When I tell people I'm vegan, they often say "that must be so challenging to eat vegan!" Well, no, I think it's really easy actually.
At home being vegan is as easy as eating any other kind of diet. I only buy vegan groceries, so therefore I only have vegan food in my house. When I go to grab a snack or make a meal, I don't even have to give it a second thought because my only options are vegan food. It's not like I look in my fridge and see cheesy dishes and chicken wings!
The only part of a vegan diet that can be challenging is dining out. All of the control is in someone else's hands. But, I LOVE going to restaurants. So what do I do? Here are my tips for how to eat vegan at any restaurant (and not order salad).
Call ahead.
As someone who is horribly phone shy (I get nervous just ordering a pizza), this tip is not my favourite, but it's REALLY helpful. If you have plans to go to a restaurant and you aren't sure of the vegan options, just give them a ring and ask. If the restaraunt really doesn't have any vegan options, you can change your plans, (although I have never had that response before). It also let's the chef know ahead of time that you are coming so if they want to prepare something special they have the time to do so. Then when you get to the restaurant you can relax because you already know the options. I have even called a restaurant and been thrilled and surprised when I was told they had a separate vegan menu! I wouldn't have know that unless I asked. You can also try looking the menus up online, but it can sometimes not be clear if items are actually vegan, so I always suggest a call.
Be clear.
When I first made the switch, I hated saying the dreaded word "vegan" as I was somehow worried chefs would get mad at me. This isn't true. I have heard from both chef and waiter friends that they much prefer someone being clear in their limitations so they can address it correctly and without confusion. When you first walk into a restaurant, if you haven't called ahead, ask the greeter about vegan options. They will be able to tell you before you even sit down. If there is no greeter, ask the server right away. The last thing you want to happen is that you already have your drinks, everyone places an order and then you realize there is nothing for you to eat. Asking as soon as possible ensures a relaxing dining experience.
Be nice.
When you ask, just be polite. You don't have to shout at the world, don't make a million demands, and don't try to deconstruct the ingredient list, just ask if there are any vegan friendly options with a smile on your face. Not everyone understands what vegan is, so if they don't know, help them out by just telling them what you don't eat. No animal cruelty talk here, this isn't the place or time. If you're nice, people will be nice right back.
Look for the codes.
Menus often have little icons next to items that indicate which items are vegan or vegetarian, just like they do if it is spicy. Sometimes it's a little "v", sometimes a leaf, or other fun icons. Just look for the guide so you can know what they stand for.
Be a clever subber.
Most menus have vegetarian options which can easily be made vegan. Just ask if the dairy or egg can be removed from the dish to make it vegan friendly. Sometimes when you remove an ingredient the dish might need something else to boost it up a notch, so what I like to do is peruse around the menu and if I see another ingredient I think would be great, I might ask for a substitution. A good example of this is if I am ordering a veggie burrito, I would ask for the cheese and sour cream to be removed, and instead replace it with guacamole. Saying the word sub or replace is key because then hopefully they don't charge you extra! Sometimes if there are no main dishes that are easily made vegan, I will look to the sides. Often there are lots of side dishes that are vegan friendly, or can be adapted, so I will order a big plate of those.
Get the apps.
There are lots of great apps or websites that will help you find great veg friendly restaurants near you. This can be especially great for travel. My favourites are Happy Cow and Vegman, which find restaurants in your area that are vegan friendly, and VeganXpress which helps you find vegan options on popular chain restaurant menus.
Vegan Restaurants
The beauty of vegan restaurants is you actually have a whole menu to choose from! I know, joy! Go ahead, feast away!
Vegetarian Restaurants
Just check to make sure the items you are ordering are vegan, the servers understand your language, so they will know how to edit a dish if needed to make it vegan friendly.
Thai Restaurants
I love a good vegetable pad thai, vegetable cold rolls, green mango salad, lemon grass or coconut soup, vegetable curries, and vegetable rice dishes. Just make sure to ask for no egg, no fish sauce (in everything), and that curry paste use is vegetarian.
