Month: December 2019

My Top 5 Vegetarian / Vegetarian-friendly Foodstops

Mid of this year, our dear friend Ms. Meri of merissaspeakshermind had shifted to a plant-based diet. Hence, she had introduced to us restaurants that are vegan and vegetarian friendly but are also enticing for meat eaters like me.

So far, here’s my top 5 based on the following criteria: Pagkain (food), Price, and Place.

5. Berde Bowls, Ayala Triangle, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Berde Bowl’s Monggo Green Bowl

Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ They have a non-vegetarian option. You get to build your own bowl and choose what base, protein, veggie, pickle, topping and sauce you’d put. However, aside from the monggo kare-kare bowl, they don’t have other vegetarian protein option.

Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Price for 2 persons is around Php300 to Php600.

Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s very accessible, being near the Central Business District. A perfect place to chill after a busy day at work.

4. Green Bar, 106 Aguirre, Legazpi Village, Makati

Good food with the best company

Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant that serves only plant based food. They have all day breakfast, bowls and burgers. Food that they serve are not only palatable but are very pleasing to the eye. However for people like me with a typical Filipino palate wherein #RiceIsLife, finding a dish to eat with rice is a bit perplexing.

Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Price is a bit costly compared to nearby vegetarian friendly restaurants. Price for 2 persons is from Php 600 to Php800.

Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Very chill ambiance, located in a less crowded area in Makati. Commuting is a bit tricky though but it’s just a few minutes walk to greenbelt or Arnaiz Ave.

3. Blissful Belly Vegetarian Restaurant, 77 2F, Llanar Bldg., Xavierville Avenue, Quezon City

Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Because #RiceIsLife for me, I’m giving them a perfect 5. They have lots of veganized Filipino foods like kare-kare, menudo and even barbecue with a very meaty taste minus the meat.

Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If I remember it right, they are only charging a very cheap price of Php160 for a cup of rice and a choice of 2 dishes. You’ll leave the place belly-filled without breaking the bank.

Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The place is just small but very cozy. It’s perfect for families or group of friends looking for a place to bond over healthy food. It’s a bit far from where I’m staying though but what I loved most about this place is the very engaging convo we had with Sis Val while we were having a sumptuous meal.

2. Wabi-Sabi Noodle House and Vegetarian Grocery, UG-4 MCS Fernando, Makati Cinema Square, Fernando St., cor. Chino Roces, Makati City

Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ They have ramen, viet pho, tom yum, banh mi, buns, rolls, tempura and of course rice in humungous servings. I’m no fan of Japanese foods but what they’re serving tickled my palate and pierced my soul. Plus, the dishes are served very aesthetically, a part of you won’t want to ruin the presentation but once you’ve dug in, you’ll have trouble pausing.

Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Their noodles ranges from Php 170 to Php250 and their banh mi is at 170/85 for whole or half respectively. Trust me, half a banh mi is more than enough!

Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ They only have few tables, making the place very quiet and even intimate. The interior design and the placement of the tables make it easier for diners to interact or be left in solace while savoring the food. A plus point for being it so accessible from my place.

1. Cosmic – A Vegan Restaurant and Cafe, 2F (above Ministop) 5057 P. Burgos corner Gen. Luna Sts., Makati City

Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ By far, this is my favorite. They have a wide array of veganized Filipino dishes like Kare-kare, bagnet, longganisa, pancit habhab, burgers, beanuguan and my all-time favorite – sisig! Dishes that go perfectly with RICEEeee!!

Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You’re not gonna be breaking your piggy bank deary! Prices start at Php60 and for they also have set meals for as low as Php150. Sisig is at Php170 but… it’s good for sharing!!!

Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Locating this restaurant is kinda tricky, apart from the eye printed on the wall in the second floor and a very small sign saying cosmic with an arrow pointing to a staircase which is printed on a short bond paper, cosmic has no other identifiable signage. But once inside, you’d feel like you’ve been transported to a different era, different place and different world even. The place offers a very homey vibe. The interior, wall installations, furnitures and the even the utensils are artsy. Aside from the superb ambiance, the crew are very attentive, helpful and friendly.

