Since I consider a job in Kiev, Ukraine, I would like to know if anyone know about the availability of Vegetarian food in Ukrainian restaurants and supermarkets, or maybe in health food stores. I heard it is more difficult to find Vegetarian food in Eastern European countries then in e.g. the UK.
2007-10-23 01:25:41 · 7 answers · asked by Amsterdamned 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Taivo is 100% right on, but I will add the following.
Finding "vegetarian" food is not at all difficult in Ukraine as meat is very expensive. Many of their dishes are made with only vegetables, so you will not starve. But YOU will have to be responsible for finding out what is in the food you eat.
And yes, if you are served meat in a household, you should eat it or be considered rude. But if your hosts know that you do not eat meat, they will accomodate you - ** just make sure they know ahead of time.**
It will be a bigger issue if you do not eat dairy. Eggs, cottage cheese, milk, sour cream - all are common ingredients. If you eat fish, that eases things as well.
And to read the labels, you will need to read Ukrainian. Although Russian is understood in speech by everyone, most of the labels will all be in Ukrainian.
And no, nothing will be labeled vegan or vegetarian. You also will not find things like vegetarian meat patties there - although they are commonly made in the home. In fact, you will find much fewer "prepared" foods in the supers there, but the upside is that the produce is fresh, organic, and tasty.
2007-10-23 06:23:29 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A very interesting comment form the guy living in the Ukraine. I once asked some Germans about Germany and they said very seriously that there are no vegetables in Germany and definitely no vegetarians. But apparently they don't know their own country very well.
I would assume that Ukrainian food is similar to Russian food, and Russian food has a long history of vegetarian dishes. In fact, where I live there are some Russian restaurants and the menus are 50-75% vegetarian and they will go out of their way to accommodate you. Traditionally the Russian diet is mostly vegetarian.
It's interesting that it was mentioned to be rude to refuse some meat given to you, but actually they should equally respect your beliefs. What if you were from Israel or India and had never eaten animal before in your life and it was a deep part of your beliefs. You'd refuse for certain. So, just because you may have chosen to be a vegetarian due to your personal beliefs and not because it is part of the culture of your whole nation, does not mean you should give up those beliefs just to appease others.
There are vegans and vegetarians in the Ukraine just as everywhere else.
2007-10-23 19:51:48 · answer #2 · answered by Scocasso ! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is more difficult to find vegetarian food in Eastern Europe, but it can be done. A willingness to learn enough of the language to read labels and ask the relevant questions will help. A couple of possibilities are varenyky (dumplings which can come with either meat or veg., esp. potato, sauerkraut and/or mushroom, fillings, so be sure to ask), various soups (again ask about ingredients), bliny or crepes with veg. fillings, etc.
One thing that will be a great help is that the Ukrainian people are very hospitable and will often go out of their way to accomodate guests in their country. If you're not careful, your inquiries might lead you to a groaning table piled high with local vegetarian goodies.
хай щастить / Good luck.
Todd
2007-10-23 04:27:58 · answer #3 · answered by todgar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing here is labelled "Vegan" or "Vegetarian". You have to become a label reader or just live with salads. The world here doesn't have people who don't eat meat, so there are no special efforts made to accomodate them. There is no such thing as a "health food store" here. You will buy your food in the same markets as everyone else. YOU are the one who will be responsible for avoiding meat. And if you are invited to dine at someone's home, you should eat what you are served. Sorry, but that will include meat. It will be considered rude to not eat something just because it contains meat or meat by-products. The Ukrainians are hospitable people, but you shouldn't expect to impose your cultural values on them.
LATER EDIT: What if you are from Israel or India? Well, it is then (as I said above) YOUR responsibility to talk to your hosts beforehand about your diet restrictions. When you are in someone else's country, you are expected, as a rule of politeness, to conform to their cultural standards. However, if you have religious or other dietary scruples, YOU must be the one to actively discuss this with your dinner hosts long before you arrive at their door. As Kevin said, Ukrainians are polite people and will try to accomodate you, but as I said above, YOU must be the active party, you cannot expect people to accomodate you just because you send out "vegetarian" vibes.
2007-10-23 05:51:22 · answer #4 · answered by Taivo 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This probably isn't any help, but the only person I ever met from Ukraine says he is vegetarian and eats chicken.
2007-10-25 13:12:39 · answer #5 · answered by majnun99 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am a cook in india and if given good salary with savings potential . I can go to ukraine or to hell also
2016-03-13 05:07:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always like the Ukranians for their common sense approach to life and their delicious cuisine.
This "news" will no doubt raise havoc with the ignorant fanatics on this V&V board and if they go over the the Ukraine they are sure to make a spectacle of themselves. I don't think you should take the job Amsterdam, you are likely to be a royal pain to the Ukranians.
2007-10-23 08:00:19 · answer #7 · answered by traceilicious 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes they are called cadaveors .......
2007-10-23 01:30:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