Japanese Restaurants
I order edamame, vegetable sushi rolls, vegetable tempura, miso soup, fried tofu, and noodle soups. Just make sure to ask for no egg, no fish sauce, and no bonito flakes (dried fish flakes).
Chinese Restaurants
Vegetable spring rolls, vegetable dumplings, vegetable soups, vegetable fried rice, vegetable noodle dishes, and beancurd are all great options. Again, just make sure to ask for no egg, no fish sauce, and no oyster sauce.
Italian Restaurants
Bruschetta, grilled artichokes, bean salads, olives, bread with olive oil and balsamic, salads, pasta with marinara sauce (most pastas don't contain eggs, so just ask to be sure), vegetable pizzas with no cheese. Double check that there is no cheese or eggs in your dishes. I often say no parmesan as well as they sometimes toss it on right at the end.
French Restaurants
I find French can be one of the most challenging options as they use so much butter and cream in their recipes, but sometimes you can get away with vegetable soups, roasted veggie platters, bread, salads, or ratatouille might be vegan. Ask about butter, cream, and chicken/beef stock.
Greek Restaurants
Hummus, tahini, olives, pita bread, vegetable dolmades, panfried potatoes, Greek salad, roasted eggplant, grilled veggies, and grilled veggie wrap. Just make sure to ask for no cheese or yogurt.
BBQ or Steak Restaurants
You might think I'm crazy, but I have eaten at BBQ restaurants and lived to talk about it. Try deep fried pickles, french fries, sweet potato fries, vegetable chili, BBQ vegetables, sometimes they even have BBQ tofu, vegetable sandwiches, salads, and baked potatoes. Make sure to ask for no cheese, sour cream, butter, mayonnaise and make sure the batters don't contain buttermilk. I sometimes find it's easiest to order several side dishes, and ask for them on a plate all together.
American or Canadian Restaurants
French fries, onion rings, potato wedges, veggie burgers, and veggie dogs. Ask about mayonnaise, cheese, and eggs in the ingredients.
Ethiopian Restaurants
Lentil, bean, and pea dishes, cabbage, and other greens, and injera (flatbread). Ask about butter, cheese, and egg.
Middle Eastern Restaurants
Falafels, coucous, tahini, vegetable samosas, pita bread, tabouleh, and rice. Just make sure to ask for no cheese or yogurt.
Indian Restaurants
Vegetable samosa, vegetable pakora, saag, dal, rice, channa masala, naan bread (check that it isn't made with yogurt or butter), and a lot of other great veggie dishes. Just make sure to ask for no butter, ghee (clarified butter), cream, or paneer (cheese).
Jamaican Restaurants
Fried plantain, veggie or potato roti, jerk vegetables, callalloo, festival, rice and peas, ackee (no salt fish), curry vegetables, bammy, and vegetable patties. Just make sure to ask for no butter, or eggs.
Mexican Restaurants
Salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips, vegetable or bean burritos, rice, vegetable tacos, vegetable fajita, and vegetable chimichanga. Ask about sour cream, cheese, lard, and that the rice isn't made with chicken broth.
Do you have any other tips or discoveries? Leave them in the comments!
Carey says
Thank you, thank you! This is so helpful!!
Sam says
You're very welcome Carey 🙂
Pedro A. says
Most restaurants if not all, will cook vegetables in the grill that they make the meat. I have found that many do not tell you all the truth. I have many friends that work in restaurants. So my advice, if you are Vegan like me, eat salads, fruits and never cook food in a restaurant that also serve meat.
Sam says
Thanks for the top Pedro. Yes, a lot of restaurants cook meat and other things on the same grill. It's up to you if you are ok with that 🙂
Saga says
WARNING!!! Just want to let you guys know in authentic Japanese restaurant they usually use 'dashi' in everything, even cooking the rice and this is not vegan... Unfortunately 🙁 living here in Japan is hard!
Sam says
Thank you for the warning Saga! I find in Canada you are usually able to get dishes without dashi or other fish containing ingredients, but I don't know how difficult that is in Japan. Thanks for the heads up!
