Travelling to Goa as a vegetarian tourist may seem challenging with a sceptical eye, but the coastal state has magical culinary secrets veiled under a cloak.
Goa has long welcomed tourists from around the world into its inviting homes. Dotted with splendid beaches along the stunning blue shores and lush greenery, it is no surprise that Goa is one of the most frequently visited holiday destinations in India. Pair the picturesque landscapes with the unending food options that are up for grabs—you have the perfect dream holiday.
Set out on a culinary odyssey in Goa with traditional vegetarian Goan food. We have provided a list of delectable vegetarian Goan dishes that can delight your taste buds, giving you a hint of rich coastal flavours!
This Goan vegetarian staple is made with chunky veggies like potatoes and mushrooms—mixed in a tangy, spicy and creamy tamarind and coconut milk sauce. It is paired with rice. Vegetable xacuti combines the best elements of the East and West—tamarind and coconut from the Konkan region and vinegar, the popular ingredient from the West.
The generous use of multiple Indian spices makes the recipe flavourful, adding the right balance—the fenugreek’s bitterness, the tangy flavour released by vinegar and tamarind, the tartness of the onions, the coconut milk’s sweetness, and the brothiness of the mushrooms.
This delectable Goan stew is made with chana dal and toor dal, blessed with carrots, green beans, potatoes, and drumsticks to elevate the flavour. Additions of jaggery, kokum, grated coconut, spices and tamarind complete this curry. Occasional, seasonal veggies like pumpkins, sweet potatoes and corn are added to the recipe. If you want to boost its flavour, add a dash of ghee.
Blessed with the sweetness of pineapples—this dish honours the tropical fruit of Goa. It is no surprise that pineapple often finds its way into several Goan recipes. In Konkani, ansache sasav translates to pineapple curry. This sweet and tangy dish is typically prepared during Goan weddings and festivals. Adding to the sourness is the perfect balance of oodles of local spices and mustard—served alongside a plate of plain rice.
Apart from fancy delicacies, traditional Goan cuisine focuses on depths of flavour, too! Vonn is a traditional dessert, and many locals relish it during auspicious festivals or weddings. It is prepared with palm jaggery, coconut milk, and chana dal (Bengal Gram) and is served after the meal, as a dessert. Vonn—when served hot, tastes better but it can be savoured chilled, too.
This Goan dish is doused in coconut curry, and it beautifully combines the flavours of cashew nuts and red cowpeas. This leguminous recipe is traditionally served with pav (buns). However, to respond to the inflow of a variety of flavour profiles of the tourists visiting the state—roti or rice is also served. This popular vegetarian Goan curry is cooked with many savoury undertones and garlic—and will leave you craving more.
This purple-coloured drink is something you ought to try when visiting this coastal state. Apart from rescuing you from the sweltering heat of the summer, kokum (aka Malabar Tamarind) also promotes improved digestion.
This flavourful drink is sweet-tangy and is one of the most sought-after sherbet in Goa. While the fruit is commonly used as an essential ingredient in many local dishes, the juiced concoction is the most beloved variation of it.
As you plunge deeper—you will discover an unending list of delectable vegetarian foods—infused with unique Goan flavours that can cater to everyone's dietary needs.
