10 ways to manage vegetarian food during international travel! - eNidhi India Travel Blog

10 ways to manage vegetarian food during international travel!

Many of my readers and friends and relatives have asked this question- how do I manage food while on travel? Hence I feel a post is due. Being vegetarian, surviving abroad is not as easy as in India but not impossible.

This post shares how I manage my food while travelling abroad. However, please note that my situation is simplified because of following reasons
1. Most of my trips are short duration- like 1 week max. Human beings can survive without food for 7 days as per science. So that is my worst case scenario- I can still come back alive even if I don't get to eat anything throughout the entire trip- at least I hope so.
2. Most of my trips are solo. I do not have any special requirements (like baby food, medicines for senior citizens, or large group/family etc)
3. Most of my trips are centered around a city. Haven't done multi-day long treks or solo travel into extreme interiors

If your travel profile doesn't suit above- like if you're trekking for weeks in deep interiors, or staying for several months abroad or travelling with large group with diverse food requirements etc then it may be more complex than what I manage. Assuming your case is similar to mine, read on.

Vegetarian Food Options while travelling abroad
1. Indian Restaurants- The obvious choice, if available. Indian restaurants can be found in almost all major cities in the world, wherever there is good chance of Indians staying or visiting. I have found Indian restaurants in NJ, Copenhagen, Brussels, Bergen and many world cities. However, I didn't find them in Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princessa etc. In capital cities you might just find one, unless the country has not much Indian connection. It gets hard if you go to Tier 2/3 cities in a foreign country.

Amsterdam, Netherlands
 Copenhagen, Denmark
 Bergen, Norway
 One more in Bergen, Norway
Many Indian restaurants abroad often adapt to local preferences and customers- so the offerings and taste many not be exactly as you get in Indian. Still they are the best bet if you can find one in your destination city.

Most Indian restaurants abroad are veg+non veg. But usually they understand what Indian vegetarian means and can offer some bare minimum stuff- like rice and curd or salad etc. Finding pure veg (like Saravana Bhavan etc) needs little more luck.

Note that many restaurants owned/operated by Pakistanis and Srilankan folks also sometime pose as Indian Restaurant- my guess is because they can get lot more customers that way (Probably more Indians are travelling abroad on any given day than entire population of Pakistan or Srilanka)

Many European restaurants open very late- close to lunch time. Don't count on them 100% for breakfast. Details here

TripAdvisor usually offers a good list of restaurants in any city.

2. Veg Restaurants; Going Vegan is getting more popular by the day. Several cities have pure veg restaurants, which are our next best option. Usually you can get some rice and curry or some salads and such stuff that is easy to make, in case nothing on the menu appeals you. Puerto Princesa had one
Above: My food at Ima's Vegetarian restaurant, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
Below: Radha Rane Veg Restaurant, Kaunas, Lithuania


Real Food cafe in Singapore is another example.
 
Happy Cow app helps find vegan restaurant near you

3. Nepali Restaurants: If not Indian, some cities have Nepali restaurants, whose food habits are a bit similar to Indians (I found one in Helsinki). 

Below: My Veg biriyani at a Nepalese restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
4. Subway: When it is hard to find #1 to #3, Subways are good places to grab a quick byte. Because the subs are custom made, you can request them to make a veg one by using only wheat base, vegetables like tomato, cucumber etc. A sub can cost as much as a meal but I find it more reliable than hunting for McDonalds or other chains and hoping for veg food.

5. Request for vegetarian food: Many restaurant staff in Europe are very friendly. If you explain your situation, they will be try to help you out. When in Roskilde, Denmark, a restaurant owner told me that his staff will be embarrassed if he asks them to make a burger without beef (which is deemed standard there) but he said he can make a veg pizza for me- as the base is same and he can avoid non-veg toppings. Similarly Chains like McD or Burger King usually agree to make a veg version if they don't already have one- this depends on country to country.

In Asian countries, language barrier might prevent you from having a proper conversation to explain your situation. Also in some countries they don't realize that fish oil or egg is not vegetarian. Gets difficult unless you can make a proper conversation or have a host to help you out.
 
I can use a translator app to ask for rice n salad without meat, fish, egg etc and usually staff understand and provide the same.

