Let’s yum cha! Dim sum has traditionally been a popular choice for communal meals in Singapore. Whether you are dining with family or friends, sharing steaming baskets of bite-sized goodies is a fantastic way to encourage bonding.

Unfortunately, this activity becomes less accessible when accommodating for vegetarian family members and friends. Even for popular Chinese restaurant chains, their vegetarian dim sum selection tends to be uninspired, and is sparse at best.

To maintain the spirit of dining together, here is a list of restaurants that offer a more robust menu of vegetarian dim sum items, and are led by chefs with sufficient imagination and skill to recreate non-vegetarian dishes into original vegetarian alternatives.

By serving up palatable vegetarian dishes, these places prove that meatless doesn’t mean tasteless!

Photo Credit: https://www.pscafe.com/chopsuey-cafe-at-dempsey-hill/

CHOPSUEY CAFÉ

Chopsuey Café, the Asian spinoff of PS. Café, has matured from a maladroit eatery into a restaurant adept at serving modern interpretations of Chinese dishes. Located in Dempsey, diners can find repose in the colonial-styled dining space while sipping on infusions inspired by regional flavours.

Amidst its menu, one can find a comfortable selection of dishes that are either fully vegetarian or can be modified into vegetarian alternatives.

Start off with their dim sum selection – the refreshingly light Vegetarian Crystal Dumplings and the mildly honeyed Vegetarian Char Siew Pau are choice picks.

To supplement your meal, their San Choy Pau is laced with a kaleidoscope of flavours and textures, while the vegetarian Chopsuey Satays – with alternating tofu chunks! – retain the sweet-savoury profile of its meat counterpart.

Block 10, Dempsey Road
#01-23
Singapore 247700
Tel: +65 6708 9288
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm (Dim Sum), 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm (Dim Sum), 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/vegetarian.sg/

DIVINE REALM VEGETARIAN

Initially a vegetarian steamboat buffet restaurant, after being subsumed under the Zizai Restaurant brand, Divine Realm streamlined its menu into an eclectic mix of vegetarian zichar offerings.

Besides more unusual vegetarian options like ramen and prata, the restaurant offers all-day dim sum dishes. Due to the consistent quality of ingredients and careful craftsmanship, even tables not expressly looking for dim sum dishes are fond of padding their order with these morsels.

Customer favourites include the succulent siew mai and the piquant fried dumplings – both brimming with an assortment of sliced vegetables, the former induces a burst of fresh sweetness with each bite, while the latter’s sinfully savoury profile makes it dangerously easy to pop.

Hougang Avenue 8
Block 501, #01-630
Singapore 530501
Tel: +65 6387 2058
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hougang

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/empresssg/

EMPRESS

Hidden in the Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress reinterprets Chinese cuisine by interweaving traditional offerings with vibrant contemporary flavours. Overlooking the Singapore River, customers can enjoy spectacular views of the waterfront and skyline while sampling the restaurant’s lively modern fare.

By leveraging on a recent meat substitute called Omnipork, Empress utilises this invention to reconstruct pork-based dishes without forgoing the dominant textures and flavours of said protein.

Using a combination of Omnipork and Impossible Meat, Empress is able to recreate favourites from char siew to sweet and sour pork balls with an astonishing likeness to their original counterparts.

For an added surprise, these weekend dim sum brunches at Empress entail unlimited servings of your favourite dim sum items for a truly indulgent dining experience!

1 Empress Place
Asian Civilisations Museum, #01-03
Singapore 179555
Tel: +65 6776 0777
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm (Dim Sum), 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Photo Credit: https://www.fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-singapore/

JADE

Found in the historically preserved The Fullerton Hotel, Jade is more than a restaurant that serves impeccable Chinese food. Possessing a space evocative of a time-worn past and a spread rooted in authenticity, Jade has evolved into a present-day keeper of our culinary heritage.

Although a standalone vegetarian dim sum menu isn’t available, Jade offers vegetarian and vegan set menus. These sets present an extensive six-course spread, of which the first two courses include creative dim sum bites.

For patrons more partial to traditional Chinese vegetarian fare, the vegetarian menu is a homely and comforting mix of familiar flavours. Those looking for something more unusual, the aptly named “Taste The Future” vegan menu heavily features Omnipork in its adaptations of non-vegan favourites.

1 Fullerton Square
Level 01, Fullerton Hotel
Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 6877 8911 / 8912
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm (Dim Sum), 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

LINGZHI VEGETARIAN

A vegetarian offshoot of TungLok Group, LingZhi Vegetarian is one of the linchpins of Singapore’s vegetarian scene. Spending nearly three decades redefining what scrumptious and healthy vegetarian food should taste like, LingZhi maintains the gourmet quality representative of its lineage.

