Exploring Langkawi As A Vegetarian: Learnings To Explore Malaysian Island Like A Pro

The first international trip you take, with your money, will always be the most memorable, for it will stand for independence, freedom, and courage. After a quick research and a scroll through endless reels on Instagram, my sister suggested we plan a tour around Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands, located around 30km from Malaysia. The hook? The visit is visa-free for Indians, and it is a duty-free island.

While the trip was adventurous, it was a roller coaster gastrointestinal ride - one that taught me a lot. I had one depressing or dull food experience after another (so thought my editor after reading the first draft of my experience as a vegetarian), but I am proud to say that it has made me a seasoned traveller (wink!). I took it upon myself to share my misery with fellow vegetarians, so you all can have good food while capturing breathtaking views.

Tip 1 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Carry Homemade Food

The overpacker and extra-cautious traveller inside me whispered to carry some homemade food and snacks, just in case. It did come in handy because on our budget trip, we could only manage to eat twice at restaurants (or order in) for lunch and dinner. There were times when my sister and I were so tired that we could not manage to go out or take a chance on ordering food. So we stuffed our mouths with homemade littis and store-bought theplas.

I am not a Gujarati or Bihari, but my love for thepla and litti is eternal. The sattu-filled dough balls were steamed and deep-fried, while theplas with green chilli pickle were purchased from one of the nearby Bikaner Sweets and Bakers. It was our first meal, as soon as we checked into our hotel - Bella Vista Waterfront, Kuah, Langkawi, consisted of theplas and littis.

Tip 2 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Pack Snacks

Along with homemade foods, my sister (God bless her intelligence) packed pineapple-flavoured Britannia dry cakes, banana chips, and noodles. On one fine day, we splurged on purchasing duty-free alcohol (trust me, bibulous, you will go crazy seeing the prices of your favourite spirits in Langkawi). Naturally, we ran out of money for the day to order room service or from Grab, an all-in-one application for cabs, food delivery, and grocery shopping.

That day, we had leftover littis, theplas, dry cake, and noodles. It felt like a camping trip while sitting inside an air-conditioned room of a 3-star hotel. Whether or not you are on a budget trip, you can also carry chips, cake, and other dry snacks when you are headed for sightseeing.

Also Read: 6 Heartfelt Mantras For Working Moms And Women Who Love To Cook

Tip 3 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Include Breakfast In Hotel Booking

You might love adventure, but not including breakfast in your hotel booking might just ruin your mood every morning. You can order room service, but it would not nearly be as exciting as witnessing a buffet, especially if you are a foodie.

Though we had limited vegetarian options in the breakfast buffet, it was one meal of the day for which we did not have to hustle with applications, hunt for a restaurant, or scour through the room service menu, which remained unchanged throughout the trip.

Baked beans, salads, bread, fruit jams, butter, fresh juices, tea, and coffee were staples in our hotel. We also had potato bravas, baked potatoes, potato salad, rice, and more on different days. If you are an eggitarian, hotels also have baked goods and boiled eggs. Our first meal of the day was sorted, and the sitting space was overlooking the ocean. We could not have asked for a better breakfast view.

Tip 4 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Download Local App & Order Food

Ask locals about food delivery applications and download them on your mobile phone. In Langkawi, it was Grab, and it was helpful. While we were a bit sceptical about the choices on the platform, we could locate Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and other fast food chains located nearby.

Though limited, they had vegetarian options. We once ordered veggie-loaded pizza and garlic bread. The pizza came loaded with semi-cooked mushrooms and uncooked cherry tomatoes. We plucked out those and gulped down the pizza and garlic bread with cold drinks. Don’t expect the food to taste as good as classic aloo tikki, veg pizzas, or BK veggie burgers in India (IYKYK).

Tip 5 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Explore Local Groceries

Whether you are visiting a new country or city in India, I have learnt that visiting a grocery shop can prevent you from splurging money on drinks. In Langkawi, you can locate 7-Eleven almost everywhere; if not, there will be a small grocery store.

There you can purchase cans of aerated drinks, fresh juice bottles, and local-favourite flavoured drinks for cheaper rates than what you can get from room service or Grab. You can also get your hands on Korean drinks, noodles, ice-creams, and snacks, along with a few souvenirs; the most popular ones are tote bags and magnets.

Tip 6 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Visit Nearby Restaurants

When we asked around for any Indian restaurant or a vegetarian one nearby, we were told about Annachi Mess, around 150m from our hotel. We wanted to have dinner there, but when we asked their existing customers, their faces and gestures with their hands told us that we would be wasting our finite Ringgits here.

When we visited tourist spots, we used to scour through the menus of restaurants to find out if anyone was offering good vegetarian food. To our surprise, we found some, and at others, we enjoyed chilling and satisfying shakes. 

On the last day of our tour, we discovered (rather introduced by our cab driver) Taj Palace, an Indian restaurant, hardly 400m-500m from our hotel. The moment I opened the door, the whiff of Indian spices, garlic tempering, and people speaking in Indian languages felt like a warm hug from home. We tried their gobhi paratha, dal fry, tandoori roti, and vegetarian biryani, and everything was top notch.

Tip 7 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Give Cooking Instructions

On our first day in Langkawi, we ordered spring rolls and vegetable fried rice, only to realise that the chef had made it in the same wok and oil he had previously used to cook seafood. The grains and vegetables carried the pungent aroma and bitter taste, which made the meal a turn-off for our taste buds. If you are a 'pure' vegetarian, you should request the chef before placing the order to use fresh cookware and oil.

You might get frowned upon at a few places, but people are understanding and hospitable in Langkawi, so they will take your preferences into consideration. If they cannot follow your instructions, they will let you know, and you can find another place to enjoy your meal.

Tip 8 For Vegetarian Travellers In Langkawi, Malaysia: Room Service Over A Night Ride

So far, you must have understood that vlog and reality are like two islands apart. One evening, we decided to explore Cenang Beach on our own. We booked a cab through Grab and enjoyed the white sand and cloudy sunset. The journey to the beach was also picturesque, with clean roads flanked by trees.

However, when we were coming back, it was pitch dark. A cab driver told us that many of the shops that closed during the pandemic did not reopen. Hence, there was added eerie silence on our way back, with a few cars passing by at high speed. Living in India with a curfew to be back at home after sunset and experiencing sexual assault has instilled this fear of darkness. It’s a gendered experience, I guess, but sitting in the back of a black car, my heart was palpitating, and I was sweating in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Throughout the 27-minute stretch, all kinds of negative thoughts were racing through my head, and no matter how hard I tried, I could not control them. I had the map open on my phone from the start to the moment I stepped out of the cab. Langkawi is safe, the cab driver was also polite, but the fear was inexplicable. If you have experienced this on your trip or want to avoid it, you can rely on room service. An okay-ish meal is better than a crime thriller playing on a loop in your head.

To be honest, being a vegetarian in Langkawi was slightly tricky, but now I know better. I know where to look, what food items to pack, and how to explore a new country and find good food and restaurants. I am certain that the next trip will be less bumpy in the culinary space.