Top 10 Vegan Countries and Travel Destinations

If you are into vegan food and love to travel, why not sample vegan restaurants in the most vegan friendly countries? I went vegan for a few years, and Tim had to go on more of a mediterranean diet over the years, so I am no stranger to plant based options although I’m accustomed to being a serial meat eater!

While we don’t do it often, we do enjoy a few of Fort Lauderdale’s vegan options.

Today I decided to do a roundup of the most vegan friendly countries and travel destinations for people who love vegan dishes and enjoy eating vegan.

Vegan Friendly Countries

These countries stand out as the top four countries for vegan food.

Indonesia

Indonesia has a wide range of flavorful dishes that are naturally vegan or can be made vegan with small adjustments. Here are some of the most popular vegan-friendly options:

1. Gado-Gado

A hearty salad made with boiled vegetables (such as spinach, cabbage, bean sprouts, and green beans), tofu, and tempeh, all topped with a rich peanut sauce. It’s filling, nutritious, and one of Indonesia’s most famous dishes.

2. Tempeh Dishes

Tempeh (fermented soybean cake) was actually invented in Indonesia. It’s a staple protein in many meals, often stir-fried with sweet soy sauce (tempeh kecap) or deep-fried and eaten as a snack.

3. Sayur Lodeh

A coconut milk–based vegetable stew, usually featuring eggplant, chayote, green beans, jackfruit, and other local veggies. It’s naturally vegan if cooked without shrimp paste.

4. Urap

A dish of steamed vegetables (like spinach, bean sprouts, and cabbage) mixed with spiced grated coconut. Light, fresh, and fully plant-based.

5. Pecel

Similar to gado-gado but usually with simpler veggies and a spicier peanut sauce. It’s often served with rice or rice cakes (lontong).

6. Nasi Uduk

Fragrant coconut rice, often paired with fried tofu, tempeh, and sambal (chili paste). Just avoid any meat side dishes.

7. Ketoprak

A street-food favorite made of rice cakes, rice noodles, bean sprouts, tofu, and peanut sauce. Comforting and vegan-friendly.

8. Sayur Asem

A tamarind-based vegetable soup with corn, long beans, peanuts, and melinjo leaves. It has a sour, refreshing flavor.

9. Tahu Goreng

Fried tofu served with sambal or sweet soy sauce. A simple but tasty snack or side.

10. Jackfruit Rendang (Vegan Rendang)

Traditional rendang uses beef, but in vegan versions, young jackfruit is simmered in coconut milk and spices until it absorbs all the rich flavors.

Tip for Travelers: In Indonesia, some dishes may include shrimp paste (terasi) or fish sauce in the sambal or sauce base. If you’re strictly vegan, it’s best to ask for food without “terasi” or “ikan” (fish).

Malaysia

Malaysia has a vibrant food culture influenced by Malay, Chinese, and Indian traditions — and many dishes can be enjoyed as vegan-friendly meals. Here are some popular options:

1. Nasi Lemak (Vegan Style)

The national dish of Malaysia usually comes with anchovies and egg, but a vegan version can be made with fragrant coconut rice, cucumber, peanuts, sambal (without shrimp paste), and fried tofu or tempeh.

2. Roti Canai (Vegan-Friendly with Curry)

A flaky, crispy Indian-style flatbread that can be paired with dhal curry (lentils) or vegetable curry. Be sure to confirm it’s cooked without ghee (clarified butter) for a fully vegan version.

3. Mee Goreng Mamak (Vegan Version)

A stir-fried noodle dish popular in Indian-Muslim eateries, made with yellow noodles, tofu, bean sprouts, cabbage, and a sweet-spicy soy sauce blend. Just ask for no egg.

4. Nasi Campur (Mixed Rice)

A buffet-style meal where you choose your sides to go with rice. Many stalls offer vegan-friendly dishes like stir-fried vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and curries.

5. Sayur Lodeh

A coconut milk–based vegetable curry with carrots, long beans, cabbage, and tofu. Rich, creamy, and naturally plant-based when made without shrimp paste.

6. Ulam with Sambal (Vegan Style)

Fresh herbs and raw vegetables eaten with sambal. Vegan versions of sambal are available without fish sauce or shrimp paste.