Scarlette Hale says
I am not a full vegan as of yet, but I am a vegetarian who is dairy, soy and egg free (being soy free is a challenge within itself).
I've never thought of calling ahead to restaurants and I think I will do this next time I am going somewhere I am not familiar with.
Often times, I order sides and focus on veggies and potatoes.
But beware of baked potatoes!!! I went to texas roadhouse (definitely not my first choice!) and ordered a baked potato and found out that they smother the outside in bacon fat!!! ugh I was so grossed out by that idea. I never and even considered that was a common culinary practice.
Also, if you order sweet potato rolls (sometimes called Idaho rolls) at a sushi restaurant ask for no eel sauce. This sauce is made with fertilized eel eggs 🙁
Sam says
Thanks for the tips Scarlette! This is why I think it's important to not just order the veggie dishes, but to make it clear that you are vegan. This way bacon fat, and eel sauce are hopefully avoided in the kitchen! Yuck! Calling ahead, or at least speaking to the greeter when you arrive, and your waiter helps make it clear. 🙂
Kristin says
As a vegetarian of 4 years who just recently went fully vegan I really appreciate your tips and those of your followers in the comments. Thank you!
When I had just become a vegetarian I went on holiday and my family really wanted to go to a steak house. I was already prepared for the disappointment of having to stick to the small side salad or stuff like that, but my dad asked the server if they could come up with a vegetarian dish for me instead.
and I then got this huge plate full of all kinds of fresh, grilled veggies, potatoes in a sea salt crust and a salad and it was divine!
Sam says
That's so awesome! Ask and you (usually) shall receive. So happy it's going well for you! Even steak houses have veggies in the kitchen 🙂
Barbara white says
Being a health advocate myself is mentally and physically rewarding. Eating nutrients from whole, plant-based foods is self-giving, but referencing "vegan foods" is a bit unnecessary. I am only saying this because there is no "vegan food;" a vegan diet is comprised of food that came from the earth. Plants. Thus, if you are recommending people to change their lifestyle to suit the vegan life, I wouldn't use the term vegan food, because that doesn't exist, all it is, is REAL food the CAME FROM EARTH. 🙂 Eat nutrient-dense plant based foods for a healthy environment and body. peace
Sam says
Hi Barbara,
I think there might be misunderstanding of the definition of vegan. The definition: "Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose." It is about avoiding animal products. That is the foundation of a vegan lifestyle. You can eat junk food and still be vegan. A plant-based diet is focused on eating plants for health reasons, but it doesn't necessarily mean vegan. Hope that helps you understand better. Let me know if you have any questions!
Johnny Vegas says
With regards to eating at Japanese restaurants, when I have called ahead, I have found the following.
1. When Vegetable Tempura is fried, the veggies are not separated from the fish. Everything is fried together.
2. With the vegetable noodle dish, be sure to ask that the vegetables and the noodles are cooked separate from the other foods. I have found this to not be vegan.
3. All of the sushi rice is sweetened with sugar. In the U.S. "sugar" is neither vegetarian nor vegan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_char
Vegetable sushi rolls are not vegan or vegetarian because of the "sugar" that is added to the rice.
maybe
it is possible the sugar is vegan, but there is no way to know. Chances are it is not vegan
I error on the side of caution when it comes to japanese sushi and I don't eat there any more.
I still call, but often find only one or two menu items that are truly vegan.
Sam says
Thanks for the tips Johnny, it's great that you are so aware of what's in your food. For me, the minor amounts of animal products that may be in the foods this way are just not worth the worry for me. I still need to be able to eat out with friends, and I feel that if I got this specific, it would be very difficult. I like to live by the definition of veganism by Donald Watson: "Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose." http://www.vegansociety.com/sites/default/files/uploads/Ripened%20by%20human%20determination.pdf
So for me, worrying about these trace amounts of animals products is just not practicable for my lifestyle. If it is for you, then that's perfect! I don't know about in the US, but not all sugar in Canada has bone char in it. A common brand here is Redpath http://redpathsugar.com/faqs/ I make sure to buy bone char free sugar for my home, but I do not worry about the sugar used in restaurants.
