I’m being asked my food preferences for a group trip to northern India golden triangle. Although I’m omnivore I wonder if I’ll get a truer taste of local food with the vegetarian option. We’re staying at good hotels and also eating locally. Does anyone with experience on trips have thoughts on which option to endorse? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Colorado, USA
27 posts
I personally would stick with the veg option. Refrigeration can be a problem with power cuts. You won't be disappointed & the food is wonderful!
Posted by
243 posts
I'm here mainly to suggest that you state when you are going to India, so that no one spends time composing a thoughtful response when it's too late to be of any use to you.
Still, as long as I'm here, I'll agree with Flo above. I don't know how much a civilization that's 3500 years old will change in 15, but my one India trip was in 2011, and it was a relatively short one, including only Delhi, Jaipur and Pushkar -- so obviously I'm neither current, nor expert. But on that trip I did find that India does remarkably good things with vegetarian meals, and even non-vegetarian restaurants sometimes offered great vegetarian menus. One of the things I liked about India, was the impression I got that even if vegetarianism is not universal, it is understood and respected -- in India, unlike in certain other countries, I could ask for vegetarian options in more general restaurants without getting funny looks, or having to hide my face in shame!
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
2369 posts
I was in India for several weeks last year. I ate everything. I don't know why vegetarian options would give you a truer taste.
If you choose the vegetarian, does that mean all your meals will be strictly vegetarian? The hotels I stayed at throughout India had breakfast buffets, so you'll always find vegetarian options on the buffet as well as plenty of non-veg items. So if you really want to go vegetarian, that would still give you the chance to try some meat dishes.
But if you like to eat meat, I don't see any reason not to in India. Just be aware that there's absolutely no beef. It'll be pork, chicken, and lamb. And the food was awesome!
Posted by
Singapore
1321 posts
Who's asking you your dietary preferences? Presumably you can just eat where you want, unless you're on a tour (you say group trip, but is it formally organised?). If you eat meat, go for meat - there is so much good food you'll be spoiled for choice. If you specify vegetarian you may end up locking yourself in (typically it means no meat, onions or garlic).
I'm assuming by "golden triangle" you mean Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, but perhaps you can clarify.
It's a great trip - have fun!
Posted by
10259 posts
We did the Golden Triangle with Gate 1 Travel and tried vegetarian food, it was good, but we still preferred some meat. I will say that the only meat we ever were offered was chicken.
The chicken was better than the veggie.
Posted by
OP
Bay Area California
4 posts
Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I don’t know why they asked about meal preferences, perhaps just to suss out allergies, vegan, etc. I’ll stay with no prefs rather than vegetarian, and expect it will increase my food choices when I’m there. I often eat vegetarian which is why the question arose for me.