How is the food situation in Singapore for vegetarian Indian students, and what options are available near SMU?

Singapore is generally manageable for vegetarian Indian students, though it requires more awareness and selection than in India. SMU has food outlets on campus at student-friendly prices, options include Pasta Express, salad bowls, and a dedicated Indian outlet called Open Kitchen that serves dosa, biryani, and paratha-style items priced around SGD 5 to 6. Beyond campus, Singapore's hawker centre culture means affordable cooked food is available everywhere, and most hawker centres have at least a few stalls with vegetarian options, Indian stalls, vegetarian Chinese stalls, and fresh fruit and juice vendors. The challenge for strict vegetarians is that many Singaporean dishes use oyster sauce, fish sauce, or meat-based broths even in dishes that appear vegetarian on the menu.

• Communication with stall owners about specific requirements is necessary.
• Little India, which is accessible by MRT from the SMU area, has a wide range of South Indian vegetarian restaurants and grocery stores stocking Indian ingredients, which is useful for students who want to cook at home.
• Overall, vegetarianism is workable in Singapore with some awareness and planning.