Indian
Many classic dishes are built on lentils, beans, vegetables, spices, and rice, and can often be made vegan with one or two swaps.
Vegan Diet Guide
Vegan Dining Guide
Spot hidden animal ingredients fast and order with confidence, anywhere.
Avoids:All animal products (meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey) and animal-derived additives
Most common restaurant traps:Sauces, broths/stock, butter/ghee, mayo/aioli, hidden dairy powders
Best ordering strategy:Pick a plant-forward dish, then confirm cooking fat + sauce base + garnishes
Highest-risk categories:Soups, noodles, fried foods, desserts, and anything “umami-rich”
Safe Cuisines
Cuisines that typically have many options compatible with this diet. Always verify ingredients with staff.
Thai
Lots of vegetable-heavy stir-fries and curries, and many dishes can be veganized by swapping sauce bases and protein.
Lebanese
Strong mezze culture with naturally plant-based staples like legumes, herbs, grains, and olive oil.
Ethiopian
Many restaurants offer vegan-friendly fasting dishes with legumes and vegetables served with injera.
Vietnamese
Fresh herbs, vegetables, rice, and tofu are common, and many dishes can be made vegan if broth and sauces are confirmed.
Mexican
Beans, corn, salsa, and vegetable fillings are common; many dishes are easy to modify by removing cheese/cream and confirming cooking fats.
Tips & Tricks
Practical advice for following this diet when dining out.
At Restaurants
- •Lead with your goal: “I eat vegan, no meat, fish, dairy, eggs, or honey.” Then ask about the cooking fat and sauce base.
- •Choose buildable dishes (bowls, tacos, stir-fries, mezze) where swaps are normal.
- •Ask for sauce on the side when the menu is unclear. It’s the easiest way to avoid hidden fish sauce, butter, or mayo.
- •When in doubt, order two simpler items rather than one “mystery masterpiece” with lots of components.
Reading Menus
- •Treat “vegetarian” as “needs verification.” Look for dairy/egg clues: aioli, mayo, brioche, creamy, buttered, parmesan, hollandaise.
- •Scan for broth words: stock, consommé, dashi, bouillon, demi-glace. Confirm it’s vegetable-based.
- •Watch for “umami boosters” that are often non-vegan: oyster sauce, bonito flakes, anchovy paste, Worcestershire.
- •Desserts are high-risk: ask whether baked goods contain eggs/butter or if gelatin is used.
Fast Casual & Street Food
- •Prioritize places that already offer tofu/bean options and list ingredients clearly.
- •Ask one key question first: “Is the sauce vegan?” It catches most hidden animal ingredients quickly.
- •Confirm fryer oil if you’re strict: shared fryers and animal-fat frying still happen in some kitchens.
- •For sandwiches/burgers, verify the bun (brioche often contains eggs/butter) and default sauces (mayo/aioli).
Traveling
- •Learn the local word for vegan and the common “gotchas” (fish sauce in Southeast Asia, dashi in Japan, lard in some regions).
- •Use a short phrasebook line you can show on your phone to avoid back-and-forth in loud places.
- •When language is a barrier, order from clearly vegan sections or request “vegetables + rice/noodles, no fish sauce, no egg.”
- •Carry a backup snack for transit days so you can skip risky “only option” meals.
Hidden Ingredients to Watch
Ingredients that may violate your diet and aren't always obvious on menus.
Fish sauce
Made from fermented fish; even small amounts make a dish non-vegan.
Found in: Thai and Vietnamese stir-fries, salad dressings, dipping sauces, marinades
Also called: nam pla, nuoc mam, fish gravy
Oyster sauce
Often contains oyster extract and is commonly used as a savory base.
Found in: Chinese-style veggie stir-fries, noodles, sauces
Also called: oyster flavoured sauce, hao you
Shrimp paste
Seafood-based seasoning that’s frequently hidden inside curry pastes.
