Eritrea for vegan & vegetarian travelers
Eritrea is very accommodating for vegetarian travelers thanks to religious fasting traditions that emphasize plant-based meals. Vegan travelers can also eat well by choosing lentils, vegetables, flatbreads, and confirming dishes are prepared without butter.
Eritrea
Vegan Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Vegetarian Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Best For: Fasting dishes, lentils, vegetables
Challenging Because: Clarified butter (niter kibbeh)
🥗 What to Eat
- Vegetarian-friendly: Shiro, lentils, vegetable stews
- Vegan-friendly: Fasting dishes (tsom), injera with vegetables
🚫 Watch Out For
- Niter kibbeh (spiced butter)
- Meat stock on non-fasting days
🗣️ Survival Phrases (Tigrinya)
- No meat: Sga yelen
(sig-gah yeh-len) - No butter: Tselim aykonen
(tseh-lim eye-koh-nen)
🧭 Veggie Trip Tip
Ask if the dish is tsom — fasting food is naturally vegan.
🇪🇷 Capital – Asmara
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