We all have our meal preferences; some may dislike meat, while others may not take a liking to vegetables. If you’re one of the many people who choose to be vegan or vegetarian, then it might be common to encounter challenges when getting food in foreign countries. It’s an unwanted experience for most people, so here’s a list of dishes for a vegetarian in Bulgaria who wants to enjoy their trip while getting their favorite meals!
Upon taking a deep dive into the internet, you probably already had a scowl on your face once you saw the staple ingredients in Bulgarian cuisines. Main course meals typically contain lamb, pork, chicken, or goat meat—definitely not a vegan or vegetarian-friendly option. Well, traditional Bulgarian food puts a lot of effort into its meals, so missing them will surely be disappointing. But don’t worry, living in the 21st century has its perks, enjoy their traditional meals without ruining your diet because they have vegan versions of them.
Vegetarian In Bulgaria: Dishes You Must Try Today
With vegan restaurants all over the map of Bulgaria, you won’t miss the chance to get a whiff of authentic Bulgarian cuisine. Here are some of the best meals you have to try the moment you land in this country filled with majestic scenery!
1. Shopska Salad
Are you someone who prefers salads over plant-based meat? Or perhaps you’re craving that fresh and healthy dish that makes you feel satisfied in an instant? Here’s a Shopska Salad, one of the best side dishes that you’ll love to order if you’re looking for the smoky and crunchy texture of veggies. It typically contains tomatoes, diced cucumber, onions, and roasted bell peppers. Its seasoning comes in a mixture of salt, vinegar, and sunflower oil. This does come with some grated white cheese but you can ask them to remove it.
2. White Bean Soup
The sound of soup during the cold nights in Bulgaria sounds perfect, right? Here’s a traditional food in the country that you’ll definitely go for a second round. It’s simply made of white beans that are well-spiced up with mint, bell peppers, onions, and other seasonings that come perfectly hand-in-hand.
3. Lozovi Sarmi (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
One of the vegan options you have when getting your main course would be Lozovi Sarmi, as its English name suggests, it’s a vegetable roll packed with nutritious greens. The wrapper can either be cabbage or grape leaves, depending on what’s available while its filling is mainly rice, onions, carrots, and even raisins. You can add more if you like it packed since there are plenty more add-ons that you can try. These can be baked in the oven while others may steam it instead.
4. Grilled Veggie Plate
If there’s something remarkable about Bulgarian meals, it’s that they’re not huge in deep-frying their food, they grill them instead! This vegetarian food or vegan food would definitely make you crave the main course. Since locals are more inclined to have grilled food, some restaurants may offer grilled vegetables for vegan travelers. It’s usually composed of eggplant, pepper, tomatoes, zucchini, and onions. So, if this combination sounds great to you, go and get them now!
5. Tarator Soup
Have you ever heard of a cold soup? Even I found it quite unique, but it’s no surprise since locals can really get creative with their dishes. Tarator soup is extremely popular during summer in Bulgaria and people often order it an any Bulgarian restaurant because of its tasty and unique taste. It’s made from dill, diced cucumbers, garlic, and walnuts. While its liquid base usually contains yogurt, vegetarian options can replace it with vinegar and water, or tahini.
6. Guvech
Does the dish “Guvech” ring a bell to you? Well, it has a pretty unique and remarkable name plus the way you pronounce it makes it even more worth noting. It’s a Balkan cuisine that’s simply a vegetable casserole filled with different kinds of veggies and spices. Some people may add meat to it, while you always have the option to remove it and go along with your regular diet. You may find a hint of paprika, garlic, and mint in it, making it more flavorful!
Vegetarian-Friendly Bulgarian Restaurants To Visit
Most of these dishes probably had you hunting for the nearest vegan or vegetarian-friendly Bulgarian restaurants near your accommodation. To make it easier for you, we searched for the most-rated diners that you must visit before you leave Bulgaria!
1. Loving Hut Sofia
If you’re staying in the heart of Bulgari in Sofia, then you shouldn’t miss visiting this restaurant. It has the vision of serving plant-based and healthy dishes that would probably have you over the moon. With a 4.7-star review on Google, you can tell that people actually love them! They even serve desserts that are totally vegan and vegetarian-friendly, so you’ll freely get to enjoy everything on their menu!
2. Dream House
Another place that seems to capture the hearts of travelers is this vegetarian restaurant. It’s known as one of the oldest restaurants in Sofia, and it also offers cheap yet delicious dishes in the city. They’re known for having a variety of dishes and they also offer buffets every Sunday and guess what? It’s an eat-all-you-can day! Plus this place is rated with 4.5 stars with a variety of positive comments and recommendations on Google Reviews.
Want To Learn More About Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has a lot more to offer when it comes to palpable cuisines. They have their way of catching both meat and non-meat eaters’ interest. Before you book a flight, you probably want to learn a couple of ways to order your food. With Ling, you can start this journey seamlessly with its gamified learning strategy. You may also discover 60+ languages with the app and gain mastery over your target language by spending 20 minutes of your time daily.
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