The Traveling Vegetarian: How To Eat Well On The Road, Without Meat

Some people “vacation” or “go on holiday.” Not me though, I “travel.” The difference between the former and the latter is one is something you do for a couple weeks to relax. The other is a full-time vocation. A lifestyle. A philosophy. But the trouble with having such an all-consuming philosophy is that it can sometimes come into direct conflict with another philosophy I have: vegetarianism. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 14, but just because I’m traveling through Bovine City (population: Cow!) where even the bread has meat in it and the faint sound of “Moo!” is carried on the wind, that doesn’t mean I have to remove my veggie-for-life badge that’s sewn onto my backpack. Here’s how I’ve dealt with the meatiest of situations:

Find the local grocery store: Aside from saving you some major coinage when compared to restaurant prices, buying ingredients from the local supermarket and making your own meals is an easy way to avoid the meat markets. Even if the country you’re traveling doesn’t have a demand for veggie-meat, soy, or tofu products, with a little creativity, you can make a hearty bean stew, a vegetable stir-fry, or sweet pilaf for less than the cost of a restaurant coat-check. And because you’re making it yourself, you know exactly what’s in it, how its prepared, and you can control your own portions. Unfortunately, many hotels don’t offer guests the privilege of using their kitchens (they want you to gorge on room service), so try to stay at guest houses, B&B’s, hostels, or even a local’s couch (if they’re willing), where guests are encouraged to make full use of the kitchens.

Learn a phrase or two in the local language: No one is expecting you to be fluent within a days, but taking the time to brush up on some key phrases in the local language will take you a long way. If you choose to go to the restaurants, knowing how to say “vegetarian” or “vegan” or “no meat” will save you the pain of trying to decipher a menu written in Arabic or Cyrillic or Hindi. In addition, locals are generally very appreciative when you even make the effort to speak their language (despite youe American accent). They know how hard it is to be a foreigner, and chances are, they know a little bit of English themselves. You’ll get a better shot at receiving a vegetarian meal just by showing them the respect of ordering in their language, even if you can’t place an order sans mistake.

Go where the vegetarians go: You’re not the first vegetarian to grace these exotic shores, and you definitely won’t be the last. Do a little research ahead of time to find out where the local vegetarians eat. In fact, some cities, and even entire countries, are officially vegetarian (Thank you India!). Lonely Planet guides usually list at least one or two places that are vegetarian friendly, so don’t forget your guidebook.

Find someone who speaks English and hold onto them like grim death: You think I’m kidding, but really, finding someone who talks your talk, and making them your best friend is a great way to get answers to your veggie-questions, and even see the city through the eyes of a local. English is so ubiquitous these days that even in the remotest of locations, someone who speaks both English and the local language is never too far away. I’ve had lovely conversations with locals I met in Kosovo, Bulgaria, and Lebanon, all while enjoying vegetarian delights. Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to people. You’re traveling – live a little!

When all else fails, hit up the falafel stand. I’m tellin’ ya. When you’re traveling, you can’t swing a backpack without knocking over five falafel stands. They’re everywhere!

(Photo: thinkstock)