Malaysian Chapter, Belconnen

With a menu rich with vegan options, including a banquet, Malaysian Chapter was a natural choice for our work Christmas lunch. Malaysian Chapter has got with the program – restaurants that cater properly to vegans can greatly increase their patronage.

First up, I ordered the dhal fritters. For an entree, it was actually quite filling and came with a small bowl of lentil curry as a dipping sauce. Then I had the sayur lodeh (vegetable curry), consisting of a variety of vegetables and tofu in a creamy coconut sauce. Malaysian Chapter is easily the best restaurant in Belconnen for vegans. Do ask for the vegan menu when you go there, since it is not offered by default, and explain that you are vegan (i.e. not just vegetarian). The menu can be viewed online here: http://www.malaysianchapter.com.au/Menus/Vegetarian.pdf

Dhal fritters with lentil curry dip

Sayur lodeh (vegetable curry)

Ruchi, Belconnen

Ruchi restaurant is located in Oatley Court, Belconnen and specialises in south Indian cuisine. Perhaps as a result, the vegetarian mains are listed first on the menu. They serve dosai, crepes made from rice and lentil flour, and a popular breakfast and street food in south India. We had the masala dosa as an entree, however you will need to ask for the vegan version (i.e. no animal products) cooked in vegetable oil. It is served with coconut and spicy chutneys. Delicious!

Masala Dosa

For the main course we ordered an eggplant curry and an okra curry with rice. The wait staff were friendly and advised us of the vegan choices on the menu. It was hearty winter food.    

Bhagare Baingun (eggplant) and Vendakkai Paretal (okra)

Ruchi
Unit 4, 17- 23 Oatley Court, Belconnen
Ph: (02) 6253 2506