After operating Sandwich Saigon for over a decade, Ms Kelly Nguyen finally got her wish to act on her faith as she converted her Vietnamese cuisine eatery into a vegetarian eatery.
 
A Decision Rooted in Faith
Sandwich Saigon is located at 93 East Coast Road. It opens daily, except on Tuesdays, from 11.30 am to 3pm and from 5 pm to 9.30 pm on weekdays, and from 8 am to 3 pm and from 5 pm to 9.30 pm on weekends.
 
The eatery was opened in 2011 by Ms Nguyen and her husband, serving popular Vietnamese dishes. However, after Ms Nguyen began reading Buddhist teachings in 2019, a desire to convert the eatery to a vegetarian eatery grew.
 
“Buddhists should abstain from killing living things,” Ms Nguyen said. In line with Buddhist teachings on doing good for others, the 40-year-old also believes that selling vegetarian food will help her customers live healthier lives.
 
As such, she persuaded her husband to convert the eatery to a vegetarian one for years. But, he would not budge as this would mean losing many customers. Fortunately for Ms Nguyen, he eventually relented as he became a Buddhist as well, and Sandwich Saigon became entirely vegetarian last month.
 
An Eatery That Embodies One’s Faith
Looking around the eatery, the influence of Ms Nguyen’s faith was apparent. For one, Buddhist songs were played in the kitchen. 

Outside, hanging on one of the walls is a scroll with a Buddhist saying - “Namo Amitabha”. A Buddhist painting also hangs on another wall. Previously, these walls were decorated with newspaper clippings of food reviews. Now, these replacements seemingly represent the eatery’s rebirth as a vegetarian eatery.

Vegetarian Vietnamese Food? Have Some Faith
One of the popular dishes here is the Plant-based Vegan Chicken Sandwich, which costs $9. It is certainly different from sandwiches elsewhere which are filled with meat. But, it is worth the try.
 
Taking my first bite, the crispiness of the baguette’s exterior and its soft insides struck me. At first glance, it looked tough and dry but its taste was far from that. With an effortless bite, a piece separated from the rest of the baguette.

As for the plant-based chicken, its texture and taste were similar to any mock meat. Fortunately, the sweet sauce coating the ingredients elevated the taste. The sauce was thick and flavourful but it was not overwhelming. Every bite of the sandwich was worth looking forward to.
 
Furthermore, every bite was accompanied by pieces of parsley and slices of cucumber, carrot and radish. The crunchiness of these ingredients complemented the soft insides of the bread and plant-based chicken well, making the dish a whole experience.

Another popular dish is the Fresh Spring Roll with Mushrooms and Tofu, which costs $3.90. These spring rolls were packed with cucumber, rice, and of course, mushrooms and tofu. Wrapped in rice paper wrappers, these ingredients gave the dish a multitude of textures.
 
Like the sandwich, the softness of the mushrooms and tofu complemented the crunchiness of the cucumber. Additionally, the rice amplified the taste altogether. Mint leaves were also added to give a cooling and refreshing sensation. These little leaves did their job well, as they refreshed my palate and made every bite as enjoyable as the previous one.

For drinks, I had a cup of Vietnamese Drip Coffee for $5. The coffee was served with a phin filter, which allows water to flow through a layer of coffee powder into the cup placed below.
 
While the cup might be small, it packed a punch. The fragrant aroma can be detected from a distance. The taste was strong and smooth, lingering in my mouth for a while. Yet, it did not leave an acidic aftertaste, making every sip enjoyable.
 
An Experience in Faith
Dining in an eatery that encapsulates the owner’s faith is an interesting experience. It is not just about filling our stomachs. The food, along with the place, tells a story. If you observe your surroundings, you may learn something about Ms Nguyen.

Yet, vegetarian food can be costly. Looking at what I had ordered, they were indeed on the pricier side. In comparison, various Vietnamese restaurants in Katong sell banh mi for $6 to $7.
 
“Some of the plant-based ingredients can cost twice as much as the meat we used to purchase,” Ms Lin Yun Zhu, a kitchen helper, said as she explained their prices.
 
Also, most plant-based meat still tastes different from meat. People are used to the taste and texture of meat, and may have misconceptions regarding plant-based meat. Unsurprisingly, many long-time customers reacted to the changes unfavourably.
 
Yet, Ms Nguyen remains rooted in her belief.
 
“I have lost many of my customers, but I don’t want to go against my religious beliefs anymore,” Ms Nguyen said.