Found in: Thai curries, sambals, some stir-fry sauces
Also called: kapi, belacan, terasi
Dashi / bonito flakes
Japanese stock often made with bonito (fish) and/or kombu; not vegan when fish-based.
Found in: Miso soup, ramen broths, simmered dishes, sauces
Also called: katsuobushi, awase dashi
Meat broth / stock / demi-glace
Soups and sauces may be built on beef/chicken/fish stock even when the dish looks plant-based.
Found in: Soups, risotto, ramen/pho, gravies, braises
Also called: bouillon, consommé, fond
Butter / ghee
Dairy fat used for flavor and cooking; ghee is clarified butter.
Found in: Indian curries, bread, roasted vegetables, rice, sautéed sides
Also called: clarified butter, niter kibbeh
Whey / casein / milk powder
Dairy-derived proteins can appear in “non-dairy” sounding products and seasonings.
Found in: Breads, chips/flavored snacks, sauces, creamy dressings
Also called: sodium caseinate, milk solids, lactose, caseinate
Egg (including egg wash)
Eggs are common binders and enrichers in batters, noodles, buns, and sauces.
Found in: Brioche buns, fresh pasta, some noodles, tempura batter, aioli/mayo
Also called: albumen, ovalbumin, egg wash
Gelatin
Derived from animal collagen; not vegan.
Found in: Gummy candies, marshmallows, panna cotta, some desserts and glazes
Also called: gelatine, E441, animal gelatin
Carmine (cochineal)
Red dye made from insects; not vegan.
Found in: Red/pink drinks, candies, desserts, some sauces
Also called: E120, cochineal extract, natural red 4
Commonly Safe Dishes
Dishes that are typically safe for this diet. Always confirm ingredients and preparation methods.
Chickpeas simmered with tomatoes, onions, and spices.
Why safe: Typically plant-based and hearty, often vegan by default if cooked in oil.
Stir-fried or braised potatoes and cauliflower with spices.
Why safe: Usually vegan-friendly and simple, but fat choice matters.
Mixed vegetables wok-fried with garlic and sauce.
Why safe: Can be fully vegan when made without fish/oyster sauce.
Rice paper rolls filled with vegetables, herbs, and tofu.
Why safe: Usually plant-based; the dip is the key variable.
Lentils and rice topped with sweet-savory caramelized onions.
Why safe: Traditionally vegan and filling, often cooked in olive oil.
Red lentils simmered with berbere spices.
Why safe: Common vegan option, especially in vegetarian combo platters.
Sautéed cactus (nopales) served in tortillas with salsa and toppings.
Why safe: Naturally plant-based when made without cheese/crema and with vegan tortillas.
Pasta with a simple tomato, garlic, and basil sauce.
Why safe: Can be vegan if pasta is egg-free and no cheese/butter is added.
Ask the Staff
Essential phrases in multiple languages to communicate your dietary needs.
General
I eat vegan. Can you help me choose a dish with no meat, fish, dairy, eggs, or honey?
Spanish: Soy vegano/a. ¿Puede ayudarme a elegir un plato sin carne, pescado, lácteos, huevos ni miel?
French: Je suis végane. Pouvez-vous m’aider à choisir un plat sans viande, poisson, produits laitiers, œufs ni miel ?
Mandarin: 我是纯素食者。你能帮我选一道不含肉、鱼、奶制品、鸡蛋或蜂蜜的菜吗？
Italian: Sono vegano/a. Può aiutarmi a scegliere un piatto senza carne, pesce, latticini, uova o miele?
Is this dish vegan, or can it be made vegan?
Spanish: ¿Este plato es vegano o se puede hacer vegano?
French: Ce plat est-il végane, ou peut-on le rendre végane ?
Mandarin: 这道菜是纯素的吗？或者可以做成纯素吗？
Could you serve the sauce or dressing on the side?
Spanish: ¿Podría servir la salsa o el aderezo aparte?
French: Pouvez-vous servir la sauce ou la vinaigrette à part ?
Mandarin: 酱汁或沙拉酱可以另外放吗？
Ingredients
Does this contain butter, ghee, cream, cheese, yogurt, or milk powder?
