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10 Non-Vegan Establishments in the Philippines that offer Vegan options

August 23, 2013 By RG @ Astig Vegan

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I’m introducing a new segment. Every Friday, I’ll introduce top lists of vegan finds called #FridayFunList.

This week, I’ll start with the vegan dishes I’ve found and enjoyed at non-vegan establishments during my trip to the Philippines last May. The list is not based on any ranking.

MAX’S RESTAURANT, GREENBELT MALL 5, MAKATI CITY

max-tofu-dish
Max’s Restaurant is a big food chain in the Philippines serving Filipino Cuisine. When I went back in May, I was pleasantly surprised to find out it has incorporated vegetarian options as well, namely the Fried Tofu with Water Spinach (Kang-kong). The dish was delicious with rice.

 

CRYSTAL JADE LA MIAN XIAO LONG BAO, GREENHILLS SHOPPING CENTER

crystal-jade

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao is a 3-star Michelin ranked Chinese restaurant with a location in Greenhills Manila. I ordered the Tofu and Eggplant in Clay Pot and the dish did not disappoint! I’ve been in many (and I mean MANY) of Chinese restaurants because they usually have vegan options but Crystal Jade is by far the best one I’ve tried. Do yourself a favor and visit this restaurant when you’re shopping at Greenhills Shopping Center.

vegan-dumplings
Crystal Jade’s Steamed Vegetable Dumpling was also scrumptious. I’m still dreaming about it.

I have to point out though that Crystal Jade is a little expensive even after the dollar-to-peso conversion. The dishes are about $10-12 per dish (veg options are the less expensive ones). Considering how much restaurant food costs back here in the SF Bay Area for such an average quality, Crystal Jade‘s prices are still not that bad for their excellent food.

CYMA GREEK TAVERNA, EASTWOOD MALL

cyma greek taverna philippines
You could always find something vegan and vegetarian at Greek and Mediterranean restaurants so thank god Eastwood Mall in Quezon City has a Greek restaurant.

Cyma Greek Taverna offers an array of veg options from its appetizers to salads to pastas. Just tell them to hold the cheese to make it vegan.

It was Chris’ family in the Philippines who brought us here, coincidentally they are mostly vegetarians!

cyma-chris-family

XIN WANG HONG KONG CAFE, MALL OF ASIA

xinwang-hongkong-cafe
For a Hong Kong restaurant, unfortunately Xin Wang Cafe doesn’t offer many vegan options. BUT I felt special that the cook customized something for me. I ordered fried tofu off the menu and the cook put more effort to the dish by adding vegetable ingredients and sauce which elevated the flavors and presentation. Bravo!

 

CRESCENT MOON CAFE, ANTIPOLO CITY

suman at crescent moon cafe philippines
Growing up in the Philippines, I’ve eaten tons of the sweet rice dessert called Suman but nothing prepared me to be blown away by Crescent Moon Cafe‘s version.

Crescent Moon Cafe is a low key cafe with beautiful nature scenery and studio pottery. The cafe was closed that day but the manager still accommodated us by serving light refreshments, Suman and Barako coffee. The Suman was served with a slice of sweet yellow mango on the side. The rice was heavenly warm, chewy, and sweet. The Barako coffee with hints of dark chocolate complemented the Suman well.

STREETS OF THE PHILIPPINES

pop beans philippines
If you find yourself roaming, enjoying the urban landscape of the Philippines, chances are you’ll stumble upon Filipino street food. Aside from Banana-que, Camote-que, Mango on a stick, Sago, etc., roasted nuts and beans also pass as vegan Filipino street food. So fret not when you find yourself hungry in the Philippines and there’s no vegan restaurant in sight, just snack on some crunchy pop beans and peanuts along your trip.

SEVS CAFE, LEGASPI TOWERS, MANILA

sevs cafe philippines

Located at the basement of the Legaspi Condominium Towers, Sev’s Cafe not only offers food and drinks but also arts and music to its tenants and patrons. The cafe puts together indie movie screenings, acoustic concerts, and other performances. The menu is not extensive but I was able to order a traditional vegan curry called Luto sa Gata which means “Cooked in Coconut Curry”. Jackfruit or Taro Leaves are usually the main ingredient. I had the Jackfruit version. I believe the wife of the owner is an environmentalist so I felt reassured that my dish was really vegan and animal product-free.

SENTRO RESTAURANT, GREENBELT, AYALA CENTER


sentro vegan sisig philippines

It wasn’t my choice to go to Sentro Restaurant but my sister insisted and eventually convinced me. Good thing the restaurant offers one vegan dish called “Tofu Sisig”.  I enjoyed it with a side of rice and a Sago drink (which had free refills). The Sisig was a little bland but I sprinkled soy sauce and squeezed some kalamansi citrus (pictured above) to add flavor.

