On the 1st day of Chinese New Year we started the day by visiting the temple, it’s Mr. family tradition. It’s also both families tradition to start the new lunar year with vegetarian food. Although we are currently staying far away from home, we still try to practise the tradition and hope to pass it down to our kids next time.
We were both staving even before we started the day but decided to find food only after praying. Lucky for us, we didn’t have to hunt hard for vegetarian food. At the 2nd temple, I stumbled across a few outdoor stalls located beside the temple after praying. We went to check it out.
1 stall was selling fresh fruits, the other Soya Bean Milk and the largest Vegetarian Pho. Since both of us were staving, we each had a bowl of Pho. It was slightly sour, spicy, with some fresh shaded cabbage, herbs, bean spouts, round rice noodle and vegetarian beef and vegetarian fishcake. The soup taste very similar to Thai Tom Yum Soup but much clearer in colour. It definitely filled our tummy.
As for lunch, we went to Vegie Mum. It was near our place and we always enjoyed the food. It wasn’t too saltish for our taste bud and food always full of flavour. Also the dishes available and taste very similar to Singapore/Malaysia food style.
As it was CNY, they had a special CNY menu which cost $29 per person and include a main, soup, steamed rice and fruits. Soup of the day was Shark Fin Soup. Ever since I started diving, I had given up eating Shark Fin Soup. If it was served during Wedding Dinner or Family Dinner, I would offered my share to others who eat it. Honestly, I still don’t know why it’s consider a delicacy in Chinese Cuisine. Don’t think I’m missing out much not having it.
We ordered two sets lunch to share. Mr. chosen the Malaysian Style Dried Beef Rendang and I chose the Mixed Vegetable with Taro Ring. Both dishes were good. Rendang was full of flavour, coconut and spices. As for the taro ring, it was crispy, doesn’t taste oily although it was deep fried and taro wasn’t dried.
We went back ago few weeks ago for dinner. Mr. ordered a Fried Beef Kway Teow and I had a Combination Rice Noodle. Again it satisfy our caving for Singapore/Malaysia food.
hello, i stumbled upon your blog while looking for malaysian chinese vegetarian cuisine, ‘zhai’ food. i’m from malaysia and am looking to settle down in melbourne. your blog and your choice of food reminds me of home. =) sadly, i haven’t been to any temple since i came to melbourne, i was wondering if it’s possible to ask for some details of the temple you’ve visited? thanks!
Hi, I’m from Singapore and with Malaysia background that’s why there’s so much similarity in food
I usually goes to the temple Bright Moon Buddhist Society 536/540 Springvale Rd, Springvale South VIC but it’s not near Springvale train station, about 3km away. We frequent this temple because the setting is very similar to those back home + it’s not too far away from my current place.
Thanks! sorry for the double comment, wordpress was weird the other day.
No worries!
hello, i stumbled upon your blog while looking for malaysian chinese vegetarian cuisine, ‘zhai’ food. i’m from malaysia and am looking to settle down in melbourne. your blog and your choice of food reminds me of home. =) sadly, i haven’t been to any temple since i came to melbourne, i was wondering if it’s possible to ask for some details of the temple you’ve visited? thanks!