Vegan Filipino food can be just as indulgent, satisfying, and downright crave-worthy as its traditional counterparts.
If you still think vegan food is a compromise—a lifeless plate of greens that’s more punishment than pleasure—The Westin Manila’s Green Mondays is here to change your mind. For this weekly event, the hotel has teamed up with Cosmic Philippines, a homegrown vegan restaurant known for making Filipino comfort food plant-based without sacrificing an ounce of indulgence. The result? A menu that feels like a warm hug, without the meat sweats.
That plant-based stereotype
“Tastes like cardboard!” That’s a common Filipino reaction to vegan dishes, and it’s not entirely OA. Because many vegan recipes are derived from Western flavors and made to suit Western palates, prevailing vegan dishes tend to lack that punch that make Filipino food so magical. Still, misconceptions abound, and it is Westin Manila’s side quest to change people’s minds.
“Some diners assume vegan food lacks protein, is prohibitively expensive, or consists solely of leafy greens. People think you can’t get enough protein from a plant-based diet. But look at ingredients like soy, legumes, and quinoa—these are protein powerhouses!” says Westin executive chef Rej Casanova. “And no, vegan food isn’t just salads. If you think that, you haven’t tried Cosmic’s vegan sisig.”
He adds, “The demand for vegan cuisine is really moving forward. Especially after the pandemic, people became more curious about healthy eating. But there’s still this idea that plant-based food is all about deprivation. We want to change that.”
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Cosmic Philippines: Keeping it real (and delicious)
Cosmic didn’t start out trying to be trendy. It started because its founders were tired of the usual token “vegan options” available when dining out. Lalita “Lali” Balagtas, general managing director, recalls, “My sister and I have never eaten meat since we were born. When we dined out, we’d usually get served a plate of lettuce or plain okra. That’s what made us start Cosmic—we wanted real food, Filipino comfort food, but vegan.”
Since its founding in 2018, Cosmic has expanded to Kapitolyo, Siargao, and Zamboanga, winning over not just vegans but food lovers in general. “Our brand grew because we stayed true to our roots. Filipino food is bold, rich, and comforting, and that’s exactly what we offer—just without the meat,” Lali explains.
The dishes: Vegan food, “Filipinized”
For Green Mondays, chef Rej has taken Cosmic’s bestsellers and given them a twist. “I made some enhancements to their recipes, but the true ‘meat’ of these savory dishes are vegan products by Cosmic’s chef Rodel Guinto, such as the Chopped Un’pork, Bagnet, BBQ Isaw, and Chick’un Chunks,” he shares. “We want to highlight their creativity and innovation in creating high-quality vegan food products.”
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The lineup reads like a greatest hits album of Filipino favorites—only they’re entirely plant-based:
• Kare-Kare with Plant-Based Bagoong – A thick, nutty stew that’s so rich, you won’t miss the oxtail. The bagoong is a special treat crafted by chef Rej himself.
• Gising-Gising – Creamy, spicy, and perfect with rice
• Crispy Chicken with Buffalo Glaze – Perfectly crispy, plant-based “chicken”
• Isaw – Yes, vegan isaw
• Laing Bagnet – Crispy, indulgent bagnet in creamy coconut milk
• Crispy Bagnet Sisig with Plant-Based Mayonnaise – A flavor-packed game changer
To top it all off, there’s Cosmic’s Vegan “Egg” Pie by Lali herself. “Make sure to get a slice of this dessert. It’s so good, every bite will leave you wondering how it’s dairy and egg free,” chef Rej says.
Not just an afterthought
In most hotel buffets, plant-based dishes are an afterthought, tucked away in a corner. Not here. “It’s not just a checkbox for us,” says chef Rej. “We’re not doing this because we have to—we’re doing it because the food is actually good.”
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This also ties in with Westin’s larger commitment to sustainability. Less meat means a smaller carbon footprint, and the live station format ensures that food is prepared fresh, reducing waste. But at the end of the day, none of that would matter if the food wasn’t worth eating.
Plant-based or not, if you love food, Green Mondays is worth a visit. The Westin Manila and Cosmic Philippines are proving that vegan Filipino food can be just as indulgent, satisfying, and downright crave-worthy as its traditional counterparts. Whether you’re a committed vegan, a curious foodie, or just someone who loves a good sisig, this is your sign to book a table.
Green Mondays runs from 12 pm to 2:30 pm every Monday until April 14, 2025. Secure your spot here.