SALCEDO SATURDAY MARKET, SALCEDO VILLAGE MAKATI CITY

salcedo market philippines
OMG. Did I just spot an all vegan bakery booth in a  Farmers Market in the Philippines? YES I DID. Too bad I forgot the name of the exact booth! Aarrgghhh! But I asked the vendor and she said that they’re there every Saturday so feel free to visit them and say hi and buy their delicious vegan cookies! Which by the way are all natural with no preservatives, nuts, or processed ingredients. I was so happy that day.

The Salcedo farmers market was well organized and guarded with tons of artisanal products and services. My friend told me she once had vegan ice cream there, but when I went I didn’t find one. Maybe the vendor ran out? Oh well, more reason to come back.

NEW BOMBAY, GLORIETTA FOOD COURT, MAKATI CITY

new bombay philippines

Indian restaurants are also sprouting in the Philippines and most of them have veg options. I was lucky to spot New Bombay along a slew of meat-based food booths at the Glorietta mall. I had a vegetable curry with rice.
new-bombay-philippines food court
Unlike most vegan and veg-friendly spots in the Philippines, New Bombay is one of the few that are inexpensive. I’m not sure about its other restaurant locations but the New Bombay food court has combo meals that fit to anyone’s budget.

There you go. How about you? What are your top vegan recommendations at non-vegan establishments?

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Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: filipino food, filipino restaurants, foodie, friday, fridayfunlist, non-vegan, philippines, restaurants, review, travel, vegan, vegan filipino food

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Comments

  1. yogachick says

    August 23, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    Loved this! Very informative!

    • RG says

      August 23, 2013 at 11:39 pm

      Thanks I’m glad you find it informative!

  2. Ysabelle Empiso says

    August 23, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    Last time I went to Sentro, I was also able to order a customised vegan sinigang; their typical sinigang broth already had fish mixed in. It was so kind of them to have accommodated my requests, and they even asked me to taste the broth before serving the dish so that it was just to my taste. They also have adobong kang kong, which can easily be found in most, if not all, Filipino cuisine establishments.

    I also like Cafe Mediterranean, which has branches all over Metro Manila. Definitely my go-to restaurant once I’ve ran out of packed home made food and am absolutely starving!

    • RG says

      August 23, 2013 at 11:39 pm

      Cool thanks for the tip. I’ll def check Cafe Mediterranean next time I visit 🙂

  3. theveganmomonline says

    August 23, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    i think its great you put in the time to do this!!!

    • RG says

      August 23, 2013 at 11:40 pm

      Thanks! I hope folks find it useful.

  4. veganmiam.com says

    August 24, 2013 at 12:11 am

    What a fun list of great vegan Filipino cuisine! 🙂

    • RG says

      August 24, 2013 at 2:04 am

      Thanks Rika! Your Filipino restaurant reviews have kept me inspired about posting my vegan finds 🙂

  5. luminousvegans says

    August 24, 2013 at 7:37 am

    It all looks so great! Traditional Filipino foods seem to be rich in meat (am I wrong on this?), so do you get strange looks when you go to non-vegan restaurants and ask about vegan options? Or is veganism becoming more well known there too as it is in the US? It kinda looks like it is based on that Farmer’s market shot.

    • RG says

      August 24, 2013 at 12:28 pm

      It’s changing, but I still think there’s a long way to go. Vegan (Filipino) food is still unusual to most Filipinos 🙁 Hopefully the list will help folks understand vegan food is not as foreign as they think.

  6. indialeigh says

    August 25, 2013 at 3:40 am

    wow! the farmers market was a find! like an oasis! Proving travel and veganism can go hand in hand! I’m in Berlin right now, its an embarrassment of vegan riches! 🙂

  7. Jen (whollyvegan) says

    August 27, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    Awesome summary! I wish I had this list when I went to the PI last year. But I’ll keep it bookmarked for when I go there again! 🙂

  8. ryan says

    February 11, 2014 at 4:20 am

    Great article!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, this will help us when we are in Manila!!!!!! Salamat! Continue to list vegan/vegetarian restos/groceries in Manila!!!!!!!!

    • RG says

      February 11, 2014 at 6:44 pm

      Awesome! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip there, lucky! Keep me posted.

  9. ryan says

    May 9, 2014 at 1:50 am

    Thanks!!!!!! and GO VEGANS!!!!!!!!!!!

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