At the front gate of The Vegetarian restaurant, a slogan written on the wall states: “Go Vegetarian, save the earth.” Why is this the case?

Of course, if more people were vegetarians, there would be less wildlife consumed for food, leaving behind a more vibrant environment.

Having a meal at The Vegetarian restaurant is not only providing my friends and me with a tasty meal, but also a great deal of knowledge.

Buddhist books written in English, Khmer and Mandarin, which preach the virtues of a vegetarian diet, are on display on the shop’s shelves.

While having lunch there with my cousin, I found a book I took back home called How to overcome your difficulties, by Dr K Sri Dhammananda.

The restaurant has a lot of customers, both local and foreign, with two chefs and two waitresses. All four of them were busy and I did not dare bother them during the lunch hour rush.

I felt such a great level of comfort and convenience while having lunch there, although the outside seating was quite hot. It is not a very loud place and the indoor section of the restaurant is suitable for both young couples and big families.

All the staff members wore green T-shirts that read: “No meat, no fish, no egg.” It was a nice touch for me, making me reconsider animals and their cuteness.

Sometimes, staying away from meat can keep you healthy and feeling fresh as well.

The Vegetarian restaurant is located at No 11, St 200, off Norodom Blvd in Phnom Penh. To make a reservation, call 012 905 766.