Ukraine

Vegan Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Vegetarian Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Best For: Home-style vegetable dishes, bakeries, soups
Challenging Because: Sour cream (smetana) and meat broths are very common

🥗 What to Eat

• Varenyky with potato or cabbage (ask no butter or eggs for vegan)
• Borscht — ask for vegetarian version
• Pickled vegetables
• Buckwheat (kasha) and other grains
• Fresh bread from bakeries

🚫 Watch Out For

• Sour cream (smetana)
• Meat stock in soups
• Egg or dairy in baked goods

🗣️ Survival Phrases (Ukrainian)

• I am vegetarian: Я вегетаріанець / вегетаріанка
  (ya veh-heh-tah-ree-AH-nets / kah)
• I am vegan: Я веган / веганка
  (ya veh-GAHN / kah)
• No meat: Без мʼяса
  (bez MYA-sa)
• No dairy: Без молока
  (bez moh-lo-KA)

🧭 Veggie Trip Tip

Ask specifically about broth — many “vegetable” soups and stews start with meat stock. Bakery items often contain eggs or dairy.