Fortune Centre has its own rhythm. The lifts take their time, and the smell of something fried drifts from a shop you can’t quite see. People with tote bags move slowly past the shuttered units.
I came for one quiet reason: I missed Japanese food. Not the idea of it, but the shape of it. A curl of sushi rice, ramen steam against my face, the small ritual of miso soup before a meal.
So I walked to Level 1, to Herbivore.
From Zen Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant to Herbivore
Herbivore traces its roots to Zen Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant. Herbivore traces its roots to Zen Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant, which Mr Ho CS and Japanese chef Yasui Masa formed in March 2010. Herbivore later became the surviving restaurant under the same ownership. Their idea was simple and a little bold: build a Japanese vegetarian restaurant in Singapore.
Today it serves what it calls pure vegetarian cuisine, prepared in Japanese and Western styles. The menu is specially crafted for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The restaurant says it uses natural ingredients as well as some organic ones.
A Calm Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant Inside Fortune Centre
Step inside and the building’s noise softens. You’ll find dark wood and warm, low lighting, with tables set with more care than you’d expect from a mall unit.
The atmosphere feels classy without trying too hard. The space isn’t large, though. When it fills up, it stops feeling quite so serene.
An Extensive Menu of Vegetarian Cuisine, With Vegan Options
The menu runs long: sushi and maki, sashimi, ramen, udon and soba, curry rice, bento, gyoza, tempura, tofu, salads and dessert.
Much of it leans on mock meat and mock seafood. There are quieter plates too, like daikon salad, agedashi-style tofu and grilled mushrooms.
One honest note: Herbivore is vegetarian, not fully vegan. There are plenty of vegan options, but some dishes contain dairy. Third-party listings say no eggs are used. If your diet is strict, check the labels or ask staff before you order.
Japanese Food Without Meat or Seafood: What I'd Order
Unagi Maki
This is the dish people come back for, and I understand why. The unagi roll brings together sushi rice, avocado, cucumber and a sweet, savory glaze.
It doesn’t strain to impress. It just tastes like comfort. If you only order one thing, start here.
Salmon Sashimi
The salmon sashimi is striking on the plate, colored and cut to look like the real thing. Its base is made from yam.
Opinion splits here. Some diners are charmed. Others find the texture soft and jelly-like, far from fish. I’d order it out of curiosity, not to satisfy a craving.
Spicy Ramen and Katsu Curry
The Spicy Ramen Set (around S$18) is warming rather than fierce. The broth is plant-based and non-dairy, and it has more body than I expected from a bowl without animal stock.
The Katsu Curry Set (also around S$18) is where mock meat works best for me. You get crisp breading, a firm bite and Japanese curry over rice. It’s simple and satisfying.
Teriyaki Chicken and Bento
The Teriyaki Chicken (around S$14, non-dairy) wins over a lot of meat-eating friends. If you prefer things less sweet, keep an eye on the teriyaki sauce.
Bento sets run from about S$22 for the Maki Gyoza Bento to S$26 for the Tonkatsu Bento. They usually come with rice, sides and miso soup. A bento is the easiest way to taste the menu’s range in one sitting, and it’s filling.
Save room for a S$6 matcha or kurogoma ice cream.
Service and the Wait at Herbivore Fortune Centre
Staff are generally friendly and patient, and happy to help you choose. Tablet ordering keeps things moving. Food tends to arrive quickly once you’re seated.
The wait comes before that. Weekends and dinner service fill up fast, and overflow diners are sometimes seated in the corridor outside.
Practical Details for Fortune Centre Visitors
Address: 190 Middle Road, #01-13/14, Fortune Centre, Singapore 188979
Hours: Lunch from 11:30am to 3pm; dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm (last order at 8:45pm)
Spend: About S$20 to S$30 per person; bento sets or shared sushi will push it higher
Booking: Call +65 6333 1612
Getting there: A few minutes’ walk from Bencoolen MRT.
To avoid a queue, arrive close to opening or skip the busiest lunch and dinner hours.
My Verdict on This Japanese Vegetarian Spot
Herbivore isn’t cheap, and not every imitation lands. But it gave me back something I’d quietly missed: the structure of a Japanese meal, rebuilt with care.
It’s best for vegetarians and vegans who miss sushi and ramen, for curious non-vegetarians, and for mixed tables where everyone simply wants to eat together.
FAQ About Herbivore Restaurant Singapore
Is Herbivore fully vegan?
No. It serves pure vegetarian cuisine with many vegan options, but some dishes contain dairy.
Do I need a reservation?
It’s wise to call ahead for weekends and dinner.
What should I order on my first visit?
Start with the unagi maki, then add the katsu curry or the spicy ramen.
How much does a meal cost?
Expect around S$20 to S$30 per person.
Looking for more meat-free meals in the same building? Head over to Healthy Food Guide for our guide to Fortune Centre’s vegetarian food.
