Are you planning a trip to Iran as a vegetarian? Are you perhaps, dreading the challenge of having to find Persian vegetarian food on your trip? Let’s just say that, if you think Iran is only the perfect foodie destination for meat lovers, then you are in for a surprise!
When visiting Iran, there are many vegetarian Persian dishes to try. There’s a lot more to Persian cuisine than kebabs and lamb chops. It is a widespread myth that Iranian cuisine is extremely meaty. Although a large number of Iranian households indeed use meat products, vegetarian meals have always been very popular in Persian food culture.
You may think it’s very unlikely for you to have an easy time finding vegetarian food in a country where kebabs reign supreme. But that is simply not true. Iran is a vast country, with culture as various as it is deep-rooted. Each city in Iran has a food culture of its own.
The northern people, for example, favor using fresh vegetables and fruits of each season in their cuisine. Southern people are more inclined towards using a lot of spice and veggies in their dishes, usually topped with local sauces. And Tehran, Iran’s food capital, has all sorts of dishes from international cuisine (Asian, Indian, Turkish, Italian, and many more) to vegetarian food, seafood, and traditional Persian food.
In fact, vegan and vegetarian restaurants can be found all over most of the major cities of Iran like Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad. This is because Persian vegetarian food has become very popular among people, and especially the younger generation during the recent decade.
Many people have switched their diet to a vegan and vegetarian diet, and the number is only growing bigger and bigger by the day. Yes, Persian food culture is, indeed, full of surprises! Let’s look at the 15 most delicious Persian Vegetarian foods in Iran, along with the ingredients used in each of them. Even if you are not a vegetarian, you will not be disappointed if you try these delightful Persian dishes.
Because of Persia’s geographical position and the mighty Persian empire’s many attacks and triumphs, today’s Persian cuisine is enhanced by many creative additions and flavorsome ingredients and recipies from outside Iran. You can have a taste of all the Turkish, Indian, Greek, and Arabic flavors mingled in Persian food in one of our Iran Food tours!
You’re a vegetarian who can’t seem to figure out what to do with nutrient-dense mung beans? “Mash Polo” is a fantastic way to help your body while also pleasing your tummy! Mung beans are abundant in potassium, fiber, magnesium, and B vitamins, and they also contain a substantial amount of vitamin C.
Mash = Mung bean
You’ve most likely tried pasta before. Spaghetti is prepared differently in Persian cuisine. And, as you can tell by the title, it also goes by a different name in Iran: Macarooni. Persian Macaroni is a fantastic idea if you don’t take it easy most of the time and don’t like exotic flavors or foods. You can add all your favorite vegetables to Macarooni as long as they go well with the sauce!
Ingredients: Pasta, Onions, Bell pepper, Tomato paste
Yes! in fact, there are many vegetarian Persian dishes you should definitely try on your trip to Iran. You can find a list of best Vegetarian-safe Persian foods here.
2. What Is the list of things vegetarians can eat in Iran?
Vegetarian persian foods like Mirza Ghasemi, Baghali Ghatogh, Sholeh Zard, Ash, Loobia, Adasi, and Falafel are just some of the many delicious foods vegetarians can eat in Iran.
3. Is vegetarianism practiced in Iran?
yes, popularly practiced in fact. Many people have switched their diet to a vegan and vegetarian diet, and the number is only growing bigger and bigger by the day.
4. Is Persian food vegetarian friendly?
Yes! many Persian dishes are vegetarian friendly and let us just say that, if you think Iran is only the perfect foodie destination for meat lovers, you are in for a surprise!