲米粉） comes with lots of ingredients (cabbage, yam, snow pea, cauliflower, carrot, capsicum, black fungus, fried bean curd and mock eat) and costs only $4!!

This is one of my all-time favourite - Hotplate Bean Curd (铁板豆腐).  The sizzling hotplate come with 7 square pieces of bean curd and loads of vegetables again.  The sweet and spicy black sauce makes the delicious looking dish even more appetising.  Costs $7.

One of the chef's special dish - Butter Fried Frog Legs (奶油田鸡）, is indeed good.  The battered abalone mushroom were deep-fried before frying in butter gravy.  I'm not too certain about the green leaves - which could be curry leaves, added to the fragrance.  The very slight spiciness from the chilli padi makes it even more outstanding.  Costs $8.

In all, I think there are at least 100 dishes available form their menu.  Will take a while for me to experiment them all.  But next on my list shall be cereal prawn, sambal fish, yi mian and mee goreng!  Stay tune for more updates!