Unfortunately, in today's animal product based world, it's basically impossible to be vegan in every way, so I just do the best that I can. Everybody's definition of what that is will be slightly different, and that's a-ok because we are all making a difference in this world. 🙂
mary says
thank you for your comment that person sounded crazy!
Srivani says
I like this response, Sam. My husband, 2 year old daughter, and myself are mostly vegan - i.e., 100% vegan at home, but will partake in a bit of dairy when eating at relatives (example, regular margarine even contains milk ingredients). We really don't want to stress them out with what to cook for us; although I do usually take something vegan to "wow" them (like those vegan meringues!). That said, it's virtually impossible to be 100% stringent vegan and live with technology. From the tires on our cars and bikes, to the computers we surf vegan sites, even the plywood in the structures of our humble vegan homes... http://roogirl.com/20-everyday-items-that-contain-animal-ingredients/
I guess it's one way the animal agri-business ensures the use of all parts of the animals (which I guess is better than waste what can't be eaten).
But to the article at hand, this is an awesome read with lots of great tips from you and from the commenters. Thanks for posting this.
Sam says
Yes I wish we could be 100% vegan but that's just not a reality. Everyone is different, but for me, I think it is more important to show how easy (and delicious!) a vegan lifestyle is. If I got mad at my friends or myself for every tiny mistake, then I bet you I wouldn't have influenced my friends to become vegan, and likely I wouldn't be vegan either. I do the best that I can, and I think that's all you can ask of people.
Funny story: When one of my best friends first went vegan, she called me in a guilty panic, and admitted that she didn't think she could be fully vegan because she is intolerant of gluten, and the combo of both vegan and gluten-free was just too difficult at restaurants. She said she would remain vegan at home. I told her that was totally fine, that doing something was a lot better than doing nothing. She felt so much relief that I wasn't judging her! The funny thing was that she actually hasn't wained off the vegan diet at all and it's been 1/2 a year now. It was just like she needed permission to make mistakes, even though she hasn't even made them!
It is so unfortunate that so many things we use in daily life contain animal products, but this is when it comes to supply and demand. If we stop demanding meat then the supply will diminish, and so will the use of the animal by products in todays world.
Olga says
Beware of chicken broth in Chinese restaurants. Recently I ordered tofu with veggies from the vegetarian section of the menu, and while asking the server questions about eggs or dairy, found out that the dish is made with chicken broth. Thinking that chicken broth is vegetarian is beyond me, and now I wonder how much of it I ate before while thinking I am ordering a vegetarian dish. Also, dishes sometimes arrive with meat despite you explicitly asking for a meatless option.
Sam says
Hi Olga,
Good to know! I have definitely never received meat in my dish, eekk! That would be awful, but I am not sure about chicken broth. I wonder how much of it I have eaten now too.... Always a good idea to ask! 🙂
Clo says
Unfortunately it also depends on where you live. Living in France, in Lyon, the city of gastronomy and cooked meats, I can tell you that A LOT of restaurants don't bother with vegetarian and even less vegan options. Luckily it's true that you can still find stuff to eat in Asian, Italian, Greek, Middle east and African restaurants. Sometimes I know I'm not going to eat something spectacular, it's just for the fun of going out and be served. But the best food is usually at home... which is a bit of a bummer because I used to eat at restaurants a lot before going vegan.
I've been to California and Australia, an there it was really different, I was so glad I could really enjoy restaurants again !
Sam says
Oh that's a bummer. Yes not every area is as easy as others. I'm lucky that it's pretty easy for me in Toronto, but honestly I prefer my home cooked meals 9 times out of 10 anyways!
Nicki Kelly says
Just came back from holidays in France and I think by the end of the week I thought I'd turn into a pasta marinara or a vegan pizza. But it was either a salad or the above carb loaded dishes.