Prepared à la carte fashion, the lunch buffet provides the freedom to mix and match a free flow of your preferred dim sum items, making this the perfect spot to hold family gatherings at.

With twelve distinct dim sum dishes available, be it more uncommon flavour combinations – ever considered trying a chrysanthemum dumpling? – or harder to find vegetarian alternatives – fancy a vegetarian “char siew” sou? – chances are if they’re not found in LingZhi menu, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it elsewhere.

541 Orchard Road
Liat Towers, #05-01
Singapore 238881
Tel: +65 6734 3788
Daily: 11am – 3pm (Dim Sum), 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/LotusVegetarian/

LOTUS VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

Iconic in the vegetarian circle for its comprehensive buffet spread, Lotus is a popular location to host large family gatherings or celebrations at. Between Friday to Sunday, a sojourn into the Asian Buffet showcases both progressive Chinese vegetarian dishes and local favourites.

Diners can help themselves to pickings of meticulously recreated staples – the unassuming Wild Mushroom Crystal Dumpling holds within its gossamer skin a rich and colourful flavour – alongside more unique dim sum originals such as the BBQ King Oyster Bun.

Head over to chefs-manned stations after to pick up a warm serving of Chicken Rice or Laksa; whichever your pick of comfort food, their scent profiles are comparable to their original inspirations.

201 Balestier Road
Quality Hotel Marlow, Level 2
Singapore 329926
Tel: +65 6254 0090
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm (Dim Sum), 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

MITZO

Few will believe that this unorthodox, glitzy interior belies an authentic Cantonese restaurant. Mitzo seeks to reinvent Cantonese dining without relinquishing its foundational essence; serving uncompromising Cantonese fare in a space steeped in flamboyant and deconstructed transmutations of traditional Chinese elements.

Available all day, the Vegetarian Steamed Dim Sum Platter for two is a splendid addition to any meal. Although the vegetable dumplings are well-balanced in flavours, the crowning dish goes to the sheer aromatic potency of the Wild Mushroom Truffle Bun.

To complement the initial tasting, diners can peruse the à la carte menu for more substantial vegetarian dishes. Consider adding on the deep-fried monkey head mushrooms; they provide an excellent textural dimension to your meal, and pair marvellously with a bespoke cocktail from the bar.

270 Orchard Road
Grand Park Orchard, Level 4
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Sun to Wed: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Thu to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm, 10.30pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Somerset

MOUTH RESTAURANT

Since its inception in 1988, Mouth Restaurant has been doling out traditionally crafted and handmade classic Cantonese dishes to its patrons. Post menu revamp in 2013, Mouth has added on more inventive dishes, including ingredients once considered unconventional into its kitchen mix.

Although the non-vegetarian dishes received the bulk of this modernisation, updated vegetarian dim sum dishes include the fragrant Steamed Truffle Crystal Dumpling and the sublime moistness of the Extra Soft Coconut Sugar Sponge Cake.

For the insatiate few, feel free to add on a hearty vegetarian carb dish: either the Braised E-Fu Noodles or Vegetarian Fried Rice with their smoky wok hei will pair wonderfully with the lighter profiles of the dim sum items.

38 Maxwell Road
Airview Building, #01-01/02
Tel: +65 6438 5798
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm (Dim Sum), 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 4.30pm (Dim Sum), 6pm – 10pm (Dim Sum)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/newfutkai/

NEW FUT KAI VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

New Fut Kai pays homage to its divine namesake by offering a communal space conducive for bonding over meals at, and providing a cordial service ubiquitous to respected Chinese dining establishments.

Beyond its mainstay of Chinese dishes, New Fut Kai’s menu is peppered with regionally diverse items, with a commonality only residing in said dishes’ popularity with Singaporeans. Expect an extravagant mix of vegetarian-friendly local delicacies and traditional dim sum fare not found anywhere else – fancy some bak kut teh with a side of kung bak pao?

With one of the largest yet most affordable vegetarian menus in the market, bring your pickiest vegetarian relative or friend here. Given the sheer size of the restaurant’s offerings, there’s bound to be something that piques their interest!

282 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208945
Tel: +65 6398 0836
Daily: 10am – 3pm (Dim Sum), 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

Photo Credit: https://www.yantingrestaurant.com/

YAN TING

At Yan Ting, the anchor Chinese restaurant of St. Regis Singapore, diners can seek an intimate respite in the restaurant’s serene ambience, and enjoy their gastronomical retreat while under the graceful attendance of their service staff.

