A No-Nonsense Guide to Going Vegan in India in 2025

If you'd told my Punjabi uncle ten years ago that I'd stop eating butter chicken and pour anything but cow's milk in my chai, he'd have shaken his head, called me "modern" (code for mildly disappointing), and topped up his glass with an extra serving of doodh to prove a point.

But here we are. It's 2025. And more Indians than ever are quietly, or loudly, ditching dairy and meat, not because they're trying to be edgy, but because it just makes sense. For the animals. For the planet. For those with stomachs that have been battling lactose intolerance for a long time.

So if you're one of those who's been lurking on vegan hashtags, watching reels of creamy oat milk lattes, or wondering if you really can swap paneer for plants, this is your gentle nudge. It's possible. It's fun. And you won't have to break up with chai, promise.

First Things First: Why Go Vegan Now?

Ask around and you'll hear a mix of answers. Some saw a viral clip of a mother buffalo losing her baby to the meat or dairy trade and couldn't unsee it. Others read a stat about how making one litre of cow's milk uses more water than a week's worth of showers. For me, it started with a doctor telling me that my "tummy issues" weren't about spice, but rather the milk itself.

Whatever your reason, compassion, climate, or gut health, it's valid. And guess what? You won't be the only weirdo at the family dinner table anymore. I promise.

Do a Food Reality Check

Before you announce your vegan rebirth on Instagram, spend a week just watching what you eat. Indians love to say we're vegetarian, but let's be honest: dairy's everywhere. Chai, curd rice, ghee-soaked parathas, butter on toast, that 'small' scoop of ice cream you pretend doesn't count.

Please write it down. I did this on my Notes app and realized my biggest hurdle wasn't meat; I barely ate it anyway. It was the river of milk flowing through my day.

Let's Talk Chai (and the Doodh Dilemma)

The scariest thing about going vegan here is chai. We're attached to it as if it were an organ. But here's the good news: you don't have to quit. You need a new pour.

Try oat milk first, it's the easiest. Oatish by Dancing Cow offers a version blended with millets and mung beans that can be boiled in your chai pan without splitting. This blew my mind, and my mom's too. She still pretends she can taste the difference, but I've caught her topping up her cup when she thinks I'm not looking.

Soy milk works, almond milk is fine (watch for curdling), and peanut milk is also rising. Do a taste test. Once you find your match, life gets much easier.

Protein? You're Fine. Really.

The second fear after "How will I live without chai?" is "Where will I get protein?" Your uncle will ask. Your gym trainer will ask. Some distant relative will corner you at a wedding buffet and ask.

Here's the answer: everywhere. Dal, rajma, chana, soya chunks, tofu, tempeh, millet flours, seeds, nuts, chickpea-based paneer (it exists, it's good). And if you lift heavy, there's vegan protein powder made from peas and mung beans. 2025's shelves are full of options your parents never had.

Eating Out Won't Kill the Vibe

A few years ago, ordering vegan food outside was a tragedy. Today? Not so much. Urban cafés know you want an oat milk latte. Zomato has a vegan filter now. Major brands are adding plant-based dishes that taste good. I once found oat milk kulfi at a street stall in Delhi, and honestly, that was the moment I knew this wave's not going away.

Pro tip: If you're unsure, stick to food that's accidentally vegan, such as masala dosa, poha, aloo sabzi, and chole bhature (without ghee). Sometimes I even carry my mini pack of oat milk if I know I'll need a coffee fix.

Family Drama? Take It Slow

I won't lie, your family might resist. Mine did. They thought I'd lost my mind. But I didn't preach. I just cooked. I made my mom's kadhi with peanut curd. I made halwa with vegan ghee. I served my dad chai with oat milk: small swaps, zero drama.

Bit by bit, they softened. Now, my dad brags to neighbours that his kid's "vegan" as if it's a medal.

Pop Culture's Catching Up

Remember when veganism was this foreign LA thing? Not anymore. Bollywood stars drop "plant-based" into interviews. Influencers whip up vegan butter chicken for Reels. Big-name cafés flaunt their vegan specials like a badge. Your local kirana might stock almond milk next to the Am*l tetra pack.

It's here. It's ours. It's becoming less of a trend and more of an everyday occurrence.

My Last Pep Talk

I'm not saying you'll never miss ghee or curd. You might. But you'll surprise yourself. One day, you'll realise your stomach doesn't feel heavy, your skin is clearer, and you feel lighter in your head too. And the world feels a tiny bit kinder.

Go at your own pace. Swap the milk first. Try vegan butter. Try peanut curd. Make your friend taste your oat milk coffee and wait for the "Oh wow."

Vegan in India in 2025 isn't about perfection. It's about better choices, one cup at a time.