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IRAN

Vegetarianism has a long history in Iran and ancient Persia. In short, Persian prophets like Zoroaster, Mazdak and Mani, as well as many other famous figures throughout history, were vegetarian or vegan and promoted this lifestyle in their spiritual teachings or epic poems. Although vegans are a small minority in this country, their number is ever-increasing. Also on the rise are vegan activists and NGOs that are freely promoting the vegan lifestyle, mainly via social networks.

The impact of these cultural movements, alongside limited access to meat, resulted in a wide diversity of vegan dishes in Persian cuisine. Today, however, the influence of the media and Western nutritional misinformation about protein has spread worldwide. Like others around the globe, most Iranians think of meat as a must-have ingredient for survival. The good news is that the global movement of veganism has also reached Iran in the past decade.

Tehran, the lively capital city, is a culinary haven for exquisite vegan cuisine. With a multitude of outstanding vegan restaurants, everyone will be impressed.

While many people worldwide know about Iran and its culture, art, philosophy, and architecture, few know about Persian cuisine, much less vegan Persian food. Persian cuisine includes a great number of vegan dishes. Even the well-known, non-vegan Persian cookbook “Joon: Persian Cooking Made Simple” includes more than 50 recipes for vegan Persian food. Basically, Persian cuisine can be categorized as different kinds of polo, khoresh, khorak, aash, purees, fast food, desserts, and side dishes.

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Authenticity

A bowl of Persian-style yogurt soup garnished with herbs and topped with sour cream, accompanied by small cups and a wooden spoon, all on a red velvet cloth.
Pattern of interconnected brown floral and geometric shapes on a black background.
Vegan meal on a metal tray with rice and vegetables, a salad, a bowl of fresh greens, a metal cup, and cutlery, outdoors with plants and flowers in the background.
A vegan breaded cutlet with cherry tomatoes, green olives, chopped green onions, and fresh basil leaves, garnished with sauces and served on parchment paper.
Top-down view of a wooden table with various dishes including a bowl of salad, a plate of rice with yellow curry, a pot of lentil stew, a bowl of pickled vegetables, a small bowl of green sauce, a glass of water, and a bowl of fresh greens with radishes. There are also utensils, a striped towel, and small bowls of pickled vegetables and green sauce.
A hand holding a bowl of yellow vegan dessert topped with a row of almonds and pistachios. Nearby, there are cinnamon sticks, a wooden spoon, and a blue fabric surface.
A traditional Iranian vegetarian meal served on a silver tray placed on a Persian rug. It includes a bowl of orange lentil stew garnished with basil and a boiled onion, a bowl of green vegetable relish with spoon, a bowl of tomato-based soup with a potato, a small salad of various greens, and flatbread.
Plate of stuffed grape leaves, and a bowl of chopped green beans with garlic and herbs.

Places

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