Singapore ranked second most vegan-friendly city in Asia by PETA

Singapore has earned the second spot on People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) list of top 10 most vegan-friendly cities in Asia.

The animal rights group said that Singapore has a "roaring vegan scene," with a wide range of offerings such as vegan chicken, meat-free pulled barbecue, and dairy-free mac 'n' cheese.

A vegan diet is plant-based and excludes all animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.

PETA also highlighted several eateries offering tasty vegan treats which included VeganBurg's plant-based burgers, nomVnom's QQ Cheezy burger, and Brownice Italian Vegan Ice Cream & Kitchen's vegan barbecue chicken pizza.

For dishes with local flavours, it recommended Genesis Vegan Restaurant's "fish head" vermicelli and "chicken" rice, Loving Hut's nyonya laksa and mee pok, Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant's claypot curry "chicken" as well as VegCafe's vegan char kway teow, mee siam, and tofu goreng.

PETA vice president of international campaigns Jason Baker said: "Whether you're looking for first-rate artisanal food, a decadent dessert, or a low-key lunch, Singapore has the vegan restaurant for you. PETA loves Singapore for its top-notch cruelty-free grub that satisfies appetites while being kind to animals."

Other cities that made it to the list are:

1. Taipei, Taiwan

2. Singapore

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

4. Makati, Philippines

5. Bangalore, India

6. Hong Kong

7. Bangkok, Thailand

8. Bali, Indonesia

9. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

10. Shanghai, China

In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of Singaporeans switching to a vegan diet, which is linked with lower risks of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers.

However, nutritionists often remind vegans to plan their meals carefully in order to prevent deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, and iron.

minlee@sph.com.sg