Gone are the days when being a vegetarian meant being limited to boring salads! As the world becomes more aware of the environmental effects of meat consumption, as well as the health benefits of a plant-based diet, vegetarian food is becoming more creative and more accessible than ever! In fact, many of the world’s best dishes are actually meat-free, making them ideal for many vegetarian visitors. In honour of World Vegetarian Day on 1 October, Expat Explore has listed our favourite famous vegetarian dishes from around the world!

Here are 11 famous vegetarian dishes from around the world:

1. Pan con tomate (Catalan tomato bread)

Country: Spain

Don’t let the simplicity of this dish fool you! As one of the most popular dishes in the Catalan region, pan con tomate is not merely tomato spread on bread. A must-have at any Barcelona tapas restaurant, this delicious dish can be eaten for any meal! In fact, in many Catalan homes, tomatoes and garlic accompany bread instead of butter. Made with crispy toasted bread (usually coca bread which is similar to a flat baguette), garlic, fresh tomatoes, olive oil and sea salt, this tapas is remarkably easy to prepare yet delivers exceptional, fresh flavour every time.

2. Koshary

Country: Egypt

Did you know that the national dish of Egypt is vegetarian? Koshary, also spelt koshari and kushari, is a delightful blend of rice, macaroni and lentils topped with a generous portion of chickpeas, fried onions, spiced tomato sauce and garlic vinegar. A comforting dish consisting of a healthy serving of carbohydrates and plant-based protein, koshary is a staple food all over Egypt. You’ll find koshary at stalls across the country and on most Egyptian restaurant menus. It is also one of the cheapest dishes around, often costing little more than the equivalent of a single U.S. dollar.

3. Falafel

Country: All over North Africa and the Middle East

As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction! However, the origin of these beloved patties is rather controversial. Falafel is a common street food all over the Middle East, but particularly in Israel, Palestine and Egypt with the question of its actual origin leading to many political debates! Wherever they may have come from, vegetarians and carnivores alike are grateful for the existence of these veggie balls of happiness. Falafel is usually made with chickpeas (fava beans in Egypt), mixed with herbs and spices and then deep-fried. It’s an excellent accompaniment to salad, as a sandwich filling or as a snack on its own.

4. Spanakopita

Country: Greece

Greece is a fabulous destination for vegetarian travellers. With a strong focus on fresh ingredients, there are plenty of vegetarian options available. One of the most popular Greek vegetarian dishes is Spanakopita – and for good reason! This Grecian pie typically consists of a delicate, buttery pastry casing and a rich, savoury spinach and feta cheese filling. But there is also a vegetarian and vegan version of Spanakopita that forgoes any cheese or eggs and is popular during the Greek Lent or other religious fasts. Enjoy this irresistible dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner, as a side or snack!

5. Ratatouille

Country: France 

The first thing that may come to mind when you think of Ratatouille is the beloved Disney-Pixar film of the same name. Well, this title is more than just a clever play on words (with the main character Chef Remy being a rat), it’s an ode to the complex nature of one of France’s most iconic dishes – one that many chefs struggle to perfect! Ratatouille is a French Provençal dish that originated in Nice. It is a gorgeous example of rural French cuisine with ingredients that could easily be grown in the gardens of southern France.

While many variations of the dish exist, common ingredients are aubergine, zucchini, capsicum (peppers), garlic, onion and tomato. These vegetables are sliced thinly and each is stir-fried separately so that the individual flavour of each veggie shines. Next, the veggies are slow-cooked, sometimes for up to six hours, in the oven. This French classic presents beautifully with the colourful vegetables forming a circle or tower.

Related: Get ready for France with the top French travel phrases and tips!

6. Käsespätzle

Country: Austria and Germany

Käsespätzle is essentially the Austrian and German answer to macaroni and cheese, an all-time favourite vegetarian comfort food! Spätzle is a small, delightfully chewy noodle made with fresh eggs. Like most types of pasta and noodles, premade spätzle can be bought at stores but there is nothing better than the freshly made variety. For the käse portion of the dish, sharp cheeses like cheddar, emmentaler and granular cheese are grated and layered over the spätzle and then topped with crispy fried onions. Like your classic mac ‘n’ cheese, the assembled dish is then baked in the oven until warm, gooey and oh-so-cheesy! When ordering, ask which cheeses the dish includes to be sure it’s vegetarian-friendly.

