A Vegetarian Experience in Berlin

 When I first told my parents I was going to Germany, they both asked if I was going to eat bratwurst. I laughed it off then, but I couldn’t help but wonder: what was being a vegetarian like in Germany? I had only heard of wursts, schnitzel (both of which are meat), and spätzle. I grew up eating spätzle, so I knew those egg noodles had my back. I have been on and off a vegetarian diet for years, mostly just for convenience. When I was living with my parents, they both ate meat, so I did too. While at university, I was able to eat a vegetarian diet. I have since stayed vegetarian with my parents as well (I finally learned to cook). So I was a little nervous, but ready to see what food I would get to try.

     On my first day I mostly ate out, not having the strength to go grocery shopping yet. I started at restaurants that typically would serve vegetarian options, namely an Indian restaurant called Delhi 6 Restaurant. They had the most delicious curry with tofu! They also had plenty of vegan options as well. This extends far beyond just one restaurant. I have found a meatless option at every restaurant I have eaten at, oftentimes even having a plant-based protein as an option. A lot of places also have vegan options. One of my favorite places I have found is Blumenthal. It is a restaurant and cafe that has everything! They have an assortment of alcoholic beverages, coffee drinks, tea drinks, and soft drinks. They also offer alternative milk options. I personally had a latte there that was delicious and topped with some lovely latte art. 

Blumenthal also serves a variety of sweet and savory entrees, including baked goods. I tried the Hummus Sabich. It had hummus (obviously), flatbread, tomato, eggplant, roasted chickpeas, tzatziki, and an egg. It was the best thing I have eaten here, which is a near impossible competition! They also offered a vegan option with tofu. One of my friends ordered it and loved it as well. They had so many options, plus the vegetarian options were packed with protein! 

Grocery shopping turned out to be easier than I had expected. All of the grocery stores I have shopped at in Berlin have a specific vegetarian and vegan section. It’s more than I expected. They have meatless versions of traditional meat, as well as tofu, falafel, and other standard meatless protein options. I have found the Endori brand to be one of my favorites. I also think buying a big bag of pasta helps me on lazier nights. I typically add some butter or cheese for a little protein. I also recommend buying almonds or peanut butter for easy protein too! I find having to shop and cook for myself has allowed me to try new recipes, especially vegetarian ones I find online. Pinterest is one of my favorite places to scroll and the vegetarian recipes on there are great. You can also easily find the ingredients you need. 

     Some tips for eating out and shopping:

1. The words for vegan and vegetarian are pretty similar between English and German. Vegan is the same, then vegetarian depends on the gender of the speaker. It is vegetarier for masculine and vegetarierin for feminine. You can also say vegetarisch when referring to food or just say “kein Fleisch” (no meat).
2. Most menus have markings. The typical V next to an option usually means vegetarian, but you can always ask the waitstaff. Menus in Germany also comply with the EU’s regulation, so they have other letters in the listing. I found this website to be helpful for understanding the other letters! (https://www.visitingvienna.com/eatingdrinking/allergy-letters/)
3. The internet is your friend! Do a quick search about your area and your dietary needs, then find tons of options for you. Berlin is an awesome city that has tons of vegetarian specific places, plus most places serve options of meat and meatless meals. The IES Abroad staff are also your friends and guides in the city. Feel free to reach out to them for suggestions or ask other students. Grüngut is another excellent vegan place I recommend! 

 To sum it all up, Berlin is a great place to be vegetarian. I have tried so many restaurants and never had to settle for something subpar. And don’t worry, you can still try the legendary döner! Order a falafel or halloumi option. I’ve got more places to see, so I’ll update you later. Bis bald!