The 10 Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Kuching, Malaysia

Kuching, the City of Cats, is Sarawak’s capital. Travellers will find a wide choice of vegetarian restaurants in Kuching for healthy, meat-free and vegan-friendly options. Here are Culture Trip’s recommendations for Sarawakian, Chinese, Indian and Western cuisines.
Thank Food Vegetarian
Restaurant, Vegetarian, Chinese

Located in central Kuching near the Sarawak River, Thank Food Vegetarian provides a more upscale dining experience. With tasteful decor and air-conditioning, customers can expect comfort and good service. The menu offers a variety of both Asian and Western dishes using substitute mock meats. Highlights include stir-fry mock chicken, vegetarian oyster pancakes and homemade tofu. Customers can order small, medium or large portions with a typical dish and drink coming to approximately RM50 ($12.70) for two.
Zhen Xiang Zhai Vegetarian Café
Restaurant, Vegetarian, Chinese

This family-owned vegetarian restaurant in Kuching has served Chinese food for more than a decade. The cheerful elderly couples who run the place serve various vegetable dishes, sushi, noodle soups and local favourites. Head down at lunch for the buffet special or order a set meal cooked in a typical Chinese way as either fried, deep-fried or served as a soup. Favourite dishes include char kuey teow starting at RM4 ($1), Cantonese crispy noodles RM5 ($1.30) and fried noodles at RM4 ($1). Vegetarian laksa is available, too.
Popular Vegetarian Restaurant
Restaurant, Vegetarian, Chinese

Popular Vegetarian Restaurant is a short walk to the east of the city centre behind the Hock Lee Centre. As one of the more mid-range vegetarian restaurants in Kuching, Popular serves Chinese food and local dishes using mock meat. The dishes using egg are clearly marked on the menu, making this spot both vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
Zhun San Yen Vegetarian
Restaurant, Vegetarian, Chinese
Located near the Sarawak River, Zhun San Yen Vegetarian has been in operation for years. Specialising in Chinese-style food served as a buffet, customers take what they want and pay by weight. Set menu options are available at certain times of the day. The menu also includes vegan-friendly options, but they may not be marked. Anyone looking for a selection of vegetarian food at rock-bottom prices will enjoy dining here.
Bear Garden
Bar, Pub, Restaurant, Asian, European, Vegan, American, British

While Bear Garden isn’t a typical restaurant, it does feature as one of the best places for vegan food in Sarawak’s capital. Bear Garden itself is a bar with affordable beer, plus an extensive stock of wine and exotic cocktails. But the highlight is the vegan menu with both Asian and Western favourites. Customers can order everything from bean burgers and chilli cheese to spring rolls, toasted ravioli and potato nachos and dine inside the air-conditioned interior or al fresco in the garden. The owners also donate 50% of their income to the Orangutan Project. Not only do customers enjoy delicious vegan dishes, but they can also contribute towards conservation efforts.
Come On Veggie Café
Restaurant, Vegetarian

Beyond Veggie By Secret Recipe
Restaurant, Vegetarian
Vege Hut
Restaurant, Vegetarian, Chinese

For an eclectic mixture of Chinese and Indian vegetarian food in Kuching, head to Vege Hut approximately two kilometres (1.24 miles) south of the City of Cats. The extensive menu offers roti, thosai and veggie rolls, as well as Chinese-style noodles and rice dishes. Expect hearty portions, friendly staff and excellent value for money. Customers can dine inside an air-conditioned seating area or open-air under a fan.
Wonderful Veggie
Restaurant, Vegetarian
The small family-run business offers local vegetarian dishes from two of three resident vendor stalls. Expect a basic restaurant with a ceiling fan and food similar to street food at very affordable prices. Order Sarawak-style Chinese dishes including fried rice, kolo mee with dumplings or dim sum early in the morning. Expect to pay less than RM10 ($2.50) for a meal and drink. Just be aware that the Laksa stall is non-vegetarian. If unsure, ask. Often rated among the best vegetarian restaurants in Kuching, it’s worth checking out for the delicious food and low prices.
Lee Coffee Shop
Restaurant, Vegetarian, Chinese

Lee Coffee Shop in the heart of Kuching City Centre houses a selection of vendors selling a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Head to the vegetarian stall offering local rice and noodles dishes as well as vegan-friendly options. But the highlight of this stall is the dumpling soups served for breakfast. Get there early as most sell out before 9am.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.