The market report shows that there's a rise in people switching to plant-based diets. Veganism lifestyle has increased by more than 600% from the last few years. This implies that at least 6% of the American population identifies themselves as vegans. However, the impact is not in the US alone, as veganism is gaining traction in other parts of the world.
But leading this lifestyle is not always easy. Most places across the globe serve fish and meat, which makes surviving on a vegan diet quite challenging. However, there's hope because vegetarians and vegan diets are growing popular every day. Fortunately, there are plenty of places with different vegetarian foods.
So, before you pack your essentials on your roof racks for your next trip, here are some of the top vegetarian-friendly dishes from various places around the world that you must try.
1. Patata Bravas- Spain
Vegan Patata Bravas is unquestionably among the famous tapas in Spain. The simple traditional dish is made of fried potatoes with many variations. But all of them are typically topped with a spicy sauce.
The dish is available in restaurants. The thing about patatas bravas is that it's very delicious and light on your stomach. It's a great appetizer or can have it as a sweet snack for dinner.
2. Kushari - Egypt
Kushari or also known as koshari, koshary is a national food in Egypt. The vegan dish features lentils, pasta, macaroni rice, and more with a combination of textures and flavors topped with fried onions, delicious cumin sauce, and spicy tomato sauce.
This popular dish can be traced to the 19th century. It combines the Middle Eastern, Indian, and Italian culinary elements. It's the cheapest and one of the best ways to consume a wholesome meal.
3. Ratatouille - France
French Ratatouille is a classic dish that combines various favorite vegetables. While the food is made vegetarian, it can still be served with meat. Of course, you can stick to the vegan version and enjoy it with pasta or rice. It also goes perfectly with other whole grains like quinoa.
Ratatouille is a great vegan food if you eat unsalted food. The herbs that go into the recipe brings out the delicious flavor. It can be layered on a lightly toasted French bread to make a vegetarian ratatouille sandwich. Alternatively, you can combine with gluten-free grain and enjoy a gluten-free, vegan dinner.
Gado-Gado in Indonesia means mix-mix. This dish features a mixture of different vegetables like long beans, potatoes, spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage, and corn. Hard-boiled eggs, tempeh, and tofu can also be added to the mixture, which is then dressed with a peanut sauce.
This popular vegan dish is found in many places. The recipe is simple, yet it is tasty and is served with fried, crispy crackers or rice for dinner. The food can be made spicy if you want.
5. Veggie Spring Rolls - China
Spring rolls are popular traditional foods in Chinese cuisine. The dish is savory rolls stuffed with cabbages and other fresh veggies. It's commonly eaten during the Spring Festival. Because the spring rolls look like gold bars in color and shape, and they are believed to bring prosperity in the new year.
The standard recipe is filing the rolls with all sorts of vegetables. Depending on your choice, you can eat the spring rolls fried or baked. You can also top with a dipping sauce adding extra flavor.
Pampoenkoekies, also known as pumpkin fritters, are a popular traditional South African dish. You can eat it with vegetables for dinner, serve with dessert or as a side dish. Apart from pumpkin, other ingredients include cinnamon, milk, sugar, egg, flour, and nutmeg. The recipe varies between sweet and savory combinations. It is suitable for various occasions, depending on its recipe.
7. Bolon de Verde - Ecuador
Some of South America's favorite dishes are meat-based. But there are plenty of tasty vegetarian dishes like the Bolon de Verde in Ecuador. The name means balls of green, but the dish is commonly referred to as the green plantain dumplings.
Bolon de Verde are common snacks in Ecuador. They are usually available in markets, streets, restaurants, bus stations, and cafes. The food is excellent for breakfast, as it can keep your stomach full until lunch.
This vegetarian food from India is a must-try. India has some of the best vegetarian dishes across the world. However, Masala dosa is one of the best dishes you can look forward to eating here. It’s made using fermented rice and black lentils. Inside the dosa, you’ll also find potatoes and curried peas that give it a great taste. Masala dosa is served with lentil stew and chutney from coconuts or tomatoes.
9. Pesto Trofie - Italy
Pesto is a common vegetarian sauce in Italy. The ingredients include crushed basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt, and olive oil, mixed with pasta. There are many different types of pasta you can enjoy in Italy, but Trofie tops as the best. Trofie is made by cutting a long strip of rolled pasta into small pieces.