I always travel with my vegan protein powder because no regular French restaurant seems to ever have lentils, chickpeas or beans which I would love, even if they were just tinned and sprinkled over the top of my meals.
Restaurants in most countries are excellent in changing meals for me, but France seems to be the most difficult place for a vegan diet.
Sam says
I do love a good pasta marinara... I think I could probably eat that every day and be totally happy, but I know not everyone is as crazy about it as I am! haha. Yes, I imagine France would be difficult as they use so much cream and butter in their cooking. Thanks for sharing your experience Nicki, and it's a great idea to travel with some vegan snacks 🙂
cat says
isn't marinara seafood like anchovies?
cat says
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/16857/marinara+sauce
Sam says
Hmm weird! I have never seen seafood added to it and they still call it marinara! No generally marinara is just a simple tomato sauce. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinara_sauce
That site is Australian, maybe the word means something different there?
cat says
so, did some checking and in Australia (and other countries) marinara is taken to mean including seafood
the sauce you describe is called napolitana here
Macquarie dictionary
marinara
/mærəˈnarə/ (say maruh'nahruh)
adjective of or relating to a pasta sauce based on seafood, as prawns, mussels, etc.
[Italian (alla) marinara in the manner of sailors, from marinaio sailor, from Latin mare sea]
it seems that the US may be one of the few places that does not associate seafood with marinara so if in the UK, Aus or NZ and even in some parts of Italy you may want to describe the sauce, not name it 🙂
Sam says
So interesting!!!! And good to point out. Now if I go traveling I will be careful about that. Thanks cat!
Eva @ Four Leaf Clover says
What a great guide! It must be where I live, because I often get told that there's nothing vegan on the menu and/or have to explain what I don't eat as a vegan. Calling ahead is such a good tip because, especially if you're going out with a bigger group, it takes away the awkwardness of waiting and having others wait, too, as the waiter goes back to ask the chef what dish can be made vegan. That and/or asking if there's anything vegan available before being seated (this is especially good when traveling!).
Sam says
Thank you Eva! It always baffles my mind when I hear of people getting turned down by restaurants... You mean you don't have vegetables? Yes, calling ahead or asking the greeter is the best, it avoids the awkwardness and you can relax when seated instead of panicking about what you might be able to eat. So happy you found my guide helpful 😀
Lavender says
Occasionally I do run into a restaurant or server that will refuse to do something to assist helping with this. I once went to a restaurant that had limited vegan options. So, I decided to go for sides, and wanted a baked potato to round things out. The menu stated they only serve baked potatoes after 5:00 p.m., but I thought "Hey, how hard is it to bend the rule a little and microwave me a potato?", and I asked nicely if they would make an exception and zap me up a potato. But, no...emphatically NO way would they do this for me. It was strange, and I didn't want to push the issue...so instead ended up eating hummus with veggies and french fries (yes, potatoes, but NOT baked, LOL). I decided for the prices they charged they should have accommodated my request and just given me a darned "baked" potato! If I hadn't been in a mountain village with limited choices in eateries, I may have walked out and looked for a place that would have given me better service. Mostly, though, my hubby and I have had great service where ever we have eaten and you are definitely right in that asking or calling ahead is key. Whenever we ask what they can do for us, the waitstaff is usually very happy to do what they can to please us!!
Sam says
Oh no, that's such a bummer Lavender! The only excuse I could think of is if they actually bake their potatoes in the oven (and not a microwave), because this takes a good 45 minutes. Either way if that's the case they should have simply explained it to you. Such a bummer when restaurants aren't helpful! So happy most of your experiences have been good 🙂
Laurel says
Those are some great tips, thanks! I would add to this that finding vegan options in rural areas is close to impossible (pack a picnic for road trips). When I went vegetarian, I lived in a semi-rural area in Texas. There was NOTHING vegetarian except subway and pizza. When I went vegan several years later, those options pretty much evaporated altogether. Also rural grocery stores won't have much.
