This small village on the Calungute-Panaji Road has more foreigners than many beach resorts in the state. And many of these foreign tourists are vegans, who have been influencing local tastes too.
Till recently, the most popular Goan restaurants catered to the tastes of Europeans, Russians or Americans, and many restaurants were named such that they made the choice of cuisine quite clear. Now, there are many restaurants called Plantain’s Leaf, La Vegan, Vegan Goa, Woody’s, Satvika and Brahminica, proudly proclaiming their vegan status.
“This is a revolution we were expecting. It all started after the Russians started arriving in Goa, seeking Ayurveda and Yoga. Their packages could extend for up to three years, and they were often instructed to give up non-vegetarian food and alcohol,” says Wilfred Braganza, a functionary at the Goan Hotels Association. There is a likelihood that many South Indian hotels will open up in Goa, offering the famed South Indian vegetarian fare.
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