This is not to convince people to shift to a plant-based diet. This is more of a personal realization that what I’ve previously learned about vegetarian or vegan diet are mostly myths. Plant-based foods taste really good, not necessarily expensive and are not really weird-looking. One doesn’t have to abruptly shift lifestyle just to appreciate the healthier options of our daily food. And the tastebuds must not be sacrificed to live healthier, more ethical and guilt-free.

Disclaimer. What I’ve written here are purely based on my opinion. I have not been paid nor received anything from the establishments mentioned. They don’t even know that this blog exists or that I even exist.

Singapore in a Budget – Tips and Tricks

Most travelers agree that among Asian countries, Singapore is one of the cleanest, safest and most efficient, but also one of the costliest to travel to; no wonder, most of the people I know think twice about visiting this country. No need to fret, with the right strategy, surely the stay in Singapore even on a tight budget would still be enjoyable. The following are simple hacks that one must know before planning the trip:

  1. Remember: Singapore is a “fine” city, the government values discipline and proper code of conduct. Ridiculous amount of fines, imprisonment, and even corporal punishment are being imposed for noncompliance. Chewing gum, smoking beyond the designated area, jaywalking, littering, vandalism, and not flushing the toilet could mean hefty sums of fine if caught. No one wants to spend a huge chunk of the budget for these. This could be memorable though, and a night in jail could also mean free accommodation for a night.
  2. Plan the trip well to maximize it. Some of the attractions are very costly, but there are lots of places that one can visit for free. A well-planned itinerary would immensely help in saving money, effort and time.
    • Transportation
      • Taxis are expensive, be prepared for long walks; trust me, SG is a walk-able city. Walking allows the tourist to experience the local life, be immersed in the surroundings, get some exercise while saving money.
      • Offline map is a friend. Don’t forget to download one, mark all locations in the itinerary and update it once connected to the hotel’s or airport’s free wifi.
      • Never be scared to ask for directions. The best offline maps are the locals. They know the nooks and crannies and may suggest places that are known only to the locals. Communication is not a barrier, because English is widely spoken here.
      • The MRT offers an unlimited pass for tourists. For those visiting Singapore in a very limited period of time, a Singapore Tourist Pass should be considered.
    • Accomodation
      • Consider staying near MRT Stations. The closer the accommodation is to the MRT Station, the more convenient travelling would be. One should take advantage of Singapore’s very efficient train system.
    • Activities
      • Walk around Marina Bay Sands area and time travel through the amazing architecture.
      • Explore Chinatown and the temples within it, e.g. Sri Mariamman Temple & Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
      • Check out gardens, Parks and Nature Reserves.
      • Walk around Arab Street.
      • Take Sentosa by foot instead of a cable car.
      • Visit Kampongs.
      • Drop by museums.
    • Food
      • Hawker centers, kopi-tiams (coffee shops) and food courts are the best option to taste local cuisine without breaking the bank.
  3. Consider the weather. This country is not just warm, it’s also very humid aside from the heat, consider the monsoon rains.
    • Wear comfortable clothing. A loose, light clothing is perfect for one to be able to stand the heat and a jacket or an umbrella should be ready just in case it rains. Remember, buying a new shirt if soaked by the rain or hailing a cab when you feel too hot is not the top priority when on a tight budget.
    • Bring a water bottle or tumbler always. Apart from this being eco-friendly, this is also very pocket-friendly; bottled water is a bit pricey in Singapore but tap water is potable, free and even tasty. Let’s do the math, a 500mL bottle of water costs 2SGD, if 1 glass is around 240mL, then 8 glasses are equal to 1920mL or around 4 bottles of water, 4 x 2SGD = 8SGD or a cost of a decent meal in a Hawker centre.

Consider all of these, but at the end of the day, the best hack that one should remember is that: JUST CHILL and Enjoy the experience!