10. Dal Bhat - Nepal
Dhal Bhat is no doubt the best vegetarian Nepalese dish. This dish is made using lentils and rice. Dal refers to yellow lentil soup, while Bhat means boiled rice. The food is both delicious and filling. It's also common in India and Bangladesh.
It is usually accompanied by greens, a mixture of spicy vegetables, and vegetable curry. Red lentils are mostly used when making the dish, but brown or yellow lentils are also good alternatives.
Vinegret is popular in Russia and other former Soviet states such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Belarus. It is a beetroot salad mixed with cooked diced vegetables, including beans, beets, potatoes, and carrots. You can also add chopped onions and brined pickles. Apples often diced can be added to the mixture. The result is a tasty and gluten free salad.
12. Somandu - South Korea
If you love dumplings, then you'll like Somandu. It's an exquisite South Korean vegetarian dish. The Korean style momos are filled with veggies and take the shape of half-moons. They are steam fried to give them the soft steamed top and crispy base. You can add hot tomato sauce to these delicious dumplings for that awesome taste.
Like many Korean dishes, there are many variations of Somandu. Mostly, the dumplings can be boiled, grilled, steamed, or fried. Regardless of the recipe, Somandu is one of the best food options for vegetarians when visiting South Korea.
13. Spanakorizo - Greece
Greece is often underrated when it comes to vegetarian dishes. But Greece offers some of the world-renown dishes like the spanakorizo. Also called spinach rice, it's a simple yet delicious dish.
It's a great vegetarian dish because of its high nutritional value. The spinach is an excellent supplier of fiber and antioxidants. Rice, on the other hand, is rich in carbohydrates. Spanakorizo is usually topped with lemon juice. Some seasoning with little olive oil, feta (greek cheese), makes the dish soft, creamy, and delicious.
14. Caldo Verde - Portugal
Caldo Verde soup from North Portugal is the perfect vegetarian dish for the cold winter evenings. Its name simply means green broth. You can think of the dish as the Portuguese version of the Italian Zuppa Toscana. The incredible soup is made using potatoes, greens like kales, and regional sausage.
Its variation using onions, potatoes, cabbage, and olive oil or tomatoes offers a unique flavor. It can be served with freshly baked bread and will keep you filled for long hours.
15. Tam Ponlamai - Thailand
One of the vegetarian dishes that pop up when talking about Thai food is Tam Ponlami. The Thai fruit salad is a mixture of fruits like watermelon, guava, rose apple, and dragon fruit, which are diced and dressed using peanuts, soy sauce, chilies, or lime juice. The result is a refreshing and delicious salad.
Conclusion
Choosing a vegetarian diet is unquestionably one of the best decisions you've made. Many people are mainly drawn to vegetarianism because it allows them to lead healthier lives. Fortunately, there are many vegetarian foods you can try worldwide.
As you've seen, these top 15 vegetarian dishes from different countries indicate the popularity of this diet. From the salads to the main dishes, these delicious vegetarian foods are a must-try.
What's more? Most of the ingredients are readily available in any part of the world. And, these dishes take less time to prepare. So, adding any of these to your menu shouldn't be difficult.
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Gado-Gado in Indonesia means mix-mix. This dish features a mixture of different vegetables like long beans, potatoes, spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage, and corn. Hard-boiled eggs, tempeh, and tofu can also be added to the mixture, which is then dressed with a peanut sauce.
This popular vegan dish is found in many places. The recipe is simple, yet it is tasty and is served with fried, crispy crackers or rice for dinner. The food can be made spicy if you want.
Pampoenkoekies, also known as pumpkin fritters, are a popular traditional South African dish. You can eat it with vegetables for dinner, serve with dessert or as a side dish. Apart from pumpkin, other ingredients include cinnamon, milk, sugar, egg, flour, and nutmeg. The recipe varies between sweet and savory combinations. It is suitable for various occasions, depending on its recipe.
This vegetarian food from India is a must-try. India has some of the best vegetarian dishes across the world. However, Masala dosa is one of the best dishes you can look forward to eating here. It's made using fermented rice and black lentils. Inside the dosa, you'll also find potatoes and curried peas that give it a great taste. Masala dosa is served with lentil stew and chutney from coconuts or tomatoes.
Vinegret is popular in Russia and other former Soviet states such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Belarus. It is a beetroot salad mixed with cooked diced vegetables, including beans, beets, potatoes, and carrots. You can also add chopped onions and brined pickles. Apples often diced can be added to the mixture. The result is a tasty and gluten free salad.