Healthy and Satisfying Plant-Based Dining in Penang: Top Vegetarian and Vegan Options

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, there are 5% of Malaysian adults practicing a daily vegetarian diet. This does not include those who practice vegetarian diets occasionally. People choose a vegetarian diet for many reasons, some people enjoy vegetarianism as a way to be healthier or to avoid hormones used in animal foods. For others, eating this way has more to do with religion, animal rights, or environmental concerns.

Vegetarian diet is on an ascending trend, for those who are practicing or eager to try a vegetarian diet, here are some must go vegetarian cafes in Penang which are serving healthy and delicious vegetarian dishes.

Real Food

Real Food is a vegan café located in Straits Quay Penang. It serves organic vegan food. it is run by a team of passionate and stubborn individuals who hold on the belief of “You are what you eat”. Thus, they spend an incredible amount of time and effort understanding, preparing, and sourcing for good quality and ethical food to put on their menu.

At the same time, they put in effort to learn about ingredients used, carefully select while actively supporting local producers especially organic farmers. Real food serves a wide range of dishes from Chinese cuisine to western cuisine. For Chinese cuisine, they have dumplings, noodles, fried rice and more.

As for western cuisine, they serve pizza, burgers, pasta and more. They use sourdough crust for their pizza. Real Food does serve one of the best vegetarian pizza in town. For coffee and tea, they also use organic coffee beans and tea leaves to make you a perfect cup of coffee and tea. Organic breads and food products are available in store as well. Dining in Real Food, you can enjoy the sea front views and ocean breeze.

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Brown Poodle Café

Brown Poodle Café is a pet-friendly vegetarian café and the concept of this café was inspired by the owner’s pet poodle who is also vegetarian since birth. This café serves mainly western cuisine such as vegetarian burgers, grilled plant-based meat and some rice dishes.

Meat analogue used is made from soy pulp instead of gluten based. Certain dishes may contain dairy products such as butter and cheese. Vegan or lacto-vegetarian menu will be stated to ease your choice. There are a wide range of sandwiches and burgers served from normal burger bun to bagel.

Besides good food, they do serve hand crafted coffee. Brown Poodle café also serves vegan cakes. This is a must go café for vegetarians with pets. You surely can spend quality time here with your pets while enjoying good food and coffee.

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Sincerely Crafted Cuisine

Sincerely Crafted Cuisine is a new meatless dining venue that sets in a modern-chic environment. They serve delicious fusion vegetarian dishes which will appeal to the eye and also your taste buds. They are the perfect fusion of Western and Asian dishes. Among them are the Twisted Salade Caesar, Tomatoes & Burrata Caprese, Curried Mac & Cheese Zinger, Saag Paneer & Suji Flatbread, Grapefruit Posset & Celery Granita to name a few. Besides, they also serve Asian rice dishes such as nasi lemak, Hainanese Hericium Mushroom Rice, Thai Phat Krapow and more.

After the main meal, you can have some snacks such as Miang Kam Inspired Taco, Okonomi-Chips, Nachos and you should never leave out desserts. They serve Asian desserts such as Red Ruby and Cendol as well as Western desserts such as Tiramisu and Cinnamon Roll with Haagen Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream.

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Plant A Seed

Plant A Seed is an eatery which serves 100% plant-based and natural nutritious food. They are committed to continuous investment and giving back to the community by practicing green and sustainable living. They endeavor to tread lightly on the planet and be conscious of environmental responsibilities, not forgetting social responsibilities.

You can tell through the natural and minimalist interior design of the café, it’s a Japanese-themed vegan restaurant specializing in vegan sushi and noodle dishes. All ingredients used are stated in the menu to tell you what exactly you are eating.

Here you can find the best vegan sushi in a wide range of varieties, other than that, they also serve delicious vegan porridge. They serve delicious snacks made from tempeh and hummus. No ultra-processed food used in their menu. Plant A Seed has a limited beverages menu but they do serve kefir and vegan wine.

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Tian Yun Vegetarian Restaurant

Tian Yun Vegetarian Restaurant is a hidden gem in the Farlim area which is quite hidden on the upper floor of a shop lot at Farlim, the signage is not easily noticeable. They mainly serve Japanese inspired vegan dishes at an affordable price. The owner and the main chef of this Tian Yun has been staying in Japan for some time and got inspired with the Japanese vegetarian recipes. Hence, when he came back he put all his ideas into the menu.

Most of their menu consisted of at least 3 different colors of vegetables, especially their sushi. Ramen in Tofu soup is one of their signatures, their milky vegan soup made from tofu and soy milk, and it is served with a noodle or rice.

Besides delicious and healthy food, now they have their own barista serving hand brewed coffee. The barista is very passionate in transforming coffee beans with special process methods into the perfect cup of coffee. There are a variety of beans for you to choose according to your preference. Other than coffee, they do serve one of the best matcha lattes in town.

If you dine here, you can enjoy the process of how your food and drink are prepared. The open kitchen allows the customers to join in the food making process. The space of the café is decorated with antique decoration and also drawn by the owner. A friendly reminder, reservation is preferred to avoid overcrowded space.

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Vegan food is not only nutritious and healthy, but it can also be incredibly delicious. A common misconception is that vegan food is bland and boring, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. With the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds available, vegan cuisine offers a diverse range of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques. From rich and creamy plant-based soups and stews to flavorful and colorful salads, from savory and spicy tofu and tempeh dishes to sweet and indulgent vegan desserts, there are endless options for creating satisfying and delicious vegan meals. Whether you are a vegan or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, you are sure to discover a world of delicious vegan flavors and cuisines.

Going vegan can be an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their health. A well-planned vegan diet can be rich in nutrients and low in saturated fats, which are often found in animal products. This type of diet has been linked to lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, vegan diets tend to be high in fiber, which can aid in digestion and promote feelings of fullness, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. However, it’s essential to ensure that a vegan diet includes a variety of plant-based foods to ensure adequate intake of all necessary nutrients. With careful planning, enjoying a vegan diet can be a satisfying and healthy way to eat.