Are you tired of the same old hummus and avocado toast? Fear not, fellow vegans! Around the world, there are countless delicious, naturally plant-based dishes just waiting to be tried. That’s right, you don’t always need to ask if something can be made vegan – these cuisines were made for you! Here are seven vegan-friendly cuisines that are sure to tickle your taste buds.
The Rise of Vegan Cuisine
Over the past few years, plant-based eating has surged in popularity. According to a report by GlobalData, a market research firm, 15% of consumers worldwide said they had reduced their consumption of meat in the past year. With restaurants and food companies taking notice, plant-based options are more readily available than ever before. And that’s not just for those who want to cut down on meat for health or ethical reasons – there are delicious vegan foods that simply happen to be vegan.
That’s where this guide comes in. While we can’t try every vegan dish out there (we’ll never be able to taste test all the falafel, for example), we’ve scoured the world to find some of the most delicious, naturally plant-based dishes from seven cuisines that are sure to delight.
Indian Cuisine: A Vegan’s Delight
Indian food is a vegan’s dream. With lentils, chickpeas, rice, and an abundance of vegetables used in most dishes, many Indian meals are naturally vegan. Plus, many cooking techniques, like sautéing in oil or baking in clay ovens called tandoors, don’t require any animal products.
Some of our favorite vegan-friendly Indian dishes include:
- Dal: A lentil stew that can be seasoned in many ways.
- Chana masala: A spiced chickpea dish.
- Vegetable curries: Cauliflower curry, potato curry, you name it.
Some regional variations of Indian cuisine also place a heavy emphasis on plant-based eating, like the Jain cuisine of Rajasthan, which avoids all root vegetables and most legumes.
Mediterranean Marvels: Vegan-Friendly by Nature
The Mediterranean diet is known for being one of the healthiest diets in the world, and a big part of that is because it emphasizes plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.
That means there are plenty of vegan-friendly Mediterranean dishes to try. Here are just a few:
- Hummus: A chickpea dip that is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Falafel: A chickpea-based fritter that is often served in a pita with hummus and veggies.
- Ratatouille: A vegetable stew from France that is made with eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes.
The versatility of Mediterranean cuisine means there are plenty of other delicious plant-based dishes to try, like stuffed grape leaves, grilled vegetables, and tabbouleh.
Japanese Delicacies: Discovering Vegan Gems
Japanese cuisine is known for its elegant presentation and use of seasonal ingredients. What’s less known is just how many vegan-friendly options there are. Many Japanese dishes are naturally vegan or can be made vegan with a few simple substitutions.
For example:
- Miso soup: A simple soup made with fermented soybean paste and vegetables.
- Vegetable sushi: Sushi can be made with a variety of vegetables and even tofu.
- Tofu-based entrees: Tofu is a staple in Japanese cuisine and can be prepared in a number of ways.
For those who are interested in trying more traditional Japanese vegan cuisine, there’s shojin ryori, a multi-course vegan meal that is prepared by Buddhist monks and nuns.
Ethiopian Flavors: A Vegan’s Treasure Trove
Ethiopian food is another cuisine that is naturally vegan-friendly. The cuisine is centered around grains, legumes, and vegetables, which means that there are plenty of delicious vegan dishes to try.
Some of our favorite vegan-friendly Ethiopian dishes include:
- Injera: A sourdough flatbread made from teff flour that is used to scoop up other dishes.
- Misir wot: A spicy red lentil stew made with onions, garlic, ginger, and berbere spice.
- Shiro wot: A thick yellow stew made from chickpea flour, onions, garlic, and ginger.
In Ethiopia, plant-based eating is not just for religious reasons – it’s also because it’s the most accessible and affordable way of eating. That’s why you’ll find that many markets are full of grains, legumes, and vegetables.
Thai Cuisine: Balancing Flavors for Vegan Delight
Thai food is known for being spicy, but did you know that many Thai dishes can also be vegan? That’s because Thai cuisine uses a lot of plant-based ingredients, like vegetables, rice, noodles, tofu, and soybeans.
Some of our favorite vegan-friendly Thai dishes include:
- Tom kha: A spicy and sweet coconut soup made with galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and mushrooms.
- Pad thai: A stir-fried rice noodle dish made with tofu, bean sprouts, scallions, peanuts, and served with a tamarind sauce.
- Curries: There are many different types of Thai curries, all of which can be made vegan.
While fish sauce is commonly used in Thai cooking, many chefs are happy to leave it out when cooking for vegans, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Mexican Marvels: Vegan-Friendly Fiesta
Mexican food is known for being hearty and flavorful, and it just so happens to be vegan-friendly. With an abundance of plant-based ingredients like beans, corn, rice, vegetables, and avocados, there are plenty of delicious vegan-friendly Mexican dishes to try.
Some of our favorite vegan-friendly Mexican dishes include:
- Tacos: Fill them with whatever vegetables, beans, or tofu you like.
- Burritos: Stuffed with beans, rice, avocado, salsa, and anything else you want.
- Enchiladas: Rolled tortillas smothered in a chili sauce and topped with cheese (or nutritional yeast if you want to keep it vegan).
Mexican cuisine is also known for its delicious salsas, so don’t be afraid to ask for extra on the side.
Conclusion
There you have it – seven delicious cuisines that are chock-full of naturally plant-based dishes that are sure to delight your taste buds. So the next time you’re in the mood for some delicious and hearty food, give one of these cuisines a try. You might just discover your new favorite dish.
And if you do try one of these vegan-friendly dishes, let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear about your favorite plant-based meals from around the world.