6 Fruits, vegetables, including tender coconut
Apples, Oranges and Bananas are three fruits usually available all over the world. Guaranteed vegetarian and cheap and sure shot way of quenching immediate hunger. Tender coconut is easily available in most asian countries- drinking a few of them usually gives you good energy to keep going. Needless to say these are my favorites- a separate post is under draft to share my experience finding coconut water around the world. Walking in a local market may get you many eatable stuff- raw mangoes, jack fruit, cucumber, ground nuts and so on. I use these as secondary food, but in worst cases where #1 to #5 doesn't work out, can spend a day or two with these along with #7
7. Supermarkets/Convenience stores: Biscuits, noodles and chips
There are 7/11 stores in most Asian countries. Supermarkets can also be found in cities without much difficulty. If you're lucky you will get ready to eat Veg noodles in a cup, which store staff will cook for you by adding hot water. Biscuits/chips/ buns with coffee/tea are also good for emergency relief. Donuts are also available in many stores- but at times will contain egg.
 
Most supermarkets in Asia also sell pre-cooked rice, which they heat again in microwave and delivery. I can have them with curd and pickle (carried from India)

8. Hostels with kitchens- cook your own stuff
Many hostels around the world have a kitchen facility where guests can cook something. If you feel above options may not work for you, you can carry a few packets of noodles/MTR ready to eat, rice and cook your own meals in hostel kitchens. This will add a kg or two to you luggage but will save lots of money and inconvenience. If you're staying long term in a rented apartment self-cooking is best bet. Vegetables like Potato, Tomato etc are available in most supermarkets world wide if you wish to cook some sambar also.
 
Many countries have Indian grocery stores where you can buy rice, MTR ready to eat and other essentials needed to cook some meals

9. Couch-surf/AirBnb with veg hosts:
Book your stay with hosts who are vegetarian or can offer vegetarian food. If you can identify such accommodations and if your host is willing you provide food at least once per day, you can easily manage rest of the day outside. Just ensure that the idea of veg food is same for you and your host.

10. Make the most of buffet breakfast at hotel: 
If you're staying at the hotel that offers buffet breakfast, it will usually have enough veg options - including cereals, fruits, bread toast and jam etc. Eating as much as you can can keep you going till evening.

Additional tip: Carry some food with you while traveling, if situation permits and if you prefer. Particularly if you're arriving in odd hours, lot easier to eat what you brought than scambling for a veg restaurant. Warning- if you’re crossing international border you may have to declare food stuff in customs card. Not doing so may result in penalty.

Below is a quick list of how easy/difficult it was to find veg food in various countries I have been to so far
#
Country
Cities
Ease of finding veg food
Remarks
1
Australia
Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Gold Cast, Brisbane
Easy
Stayed with friends, but Indian restaurants/veg food is not hard to find
Hostels with kitchen access
Read more
2
Belgium
Brussels
Easy
Indian restaurants available
3
Chile
Santiago, Valparaiso
Difficult
Lived mostly on hotel breakfast
4
Denmark
Copenhagen, Roskilde
Easy
Many Indian restaurants
5
Finland
Helsinki
Easy
Found a Nepali restaurant
6
Germany
Berlin, Frankfurt
Easy
Burger King served veg burger
7
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Easy
Many Indian restaurants
8
India
Several
Very easy

9
Indonesia
Bali
Medium
Indian restaurants available
10
Lithuania
Kaunas, Vilnius
Medium
Indian restaurants available
11
Macau
Macau
Easy

12
Malaysia
KL, Melaca
Medium
Indian restaurants available
13
Maldives
Male, Gan
Medium
Indian restaurants available
14
Netherlands
Amsterdam
Easy

15
Norway
Bergen
Medium
Indian restaurants + subway
16
Philippines
Manila, Cebu, Palawan
Difficult

17
Singapore
Singapore
Easy
18
Srilanka
Colombo, Male, Kandy, Sigiriya
Medium
Easy in Colombo, little tough in other cities like Male/Kandy. Read more
19
Sweden
Malmo, Hensingborg
Difficult
Day visit only, managed with fruits, ice cream etc
20
Switzerland
Geneva, Interlaken
Easy
Indian restaurants available
21
Thailand
Several
Medium
Easy in big cities, tougher as you go interior/tier 2/3 cities
22
USA
NJ, NY, Miami, SF, LA, Vegas, SD, Washington
Easy
Stay with friends/relatives
Indian grocery stores+kitchen access, Vegas restaurants
Updated, June 2019
23
Bahamas
Nassau
Difficult
Indian Restaurant available, fruits, airbnb host
24
Colombia
Bogota
Medium
Indian Restaurants available, hostel kitchen
25
Panama
Panama city
Difficult

26
Costa Rica
San Jose
Easy
Indian Restaurants available
27
Canada
Vancouver
Easy
Hostel with kitchen + Indian grocery stores
28
Brunei
Brunei
Medium
Indian restaurants available
29
Nepal
Kathmandu, Pokhara
Easy
Indian/Veg food easy to find
30
New Zealand
Auckland
Medium
Hostels with kitchen access
Indian restaurants
31
China
Beijing
Shanghai
Difficult
Fruits & vegetables
Indian restaurants available but not many
32
UAE
Dubai
Easy
Indian restaurants
33
Japan
Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto
Difficult
Indian restaurants available
34
Bhutan
Border village
Medium