It's been my experience in Texas that both calling ahead and being very specific with the server guarantee you nothing. I get conflicting information all the time. One day I'll go to a restaurant and they'll assure me whatever they're making me is vegan, and I'll return a few weeks later and they'll tell me that they use meat and dairy in every single dish, and they can't do anything for me. I once ordered a veggie burger that came out as beef, sent it back, came back with mayo, and had to send it back again. I got my food after my family was all finished. I've seen vegan menus with eggs. It really depends on how trusting you are and how willing you are to risk accidentally eating non-vegan.
On another note, some model citizen in my town has put together a blog lifting and describing all the vegan options at all the restaurants in town. She keeps it updated and it's the best vegan restaurant resource I've ever seen.
Sam says
Hi Laurel
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. Yes, rural can be more difficult for sure. Of course it always depends on the restaurant or town and the people that are in it. That restaurant resource sounds perfect! I wish we had one of those for every little town... and big towns too for that matter! I always bring snacks with me for long car trips, and if you are lucky enough to pass by a fruit and veggie stand, there is nothing better than munching on some fresh ripe produce!
Deb says
I bring my own condoments with me when I eat out. I have very small jars of just mayo, earth balance butter, and nutritional yeast. Sometimes I bring a couple slices of chao cheese.
Sam says
That's a great idea Deb, you are way more organized than me! haha.
Jo says
How about oil they fry in Or grill they use? I believe that has traces of non vegan stuff. How do you guys deal with that?
Sam says
Hi Jo,
I would say that depends on your own personal preference. Personally I'm ok with my food being cooked in a kitchen that also cooks animal products. This is because if I wasn't ok with this, I would likely only be able to eat in vegan restaurants or in my own home, and that isn't ok with me. I prefer to show how begin vegan is easy and doable for everyone. It's easy to find vegan options anywhere, vegan food is normal food, and I love to go out with friends who may or may not be vegan and demonstrate this to them as well. This is also the same as buying products that say "may contain dairy" or other animal products. These products are prepared in factories where animal products are also prepared. Some people may feel more or less comfortable with eating in restaurants that are not exclusively vegan, but that choice is up to them. I would rather show people how being vegan is easy and fun, then to show them how they will never live up to the standards. Being vegan isn’t about perfection, it’s just about doing the best that you can, and whats right for you.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Sam
Donna says
Beware deep fried pickles. At least in the southern USA, most battered fried foods use milk or buttermilk to help the breading (flour or cornmeal) stick to the vegetable (pickles, okra, mushrooms, etc.) before being put into the deep fryer. Always ask your server and if they don't know, politely ask them to check with the kitchen.
Sam says
Great tip Donna! I will add this info in there. Thanks for sharing 😀
Rose says
Most appetizers are safe and can be ordered for tapas style dining.
Sam says
I love tapas style dinning! Great tip Rose. 😀
Gem says
Problems I found with Japanese restaurants (both in England & Japan) are tempras are usually made with batter with eggs and dip is usually made with bonito. It's the same with any soup dish. Only certain type of soup is traditionally made with kombu dashi, so you really need to ask as waiters don't think about these issues. Unfortunately, they are not very flexible to make the dashi specially for you with kombu. Problems with Chinese restaurants are not usually with hidden ingredients, but it's the way they use the wok. Once they cook one dish, they just wipe the wok or add hot water and rinse it quickly. It means they use the same wok that has just cooked a meat & it's not washed properly. I don't know how many vegetarians/vegans are concerned about this but I definitely am!
Sam says
Thanks for sharing Gem!
Always good to be aware of what you are getting into, and the right questions to ask. 🙂
monica says
I just finished an awesome Lebanese meal, it just so happens the Lebanese place near me makes most of their food vegan. I had vegan Kebbeh and swiss chard with black eyed peas, garlic, onions and lemon juice, she told me to cut up some pickles when I got home and eat it with that. YUMMMMM
I general tend to go to restaurants and tell them I have a dairy and egg allergy and I don't eat meat, most places seem to be pretty helpful (especially at Disney World). I will have to try the call ahead method next time.
