Vegan in Singapore
Places
Vegan in Singapore
Singapore is one of the easier places in Singapore to eat plant-based. Roughly 480 vegan or vegan-friendly venues are listed across the city, and the national share of people eating fully plant-based sits near 4%. That combination means you rarely need a dedicated vegan restaurant — most ordinary menus now carry at least one plant-based main, and staff are used to the question.
Where to look
- Tiong Bahru
- Katong
- Chinatown
What to order
- tofu
- tempeh
How to eat vegan in Singapore
- Start with cuisines that are plant-based by default — South Asian, Levantine, Ethiopian and East Asian menus usually have several naturally vegan mains.
- Learn one sentence in the local language: no meat, no dairy, no egg. It resolves nearly every ordering problem in one go.
- Keep a fallback in your pocket: a supermarket meal deal, a falafel counter, or a bakery with a bean-filled pastry. Hunger, not ethics, is what breaks most trips.
In depth
The longer answer
Singapore's plant-based scene is a vibrant reflection of its multicultural food culture, where hawker centres and upscale restaurants alike now offer inventive vegan versions of local classics. The movement gained momentum from a growing health-conscious population and government initiatives promoting sustainability, making plant-based eating accessible across all budgets. Today, you can find everything from traditional laksa made with coconut milk and tofu puffs to modern raw-vegan cafes in the heart of the city.
For the best experience, explore neighbourhoods like Little India, where banana-leaf rice and thalis are naturally vegan-friendly, and Chinatown, with its Buddhist vegetarian eateries serving mock meats and stir-fried greens. Typical dishes include char kway teow with mushroom-based 'lard' and vegan Hainanese chicken rice. Prices vary widely: a hawker meal costs around 4–6 SGD, while a sit-down dinner at a trendy cafe may run 20–30 SGD per person.
Navigating Singapore as a plant-based eater is straightforward. At hawker stalls, look for the 'vegetarian' sign or ask for 'no meat, no fish, no egg, no dairy' in English. Major supermarkets like Cold Storage and FairPrice stock tofu, tempeh, and plant milks. The MRT system is efficient and connects all food hubs. For convenience, apps like HappyCow list verified vegan options, and many restaurants clearly label plant-based dishes on their menus.
At a glance
Quick facts
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Population | 5.7 million |
| Official languages | English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil |
| Currency | Singapore Dollar (SGD) |
| Hawker centres | Over 100 across the island |
In practice
What this means for you
- Order 'no meat, no fish, no egg, no dairy' at hawker stalls for a clear vegan request.
- Visit Little India on a weekday to avoid crowds and find more vegan thali options.
- Use the MRT to reach Chinatown, Little India, and Bugis for concentrated plant-based dining.
- Check supermarket labels for the 'Vegetarian' symbol, which often indicates vegan-friendly products.
FAQ
Common questions
Is it easy to find vegan food in Singapore's hawker centres?
What are the best neighbourhoods for plant-based eating in Singapore?
Are there vegan options at Singapore's supermarkets?
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