35
Vietnam
Hanoi, HCMC
Medium
Indian restaurants, food, coconut
Read more
36
Myanmar
Yangon, Bago
Medium
Fruits, coconut, Indian restaurants
37
Taiwan    
Taipei, Liuqiu, Kaohsiung
Medium
Cook at hostel,Indian restaurants, fruits, tender coconut
38
Kazaksthan
Almaty
Easy
Indian restaurants, fruits
39
Malta

Easy
Indian restaurant
40
Romania

    
Cook at hostel
 

41
Albania 
Tirana
Hard
cook at hostel
42
France
Paris


43
Portugal
Lisbon
Easy
Pani puri was available at bus terminal
44
Greece
Athens, Santorini
Easy

 
45
Italy
Rome, Venice


46
Spain
Madrid


47
Hungary
Budapest


48
Austria
Vienna


 
49
South Korea
Jeju, Busan, Seoul


50
Oman
Muscat


51
Bangladesh



52
Slovakia



 
53
UK
London, Edinburgh,
Easy
Cook at hostel, Indian grocery stores
54
Ireland

Hard

55
Vatican City

hard    
Didn't try. Rome has Saravana Bhawan
56




 
Disclaimer: Above is based on my personal experience in the cities I visited during the time I visiting. Things are subject to change over time, please use your discretion.

Do you agree? Have you got any tips to manage abroad being a vegetarian? Any unique experience to share? Please comment.

18 comments:

  1. I've found Veg options pretty much everywhere I've traveled so far. Same goes for Indian food.

    In fact, at some places it was quite overwhelming to see too many options around!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sure. I think it depends on cities you've visited

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great Post! As a vegetarian who loves travelling and is allergic to both green chilli and corn I have suffered at a lot of places. Here is what I have finally learnt from my experience. If I am going to stay in a city/town for more than a day I shop at a local supermarket or 7X11 for bread, jam, fruits, milk and water which forms the base of all my meals. I usually book a room that has a mini fridge and preferably with a free breakfast.I pack items from breakfast like muffins or cakes for my lunch. I learnt the hard way that the patties in subs and burgers have corn in them. Instead I order a pizza where I can pick the toppings that I want. In US there are many Indian shops from where you can buy dry samosa, methi parathas, kakras that will last a week. I also buy snack bars, yogurt bowls and soups that most stores in both US and Asia have. I'll also plan 1-2 dinners at an Indian place and splurge on some comfort food.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing your experience Divya

    Being allergic to few or not eating specific items (like Jains avoid onion and garlic) adds to the trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Totally agree with your points.
    Luckily all the countries have fruits and other vegetarian local stuff :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I liked the intro that human's can survive without food for a few days...we fret so much about food when we are outside our comfort zones.

    Regards,
    Rekha @ www.theunconventionalgirl.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. @Anita
    Thanks. yes, fruits are primary reason I could survive

    @Rekha- Thanks...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice and very useful post keep visitng in https://kahanikikitab.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a vegetarian too and like you said it is not that difficult to find vegetarian food anymore when we travel outside the country. I think South East Asia will be a problem for me too and that is one of the reasons I have not ventured to that side yet. I eat egg so that saves me on lots of occasions.

    ReplyDelete
  10. @Sarvesh- Thanks

    @Soumya
    Thanks for sharing your feedback

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am wondering why there is no discussion of ready foods like MTR/MAIYA/ITC Products/Cup Noodles ,(Bisebelebath,sambar rice,pongal,all kind of subjis,pav bhaji masala, even maya's having curd vada & mudde saru) just boil the full pocket unopened for 10 min in the coffee kettle and ready to use cost is also from Rs.60 to Rs.150).
    Even for family of 4 for 12 days we managed with this stuffs during our thailand,bali & singapore trip. which is cost effective and also guaranteed satisfaction.

    In the above list in Srilanka, Kandy there are few indian restaurants available near to famous tooth relic temple just 100 meters away there is restaurant Balaji dosai makes very goods dosa and south indian dishes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. @Dhananjaya- Point 8 covers that...

    Thanks for additional tips from Srilanka

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well compiled. These days vegetarian food is available in most of the countries and that too pretty easily, as your tabular information also suggests.

    I found it easily in Malaysia as well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. If we are on a short trip we can carry 'Ready to Eat/Boil to eat' food packets, like various types of MTR rice bhaths, chapathi packs etc.,

    ReplyDelete

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