Although the locals speak decent English and you are unlikely to have a language barrier, the concept of veganism may not be fully understood wherever you go. With chicken, fish and cheese dishes dominating most menus, you will need to watch out for hidden ingredients such as fish sauce, shrimp paste, butter and mayonnaise. Even seemingly animal-free vegetable dishes may contain pieces of pork.

How does a vegan navigate such places (and not starve) while travelling? Here are a few suggestions.

Ask and you shall receive

So much of the reported rise in veganism in the media, producing shifts in the culinary world, reflects the strong growth in demand – so don’t underestimate the power of “ask” and, of course, social media. Grand Hyatt Manila is one of the first luxury hotels in the Philippines to include Green Common’s plant-based Omnipork and Beyond Sausage and Burger — a plant-based meat that is completely dairy and cruelty-free – on its menu. Think barbecue cheeseburgers and the iconic chilli cheese dog with gochujang aioli — it’s an indulgence that is not at all taxing on your health.

Adapt the menu

Although a restaurant may not have a vegan option on the menu, it is sure to have vegan ingredients. You will be hard-pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t have vegetables, rice, noodles or fresh fruit. You will probably be surprised what they can put together for you. Vegetable chop suey or a veggie pancit bihon are easy dishes to request. The key is to be patient, and not too demanding – you are a visitor in the country after all.

Plan in advance

Tourist destinations tend to have more vegan options. If you want a pleasant restaurant experience, check out the HappyCow or AbillionVeg apps to see which vegan dishes are available near where you will be staying. Manila, Cebu, Boracay and El Nido are considered the most vegan-friendly places.

Do some research

Some local street foods are vegan, or can be modified for vegans. Try binatog (steamed corn with shredded coconut and sugar), taho (hot silken tofu pudding with sugar syrup and tapioca pearls), turon (fried bananas, jackfruit and brown sugar in a wrap), or bilo-bilo (glutinous rice balls in coconut milk with sugar, jackfruit, bananas and tapioca pearls). Deep-fried sweet potatoes and fresh fruit can be found in many places.

Find a place with a kitchen

If you are still concerned about dining options, find accommodation with a built-in kitchen. Fresh produce is likely to be available regardless of where you stay, so you can still enjoy local flavours and ingredients that you wouldn’t normally eat at home. Even if you don’t stay somewhere with a full kitchen, having a refrigerator is great for storing plant milk for breakfast dishes or on-the-go snacks.

Stay in high-end, vegan-friendly accommodation

Luxury hotels are usually able to accommodate guests of any dietary preference, so if you are concerned about a lack of plant-based food, this is a safe option. Most breakfast buffets offer toast and fresh fruit at least, so you will be guaranteed to be full before you start your day. Recommended vegan-friendly hotels include The Mandala Spa and Resort Villas in Boracay, Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, and The Farm at San Benito in Lipa.

I have frequently been warned by fellow vegan travellers about the places to avoid visiting. However, the truth is that you can have an amazing vegan holiday anywhere, as long as you have a little patience and flexibility.  

Eating vegan in the Philippines won’t be as easy as you might expect, but you can still enjoy delicious vegan food – with a little more effort.

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