20 Best Vegetarian Dishes From Around the World

One of the most enjoyable ways to learn about different cultures is through their cuisine. However, finding authentic, good food to eat can be challenging for a vegetarian traveler. The world offers you endless meat and fish dishes, but vegetarian options are limited. But there is hope. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the health benefits of a plant-based diet and the negative impacts of consuming meat, vegetarian cuisine is becoming more innovative and accessible than ever.

Whether you’re a vegetarian or want to try something new, you will find veggie dishes from all over the globe. Each region has its distinct range of vegetarian delicacies, crafted from a variety of locally sourced ingredients and time-tested recipes passed down through generations. From the aromatic spices of India to the fresh simplicity of Italian dishes, vegetarian cuisine provides a tempting array of aromas and textures. It tastes that captivates the senses and nourishes the body.

There are so many excellent vegetarian dishes that it can be tough to choose the finest ones, as it all comes down to personal preference. However, there are a few popular dishes from around the world that you should try, as each bite reveals a tale of culture, tradition, and culinary creativity. Embark with us on an adventure through the world’s top vegetarian offerings.

1) Koshary, Egypt

Koshary, also known as Koshari and Kushari, is a staple food all over Egypt. It’s an unusual combination of rice, macaroni, and lentils, topped with chickpeas, fried onions, spicy tomato sauce, and garlic vinegar. Koshary can be found almost everywhere in Egypt – in every Egyptian home, every stall across the country, and most Egyptian restaurants. It’s also one of the cheapest meals around, making it very popular among the working class, who eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Koshary is not only delicious but also very nutritious, providing a good balance of carbohydrates and plant-based protein. No trip to Egypt is complete without sampling the wholesome Koshary.

2) Falafel, Middle East

Falafel requires no introduction as it is among the most widely consumed vegetarian dishes worldwide. Though its exact origin is unknown, it is thought to have originated in Egypt. Falafel are deep-fried dumplings typically made with ground chickpeas/fava beans seasoned with herbs, spices, and garlic. The little dumplings, crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, are hugely popular among vegetarians, vegans, and non-vegetarians. The scrumptious falafel is also a great source of fiber and protein. It is a common street food throughout the Middle East, but especially in Israel, Palestine, and Egypt. Some people prefer to eat falafel on its own, while others enjoy it sandwiched between pita bread with fresh greens, tahini, hummus, and yogurt.

3). Ratatouille, France

Ratatouille is a regional French dish originating in the Provence region, not Nice. While there are many variations of the dish, common ingredients include aubergine, zucchini, capsicum, yellow squash, and garlic. Instead of stewing all of the vegetables together, the thinly sliced vegetables are cooked individually, allowing each vegetable to maintain its perfect texture. They are then simmered in a tomato sauce for up to 6 hours. The fragrant infusion infuses the vegetables, making them even more delicious and enhancing their taste even better the next day. The French classic can be served with rice, potatoes, pasta, or slices of freshly baked bread. Ratatouille is an excellent way to utilize garden produce.

4) Spanakopita, Greece

Greece is an excellent destination for vegetarian visitors, as the cuisine there prioritizes fresh, locally sourced produce. Spanakopita is a Greek spinach pie made from phyllo that typically features spinach, feta cheese, onions, and eggs. The buttery pastry shell keeps the pie together and makes the entire filling melt on your tongue. A vegetarian and vegan version of Spanakopita is made during religious fasts. It does not contain any cheese or eggs. Enjoy this delectable dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, either as a main course or a snack.

5) Patata Bravas, Spain

Spain is a meat lover’s paradise, but vegetarian tourists also have a few good options. Patata Bravas is a simple fried potato dish that is a restaurant and cafe staple throughout Spain. White potatoes are chopped into irregular 2-centimeter shapes and fried in oil before being tossed in a spicy sauce prepared from fried eggplant and honey. There are multiple variants of Patata Bravas available, but the tangy sauce on top is an absolute must. The delicacy is crunchy on the outside but fluffy in its center. It is pretty light on the stomach and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or snack during dinner.

6) Vegetable Sushi, Japan

Sushi is famous worldwide and a significant draw in Japan. Most people associate sushi with rice, seaweed, and fish, but there are many delightful vegetarian and vegan sushi options available. A vegetarian sushi roll features an outer layer of sesame seeds and seasoned rice, with a filling of avocado, zucchini, cucumber, asparagus, carrot, and tempura, among other toppings and condiments. These options offer a variety of textures and aromas, making them just as enjoyable as traditional sushi. Veg Sushi offers a healthy and delectable alternative to raw fish-based sushi.

