LIST: These food places are serving meatless offerings for Lent
As Holy Week draws near, many Catholics begin preparing through both spiritual reflection and mindful changes to their daily lives—most notably in their diet. A central part of this observance is the tradition of abstaining from meat.
This practice is one of the oldest Christian traditions and is observed to honor Christ, who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.
According to community-based Catholic organization Frassati Society Philippines, fasting and abstinence are "obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday under the pain of mortal sin."
"Traditionally, it is highly recommended to extend the fasting and abstinence on all Fridays of Lent, but this is now optional," they said.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, which spans 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday. Holy Week's schedule changes annually based on the first full moon of spring, which determines Easter Sunday.
While most Catholics typically observe fasting during Lent, the Frassati Society noted that abstinence is recommended on all Fridays of the entire year. However, if this proves difficult for you, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis said that Catholics "may choose to substitute another penance that is particularly meaningful to them."
If you're planning to avoid meat in the days ahead, here are some meatless options to help you observe the tradition while keeping your tummy satisfied:
Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is offering a limited-time Shrimp Chop Fried Rice, which features a golden cutlet of fresh minced shrimp on a bed of aromatic fried rice.
The Shrimp Chop Fried Rice is priced at P395 and is available for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery until April 5 only.
Cafe Lyon
For a cozy spot to eat in this Holy Week with lots of French options, Cafe Lyon has some meatless specials that can satisfy your cravings without compromise.
Some of their offerings include the refreshing Smoked Salmon with Peaches and Asparagus Salad (P455) and the hearty Roasted Vegetables Piadina Sandwich layered with basil pesto (P340).
For something warm and comforting, their traditional Seafood Stew Bouillabaisse (P550) brings together fresh fish and seafood in a fragrant broth, while their Bangus Belly (P590) is perfectly marinated and served with buttered rice and sautéed beans.
Cafe Lyon is located in the North Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
Shake Shack
If you can't resist the fast food temptation, you can go for Shake Shack's Shroom Burger, which is priced at P515.
This is made with a crisp-fried portobello filled with melted muenster and cheddar, and you can make this even more scrumptious by adding extra lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Domino's Pizza
Domino’s Pizza has also got you covered this Holy Week with a variety of meatless favorites.
Options include the Spinach & Feta (P469), a savory combination of fresh spinach, tangy feta cheese, and mozzarella; the Pacific Veggie (P469), loaded with bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and tomatoes for a satisfying veggie-packed bite; and the indulgent 5 Cheese (P119), featuring a rich blend of mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and more for cheese lovers.
The Manila Hotel
If you want to elevate your dining experience, you can make your way to The Manila Hotel's Lobby Lounge to indulge in their Lenten menu.
Guests can try the Spring Citrus Salad, a refreshing mix of mesclun greens, orange, and pomelo in olive oil-raspberry dressing, or the Green Lentil Soup infused with fresh herb pistou.
Heartier options include Linguine in Walnut Sauce with cherry tomato and fresh basil, White Cheese and Spinach Pizza with roasted garlic and ricotta, and Tandoori Pompano served with tomato-cucumber salad and freshly baked naan.
You can also dine at the hotel's Chinese restaurant, Red Jade, where you can order their vegetarian set menu that includes Vegetarian Peking Duck, Hot and Sour Soup with Vegetable Dumpling, Gong Bao Tofu, Vegetarian Fortune Bao, to name a few.
M Takeout completes the meat-free offerings with solo meals such as the Vegan Pasta Bowl and Bento Boxes featuring Green Thai Vegetable Curry, Crispy Tofu Nuggets, and Indian Chickpeas Cauliflower Curry.
