This review examines five vegan establishments in Singapore from the unique perspective of health-conscious dining, particularly for those prioritizing nutrition and whole foods over processed vegan alternatives. Written by Jill Alphonso, a cancer survivor who transitioned to a vegan diet, this guide offers valuable insights into restaurants that go beyond typical vegan fare.
The Health-First Approach
What sets this guide apart is its emphasis on genuinely nutritious vegan food rather than simply plant-based versions of junk food. The author addresses a common pitfall in vegan dining: restaurants that rely heavily on fried foods, refined grains, and processed ingredients. Instead, she seeks establishments featuring whole foods, vibrant flavors, and thoughtful preparation methods that preserve nutritional value.
1. Sarai Fine Thai
Location: Tanglin Mall, 03-122, 163 Tanglin Road
Hours: Monday to Sunday (11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm)
Contact: Available through Tanglin Mall directory
Price Range: $$ (Experience lunch menu $78, dinner $98)
Dining Style: Fine dining
Menu Overview
Starters:
- Mieng mak – $16
- Thai sweet fern salad – $22
- Deep-fried corn fritters
- Thai-style taco with stir-fried tofu, mushrooms, and bean sprouts
Mains:
- Vegan pomelo salad
- Pad Thai
- Vegetarian green curry
Desserts:
- Pandan coconut pudding
- Mango sticky rice
Set Menus:
- Experience lunch menu – $78 (includes amuse bouche, starter, main, dessert)
- Experience dinner menu – $98 (includes amuse bouche, starter, main, dessert)
Strengths
Sarai elevates Thai cuisine to fine dining standards while maintaining an extensive meat-free menu. The restaurant excels in showcasing lesser-known Thai flavors and ingredients from northern Thailand, offering a sophisticated departure from typical Thai restaurant fare.
Dish Analysis
Mieng mak ($16)
- Facets: Fresh, herbaceous, tangy, aromatic
- Traits: Light, interactive eating experience, traditional northern Thai
- Analysis: This betel leaf wrap showcases authentic Thai flavor building with lime and wild ginger creating a bright, palate-cleansing bite. The combination offers digestive benefits while serving as an excellent starter that awakens the taste buds without heaviness.
Thai sweet fern salad ($22)
- Facets: Sweet, tangy, umami, refreshing
- Traits: Raw, enzyme-rich, antioxidant-packed
- Analysis: The tamarind palm sugar dressing balances sweet and sour while the fern provides unique textural interest and nutritional density. This represents whole food eating at its finest—unprocessed ingredients in harmonious combination.
Vegetarian green curry
- Facets: Creamy, spicy, aromatic, complex
- Traits: Coconut-based, rich in vegetables, customizable heat
- Analysis: Described as tasting “clean and fresh” rather than heavy, suggesting careful balance of coconut milk and proper spice layering without excessive oil
What Makes It Special
The experience at Sarai is as much about ambiance as it is about food. White tablecloths and impeccable service create an upscale dining atmosphere rarely found in vegan restaurants. The food manages to taste “clean and fresh” rather than heavy, a notable achievement for Thai cuisine which can sometimes be oil-laden.
Considerations
While the restaurant does offer fried options like corn fritters and Thai-style tacos, health-conscious diners can easily navigate toward the fresh, vibrant starter options and main dishes that align with whole food principles.
Value Assessment
The Experience menus offer the best value, providing a complete meal progression from amuse bouche through dessert. For special occasions or those seeking an elevated vegan dining experience, Sarai delivers on both quality and presentation.
2. Delice Asan
Location: Private dining (contact via email)
Price Range: $$$$ (Lunch from $115, dinner from $150)
Dining Style: Intimate private dining
Strengths
Delice Asan represents the pinnacle of plant-based gastronomy in Singapore. Chef Anne Schot, trained at Le Cordon Bleu London in their plant-based program, brings professional culinary training to botanical gastronomy in an intimate home setting.