7) Pad Thai, Thailand

Vegetarian visitors do not particularly enjoy meandering around Thailand’s food markets. However, knowing precisely what you are looking for makes life a lot easier. Pad Thai is a must-try while visiting Thailand. It is claimed to have originated as a Chinese dish and was later adapted to Thai tastes. The vegetarian Pad Thai is a quick and straightforward recipe to prepare, but it must be made fresh. Tofu, bean sprouts, and diced veggies are stir-fried with rice noodles and seasoned with tamarind sauce and Thai spices. The vegetables, sauces, and noodles are all stir-fried in a wok, resulting in noodles with the perfect texture and authenticity. Pad Thai is available at practically every street food vendor and restaurant in Thailand.

8) Pesto Trofie, Italy

Italy is a vegetarian’s dream, with countless options for eating such as pizza, pasta, risotto, and much more. The beautiful country is renowned worldwide for its pasta and the diverse varieties that accompany it. For this list, we chose Pesto Trofie. Pesto originated in the Liguria region, and the basil there is believed to be more potent than anywhere else. Pesto is made using crushed basil, salt, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a generous amount of oil. It goes well with pasta, but the thin, twisted Trofie soaks up pesto perfectly. Trofie is a short, twisted pasta made by cutting a long strip of rolled pasta into tiny pieces.

9) Dal Bhat, Nepal

Dal Bhat is Nepal’s national dish, which the Nepalese eat for all three meals of the day. The classic Nepalese food is simple, quick, and inexpensive to prepare, yet delicious. Dal is a yellow lentil soup, while Bhat is cooked rice. Dal Bhat is prepared differently in various locations and households. It is commonly served with seasonal vegetables, potato curry, and pickles. The colorful Thali (plate) is both tasty and filling. Dal Bhat is also quite popular in India and Bangladesh.

10). Gado Gado, Indonesia

Gado Gado translates as ‘ mix-mix’ in Indonesian. It is a colorful salad composed of lightly cooked vegetables, including potatoes, long beans, spinach, bean sprouts, corn, and cabbage. Hard-boiled eggs, tempeh (fermented soybeans), and tofu can be added to the medley, which is then tossed with the most incredible peanut dressing. Most regions in Indonesia have their own unique take on this immensely popular dish. It could be made as spicy as you like while still tasting fantastic. Gado Gado is very wholesome and packed with all the natural nutrients. The ‘one-dish meal’ can be served as either a snack or a main entrée. It comes with krupuk (fried, crispy crackers) on the side, which you can eat between bites of Gado Gado or use to scoop up the extra sauces. If you’re strictly vegetarian, avoid the crackers because they contain prawn meat.

11) Caldo Verde, Portugal

Portuguese cuisine is not particularly vegetarian-friendly, but Caldo Verde is an excellent option for cold nights when you want something hearty and comforting without too much effort. Caldo Vmply means ‘green broth’. The warm soup contains finely shredded Portuguese cabbage, potatoes, kale, onions, and olive oil. It was traditionally cooked in a metal pot over an open fire, but the recipe has been modified to reflect the region in which it is made. Some variations contain meat, so inquire if you order this at a restaurant. The creamy soup might look too basic, but it is quite flavourful, which is why it can be found in practically every restaurant in Portugal. It may be served with freshly made bread and can keep you full for hours.

12) Spring Rolls, China

Spring rolls are one of the most-loved Chinese appetizers that are also a favorite in Asia. The standard recipe involves gently stuffing crunchy, seasoned veggies inside a thinly wrapped, cylindrical pastry. In China, you can indulge in different kinds of veggie spring rolls, including ones containing noodles, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and bean sprouts. The number of conceivable combinations is vast and numerous. You can eat it with a dipping sauce for added flavor. Spring rolls can be fried or baked, depending on your preference. Traditionally, spring rolls were made using spring vegetables during the spring festival, hence their name. In Asian countries, these are available everywhere, from upscale, swanky eateries to street vendors.

13). Misir Wot, Ethiopia

Misir Wot is a full-flavored and well-seasoned red lentil stew from Ethiopia. It’s a one-pot lentil dish that’s filling, spicy, earthy, and incredibly simple to make. Misir Wot takes a few simple ingredients, such as split red lentils, onion, garlic, and spices, and transforms them into something magical. The star components are the berbea spice mixture and niter kibbeh (a flavourful, spiced clarified butter). Misir Wot is a healthy, protein-packed, and delicious dish that we’ll never tire of. The stew is generally served with injera (sour fermented flatbread), but it also tastes amazing with any other flatbread or steamed rice.

