India is a paradise for food lovers, especially for vegetarians. Perhaps no other country comes as close to preparing such a wide range of vegetarian dishes as India. There is so much food to try in India that you won’t be able to explore this cuisine in its entirety in just one or two trips. “Vegetarian food in India: a guide for foreigners” explores this topic to make things easier for your next trip to India.
Why is vegetarian food predominant in India?
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism form a significant population in India. All these religions encourage vegetarianism to some extent. The emphasis of ancient scriptures on non-violence towards all living beings, while practising a ‘sattvic’ diet for health has made vegetarianism predominant in India.
India is often believed to be a vegetarian country, but in reality, only around 30% of the population is purely vegetarian. However, a large population practises vegetarianism on a few days and important festivals.
There are also a few religious restrictions on the non-vegetarian diets of Indians. For example, most Hindus will not eat beef, while many Muslims abstain from pork.
Types of vegetarian diets in India
Vegetarianism in India is further divided into different categories. Not all vegetarians follow the same diet.
Lacto-vegetarian: The term ‘vegetarian’ is loosely used to describe lacto-vegetarians, forming the majority of people in India. Their diet includes everything except meat, seafood, and eggs.
Ovo-vegetarian: Commonly known as eggitarians, this category of vegetarians eats everything except meat and seafood. Their diet includes eggs and dairy products.
Jain: People practising Jainism are found all across India. Their religion follows a diet that excludes any root vegetables, onion or garlic along with meat, fish, and eggs. They also do not consume fermented foods unless they have been freshly set that same day.
Satvik: A satvik or Ayurvedic diet is less common, mostly found among religious and spiritual people. This diet focuses on eating fresh, natural, and nutritious food like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. It excludes non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, and even spicy food.
Vegan: A growing trend across the world, vegans follow a vegetarian diet but excludes all animal products such as dairy, ghee, and honey.
Popular Indian vegetarian dishes according to region
Most foreigners associate vegetarian food in India with paneer, or cottage cheese. But in reality, no country is as creative with its vegetarian diet as India. You will find so many amazing vegetarian dishes in India that you might not want to leave without taking some with you!
Since food in India differs from one region to another, let’s look at vegetarian food in India broadly divided into four regions.
North India
Known primarily for its non-vegetarian dishes, North India leaves no crumbs even when it comes to vegetarian food. Chhole Bhature, Aloo Paratha, Rajma Chawal, and of course, paneer dishes are a must-try if you are traveling here.
South India
South India has a rich vegetarian diet, with many fermented dishes like Idli, Dosa, Vada, Uttappam, Appam, and Curd Rice, along with Sambar, Upma, Avail, Bisi Bele Bath, and Payasam.
West India
West India has a good mix of both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, so you will be able to enjoy some delicious vegetarian dishes in this part of the country. Pav Bhaji, Undhiyu, Misal Pav, Pithla Bhakri, Kadhi, Gatte ki Sabzi, and Dal Baati Churma are just a few vegetarian dishes you can try here. You can also experience the Gujarati thali, Rajasthani thali, and Maharashtrian vegetarian thali to get the most out of your vegetarian experience.
East India
The vegetarian food of East India often doesn’t get its due because of the non-vegetarian dishes of the region. However, vegetarian food in East India is focused on regional produce and includes amazing dishes like Shukto, Luchi, Dalma, Litti Chokha, Bharta, and Saag.
Vegetarian street food
You will find vegetarian street food in every corner of India. For every non-vegetarian dish, there is a vegetarian version of it in this country. Some of the best vegetarian street food in India include Chaat, Vada Pav, Kachori, Dabeli, and Jhalmuri.
However, while experimenting with street food in India, make sure you look for stalls that are hygienic. Only eat food that is being prepared fresh in front of you. Also avoid drinking anything outside, since you do not know what kind of water is used to prepare it.
Some tips for eating vegetarian food in India for foreigners
- The term ‘vegetarian’ in India is loosely used to refer to lacto-vegetarians. Make sure you specify the kind of food you want before ordering anything.
- You can use food delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato for ordering food. Both apps have a filter that only shows pure vegetarian restaurants and dishes to make it easier for you.
- Indian food can be spicy, be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Ask for “less spicy” if you have a low spice tolerance.
- If you are vegan, check for ghee, butter, milk, or paneer. Many small-scale local restaurants in India are not familiar with the concept of a vegan diet, so do clarify beforehand. This blog tells you more about vegan food in India.
- Try eating with your hands! That is how the majority of Indians eat, and it is fun.
- Many of the authentic Indian sweets are vegetarian, but still confirm before ordering.
So, what will you be ordering when you visit India? Let us know! At India Someday, we plan personalized itineraries for your trip to India based on your requirements. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!
