An international tour may mean a challenge for a vegan or a vegetarian. Stepping out from your comfort zone can still be okay, but you don't want to starve when on the tour right? Fret not! I have come out with these seven vegetarian travel tips after my experience in Malaysia. I took this issue to be just a small concern, but most times it came out as a punishment. Anyhow, you have your saviour right here!
1. Research about local restaurants before you go
Even though this sounds like common sense, we often tend to forget about this one. When it comes to vegetarian travel, doing your homework is a very crucial step. Look up for local vegetarian restaurants as per your budget, bookmark or note the respective names. You will come across reviews, recommendations, and of course the kind of cuisine served in each restaurant.
Best websites: Zomato, Yelp, and TripAdvisor
2. Plan where you will eat
This is just an extension of the previously-mentioned tip. While you are researching for the restaurants, pick the best ones according to your itinerary. You must know where you'll be having your lunch while sightseeing in, say Masjid Jamek area of Kuala Lumpur. And by dinner, if you'll be around Petronas, which would be the best pick for you, you gotta know!
2. Carry your food along
Yes, you have everything sorted. but hunger pangs don't follow the plans. You can feel hungry any time! So it's always safe to carry your snacks, before departing. Why before? Well, Some times, when we are strolling through the supermarkets abroad, we'll find even chips are chicken flavoured.
3. Always ask the ingredients
In most countries egg and fish are considered vegetarian options, or adding onion or garlic to the food is not even a matter of concern. While this may be a big deal in your religion or preference, it is always best to be clear about what would be the ingredients in the vegetarian food you're ordering.
4. Know the local food vocabulary
Obviously you will not understand most of the words mentioned in the ingredients list. For example, in Nepal, chicken is known as sikaar. So, there is no way in the world you would know what this word even means, unless you did your homework and got a hold of food vocabulary. But if you are a lazy traveler, then surely Google Translate will be there for rescue. Just download the app before you go!
5. Pick an accommodation with kitchenettes
This one is an important vegetarian travel tip, specially if you have problem eating out in a restaurant that also serves non-vegetarian food. It's best you go for hostel stay or an apartment/villa through AirBnb.
Best websites: Hostels.com, Hostel Bookers, and Airbnb
6. Be easy-going
Respect non-vegetarians' choices as well. Be welcoming and don't hesitate eating out with people with different food choices. When you are easy going, you get to socialise more and your travel experience is made even better.
7. Don't stress
Stop worrying about your food choices way before you go. Do your research well and you wouldn't have to worry about a thing!
Hope these vegetarian travel tips prove to be very useful for you. Happy travels.
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