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Miao Yi Vegetarian Restaurant – Who Knew Vegetarian Dishes Could Taste So Good?
Wine & Dine

Miao Yi Vegetarian Restaurant – Who Knew Vegetarian Dishes Could Taste So Good?

Rating: By Veron Ang

If you aren’t vegetarian, you may balk at the idea of visiting a vegetarian restaurant. Why have mock meat when you can have the real thing, right? And that’s exactly what a group of us did — all ten of us non-vegetarians — after hearing rave reviews about the great-tasting food at Miao Yi Vegetarian Restaurant.

Tucked in the quiet Coronation Plaza along Bukit Timah Road, Miao Yi is one hidden gem. For those in the know, this restaurant has been around for more than two decades.

I gotta admit. If it wasn’t for those word-of-mouth recommendations, I would not be caught dead walking into a vegetarian eatery. Like most people, I need some meat in my diet. But by the end of the meal, I was so thoroughly impressed that I would never look at vegetarian cuisine the same way again!

Vegetarian cold platter

Cold platter
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We start with the cold platter, an assortment of goodies comprising (clockwise from top right) deep fried prawn balls, minced meat, prawns, duck, tofu sticks with white cabbage, and sweet and sour diced chicken. These delicious items would easily put other restaurants serving real meats and prawns to shame. My favourite is the prawn balls, which amazingly have bits of red “prawn” on the inside.

Vegetarian suckling pig

Suckling pig
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The suckling pig is a must try. It comes with sticks of cucumber, lettuce and a sweet bean sauce. If you have ever tried Peking duck, this is eaten the same way.

Vegetarian suckling pig

Not only does this taste great, it is fun to eat, too! You would wrap each piece of meat in the lettuce, along with the cucumber and dipped in sauce if you prefer. The mock meat is a tad oily, but the thin, crispy skin is such a joy to savour!

Vegetarian fried noodles

Fried noodles
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For something a little more filling, we go for the fried noodles. This tastes pretty ordinary, and on hindsight isn’t really necessary given the many dishes we have ordered!

Vegetarian curry

Spicy Curry mutton
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The curry mutton deserves applause for its flavoursome gravy. Every spoonful is a burst of flavour, with just enough spice to give it a little kick without bringing tears to one’s eyes.

Vegetarian dumplings

Boiled dumplings
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The boiled dumplings, too, make the grade, with the thin translucent skin encasing a well-seasoned filling.

Mock meat

Mock meat
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Is it a bird? An animal? No, it’s mock meat! The name of this dish escapes me, but it is sweet and sour.

Sambal sweet potato leaves

Spicy Sambal sweet potato leaves
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After a succession of wonderful dishes, the stir-fried sweet potato leaves is a letdown. Even with the sambal, the dish is a little lackluster. Give me Kang Kong Belachan over this any day!

Yam ring

Yam ring
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The ever-popular yam ring has a crispy skin and a powdery centre, enveloping a stir fried concoction of mushrooms and assorted vegetables.

Vegetarian shark's fin soup

Shark’s fin soup
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There is even a shark’s fin soup on the menu! Made using shredded bean curd skin, this shark-friendly rendition would do PETA members proud. The texture and flavour is just like the real thing!

Now, whoever said vegetarian cuisine is bland and boring!

Have Your Say!

Non-vegetarians: Would you eat at a vegetarian restaurant? Vegetarians: What other restaurants would you recommend? Share with us in the comments!

Miao Yi Vegetarian Restaurant
Coronation Shopping Plaza
587 Bukit Timah Road #03-01/02
Singapore 269707
Tel: +65 6467 1331
Service:

Bus services: 66, 67, 74, 151, 154, 156, 157, 170, 171, 174, 852, 961, 961C

Opening hours: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm daily

Veron Ang
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About the Editor
Veron Ang

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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  1. SparkletteTwitter
    195 tweets
     

    Sparklette Digest! Miao Yi Vegetarian Restaurant – Who Knew Vegetarian Dishes Could Taste So Good? http://sparklette.net/food/miao-yi-veget...

    Reply
    Tweeted August 16, 2010 at 12:39 pm

  2. AlvinTwitter
    4 comments
     

    I’ve visited there about a year ago and I must say the standards of the food is consistent. As mentioned, the “suckling pig” is the restaurant’s house dish and it is a must try! However, being a vegetarian myself, I find that at times, these food can get unhealthy since it’s deep fried and oily, not to mention that consumption of the mock stuff eventually reduces once you’ve understood what vegetarian is all about!

    Reply
    Posted August 17, 2010 at 10:18 am

  3. PYTwitter
    1 comment
     

    I love meat but Miao Yi has been a fave family hunt for years. I like how they use mushrooms instead of gluten in many dishes. Their hotplate gong bao frog legs are great. Do try their ginger rice on every 1st and 15th lunar month. Taste like chicken rice :)

    Reply
    Posted August 17, 2010 at 4:51 pm

  4. bOOts
    4 comments
     

    not sure am i the only person facing this issue … but i can’t view the post!!!!

    Reply
    Posted August 18, 2010 at 9:07 am

    • VeronTwitter
      3438 comments
       

      If it isn’t too much trouble, can you drop us a screenshot and more details (the problematic pages, what browser you use) in our contact form please? Thanks!

      Reply
      Posted August 18, 2010 at 3:09 pm

  5. Dolly
    1 comment
     

    Oh wow.. looking at all these wonderful dishes makes my mouth water. Mock meat truly looks amazing!

    Reply
    Posted October 2, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    • VeronTwitter
      3438 comments
       

      Indeed. I can’t tell if these are healthier than actual meat, but they sure taste good!

      Reply
      Posted October 4, 2010 at 8:30 pm

      • Dolly
        2 comments
         

        Hah! Worth every single calorie I suppose..

        Reply
        Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:57 pm

  6. steve
    1 comment
     

    Anybody knows the contact number of MaoYi?

    Reply
    Posted November 26, 2010 at 12:02 pm

  7. Lim
    1 comment
     

    I am a regular to Mao Yi for more than ten years. Being a vegetarian for more than ten years,our local vege food have changed a lots. However,This restraruant able to keep up the good standard. I would recommend to all my visiting friends to this place. Good taste,good presentation and good service. The only drawback is too many selection from the menu and some are no truely healthy, so be selective, Try order from more sections.

    Reply
    Posted January 29, 2011 at 10:14 am
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