Water Lily Vegetarian Restaurant (Formerly Fatt Yan), Kuala Lumpur
Confirmed by an employee as an all vegan restaurant, Water Lily also uses no onion nor garlic, and sells a small selection of store cupboard items (including vegan mayo, prawn crackers, and instant meals). It's a popular place, especially at lunchtime when the city workers flock in, but they will always accommodate and answer any questions regardless. The staff are happy, the service is great, and the menu so extensive I can't imagine anyone would be able to claim there's nothing they can eat. Soya meat, fish, and prawn, along with tofu and vegetable dishes are a feature, but don't forget to try a sticky bun on your way out!
Claypot yee mee: comfort and flavour in a bowl
Basic vegetables and noodles in a not too salty gravy, the claypot made good comfort food as expected from nearly any dish of this style. Ingredients included cualiflower, carrot, shiitakes and other mushrooms, tofu, and noodles. An extra splash of soy sauce and I was all over the mee.
Marmite spare ribs (yes, really).
Mind-blowing, as you can only imagine, I had no idea what to expect until the plate hit the table and the strong aroma of marmite began to rise up. The faux meat was even pink-ish in colour like pork, and sugar cane was used as the bone. The texture wasn't at all rubbery as some faux meats can be, and using marmite on ribs might just be the best idea ever. I make an effort to try something new every time I return to a restaurant while I'm away, but I ordered these multiple times!
Meat floss bean curd
A very simple dish that won't leave you hungry, massive chunks of tofu are deep fried and served on a bed of greens in a salty-sweet sesame broth. Veggie meat floss and what tastes like preserved vegetable in black bean are served on top of the tofu; the latter was the more flavourful ingredient.
Lemon soya chicken
These texture-perfect light, crisp batter coated faux chicken pieces come smothered in a thick, sweet lemon sauce. They're lighter than the ribs, softer, but equally moreish.
Vegan Shark Fin Soup
Fine shreds of faux ham constituted the shark fin replacement in this thick and moderately tangy soup. I sensed a tiny hint of sesame, but couldn't peg the whole profile. All I know is it was brilliant.
Fried Tom Yam Bee Hoon at Water Lily, KL
Normally served as a soup but adjusted since I was already having another soup, these thin, fried rice noodles with veggie prawns and sprouts made for a great afternoon snack. I even enjoyed the prawns, and I'm not usually a huge mock seafood fan. Pineapple and chilli slices were thrown in with the tom yam paste in the stir fry, with a strong lemongrass taste to take it up a few notches in flavour.
Final Thoughts
The thing I most loved about Water Lily, even aside from the food, and what kept me going back repeatedly, was the interested staff. Enthusiasm is catchy, and when someone gets excited about the food they're preparing and wants to show you their products, question your opinions, and discuss techniques, then I'm immediately interested right back. I generally don't frequent a restaurant more than once or twice if I'm in a big city with an array of dining options, but I'd recommend this place over and over again. It'll be my first stop next time I land in KL.