Notable Offerings:
- Multiple-course whole foods tasting menus
- Seed cups with cashew nut cheese and mushroom dukkah
- Spicy heart of palm
- Ajo blanco
- Vegan sushi and Thai cuisine options
- Vegan ice cream with fresh fruit and truffle balls
What Makes It Special
This is dining as theater and art. The private dining format allows for personalized menus that can be Western or Asian in nature, all prepared with meticulous attention to whole foods and plant-based principles. The intimate setting transforms a meal into an experience, perfect for special celebrations or culinary adventurers.
Considerations
The price point is premium, and the booking process requires advance planning and email coordination. However, for those seeking a truly unique and health-focused fine dining experience, few options in Singapore compare.
Value Assessment
While expensive, the multiple-course format, personalized service, and chef’s expertise justify the investment for special occasions. This is destination dining for serious food enthusiasts.
3. Afterglow by Anglow
Location: 24 Keong Saik Road
Price Range: $$ ($11-24 for featured dishes)
Dining Style: Casual dining with raw food focus
Strengths
Afterglow distinguishes itself with a fully vegan menu featuring numerous raw food items, beneficial for gut health and immune system support. The restaurant understands that preparation methods matter as much as ingredients.
Signature Dishes:
- Vegan lasagne ($24) – zucchini sheets with dehydrated cherry tomatoes, marinated baby spinach, shiitake mushrooms, walnut ‘minced meat’, cashew cream cheese, and pesto
- Afterglow kimchi avo rolls ($15) – almond sushi “rice” with housemade vegan kimchi (no fish sauce) and avocado
- Salted “egg”-less sweet potato fries ($11) – baked, not fried, with homemade sauce
What Makes It Special
The commitment to raw and minimally processed foods sets Afterglow apart. Their housemade kimchi eschews traditional fish sauce, and their approach to comfort foods (like “fries”) involves baking rather than deep frying. The creativity in replicating textures and flavors without compromising nutritional integrity is impressive.
Considerations
Raw food isn’t for everyone, and some diners may find the texture or temperature of certain dishes takes adjustment. However, the menu offers enough variety to satisfy both raw food enthusiasts and those preferring cooked options.
Value Assessment
Mid-range pricing makes Afterglow accessible for regular dining. The quality of ingredients and thoughtful preparation justify the cost, making it an excellent option for health-conscious vegans in the Keong Saik area.
4. Loaded Gun Kitchen
Location: Event space (express interest via website)
Price Range: $$$ ($117 per person for private bookings)
Dining Style: Communal dining/private events
Strengths
What began as a dips company has evolved into a plant-based event space offering a unique “Disco Diner” experience. The communal dining format brings energy and social connection to whole foods, plant-based eating.
Featured Offerings:
- Vietnamese sandwiches with Midnight Gospel shiitake mushroom burger patties
- Portobello and king oyster pad grapow (mushrooms contain anticancer compounds)
- Szechuan mapo tofu
- Signature dips: Umami Bomb Cashew Cream, Sexy Green Goddess ($16+)
What Makes It Special
The fun, funky atmosphere transforms healthy eating into a celebration. While some menu items include cheese, owner Lynn accommodates full vegan requests. The emphasis on mushrooms (which have powerful health benefits) and fermented foods (pickles for gut health) demonstrates nutritional awareness alongside culinary creativity.
The private booking option for groups of four or full venue rentals makes this ideal for celebrations, networking events, or intimate gatherings where you control the guest list but not the logistics.
Considerations
The booking-only format requires advance planning, and the communal dining style may not suit those seeking a quiet, intimate meal. However, for the right occasion, this adds to the experience rather than detracting from it.
Value Assessment
At $117 per person, the price is substantial but includes a complete experience rather than just a meal. The ability to take home signature dips adds value, and the private event option offers something truly unique in Singapore’s vegan scene.
5. iVegan
Locations: Thomson Plaza (01-109, 301 Upper Thomson Road) and i12 Katong (02-20, 112 East Coast Road)
Price Range: $ ($5.90-16.90 for featured dishes)
Dining Style: No-frills casual dining
Strengths
iVegan proves that health-focused vegan food doesn’t require a premium budget. This establishment genuinely prioritizes nutrition with low salt, oil, and sugar, and zero MSG—even in umami-rich dishes like the mala veggie medley ($7.90+).