14) Doenjang Jjigae, South Korea

Doenjang Jjigae is a traditional Korean stew and one of the most popular vegetarian options. The mouth-watering broth is made with fermented Korean soybean paste (doenjang). To give it more substance, tofu, mushrooms, and bean sprouts are added. Doenjang Jjigae is hearty, yummy, and packed with savory aromas. The key to a perfect jjigae is to use good doenjang. The rest of it is adaptable, and you will likely come across dozens of variations for this dish. Doenjang Jjigae is generally vegetarian, but may occasionally contain fish or meat. Please instruct the waiter not to add seafood to the order while it is being served.

15) Shakshuka, Israel

Shakshuka is believed to have originated in North Africa, but it quickly spread to the Middle East and gained popularity. Shakshuka is now a staple dish in Israel. It’s an easy recipe with simmering tomatoes, onions, garlic, green chilies, and gently poached eggs. Cumin, coriander, paprika, and nutmeg enhance the rich tomato base. Traditionally, the dish is prepared by poaching eggs directly in tomato sauce; however, Shakshuka does not have to include eggs. You can add vegetables, tofu, lentils, or ricotta. Shakshuka is typically served for breakfast, but its simplicity, filling nature, and nutritional value make it suitable for any meal of the day. It is served with some bread to soak up every last drop of the lip-smacking sauce.

16) Vinegret, Russia

Vinegret is a Russian salad that is also popular in post-Soviet countries, including Ukraine, Georgia, and Belarus. This sour, sweet, and savory salad is delightful, hearty, and loaded with veggies. Vinegret consists of fall harvest vegetables (boiled beets, potatoes, and carrots), sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), and brined pickles. Beets are a key ingredient in the salad, giving it a unique, vivid pink color. It tends to be the cheapest dish on the menu, hence it is always the first option for every budget traveler.

17) Street Tacos, Mexico

Tacos are still a staple of Mexican cuisine, available in both upscale restaurants and street kiosks. It has also been well received globally, finding favor wherever it travels. Tacos are made of a tiny, hand-sized corn/wheat tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then wrapped over the stuffing and eaten by hand. Tacos can be packed with a variety of fillings, such as beans, vegetables, and cheese, and topped with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or other vegetables. Authentic, traditional tacos are mostly served in soft tortillas. A street taco got its name from street vendors in Mexico who sold tacos from food carts or kiosks along the road. Street tacos are smaller than regular tacos and made using a corn tortilla.

18) Fondue Switzerland

Fondue is a Swiss dish of melted cheese served in a fondue pot on a portable stove, eaten by dipping bread and vegetables into the cheese. Fondue originated during the harsh Swiss winters when impoverished villagers had little left to eat but stale bread, a block of cheese, and a splash of wine. They dunked the crusty bread in melted cheese, making it soft and delectable. Over the years, Fondue evolved from its humble beginnings into a Swiss winter tradition. Though the essential ingredients in Swiss fondue are cheese, wine, and garlic, other add-ins include herbs, paprika, nutmeg, and mustard. For a truly Swiss flavor, nothing beats a rich, cheesy fondue high up in the Alps after a long day of hiking or skiing.

19) Vegetarian Banh Mi, Vietnam

Banh mi sandwiches are a traditional Vietnamese street food that originated in Saigon. They’re a delightful fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisines. Banh mi is a crusty baguette sandwich filled with marinated protein, pickled vegetables, fresh greens, sriracha, mayonnaise, and other delicious toppings. Typically, the sandwich’s protein comes from meat (such as marinated chicken, pâté, or pork), but it’s easy to find plant-based substitutes in Vietnam, like crispy marinated tofu. The delectable Vietnamese sandwich is crispy, hearty, and succulent.

20) Vegetarian Food, India

Almost forty percent of India’s population is vegetarian, and it isn’t easy to find a restaurant without a few vegetarian selections on its menu. You may think I’m biased, but I can assure you that no other country prepares vegetarian food as well as India. Even the most ardent meat-eater will be tempted by the range of flavors and tastes in these vegetarian dishes. From north to south and west to east, there is an incredible variety of unique and delicious vegetarian dishes to choose from. It is tough to decide which ones to recommend. I want to share with you the names of some of the most-loved vegetarian foods in India and leave you to decide where to start.

Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Puri Aloo, Masala Dosa, Idli Sambar, Pani Puri, Dal Baati, Kachori, Samosa, Chole Bhature, Veg Biryani, Malai Kofta, Paneer Tikka, Pav Bhaji, Dum Aloo, Undhiyu, and countless others. If you have a sweet craving, check out this list of must-try sweets in India.