❓How do I find vegetarian-friendly restaurants when traveling to a smaller city for work?
I'm heading to a smaller city next week for a three-day work trip, and when I searched maps beforehand, there were barely any vegetarian options listed. A bit worried about it.
2 Answers
Besides searching "vegetarian" or "temple food" on map apps, try searching near "temples" or "Taoist temples" too — a lot of temples have vegetarian restaurants open to the public nearby, and they're usually authentic and reasonably priced. Also try searching "hot pot" (a clear broth base where you cook your own vegetables works pretty much anywhere), "mala tang / mao cai" (self-serve dishes where you can skip the meatballs, though you should ask about the broth beforehand), or Indian/Nepalese restaurants (many specialize in vegetarian food or have plenty of options). If you really can't find a dedicated vegetarian place, just order stir-fried seasonal greens, stir-fried tofu, and a starch at a regular Chinese restaurant, and tell the server clearly not to add ground meat and not to use meat or bone broth. Most restaurants can accommodate that — you just need to ask specifically about the broth and sauces.
I always keep a few packs of portable ready-to-eat tofu products, nuts, and energy bars in my suitcase when traveling for work. If I really can't find anything suitable for vegetarians once I get there, I can tide myself over for the day without it being too much of a hassle or leaving me too hungry to focus on work. I've kept up this habit for years now, and it comes in handy for marathons too — just something to consider.