Menu Highlights:
- Mala veggie medley ($7.90+)
- Crispy veg maki with housemade BBQ sauce ($5.90 for four pieces)
- Beetroot hummus ($9.90)
- Housemade black bean burger ($13.90)
- Portobello steak ($16.90)
- Pasta options ($8.90+)
What Makes It Special
The transparency about ingredients (refined sugars are indicated on the menu when used) demonstrates integrity. Housemade condiments, the option for brown rice with sushi rolls, quinoa as a grain option, and an extensive menu covering both Asian and Western cuisine make this accessible to varied tastes and dietary needs.
Considerations
The “no-frills” atmosphere means you’re coming for the food and health benefits rather than ambiance or service theater. Some dishes do contain limited refined sugar (brown sugar), though this is clearly communicated.
Value Assessment
Exceptional value for health-conscious diners on any budget. The quality of food preparation, extensive menu options, and genuine commitment to low salt, oil, and sugar cooking make this a standout in accessible vegan dining. Two locations and delivery availability add convenience.
Overall Assessment
Best For…
- Special Occasions: Sarai Fine Thai or Delice Asan
- Raw Food Enthusiasts: Afterglow by Anglow
- Social Dining: Loaded Gun Kitchen
- Regular Healthy Eating: iVegan
- Fine Dining Experience: Delice Asan or Sarai
Common Themes
All five establishments share several important qualities:
- Whole Foods Focus: Each restaurant prioritizes actual ingredients over processed vegan substitutes
- Culinary Creativity: Flavor and presentation matter alongside nutrition
- Health Consciousness: Understanding that vegan doesn’t automatically mean healthy
- Transparency: Clear about preparation methods and ingredients
The Bigger Picture
This collection of restaurants addresses a genuine gap in vegan dining: the space between junk food veganized and genuinely nutritious, delicious plant-based eating. For cancer survivors, those managing chronic conditions, or anyone seeking optimal health through diet, these establishments offer more than sustenance—they provide inspiration and proof that nutritious food can be exciting, flavorful, and satisfying.
Practical Considerations
Several restaurants offer delivery through GrabFood (Sarai, Afterglow, iVegan), making healthy vegan eating more accessible. The range from budget-friendly (iVegan) to premium (Delice Asan) ensures options across income levels, while the geographic spread covers different areas of Singapore.
Final Verdict
This guide successfully achieves its mission: identifying vegan establishments that prioritize genuine nutrition alongside culinary excellence. Whether you’re recovering from illness, managing health conditions, or simply seeking to optimize your diet, these five restaurants demonstrate that plant-based eating in Singapore can be both healthful and delightful.
The author’s personal journey adds credibility and empathy to the recommendations. Having navigated the challenge of finding truly nourishing vegan food while recovering from cancer, her insights carry weight for anyone facing similar dietary requirements or simply seeking inspiration from whole foods prepared with skill and care.
Rating: ★★★★★
A valuable resource that fills an important niche in Singapore’s dining landscape, offering hope and practical guidance for health-conscious plant-based eaters.
- Limited Information: Most establishments appear to be dine-in focused
- Takeaway Available: Several hawker stalls and coffee shops
- No Delivery Mentioned: For most locations
Tourist Accessibility:
- Highest Value: Maxwell Food Centre, Tong Ah Eating House, Original Katong Laksa, Atlas Bar
- Moderate Accessibility: Most hawker centres and established restaurants
- Advance Planning Required: The Ampang Kitchen, Burnt Ends reservations
Cultural Significance:
- Historical: Tong Ah (1939), Singapore Zam Zam (1908), Song Fa (1969)
- Heritage Preservation : Kim Choo Kueh Chang, Tan’s Tu Tu Coconut Cake
- Modern Innovation: Burnt Ends, Cloudstreet, % Arabica
Cooking Techniques Highlighted:
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