Sam says
Oh Lebanese! Your meal sounds absolutely divine. You are making me hungry!
sara says
Unfortunately it doesn't always work when you call ahead, as I found out to my cost just this week! Even though I'd previously visited this particular restaurant and they were very happy to make a vegan dish, when I went back a second time (after phoning ahead and asking if they would be able to make something for us to which I was told yes it wasn't a problem) once we had arrived and sat down we were told there was no note on our booking mentioning a vegan meal had been requested and the chef refused to prepare us something 'off menu'. Needless to say we left and went to another restaurant who were more than happy to accomodate us.
Sam says
What a terrible experience!! That's such a bummer Sara. You would think that because it's the service industry, they would be willing to serve you. They obviously don't deserve your business!
Ian Hamilton says
Nice article, although I'd have to disagree about Thai. They're an absolute nightmare. You can't just specify 'no fish sauce' because that will only relate to ingredients that they use themselves, not constituent ingredients. So for starters I'd remove curries from your safe foods list, because it is very rare to find vegan curry pastes, they almost always contain both shrimp paste and fish sauce.
Also for asian food in general, particularly Chinese, you also have to specifiy no oyster sauce. Many asian restauranteurs genuinely believe that oysters are vegetables.
Ian Hamilton says
visiting thailand was hands down the worst food experience of my life. fish sauce in EVERYTHING, even 'plain' noodles and in onion ring batter. By the end of the trip I had given up and just ate salad sandwiches.. although it wouldnt have surprised me if there was shrimp in the bread dough and the salad washed in fish sauce instead of water.
I would never every recommend that any vegan goes to thailand, and that's just the food, let alone their mind-blowing levels of animal abuse (e.g. the elephant 'crushing ritual')
Cate says
yeah i agree about thailand. I also have found japanese food can be difficult unless you specific no bonito flakes.
Sam says
Great tip Cate, thanks for sharing!
Sam says
Oh no! I have not been the Thailand yet, but I wanted to go, now I am scared!! Thanks for the warning Ian, I will look into it further before booking a trip.
Ian Hamilton says
Yeah, **** thailand. Unless you don't mind not being able to eat any food and dont mind horrific animal abuse. The scenery and wildlife is beautiful, but that doesn't make up for it.
Here's the #1 reason never to go anywhere near the place. Elephants are dangerous wild animals, yet somehow the ones in thailand are docile and obedient. This is the reason why, this is what every single elephant goes through to get it into that state (warning, this video is one of the worst things you'll ever see):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVckvi_gWVo
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/1016_021016_phajaan.html
You see those hook things on every elephant tour, e.g. in the guy's hand here:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/cms/binary/5785008.jpg
The standard response you get from elephant handlers on tours is that they don't use the hooks, they just use them to point. It's because they don't have to do anything more than point, because the elephants are so terrified by the sight of them.
Well, that's the elephants that are left anyway, there are only 5000 now. 100 years ago there were 100,000.
A friend of mine also went to Thailand, he actually went on an elephant tour. Their elephant was being tempramental, not wanting to do the tour, so the handler took out a knife and held it to the throat of the elephant's baby.
The elephant then started behaving.
How did the elephant even know what a knife is?
Sam says
Wow that is shocking!!! Thank you for sharing Ian. Poor elephants. It's horrifying how many species are endangered right now because of humans greed. It makes me so sad 🙁
Minanana says
You are exhausting. Sometimes it's better to not write off an entire country based on a handful of things. My time in Thailand was much less daunting. Yes, there are some awful things which happen in other cultures(as well as cultures much closer to home...), but that doesn't speak for every person. When visiting, be weary who and what you support. This goes for everywhere. As for dining out, it helps if you have someone who speaks the language with you. There are some options, but it's true that there are not a huge number of them. It's much easier to purchase your own food.
Ian Hamilton says
I am 'exhausting'? Grow up.
I'm not writing off Thailand on the basis of 'a handful of things', I'm writing it off on the basis of my entire experience. It wasn't entirely negative, there were some really amazing points, but on balance, I wouldn't go back there even if you paid me to.
