Favorite travel destinations as a vegetarian?

[Anonymous]

My only regret as a vegetarian is that sometimes - esp in countries with alphabets I can't read - eating can be difficult. I find myself eating boring or obvious stuff, just because I know that it won't have meat in it.

So India was a revelation. I put on weight, I was so thrilled to be in a place where my diet was the default.

Where have you eaten the best, as a vegetarian? What are your favorite eating cities or countries?

[Anonymous]

Turkey
Israel (these 2 being somewhat similar cuisines; Obviously all have a lot of meat dishes, however tons of vegetarian options that are delicious and hearty.)

Puerto Rico (this one was a surprise; veggie versions of mofongo, and loved Casa Cortes, esp the grilled cheese with chocolate)

[Anonymous]

Thailand, lots of practicing Buddhists who are either vegetarian or do vegetarian on certain days

[Anonymous]

http://thevegancafe.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-post_6.html

Not just Thailand but in many other countries in East Asia...if you learn to recognize the Chinese character for "strict Buddhist" you are guaranteed vegan and cruelty-free.

[Anonymous]

India

[Anonymous]

UK. Big vegetarian scene and many options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Turkey
Israel (these 2 being somewhat similar cuisines; Obviously all have a lot of meat dishes, however tons of vegetarian options that are delicious and hearty.)

Puerto Rico (this one was a surprise; veggie versions of mofongo, and loved Casa Cortes, esp the grilled cheese with chocolate)

This is OP - and yes, Israel was great, too! I spoke enough Hebrew (back then; lost it all now) to read menus and order well. Also, going to dairy restaurants guaranteed being able to eat the food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://thevegancafe.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-post_6.html

Not just Thailand but in many other countries in East Asia...if you learn to recognize the Chinese character for "strict Buddhist" you are guaranteed vegan and cruelty-free.

That is a great tip.

[Anonymous]

Vancouver has a great vegetarian food scene. Not glamorous like Asia, but delicious nonethless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://thevegancafe.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-post_6.html

Not just Thailand but in many other countries in East Asia...if you learn to recognize the Chinese character for "strict Buddhist" you are guaranteed vegan and cruelty-free.

That is a great tip.

I found that in Thailand, where most everyone is Buddhist (even if they do not practice vegetarian) they are extremely careful about making sure Buddhist food is vegan in the strictest sense (using vegan-only pans, only using coconut milk, not using anything that is derived in any way from an animal).

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs - India, Israel are great. Many Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China are also good but although people understood what I wanted to eat by saying "strict Buddhist" and we found some restaurants, outside of those places it was sometimes hard because so much of the cuisine has "hidden" non-veg ingredients like fish sauce, shrimp paste, etc.

I'm from the UK and agree that it's very easy to eat vegetarian there. I also find Italy great as there is always something. The south of France is very good too but northern France is harder. Spain can be quite hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs - India, Israel are great. Many Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China are also good but although people understood what I wanted to eat by saying "strict Buddhist" and we found some restaurants, outside of those places it was sometimes hard because so much of the cuisine has "hidden" non-veg ingredients like fish sauce, shrimp paste, etc.

I'm from the UK and agree that it's very easy to eat vegetarian there. I also find Italy great as there is always something. The south of France is very good too but northern France is harder. Spain can be quite hard.

I am the OP - and was shocked how hard Spain was, when I was there (many years ago). I ate a lot of potato omelettes!

[Anonymous]

Berlin.

Tons of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Shocking, I know.