With more and more cultures embracing the idea of plant-based foods, there’s never been a better time to be a vegan. Read on to find out more. 

For vegans, it can be hard to find wholesome and flavorsome foods to delight in. However, with the recent growth in acceptance around vegan lifestyles and vegan cuisines, the options for vegan food are quickly becoming plentiful. 

In fact, vegans are starting to find that cuisines from different cultures can break up the monotony of eating plant-based foods. In actual fact, trying out different cuisines can reignite your passion for food. 

So, instead of being apprehensive about trying Ethiopian, Indian, or even Mediterranean cuisines, vegans should be delighting in the fact that their taste buds can be excited like never before. 

By thinking outside of the box and trying different traditional dishes from a variety of cultures, vegans can enjoy food like never before. Whether you’re looking for restaurants to try, food to make at home, or ways to make dishes meat-free, these 8 cuisines will provide plenty of inspiration.

1. Ethiopian

Boasting rich, flavorsome, and health-conscious meals, Ethiopian dishes are definitely an adventure. Most meals resemble a stew-like consistency and are complimented by Injera, which is a soft flatbread made from teff flour. 

Other vegan-friendly options include Atakilt Wat, Misir Wot, Gomen, and many more. As Ethiopian cooking utilizes vegetables, lentils, and stews, these dishes can be replicated quite easily in the comfort of your own home. 

2. South Indian

Southern Indian food isn’t reliant on typical products like ghee and meat. Instead, this half of the nation is built upon regional staples like sambar or stew, dosas or stuffed flatbread and curries, chutneys, and rice cakes. 

Southern Indian renowned dishes can include dairy products such as eggs and cream. So, a helpful tip is to confirm with your waiter that your flatbread and rice dishes are in fact, dairy-free. 

3. The Mediterranean

It may come as a surprise to some that Mediterranean favorites are mostly plant-based. In actual fact, wellness practitioners have long sung the praises of sticking to a Mediterranean diet. 

With platters piled high with roasted peppers, charred eggplants, olives, cucumbers, and of course, pita bread, this kind of food is a delight to a vegan’s taste buds. Easy to prepare and yet packed full of flavor, nothing beats it. 

4. Mexican

Mexican food is often synonymous with pulled meats, cheese, and sour cream. However, if you look beyond that, Mexican is also known for beans, vegetables, rice, salsa, and even guacamole. 

In the modern age, Mexican cuisine is looking to push the plant-based movement forward. Meaning that delighting in things like no bowl burritos is completely safe for those opting for a vegan lifestyle. 

5. Korean 

While the term BBQ may seem intertwined with Korean meals, Korean restaurants are actually a safe space for vegans. This is because traditional meat dishes are being used as inspiration to create meat-free alternatives.

So, now the menu at a Korean restaurant is filled with meat reliant dishes and meat-free versions like tofu stew, steamed dumplings, stir-fried sweet potato noodles, crispy rice, and veggie bowls, and even kimchi and rice. 

6. Southern Italian

Traditional Italian food is very diverse, however, no Italian cuisine does plant-based foods quite like the southern region. Think vegetable stew, pasta and beans, cabbage, leafy greens, white beans, and even roasted pepper antipasto. 

7. Burmese

Burmese food can be best described as Asian cuisine, with a flair. Burmese food chooses strong flavors as the base of a dish such as fermented tea leaves and achieves a balanced meal by adding in more mellow ingredients like ginger, sesame seeds, and mung beans. 

8. Chinese

Chinese fare may not immediately seem all that vegan friendly initially. However, it’s dishes like hot pots that change this label. Hot pots let you choose your protein, broth, sauce, and rice. 

For vegans, this means a plate of raw veggies like tofu, cabbage, corn, mushrooms, carrots, and broccoli, a bowl of seasoned broth to cook them in, various dipping sauces, and a portion of steamed rice. In short, a perfectly balanced and tasty meal. 

Different cuisines vegans will love

Being a vegan doesn’t mean missing out on flavorsome food. In fact, veganism means delighting in different foods while also practicing good nutrition. However, sometimes plant-based options can seem a little dull.

When looking for inspiration, look to different cultures for food that not only provides endless possibilities, but also food that will ignite your senses and help you re-discover your passion for food. 

By broadening your horizons and dabbling in Burmese, Chinese, and even Ethiopian food, you’re opening yourself up to great food and a cultural experience. With more and more cultures embracing plant-based food options, it’s never been a better time to be a vegan.