What’s a Vegetarian to do?{5}
I haven’t eaten meat for over 35 years. I’m not going to go over the reasons I quit eating meat, because that decision was made a long time ago and not necessarily relevant. I don’t really consider myself a vegetarian, but that’s easier than saying I don’t eat meat. Cheese & eggs I do.
Being a vegetarian in the US is easy. There are lots and lots of health food outlets, and even sections of most major grocery stores have these options. I’ve not experienced the same thing in the Philippines, but if you like vegetables and fruits, it’s not at all difficult to find them. Fresh and plentiful. Restaurants are another matter, though the SM North in Quezon City (among others) has a Bodhi’s that features local dishes, but completely meat free.
Part of the difficulty is not being familiar with the area. Even here in the US, I find if I go to a city I don’t know, it is usually difficult to find places to eat. Since I love Mexican food, I usually default to that automatically until I find other outlets. I found one Mexican place at the mall (SM?) while in Makati, but it doesn’t appear to be a regular thing there. That actually surprises me a little.
Usually while visiting the Philippines, if in an area that I haven’t been, I migrate initially towards the breads and pastries. I think these are an unsung treasure there. It seems bakeries are everywhere, the variety is endless and the prices very reasonable. My first experience was with a cheesy Ensaymada and it is still one of favorites. The last trip I got into Bibingka, the rice cake, and really enjoyed those. I’m also fond of Mongo Bread, but just about anything is good. The one thing I notice about these is that they are not overly sweet. Most have a slightly sweet taste but nothing like the overwhelming sugar overload you would get here.
There are many other fine dishes, fried garlic rice is another favorite of mine, but I wanted to give praise to the fine breads/pastries of the Philippines.
Asúkar sa Pilipinas - Sugar in the Philippines | Journey to Samal
May 16, 2010 @ 14:41:34
[...] It’s always difficult for me to find something to eat in the Philippines because I don’t eat meat. There, also, is not an abundance of cheese or dairy products, staples for me especially when I [...]
Green Smoothies in the Philiipines | Journey to Samal
Sep 19, 2010 @ 11:28:13
[...] a lot about food, and this is another in that vein. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m a vegetarian, or more accurately – I don’t eat meat. That includes fish and fowl. It can be a little [...]
Oct 01, 2012 @ 12:46:24
Hate to tell you this Randy but you NOT a vegetarian. Eggs and cheese are meat. Vegetarians stay away from those. Would like to see some updates on the places you wanted to visit. Did you ever make it to Buda? If you did… did you notice it is in Davao and not Bukidnon?
Oct 01, 2012 @ 13:20:59
Hi Gary – actually much life I made it a point to not say I was a Vegetarian (not for the reasons you list) but it is just easier to say it than to explain what I do and don’t eat. I believe by most standards Vegans don’t eat eggs or cheese but Lacto-ovo Vegetarians do. They are just labels anyway.
I did make it up to Buda. I was told the name comes from Bukidnon-Davao = Buda. It gets confusing up there, because the boundaries change, and then change again. Buda is not quite in Bukidnon, as I understand it.
La Toscana | Journey to Samal
Nov 26, 2012 @ 10:40:12
[...] may not serve more than one or two dishes that I can eat, because as I’ve stated before I don’t eat meat, fish or fowl. I will eat dairy and eggs, especially if they are part of the ingredients of a [...]