Kerman
Trip Start
Apr 01, 2008
1
51
153
Trip End
Jul 15, 2012
Kerman, Iran
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The biggest problem I faced during our month in Iran was finding food. Travelling as a vegetarian is rarely easy and often uninspiring and it is fair to say our timing could have been better, with our visit coinciding with Ramadan, when most restaurants and shops remain closed until the evening. That said, beyond the Iranian staple of rice, kebab and bread, we found Iranian food to be really poor and very limited.
The concept of vegetarianism doesn't exist in Iran. It just doesn't make sense to them. On several occasions when I asked for something without meat, I was offered either chicken or something with sausage involved! When I did manage to get something that was for the most part devoid of bones and gristle, it was often close to unpalatable - which is really saying something given my generous and forgiving taste buds!
Talking of food, I sat in my dinner last night! We managed to get hold of some 9% beer and a bottle of vodka, which the four of us drank before wobbling across the road to a local restaurant. I can't remember much, but apparently my meal consisted of some yellow puke-like stuff on rice. Everyone tried some and said it was possibly worst thing they have ever tasted. Anyway, whilst trying to put my shoes on at the end of the meal, I rocked backwards and sat in it! All very funny and no less than it deserved by the sounds of it.
Comments
I'm not sure if it might have been due to you travelling Iran in Ramadhan or not - But there are actually a minority of Persian dishes that are suitable for vegtarians like Ash and Kuku sabzi
Persian dishes like Ghorme Sabzi can be made without lamb and still taste nice