While we have certainly not starved, we have found it a little challenging to find good vegan food here in Port Vila. For my first (and, possibly, only) VEGANMOFO post from Vanuatu I thought that I would share our experiences in case they might be helpful to any other vegans (or vegetarians) traveling here.
Day One: We went to Nambawan Cafe for lunch and shared a large vegetarian pizza (asking them to hold the cheese). It was fairly good really (all things considered) - the sauce was tasty and it was piled high with a topping of mushrooms, tomatoes, capsicum, onion and zucchini. We also had fruit shakes, which were very yummy (if incredibly expensive).
For dinner we ate at the Sebel (our hotel) and ordered the only vegetarian thing on the menu - a tomato risotto (once again asking them to hold the cheese). It was very yummy - filled with beans, spinach, semi-dried tomatoes and mushrooms. Protein was a little light on for the day though...
Day Two: We had bean burritos at Jill's American Cafe (asking them to hold the cheese and sour cream). They were fine. The salsa was tasty and the beans were a welcome source of protein, but essentially the contents was a heated up can of four bean mix and some corn - not exactly gourmet, despite the high price tag.
For dinner we headed out to find a Chinese restaurant that had been recommended to us - Bamboo Royal. Unfortunately poor little Lily fell asleep in my arms before we arrived and so we went back to our hotel and ordered the risotto via room service. It was just as yummy the second night in a row, but I was sad to have missed out on some fresh vegetables and tofu.
Day Three: We had lunch at Chill Restaurant - a very swish-looking place on the harbour. We ordered the vegetarian pizza (no cheese), excited by the promise of tofu. However, when it arrived the little cubes of unseasoned tofu were strangely out of place on the pizza of pumpkin, pine nuts and mushrooms. It was nice enough, but both of us were left a little unsatisfied.
For dinner we had the Pad Thai at a restaurant on Iririki Island Resort. It claimed to contain prawns, shrimp, tofu, herbs and asian greens so we asked them to hold the shrimp and prawns and any other fish-sauce etc. They kindly asked us if they should also exclude the oyster sauce and egg and we gratefully agreed. Unfortunately the tiny portion of pak choy stalks, cucumber and noodles that arrived was far from satisfying. We enquired after the missing tofu to be told that they didn't have any... It would have been nice to know that before ordering and paying $50 for two plates of very little. When we had finished, Paul asked me what I was having for dinner. Hot chips turned out to be the answer.
Day Four: We went back to Nambawan Cafe for lunch - this time to meet up with an old friend. We order the Big Fellow sandwiches with mushrooms, tomatoes, grilled eggplant and alfalfa. When they arrived the eggplant had become grated carrot and they were really not particularly big. The soy latte to follow, however, was yummy and so I wasn't too fussed.
For dinner we set out early and found Bamboo Royal. The fresh veggies, tofu and yummy steamed eggplant were a very welcome change from all of the simple carbohydrates we had been eating, but it is hard to eat Asian food outside of Asia or Australia - since both places spoil you in terms of quality and value for money...
Day Five: We went to a little French Patisserie for lunch lured by the promise of relatively cheap vegetarian rolls ($5 each). Sadly on closer examination they ended up being vegetarian versions of a cocktail sausage roll. I ordered four between us and we ate them in a manner of minutes. "What are you having for lunch?" Paul asked me. Once again hot chips ended up being the answer.
For dinner we ate at our friend's house - pasta with veggies and tofu. Ah the pleasure of eating until you are actually full! It will be a joy to get home to our kitchen and wholegrains.