7. Dhal Curry

An Indian-inspired lentil curry flavored with turmeric, cumin, and spices. Commonly eaten with rice or flatbreads like chapati or roti.

8. Char Kway Teow (Vegan Version)

A famous stir-fried flat noodle dish, usually cooked with seafood and eggs. A vegan twist uses tofu, mushrooms, and soy-based sauces instead.

9. Banana Leaf Rice (South Indian Style)

A traditional meal where rice is served on a banana leaf with an assortment of vegetable curries, pickles, and papadum. Easy to keep vegan if you skip yogurt or ghee-based dishes.

10. Kuih (Traditional Sweets)

Many Malaysian snacks and desserts (kuih) are naturally vegan, often made with coconut milk, palm sugar (gula melaka), and rice flour. Favorites include onde-onde (glutinous rice balls with palm sugar filling) and seri muka (glutinous rice topped with pandan custard).

Tip for Vegans in Malaysia: Sambal (chili paste) often contains shrimp paste (belacan). If you’re strictly vegan, ask for sambal “tanpa belacan” (without shrimp paste). Indian and Chinese eateries usually offer the most vegan options, especially with tofu, tempeh, and dhal-based dishes.

Germany

Germany is known for hearty cuisine, but in recent years it has become one of the most vegan-friendly countries in Europe. Traditional dishes have been reimagined without animal products, and modern German food culture includes a lot of plant-based options. Here are some vegan-friendly dishes and classics you’ll find in Germany:

1. Kartoffelsalat (Potato Salad)

A staple across Germany, but prepared differently depending on the region. In southern Germany, it’s often made with vinegar and mustard (naturally vegan), while in the north, mayo is common — so just ask for a version without eggs.

2. Pretzels (Brezeln)

Freshly baked soft pretzels are usually vegan, made with flour, yeast, salt, and water. Pair them with mustard for a traditional snack.

3. Sauerkraut & Rotkohl (Red Cabbage)

Classic German side dishes. Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage, while Rotkohl is braised red cabbage with apples, vinegar, and spices. Both are naturally vegan and served with many meals.

4. Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)

Crispy fried potato pancakes, typically eaten with applesauce. Traditionally made with just potato, onion, and flour — vegan by default in many cases.

5. Spätzle (Vegan Version)

Normally egg-based noodles, but vegan Spätzle is widely available in restaurants and supermarkets. They’re served with lentils (Linsen mit Spätzle) or creamy mushroom sauce (Rahmchampignons).

6. Vegan Wurst (Plant-Based Sausages)

Germany is famous for sausages, and nearly every city now has vegan versions of Bratwurst, Currywurst, and even Weißwurst. These are often soy- or seitan-based.

7. Gemüsepfanne (Vegetable Stir-Fry)

A common dish in traditional German restaurants — seasonal vegetables sautéed with herbs, potatoes, or noodles. Always an easy vegan option.

8. Eintopf (Hearty Stew)

Classic German one-pot stews made with vegetables, lentils, or beans. Vegan versions swap out meat for plant protein or simply focus on root vegetables.

9. Vegan Döner Kebab

Though of Turkish origin, Döner is a German street-food icon. Vegan versions use seitan, soy slices, or jackfruit, served in flatbread with salad and vegan garlic sauce.

10. German Vegan Desserts

Many bakeries now offer plant-based cakes and pastries, but some traditional sweets are naturally vegan, like Apfelstrudel (apple strudel, if made without butter) and Rote Grütze (a red berry compote served with vanilla sauce — ask for vegan cream).

Tip for Vegans in Germany: Germany has one of the largest vegan movements in Europe, so most restaurants in big cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt will have vegan menus or substitutions. Supermarkets like REWE, Edeka, and Lidl also stock extensive plant-based ranges.

India

India is one of the easiest countries in the world for vegans. A significant portion of the population is vegetarian due to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, which emphasize non-violence (ahimsa) and plant-based eating. While dairy (milk, ghee, yogurt, paneer) is very common, many dishes can be made vegan by leaving out these ingredients.

