Discovering Vegan Street Food in Manila
Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines, is a city known for its vibrant street food culture. While traditional Filipino street food often features meat and seafood, the vegan scene is growing, offering delicious plant-based options for locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or just curious about trying something new, here’s where you can find the best vegan street food in Manila.
Vegan-Friendly Markets and Food Halls
One of the best places to start your vegan street food journey in Manila is at the city’s various markets and food halls. These venues often host a variety of vendors, including those offering vegan options.
- The Legazpi Sunday Market: Located in Makati, this market is a haven for food lovers. Open every Sunday, it features a range of vegan stalls offering everything from vegan burgers to plant-based desserts. It’s a great place to explore different cuisines and discover new vegan dishes.
- The Greenfield Weekend Market: Situated in Mandaluyong, this market is open on weekends and offers a relaxed atmosphere with live music. Here, you can find vegan-friendly stalls serving dishes like vegan sushi, plant-based tacos, and refreshing fruit smoothies.
- The Collective: This artsy space in Makati is home to several food stalls, some of which offer vegan options. It’s a great spot to grab a quick bite while exploring the local art scene.
Vegan Street Food Stalls and Carts
For a more authentic street food experience, head to the streets of Manila where you can find dedicated vegan stalls and carts. These vendors often offer creative takes on traditional Filipino dishes, making them accessible to vegans.
- Veggie Guys: Known for their vegan versions of Filipino favorites, Veggie Guys offers dishes like vegan sisig and adobo. Their food cart can often be found at various events and pop-up markets around the city.
- Cosmic: While Cosmic has a physical restaurant, they also participate in street food events and markets. Their menu includes vegan versions of classic Filipino street food like isaw (grilled skewers) and kwek-kwek (battered and fried quail eggs).
- Vegan Tita: This food cart specializes in vegan comfort food, offering dishes like vegan barbecue and plant-based empanadas. Keep an eye out for their cart at local markets and food festivals.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants with Street Food Vibes
If you prefer a sit-down experience but still want to enjoy the street food vibe, Manila has several vegan-friendly restaurants that offer street food-inspired menus.
- Green Bar: Located in Makati, Green Bar offers a variety of vegan dishes, including street food-inspired options like vegan tacos and loaded fries. The casual atmosphere makes it a great spot for a relaxed meal.
- Pipino Vegetarian: Situated in Quezon City, Pipino offers a menu full of vegan and vegetarian dishes. Their street food-inspired offerings include vegan lumpia (spring rolls) and plant-based pancit (noodle dish).
- Corner Tree Café: This cozy café in Makati offers a range of vegan and vegetarian dishes, including street food-inspired snacks like vegan samosas and falafel wraps.
Finding vegan street food in Manila is becoming easier as the city’s plant-based scene continues to grow. Whether you’re exploring markets, seeking out street vendors, or dining in restaurants with a street food vibe, there are plenty of delicious vegan options to discover. Enjoy the flavors of Manila while staying true to your dietary preferences.