Coulinjo says
Oh how I agree with this! When I say it, people reply "Oh but the Thai are such a gentle people". The levels of abuse and cruelty were astonishing - and the food really hard to eat as even fried greens were considered 'not finished' unless they tipped fish sauce all over them. I find all the Asian countries so casual about animal usage that it's really difficult.
Sam says
That's so rough. One day we will live in a more humane world...
Liz says
I second this. I once went to a Thai resteraunt with a huge vegetarian menu. When explaining I was vegan I found out that ALL their vegetarian dishes had fish in. Rude.
The only thing they could make me was a veggie stir fry and it was swimming in soy sauce. Imagine a bowl of soy sauce soup with some veg thrown in. It was grim and I've been put off Thai food for life!
Sam says
That is such a bummer Liz! I hate hearing these depressing dining experiences. I'm fortunate enough to live close to an amazing (truly) all vegetarian thai restaurant. I hope more of them pop up in other cities too. I love Thai!
Ian Hamilton says
they're rare, because you have to make your own vegetarian paste from scratch, and most restaurants buy pre-made (i.e. including fish and shrimp) pastes, and happily tell their customers that it's vegetarian
Sam says
Boo, that's sad. Good to be wary! Thanks again Ian.
Sophie says
There's an amazing Thai restaurant near my house that makes their own paste from scratch and it doesn't contain fish, shrimp, or anything of the sort! My father is allergic to most fish and all shellfish and when asked about the pastes, they said it was safe, showed us how they made them, and my dad has never had a reaction there! The owners are from Thailand, didn't come over until their children were grown, then opened a restaurant in the states. They were dissatisfied with the quality of the store bought pastes and decided to make their own. They like to add the shrimp and fish sauce on request as opposed to adding it in automatically because it affects the flavor and is a personal preference for them. It's always great to ask because you'll never know what you'll find!
Sam says
That's so great to hear Sophie!! It's very true, you never know what you'll find until you ask, and that's why it's so important to ask. I have literally been given entire vegan menus that weren't part of the regular menu. Not sure why a restaurant wouldn't promote all of their options, but there ya go!
Sam says
Haha! Oysters are certainly not vegetables, but oyster mushrooms sure are. I have not had much of a problem at the restaurants that I have gone too, and many already have a vegetarian section, but it's always a great idea to make sure. Thanks for the tips Ian!
Ian Hamilton says
It's a mix of cultural and religous.. the concept of vegetarianism in china is tied to chinese bhuddism, and chinese buddhist diet (while otherwise vegetarian) includes oysters, clams and mussels.
You just can't at all go by whether or not a restaurant has a vegetarian section, because their definition of vegetarian might be completely different to yours.
I looked on google images for the first chinese menu with a vegetarian section, and no surprise it has oyster sauce in it:
http://www.richardchineserestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/menu21.jpg
So even if you ask which dishes are vegetarian, you won't get the right information. I just fake allergies, I say I have a severe allergy to any seafood including fish sauce, shrimp paste and oyster sauce.
It's the only way, another example is when ordering vegetarian hot and sour soup in a chinese restaurant and finding shredded chicken in my mouth, i called the waiter over and asked him if it was chicken, he said yes, i said but this was listed as vegetarian, he said yes. I said chicken is not vegetarian, he said yes it is, because the pieces are only small.
Ann says
My husband and I are chef and pastry chef of a fine dining restaurant. We have a vegan plate on the menu, not just sides and pasta thrown together but a thoughtfully prepared plate. Other items can be modified. Please don't be afraid to call ahead or ask your server! No one will do anything awful to your food and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Chefs watch the trends and know that plant-based eating is a huge and growing way of eating. (We eat that way most days ourselves!) The more requests for plant-based food a chef sees, the more likely they are to put those kinds of dishes on the menu. Thanks for this article!
Sam says
Thank you so much Ann! It's so great to hear you have a thoughtful vegan dish already on the menu, I love that! Thanks for the boost of encouragement for calling ahead, I agree, you will often be pleasantly surprised 😀