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Shahid and Mira Kapoor recently took social media by storm when they expressed their displeasure with the food served at a resort in Sicily, where they were staying while vacationing on the Italian island. The couple had a tough time finding proper vegetarian food at the resort and were disappointed when the hotel did not take any ‘initiative to fulfil the dietary requirements, even after being informed in advance’, as Mira revealed in her Instagram stories.
“At a time when veganism is a global movement and an accepted way of life, it is disappointing that hotel groups are not taking the initiative to fulfil the dietary requirements, even after being informed in advance. Removing meat from any dish does not make you accommodating,” read the full post.
There is no doubt that vegetarianism is on a high across the globe. With more and more people bringing about a lifestyle change, turning toward vegetarianism for health reasons or for a more sustainable lifestyle, the F&B industry too is adapting to the needs of people accordingly. In such a scenario, when big hotel groups display a lack of concern for their vegetarian guests, it is bound to be a disappointment. But fret not, if you are a vegetarian and Shahid and Mira’s post has got you thinking twice about your vacation plans, we’ve got you covered with countries that are vegetarian-friendly.
1. India
Mehmaan bhagwan hota hai, which translates to guests are god, is what Indians are imbibed with, and we take it very seriously. And that also means that we take care of our tourists from across the world. And so, one can find food from most countries in India, but for religious reasons vegetarian food is extremely popular and widespread throughout all of India. In most cities and towns, one is sure to find a restaurant that is either completely vegetarian, or serves popular vegetarian dishes. Vegan food might be a tough feat at some places, but vegetarianism is never a problem in India.
2. Thailand
One of the most popular travel destinations for people from across the world, Thailand offers a range of fresh fruits, vegetables, noodles, and rice dishes, making it a drool-worthy gastronomic affair. The wide variety of options make it easier for vegetarian foodies to indulge stress-free. But watch out for plant-based dishes prepared in fish sauce or chicken broth
3. Israel
Did you know this stunning coastal country has started calling itself the ‘vegan capital of the world’, and no one seems to be arguing with them? This is because the country wants to fit in with the exploding trend of cruelty free dining, and have been flipping their menus upside down to include 100% totally vegan options. Isn’t that exciting?
4. Taiwan
Contrary to popular notion that Taiwan is primarily a non-vegetarian country, you’ll be surprised that even PETA have praised Taiwan for being one of the top ‘Vegan Friendly Countries’ in the world, with the capital city of Taipei currently having the fastest growing vegan restaurant scenes on the planet. In fact, Taiwan has the third biggest population of vegetarians per capita. One of the major reasons for this is because 1/3rd of the country is Buddhist, which usually coincides with a vegetarian lifestyle.
5. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s cuisine is extensively known for being spicy, but it goes beyond the chilis, to a dozen or more veggie dishes including jackfruit curry, aubergine (brinjal), okra, breadfruit, various gourds and pineapple. With an extensive variety of south Indian dishes, Sri Lanka can be a paradise for vegetarians.
