The Veggie Option: The Flying Tiger

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

		There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much.

Restaurant: The Flying Tiger, 2984 West 4th www.theflyingtiger.ca

Eaters: Shawna, who loves a good medium rare steak, but generally sticks to west coast fare of seafood and veggies

Lana, a vegetarian who actually owns bacon salt (which is vegan!)

When I ate street food in China and Thailand it was usually something questionable, deep fried and on a stick. The Flying Tiger’s take on Asian street food clearly proves that I was hanging out on the wrong streets.

The Flying Tiger covers a variety of tastes from across Asia on a tapas style menu, which makes it great for sharing. They use organically grown, sustainably harvested ingredients, are Oceanwise and source locally when

possible.

They do have vegan options, and many plates can be altered, just be sure to specify if you’re vegan or strict vegetarian as shrimp and fish pastes are used in some meatless dishes.

What we ate:

Shared: Papaya Salad – green papaya, Vietnamese mint, Thai basil & cilantro, peanuts, garlic, lime

Szechuan Green Beans – wok seared green beans, garlic, shallots, sweet soy, chili

Shawna: Har Gow (Steamed Dumplings) with shrimp. Hong Kong style dim sum with Chinese red vinegar, chili soy

Lana: Panang Curry – snap peas, fresh bamboo shoots, sweet bell peppers, jasmine rice, tofu and seasonal Asian veg

Meat Eater Mentions: Shawna, "The papaya salad was fresh and fruity, could have used a bit more spice. The shrimp dumplings had great texture, the shrimp were cooked perfectly, so was the tofu."

Veggie Verdict: Lana, “It was great to have a few options to share. The papaya salad was a nice, fresh start. The Panang Curry was entrée size, and a perfect combination of sweet and spicy."

Expect to Pay: around $35-40 each if you share 4 dishes, and have one beverage each