Singaporeans are almost feral in their love for meat. We even joke about ordering the poor “token vegetable” when eating out. So when it comes to “vegetarian food”, we think of food for religious or dietary needs, not necessarily for taste. But it doesn’t have to be so. Thanks to Singapore’s vibrant mix of cultures and a trend towards healthier eating, we are seeing interesting options to enjoy meatless meals.

The most common vegetarian food in Singapore is possibly Chinese. Areas like Bugis (Fu Lu Shou Complex and Fortune Centre notably), Geylang and Chinatown abound with Buddhist-friendly eateries (no onion, no garlic). While some Chinese vegetarian food is infamous for being greasy and studded with gluten mock meats, there are now healthier and pro-ecology choices like Yes Natural (57 Lor 27 Geylang), which even has a bakery and retail store. Ci Yan Organic (8 Smith Street) sells very few but affordable and superbly done dishes. The elderly couple that runs it uses everything organic, right down to the soya sauce!

There is practically at least one vegetarian stall at most food centres. And technically, some hawker dishes such as carrot cake and tauhu goreng, are naturally meat-free. So too, are popular snacks like you tiao, ham chim peng, and fritters of all kinds (tapioca, yam, goreng pisang).

On the fine-dining end, there’s always Ling Zhi (Liat Towers and Velocity@Novena Square). Their vegetarian dim sum and Chinese dishes are classy enough that you probably won’t miss having meat.

So there’s something for all budgets, but wait, there’s even free vegetarian food! Singapore Buddhist Lodge (17-19 Kim Yam Road) lays out simple buffets every day to feed one and all, rich or poor. You can choose to make a donation afterwards, of course.

Whole Earth (76 Peck Seah Street) offers Peranakan-Thai vegetarian fare with no MSG, such as assam pedas, Penang rendang, oatmeal tofu, and Nyona curry.

Zen Japanese Vegetarian (122 Middle Road, #02-02 Midlink Plaza), despite its name, does not offer Zen temple food (shojin ryori), but sushi, soba, udon, soups and grilled items starring nothing but vegetables.

There is a plethora of Indian vegetarian restaurants, and they are often clustered together in Little India. Go there not just for delicious eats, but also the atmosphere. Enjoy your thosai, bhattura, chapati, vegetable briyani, sweets and South Indian rice meals (thali) at Komala Vilas (76-78 Serangoon Road, and 12 Buffalo Road). Or check out Ananda Bhavan (95 Syed Alwi Road main outlet), one of the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurants (since 1924) which also has a branch at Changi Airport. Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant (19 Upper Dickson Road) has a huge spread of North and South Indian dishes, all without onions, garlic or egg.

Annalakshmi (#01-04 Central Square, 20 Havelock Road) is another well-loved eatery run by volunteers. Eat what you like, pay what you want.

Western salads are getting popular with ladies for lunch. There are lots of hip salad bars like Salad Stop across town, and you can choose to leave out meats. Vegan Burg (44 Jalan Eunos) gives you a whole variety of burgers.

Mediterranean places like Original Sin (Block 43 #01-58 Jalan Merah Saga) and Pita Pan (#01-87 The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands) offer a pleasant change for the palate.

Now we even see fusion eateries like North South East West (200 Tanjong Katong Road) which blends Chinese and Western cuisine at reasonable prices, and Cafe Salivation (75 Syed Alwi Road) which gives Mexican, Italian and American cuisine an Indian twist.

At the extreme end, you could go absolutely vegan (no meat, no eggs, no dairy). Green Room Cafe (1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1) offers raw, “living” food prepared with local produce. Enjoy it in the idyllic park setting of Bishan Park 2.

And most desserts are vegetarian too! As long as no gelatine is used, that is. Vegetarians can all enjoy ah balling, beancurd, chendol, ice kachang, minjiang kueh, and so forth, along with most cakes, scones and sweet pastries too.

As for myself, I’ll never be able to give up meat, but I’m happy to go vegetarian on sporadic whims. Some of these dishes are not only healthy but tasty too. My system will thank me for it.