Renowned for its award-winning Weekend Dim Sum Brunch, the resident masterchefs plate up an exquisite array of Cantonese-inspired creations that feature an effortless blend of traditional and modern.

Unlike other establishments, Yan Ting presents vegetarian fare that is more than an awkward hodgepodge of garden greens. These specially-crafted dishes are a compelling blend of meat substitutes and spiced vegetables.

From time-honoured favourites like spring rolls and mushroom dumplings to specially-requested Impossible variants of non-vegetarian dishes, you can look forward to an exciting afternoon of intricate vegetarian delights at Yan Ting.

29 Tanglin Road
Level 1U, The St. Regis
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 6506 6887
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 3pm (Dim Sum), 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/belindasaw.ailin/

YUAN XIANG VEGETARIAN

With an extensive menu rivalling even its non-vegetarian equivalents, Yuan Xiang is the prime choice for families with older members whose palates prefer the familiarity of typical Chinese vegetarian fare.

Unlike places that serve plates of reheated premade items, patrons can revel in the sight of their dim sum baskets piled high at Yuan Xiang. Cooking up fresh vegetarian alternatives to dim sum staples at all hours, go early to snag them before they sell out for the day.

The radish cake is a perennial bestseller: its centre retains the dish’s characteristic salty zest through clever use of mushrooms, while its exterior is pan-fried to an addictive crispiness. Other popular items include their saccharine char siew bao and delicate steamed dumplings.

134 Changi Road
Singapore 419720
Tel: +65 6344 3239
Daily: 9.30am – 10pm (Dim Sum)
Nearest Station: Eunos
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Based on a recent research finding, it concludes that Singaporeans are consuming well below the recommended serving of vegetables in our diet.

Those pathetic slices of cucumber with our chicken rice? Definitely not enough. Yet while vegetarian and vegan cuisines are growing in popularity, the general mindset towards our leafy greens are still “Huh? No meat? No thanks.”

We hope that with this list of casual vegetarian eateries in Singapore that won’t have your wallet take a beating, we could change your mind about meatless cuisine—however feeble the attempt you may think it is.

Photo Credit: Rachel Loke

EIGHT TREASURES VEGETARIAN

Located along South Bridge Road, 8 Treatures serves up some of the most tantalising collection of Chinese cuisines, suitable for family, large groups and more. Its extensive menu caters to every palate, and the food is so mouth-watering and imaginative that you wouldn’t even remember you original craving for meat.

282 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058831
Mon to Fr: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Photo Credit: Fill-a-Pita

FILL-A-PITA

Not only is Fill-a-Pita vegetarian, but they are also Halal too! Serving up fresh and healthy Egyptian-style Middle Eastern food such as hummus and falafel without the usual high price tags. It’s also good to know that they are free from eggs, dairy products as well as onions and garlic.

3 Pickering Street
Nankin Street
#01-29 China Square Central
Singapore 048660
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 5.30pm

GREENDOT

With the motto “Eat Green, Feel Good”, the people behind GreenDot are strong believers of eating green to stay healthy. In order to cater to their customer’s nutritional needs, they have teamed up with a group of nutritionists to serve food that contains only the most beneficial ingredients, and there is no added MSG.

#02-K2/K3/K4 NEX
23 Serangoon Central
Singapore 556083
Daily: 11pm – 10am
Nearest Station: Serangoon

HRVST

While meat dishes are, notably, much more popular than plant-based cuisine, HRVST seeks to challenge the notion through the clever use of vegetables to create flavours that taste as good, if not even better than the real thing. It’s also worth pointing out that they have gluten and allium-free options available to cater to a wider range of dietary needs.

6A Shenton Way
#05-01OUE Downtown Gallery
Singapore 068815
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Siyan Lin

NATURE CAFE

A casual dining place, it offers a delightful dining experience with a plethora of Asian, Western and Local classics to choose from. Using only the freshest and most delicious ingredients without any MSG, garlic, onion and wine, and served in large generous portions, you’d be happy to be a vegetarian for life.

No 3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-148 Suntec City Mall North Wing
Singapore 038983
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

ORIGINAL SIN MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

Tantalise your taste buds with a selection of Mediterranean, Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern dishes cooked to perfection here at Original Sin Mediterranean Restaurant. Opened since 1997, each item on the menu is carefully fashioned with the best of ingredients that has its dedicated clientele coming back for more.

43 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-62 Holland Village Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Photo Credit: Saute San

SAUTE SAN

Born out of their love for the earth, they specialise in earth-based cuisines and dessert that’s crafted from natural ingredients. Not only are they nutritious, natural and wholesome, but they’re also absolutely delicious too. Regardless of your lifestyle, there’s definitely something for everyone.