7. Humitas

Country: All across South America! 

Humitas are traditional South American corn patties, distinctively wrapped and cooked in corn husks. Each region makes humitas a little differently but you’ll find them at pretty much any food stall in Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina! In Argentina, humitas consist of fresh corn, onions and spices, making it perfect for vegetarian travellers. When ordering humitas in Chile, we advise checking whether they contain added butter or lard. Similarly, in Ecuador, they sometimes add eggs and occasionally cheese. Peru and Bolivia serve savoury humitas that are often prepared with queso fresco (white cheese) and sweet humitas are made with cinnamon, raisins and sugar! When touring South America, why not compare humitas in all the different areas?

8. Khachapuri

Country: Georgia 

Georgia (the country, not the American state!) cuisine may not be very recognisable on a global scale. However, Georgia’s famous khachapuri became a bit of a viral sensation in recent years thanks to the dish’s highly Instagrammable nature with its boat-like bread casing and ridiculously gooey cheese and egg filling. Not only is khachapuri aesthetically beautiful, but it is also an extremely important part of Georgian culture. Even UNESCO declared khachapuri as a part of Georgia’s intangible cultural heritage and February 27th is celebrated as National Khachapuri Day!

Types of khachapuri and its ingredients vary between regions, however, the most popular form includes plenty of local cheese, butter and egg yolk in the middle. The bread is broken off at the edge and dipped in the mouth-watering filling! To make sure it’s vegetarian-friendly, enquire about the types of cheese used in the recipe.

Related: Find out 10 fun facts about Georgia!

9. Zaru Soba

Country: Japan

Japan is home to some of the world’s best dishes and freshest, seasonal ingredients. While many Japanese dishes are deceptively simple, when it comes to Japanese food, simple never means bland. One such dish is zaru soba. Soba are a type of Japanese noodles made out of buckwheat and have a pleasant grain-like texture. Zaru soba noodles are usually eaten cold with crispy nori (seaweed) and a dipping sauce of soy sauce, broth and sake. However, some dipping sauces may use bonito (fish flakes) so be sure to ask if it’s vegetarian beforehand. Many restaurants in major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are familiar with catering for vegetarians. Zaru soba is a delicious meal on its own or as a side dish along with some tasty vegetable tempura!

Related: Taste authentic Japanese cuisine on our 11-day Highlights of Japan tour.

10. Shahi Paneer

Country: India

While India is home to a variety of vegetarian dishes, all as delicious as you can imagine, when deciding what Indian vegetarian dish to focus on, naturally a royal recipe is the way to go! Shahi paneer is an Indian staple around special occasions and celebrations, hence the affectionate nickname of Royal Paneer.

This delicious and nutritious dish is made of paneer cheese, onions, almond paste, and spicy yet creamy tomato sauce. Enjoy it served on naan, roti or puri for a traditional taste of Inda!

11. Trofie al pesto

Country: Italy

Finally, there are few cuisines as globally celebrated as Italian. If it weren’t for Italy we wouldn’t have pizza, pasta or even cappuccino! Many pizzas and pastas are vegetarian, or could easily be made vegetarian, but for this list, we’ve selected trofie al pesto. Pesto is one of Italy’s greatest gifts to the world and it traditionally contains just five ingredients – basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and parmesan cheese. While not all vegetarians eat parmesan cheese, pesto is just as delicious without it so check with your restaurant when you order.

Pesto originated in the Liguria region, specifically in Genoa and is very popular in Cinque Terre where the basil is considered to be more flavourful than anywhere else. While pesto goes with any pasta shape, in these regions pesto is traditionally served with trofie. Trofie is a short, twisted pasta that has a pleasing chew to it and soaks up pesto beautifully.

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If your veggie taste buds are tingling then it’s time to start planning your next foodie trip around the world! You can taste all of these meat-free meals when travelling to these wonderful places with Expat Explore! Tick off multiple destinations with our Europe tours or search for the destination of your dreams now!