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Friday, July 5, 2019

Keeping Kosher, Halal, Vegetarian, Vegan in Singapore, The Orient, The World

If you have any dietry restriction, whether you are a diabetic avoiding sugar (like my late father and my Indian friend in Singapore) or are entertaining multi-cultural groups, it is a good idea to check the menu in advance when visiting a restaurant, or ordering take away food for guests.

What to Watch For
Many people know that Moslems and Jews don't eat pork. It is forbidden in the bible, in the book of Leviticus which is a Greek word meaning laws.

Kosher
In addition Jews follow two extra rules:
No shellfish
Not eating milk and meat at the same meal

Kosher Milk
Not mxing meal and milk in the same meal. Hence kosher restaurants serve either meat or dairy foods. If you want milk in your coffee after a meal meal in a kosher restaurant, you might be offered non-siary creamer, soya milk, almond milk or another alternative.

Pork
If you like trying local food, watch out for pork in Chinese food. Pork can also appear as a centra in dumplings.

Meat
The word meat is used to indicate pork in restaurants which do not wish to offend nor attract objectors in areas of Muslims, and to disguise beef (non-kosher) in restaurants in Hindu areas, and lamb in Japanese and oriental restaurants and areas

Fish and Shellfish
Confusion can occur as many people don't understand the difference between fish and shellfish.

Halal Alternatives?
You can avoid pork and lard (pork fat) by eating in a halal restaurant. However, they frequently put shellfish, small prawns otherwise known as shrimps, in the rice.

Vegetarians And Vegans
Some vegetrians are vegetarians for dietary reasons. Others are vegetarian on humanitarian grounds.
Some vegetraians eat fish but not meal.
Some Hindus are vegetarians and others are vegans. Some will eat meat most of the time but not on certain days devoted to a particular god, rather like traditional christians not eating meat but only fish on Fridays, or giving up foods or drinks during the 40 days of lent.

Vegans
Vegans are a stricter form of vegetarians.
Vegans do  not eat antying from animals, fish, birds, insects.

Alternatives
Ask guest what they eat or don't eat. Ask restaurant staff to mark which boxes of food, even pizza, are meat, fish, or vegetarian.

Tip For Travellers
You can translate vital words into several languages and print them out to show restaurant and catering staff.

Allergies
I am allergic to shellfish. A kosher restaurant suits me because I know it will not serve shellfish.

Singapore Airlines Special Meal Advantages
Singapore Airlines allows you to select special meals. Usually you have to choose more than 24 hours in advance so that they can order the specail meal from another kitchen and get the delivery on time for the flight.

An advantage of the special meal is that you are given your meal first on take off. You also get your meal early before landing, so you have time to visti the toilet afterwards before the rush.

Unfortunately they do not distinguish betweeen fish and shellfish. So by selecting no fish you are also depriving yourself of the chance to be served salmon (or trout or plaice or any other fish).

Singapore Airlines Special Meal Disadvantages
Your food comes from a special kitchen preparing specail meals of the type you specified. So you miss out on the exclusive meals of your airline or your premium seat.

How To Find Kosher Food
Look online for:
kosher restaurants,
kosher delis
kosher brands
kosher goods in supermarkets (eg Tesco and major supermarkets in NW London)
Jewish tours often stop at kosher restaurants and the tour leaders can advise
Jewish tours - if you allow pop-ups you are likely to be sent ads for kosher restaurants and hotels if you search your holiday dstination for Jewish tours
Jewish newsapers and magazines, eg USA and London based, carry ads for kosher restaurants worldwide
Visit destinations with Jewish museums, such as Israel, Prague, London, New York, Warsaw

Useful Websites For Travellers
Singapore Airlines
singaporeair.com

UK Kosher Restaurant, called Tish
https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2019/07/a-kosher-restaurant-open-on-sabbath-how.html

About The Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.

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