Vegetarianism has recently become very popular. A choice of only a few last time, now many has taken the step to go veg either totally or on certain specific days. Whether it’s due to health, religion, culture, or just tired of eating meat reasons, being vegetarian does have it’s good sides. Besides our personal health, it is also good for the earth as we cut down on the demand for animal meat. How is that? Animal agriculture is the number one source of methane gas (non-CO2 greenhouse gas) producer. Read the Methane and Vegetarianism section in this article to find out more

And did you know there a a few types of vegetarianism? Here’s some common terminology (in case you go blur when a friend tells you they are one of these)

Vegetarianism

  • Lacto-ovo vegetarianism—A diet with no meat, poultry, fish but allows egg, dairy and honey.
  • Lacto vegetarianism—A diet with no meat, poultry, fish, egg but allows dairy and honey.
  • Ovo vegetarianism—A diet with no meat, poultry, fish, dairy but allows egg and honey.
  • Veganism—A diet with no meat, poultry, fish, egg, dairy and honey.

Additionally, many individuals describe themselves as simply "vegetarian" while actually practicing a semi-vegetarian diet.[19]

Unlike last time when the "trend" has not set of, we can hardly find shops and outlets which serves nice vegetarian food. But there’s an abundance of such shops nowadays. Just an example, in Farlim (Bandar Baru Air Itam) alone, there are about 5 vegetarian shops, all located within few hundred meters apart!!

One shop which has been around for a long time since this new township is set up is Chong De Vegetarian Restaurant. It is located behind Alliance Bank (opposite Shell petrol kiosk) and a walking distance from Bandar Baru Air Itam supermarket.

This shop serves vegetarian economy rice during lunch time. For dinner time, food can be ordered from the menu list and cooked upon receiving orders. This includes, char hor fun, noodle soup, fried rice, fried meehoon, etc.

Lunch time usually packs a crowd, especially so when it falls on the 1st or 15th of the Chinese calander month. There are at least 25-30 varieties to choose from and the dishes are constantly being dished out during peak period of lunch time. There is also a choice of white rice or brown rice for those health concious.

For me and my family, we usually prefer to take-away our meal since the parking over there can be quite a hassle. Parking are limited to lots outside all the shophouses and the roads are pretty narrow.

You can see that their vege are usually very fresh and colorful, hence looks simply appetizing. Most vegetarian dishes are made of bean/soy products and greens. Only the way it’s cooked and the presentation differs.

Vegetarian char siew (dark colored) and sweet and sour potatoes with pineapple and cucumber.

Fried tanghoon with cabbage and beancurd. The rice is totally covered beneath the vege!!! We usually take more of a certain dish in our own box and share it later so that we can taste different varieties.

3 boxes only cost less than RM10. Economy yet satisfying to the tastebuds and stomach!

 

Most vegetarian shop in Penang are the ones like above, selling economy rice. I tried before a Vegetarian Cafe in Taman Desa, KL and it was really good and the ambience is like well-established cafes (air-cond, waiters, menus, beverages section) and not hawker-style type. Is there any vegetarian cafe in Penang?