180 Kitchener Road
City Square Mall #03-23/24
Singapore 208539
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR

Under the same owners as 8 Treasures Vegetarian, Well Dressed Salad Bar’s motto of “Meatless doesn’t mean tasteless” shines through in their cafe style servings – salads, sides and desserts, so much so that you really won’t miss the meat at all. From pulled jackfruits, fudgy chocolate brownies, spiced beans and vegetarian ham topped with scrambled tofu and creamy guacamole, there’s not much else that you can ask for.

282 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058831
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

WHOLE EARTH SG

If you’re bored of the usual Asian-Western mix of vegetarian food, here Whole Earth SG offers some of the best Peranakan and Thai Cuisine in Singapore. Using cooking techniques from Thailand and Southeast Asia, the restaurant serves rather unique-tasting dishes, as well as the more comforting Penang Rendang and Nonya Curry.

76 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079331
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Yuan Vegetarian Bistro

YUAN VEGETARIAN BISTRO

Not all your favourite local delights have to be considered unhealthy! From the classics such as laksa, kuay chap or even a double cheeseburger, Yuan Vegetarian Bistro shows that dishes that lack meat certainly don’t have to lack flavour. The specials menu is ever-changing, meaning there’s always something new to look forward to.

2 Kallang Ave
CT Hub #01-07/14
Singapore 339407
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bendemeer

Chinese New Year is one festival that all of us Chinese people look forward to the most every year. It is an occasion of feasting, non-stop celebration and sheer exuberance; Lunar New Year is a time for a reunion with family and loved ones.

This joyous occasion is ultimately a celebration of family, hence gatherings with family and relatives around the dining table are a common sight. While it is commonplace for families to slug it out days before through the preparation and actual cooking, it definitely draws out the joy out of the festivities. This year, save yourself the trouble and effort of preparing everything from scratch by indulging in TungLok’s takeaway offerings.

What you can expect from the colossal brand this year is nothing short of grandeur for your family to luxuriate in—minus the hassle of cooking and washing up, of course. Their competitive prices make them a distinguished option for all home parties but rest assure that the quality of their food goes above and beyond their price point.

PROSPERITY YU SHENG

Simply put, Chinese New Year just would not be the same without the iconic yu sheng for lo hei. This dish that traditionally consists of shredded vegetables, various sweet and savoury condiments and fresh raw salmon is an auspicious staple that can be seen at almost every reunion meal.

TungLok’s magnificent and picturesque yu sheng comprises fresh vegetables, mushroom, yam, sweet potato shreds and a drizzle of TungLok’s healthier yu sheng sauce and it stays true to tradition by using fresh salmon instead of anything fancy.

TungLok scored yet another first as Health Promotion Board (HPB) has endorsed TungLok’s Yu Sheng Sauce for its lower sugar content, making this popular festive dish a perfect choice for a healthier celebration.

The Prosperity Yu Sheng is priced at S$48++ for 6 persons and S$78++ for 10 persons. *For takeaways, only Smoked Norwegian Salmon is available.

TUNG LOK PEN CAI

Pronounced as ‘poon choi’ in Cantonese, this one-dish item has come a long way from being served in wooden washbasins during the Song Dynasty to sturdy clay pots in modern times. Now, it is commonly enjoyed at reunion dinners.

TungLok Treasure Bowl (Pen Cai) is a wonderful pot full of premium delicacies ranging from abalone, dried oyster, scallops, prawns, slices of smoked duck and a variety of stewed vegetable and beancurd delights—all beautifully coated with a rich and thick gravy. Be prepared to dig deep to get every morsel of delicious goodness in this luxurious treasure bowl.

TungLok’s Treasure Bowl comes in 2 different variations, but every one boasts only the finest ingredients and homemade abalone sauce. The Heavenly Treasure Bowl that contains 16 ingredients is the most luxurious treat, and comes in two different sizes—S$388++ for 6 persons and S$588++ for 10 persons. The Royal Treasure Bowl contains 13 ingredients and is priced at S$288++ for 6 persons and S$388++ for 10 persons.

FRIED GLUTINOUS RICE WITH ASSORTED PRESERVED MEAT

Forming the bulk of your reunion dinner is the Fried Glutinous Rice With Assorted Preserved Meat that features fragrant rice fried with bits of roasted pork and mushrooms. The mixture is wrapped in a leaf for that extra boost of aroma.

As simple as it looks, we love this wholesome dish for its addictive chewy glutinous rice that is packed with flavourful waxed meat with every bite. The distinct umami taste and texture easily won us over.