Spanish: ¿Esto contiene mantequilla, ghee, crema, queso, yogur o leche en polvo?
French: Est-ce que cela contient du beurre, du ghee, de la crème, du fromage, du yaourt ou du lait en poudre ?
Mandarin: 这里面有黄油、酥油、奶油、奶酪、酸奶或奶粉吗？
Does the sauce contain fish sauce, oyster sauce, shrimp paste, or anchovies?
Spanish: ¿La salsa contiene salsa de pescado, salsa de ostras, pasta de camarón o anchoas?
French: La sauce contient-elle de la sauce de poisson, de la sauce d’huître, de la pâte de crevettes ou des anchois ?
Mandarin: 这个酱里有鱼露、蚝油、虾酱或凤尾鱼吗？
Is the broth/stock vegetable-based, or does it include meat or seafood?
Spanish: ¿El caldo es de verduras o incluye carne o marisco?
French: Le bouillon est-il à base de légumes, ou contient-il de la viande ou des fruits de mer ?
Mandarin: 汤底是蔬菜的吗？还是含有肉或海鲜？
Kitchen & Preparation
What oil do you cook this in? Please no butter or animal fat.
Spanish: ¿En qué aceite lo cocinan? Por favor, sin mantequilla ni grasa animal.
French: Avec quelle huile le cuisinez-vous ? S’il vous plaît, pas de beurre ni de graisse animale.
Mandarin: 这道菜用什么油做？请不要用黄油或动物油。
Are the fries cooked in a shared fryer with meat or seafood?
Spanish: ¿Las papas fritas se cocinan en una freidora compartida con carne o mariscos?
French: Les frites sont-elles cuites dans une friteuse partagée avec de la viande ou des fruits de mer ?
Mandarin: 薯条的油锅会和肉类或海鲜一起用吗？
Can you remove the cheese/egg garnish and use a vegan sauce instead?
Spanish: ¿Puede quitar la guarnición de queso/huevo y usar una salsa vegana en su lugar?
French: Pouvez-vous retirer la garniture de fromage/œuf et utiliser une sauce végane à la place ?
Mandarin: 可以去掉奶酪/鸡蛋的配料，并换成纯素酱汁吗？
Glossary
Key terms and definitions related to this diet.
Vegan
A diet that avoids all animal products: meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, and animal-derived additives.
Related: Plant-based, Vegetarian
Plant-based
Mostly or entirely based on foods from plants; not always strictly vegan (may still include small amounts of animal ingredients).
Related: Vegan, Flexitarian
Vegetarian
Typically avoids meat and fish but may include dairy and eggs (not the same as vegan).
Related: Lacto-ovo vegetarian, Vegan
Cross-contact
When vegan food touches non-vegan ingredients during prep or cooking (shared grills, shared fryers, shared utensils).
Related: Cross-contamination, Shared fryer
Dashi
A Japanese stock often made with bonito (fish) and kombu; not vegan if fish-based.
Related: Bonito, Broth
Ghee
Clarified butter used in many South Asian cuisines; dairy-based and not vegan.
Related: Butter, Niter kibbeh
Whey
A milk-derived protein that can appear in breads, snacks, and seasonings; not vegan.
Related: Casein, Milk powder
Casein
A milk protein commonly used in processed foods; not vegan.
Related: Whey, Sodium caseinate
Gelatin
An animal-derived setting agent used in many desserts and candies; not vegan.
Related: Agar-agar, Pectin
Umami
Savory flavor often boosted with sauces or stocks; in restaurants it can come from non-vegan sources like fish sauce or bonito.
Related: Fish sauce, Demi-glace
FAQs
Explore More
Safe Cuisines
Important Disclaimer
Niblu provides general informational guidance, not medical or legal advice. Ingredients and preparation methods vary by restaurant, recipe, and staff knowledge. Always confirm details with restaurant staff, especially if you have allergies or severe sensitivities.