Vegetarian in Honiara?

Hi!

My partner and I are probably about to be posted to Honiara for a little while and we were wondering if anyone could tell us what there is (or isn't) in the way of vegetarian and vegan food there?

Particularly, we want to know whether the supermarkets or other shops carry tinned beans or dried beans (like kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas), tofu or soy milk, and whether there are any restaurants that might be able to figure us out. Indian and Japanese restaurants are usually pretty easy, and Chinese isn't too hard, so if there is something like that, let us know.

We're Australians, currently living in Pohnpei, Micronesia. Everyone told us it would be impossible to stay vegan here, but its been very easy.

I'd prefer to hear from people who have been there, particularly from any vegetarians, and details would be appreciated. We've heard plenty of "oh, you wont make it" replies, but are much more interested in the details.

Cheers!

I'm not vegetarian, but did have at least one vegetarian visitor while living in Honiara. I also knew several vegetarian Indian families who lived there for several years. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables available at the main and Fishing Village markets. (Choice of vegetables is fairly limited though - get there early for the most choice.)
The local diet has little protein compared to the average Australian, and most of that is derived from fish.
There are two or three supermarkets that cater to expats - the best is in Panatina Plaza (although there may be something in the new Korean shopping centre, which has opened since I was there last.) They stock a variety of Australian and New Zealand tinned products. Dairy is not available fresh locally anyhow, so all the milk is UHT or powdered - I'm not sure about soy milk or tofu, but they are likely to have a little of both, at least from time to time (If you don't see it, it is worth asking).
There is also a bulk shop in the main part of town, which sells all sorts of things, and probably will have dried beans as well as herbs and spices.
There are several Chinese restaurants (there is a significant Chinese population in Honiara). The Mendana Hotel has a Japanese Restaurant, and there is a Sri Lankan/Indian restaurant near the airport.

I lived in the Western Province as a vego for almost 2 years and felt like coming to Honiara was like magic! There are stores in Chinatown that make fresh tofu, you can buy dried beans (black, soya, kidney, lentils etc) from the bulk store, ngali nuts make an awesome pesto, or you can always go to Taj Mahal for good vego Sri Lankan food - they also have a store that sells pulses, spices other yummies. TVP is readily available from SDA stores. Are you ovo/lacto? Vegan? Please do PM me if you need more info :)

Incidentally, Taj Mahal is the Indian/Sri Lankan restaurant near the airport. I am glad to hear they have a shop there. Before they opened the restaurant, they used to own a shop on my way home (near Town Ground) called Sol Lanka, which I would have recommended, except that they are no longer running it. I haven't got to Taj Mahal for a meal yet.

Thanks a bunch both of you. That's exactly the kind of info I was hoping for.

Surfingyogini, we are both vegan. If we do get there (probably in June or July) I might well mesage you about details for finding fresh tofu, which sounds great.

You can get your Tofu at the Y.Sato Mini mart next to the Lime Lounge. As with the markets, Saturday is the best day to go to the Main Market in Town and Sunday at Fishing Village, but mind you when you go to the main market, try hold on to your bag a bit firmer then usual. But if someone does, scream out for help and the whole town will run after the culprit and return your belongings. Unbelievable, eh? You'd be surprised.

I spent considerable time volunteering in Honiara several years ago with an outfit involved in small scale village agriculture, and almost everyone there were vegetarians. I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination but would happily have converted if I had been able to stay longer. For the duration anyway. Almost all fresh foods out there are organic, which is another plus.

I will confirm the comment about bag stealing - I was talking to a (local) friend outside the Hot Bread Shop when a young man snatched my bag. I screamed (more reaction than anything), and before he had gone 2 metres, about 4 people grabbed him and held him until a police car appeared. He dropped the bag.
In the main market, the local women will remind you to watch your purse carefully. (But then I think half of them come from my part of Malaita)

Boy how things have changed since my last visit, bag snatching was unheard of back then. Theft from cars, yes, but not bag snatching.