Everyday Vegan-Friendly Dishes

• Dal (Lentil Curries): Staples like dal tadka, sambar, and rasam are made with lentils, spices, and herbs.
• Chana Masala: Spiced chickpea curry, naturally vegan when cooked without ghee.
• Aloo Gobi: Cauliflower and potato stir-fried with turmeric, cumin, and spices.
• Baingan Bharta: Smoked mashed eggplant with tomatoes and onions.
• Vegetable Biryani or Pulao: Spiced rice with vegetables (ensure no ghee or yogurt is used).
• Masoor Dal & Moong Dal: Protein-rich lentil dishes cooked with simple spices.

Street Food & Snacks

• Samosas: Pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas.
• Pakoras/Bhajis: Vegetables dipped in chickpea flour batter and fried.
• Pani Puri/Golgappa: Crispy shells filled with spiced potato, chickpeas, and tangy tamarind water (ask for no yogurt).
• Dosas & Idlis: South Indian rice-and-lentil crepes and steamed cakes, often paired with coconut chutney and sambar.

Naturally Vegan Sweets

Some Indian desserts are dairy-heavy, but many can be made vegan with coconut milk or plant-based alternatives. Examples include:

• Coconut Ladoo (sweet balls made with coconut and jaggery).
• Halwa made with semolina or carrots cooked in oil instead of ghee.

Key Ingredients That Make Indian Food Vegan-Friendly

• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, black gram).
• Fresh vegetables and leafy greens.
• Rice, flatbreads (roti, chapati, paratha without ghee).
• Coconut milk and coconut-based curries (especially in South India).
• Spices: turmeric, cumin, coriander, chili, garam masala.

What to Watch Out For

• Ghee (clarified butter) is often used in cooking.
• Paneer (cheese), curd (yogurt), and milk are common in curries.
• Some sweets contain condensed milk.

Simply asking for “no ghee, no dairy” usually does the trick, as many dishes are flexible.

In short: India is a vegan paradise with thousands of plant-based options rooted in tradition. With a little care around dairy, you’ll find endless vegan meals — from street snacks to thali feasts.

These four countries top my list for the most abundant and delicious vegan food. Here is a list of other places that will vibe with you if you are looking for vegetarian food.

Most Vegan Friendly Countries

After the first four countries, I feel like these other countries have vegan friendly restaurants and food options available and should also be included on this list.

In no particular order, here’s a list of other vegan friendly countries.

Israel

Tel Aviv is often referred to as the vegan capital of the world. Hummus, falafel, sabich, and many more vegan friendly options are easy to find in Israel’s capital city.

Thailand

Pad Thai, done without egg, is one of the vegan dishes that comes to mind. But that’s not all this Asian country offers. You can find vegan food like papaya salad, stir fried vegetables, and green curry as other options.

Taiwan

The Buddist influence here means you’ll have no shortage of fully vegan restaurants to choose from in Taiwan. Tofu, mock meats, even street vendors add to the countless vegan and fully vegetarian restaurants that you will encounter here.

United Kingdom

Believe it or not, London has the highest density of vegan restaurants in the world. Known for their fish and chips, you’ll find much more in this country that has really embraced the plant based options as a lifestyle choice.

Italy

When I think of Italy, I think of hearty pizza and pasta. All of these can be made fully vegan, of course. Tomato based pasta sauces, focaccia bread, and vegan pasta dishes are all in abundance in this beautiful European country.

United States

This one sort of surprised me with how much we rely on fast food in the United States, but our country as a whole is offering more vegan options and fully vegan restaurants as people continue to explore health and wellness diets that increase longevity. It’s not just confined to big cities like New York, LA, and Portland, even rural America has vegan businesses.

So there you have it, a list of the top countries for vegan food. Which ones have you tried?

FAQ’s:

What Area of The World is the “Most Vegan?”

Southeast Asia has a huge vegan and vegetarian following. Ho Chi Minh City offers many plant based options and you’ll notice many Asian countries on this list. Think shrimp paste, fresh fruit, vegetables, and many meat alternatives.

What are the Worst Countries for Vegans?

Argentina comes to mind as it’s a carnivore’s dream. Argentinians love to cook out and grill steaks as their staple meal. Other countries that aren’t known for vegan food include Russia, Iceland, and France.

(Ironically, or maybe not ironically, some of the countries mentioned in today’s article are listed among the top countries to live in.)  

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