I was absolutely swept of my feet the other day thinking about the rich variety of cuisines that embellish this world. Importantly for people like me who are vegetarian there are a lot of options in cuisines world over. I thought I would just list my impressions. The thing is this is not a clear cut review or not too useful. My point is that you know when you leave your shores you sorely miss your own food. Unfortunately that pushes many of us into a shell such that we thirst only for our own food eschewing the glorious varieties that beckon. So please consider these options.
China : Ok this is easy at least for most Asians. We have all had our own variety of chop suey and noodles and what not. Things to look for some tofu based dishes, Chinese styled fried rice, some interesting varieties of soup .
Ethiopia: For those who don’t know about Ethiopian food you are in for a surprise! Injera with some awesome vegetarian preparations and of course do not remember any of the names. But there are some brinjal ( eggplant), chick pea stuff, many vegetables make their delightful appearance. I love it and I bet you will too.
France: The French are famous for their fine dining. Of course since I don’t have the money for fine dining I have been exposed to some cheap French stuff. Mainly their lovely desserts. They have great soup but you know what takes the cake ( should I say crepe!) are their crepes. Wafer thin just like dosa they are extremely imaginative. What I had was in Montreal filled with fruits, chocolate sauce, nutella and you name it! For those with not a sweet tooth do not despair you can get some vegetable fillings too.
Greece : I don’t know much about Greek food but I had gyros once at this Greek eatery and I liked it quite a bit. I have heard from others that there are other good dishes but I can’t speak from a position of authority. But well I would love to hear from you guys.
Italian: Another one of the cuisines that most of us are very used to. Italians boast of a wide variety of vegetarian spreads . Lassagnas, Gnocchi,myriad varieties of pasta, spaghetti. For your sweet tooth there are canolis (a bit cheesy but nice) and my favourite icecream that is not filled with air like our softies. Gelato baby try it and you will think twice about softies I guess!
Japan: Widely known for sushi. Vegetarians try the avocado cucumber sushi. I have rolled sushi under the guidance of a Japanese cook so take my word! Tempuras are a bit like pooris they looked good have never tried them. There are American Japanese stuff (tofu teriyaki) that I like. Maybe it is not American Japanese maybe it is Japanese folks help! But the downside is Japanese food is usually expensive.
Korean: Again brilliant vegetarian spread. They have something like a hundred small snack things instead of a huge meal much like the Spanish. There is something with cabbage that is awesome. There are so many different dishes and I don’t remember names but try it and you might like it!
Mexico: Well known world over. Burritos, chimichangas, chalupas, tacos sounds like Taco bell’s menu but darlings Taco bell is only mimicry of Mexican food but try an authentic restaurant and you wont be sorry from the time you dip into the salsa with those luscious corn chips.
Spain : Tapas snacks I guess are the centerpiece of this cuisine. I had this just for once and I loved it. Try it and let me know.
Thailand: Home of wonderful cooking. Red curry mussamun curry generous use of coconut, thai iced tea, There is no dearth of vegetarian fare and most of the items if not all can be prepared without meat. Sit back and enjoy, the pleasure is mine ;)
Tunisia: Did not expect many vegetarian delights nad I think I had about five to choose from. It was a brinjal preparation with khous khous . A bit like our rava upma wonderful I like it quite a bit and I guess khous khous is characteristice of many african cusines.
Turkey: Another nice cuisine, a bit distinct from “middle eastern”, creative use of celery,fried rice with a strange flavour and liberal sprinklings of raisins. Deserts are not bad either! Café Istanbul here I come!
USA. Before you snigger and say Americans don’t have a cuisine! They make a creative combo of the myriad cuisines that adorn the streets of this country. Sandwiches, wraps, different varieties of salads , Pizza ( New york style), bagels,brownies,muffins the list goes on. Being vegetarian in the States is very easy!
Vietnam: Another brilliant set of stuff to choose from. Fried noodles, rice or vermicelli they ask you. Many lovely preparations of tofu, the bubble tea is a delight of its own. Well more cuisines will get added I am pretty sure.
Folks if you have suggestions I will be glad. I am no gourmet but I love food and you know it by now I hope.
4 comments:
Dude,
Siiting in one country it is easy to say the stuff is good. But most of these stuff have been adapted to suit local needs. Try going to Spain and ask for a Veggie Diet and u will get Ham as part of the meal. Go to Italy and Fish is condiered Vegetarian. In spain When u say Salad u need to specifically mention that NO Chicken, No Fish and No MEAT...
As far as America is concerend Food = Junk such as McD, Pizza Hut and Burger King, KFC...
Korean food is awesome, but you might find that all of the side dishes revolve a main course of meat. My vegetarian friends have had a rough time of it, only getting to eat the side dishes!
Sometimes we order something with no meat, but there's meat in it anyways!
As more and more people here become vegetarians hopefully it will be easier.
POO! Arvind, it's pretty obvious that you've never stepped foot in the United States (i.e. my country). We have fantastic food, and are not afraid to try new combinations of spices and ingredients from all of the cultures that melt together here. Your narrow view of American cuisine is annoying and it is more than a little bit distressing that you never bothered to investigate your beliefs further before shooting your mouth off. I hope you visit this country some day and realize how wrong you are.
Annie
Nationalism aside, I agree that food is adapted to suit local needs. Looking only at the US (for e.g.), Italian food in the northeastern states of the US is not the same as what you get dining out at an "italian" restaurant in, say, Michigan or Kentucky. Same goes for Chinese food, Japanese food, and I would guess for others.
As for American food...You're confusing corporate shit with food, and many americans are able to make the distinction. Just a few of my american (non-meat based) favorites include apple pie, baked acorn squash, western omlettes with garlic and rosemary potatoes, candied yams, roasted corn (in the husk on bbq - it's tasty), banana or blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup...YUM!!!! Ok now I'm hungry.
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