Vegetarian Indian Food in Victoria, BC: A Guide to Paneer, Dal & Veg Biryani

India has more vegetarians than anywhere else on earth, so it's no surprise that its vegetarian cooking is some of the richest in the world. This isn't a salad-and-side-dish situation. It's slow-cooked lentils, fresh cheese, spinach, cashew cream and fragrant rice.

Here's what to order if you're vegetarian (or just eating less meat) at an Indian restaurant in Victoria.

Start with the dals

Dal means lentils, and every Indian household has its own version. Two to know:

• Dhaba Style Yellow Dal Tadka: yellow lentils finished with a sizzling tadka, cumin and garlic bloomed in hot fat and poured on top. Simple, comforting, everyday food.
• Mother's Special Dal Makhani: black lentils slow-cooked for hours into a rich, creamy tomato gravy. If you only try one vegetarian dish, make it this one.

Paneer, five ways

Paneer is a fresh, mild Indian cheese that holds its shape when cooked. It soaks up whatever sauce it sits in, so each paneer dish tastes completely different:

• Punjabi Saag Paneer: paneer in a smooth, spiced spinach purée
• Shahi Paneer Methi Matar Malai: paneer, green peas and fenugreek in a rich cashew cream sauce
• Awadhi Paneer Do Pyaza: paneer with onions added two ways, for sweetness and bite
• Homestyle Paneer Handi: a rustic tomato-onion masala, like home cooking
• Nawabi Malai Kofta: paneer, potato and nut dumplings in a creamy cashew sauce

Shahi paneer vs. paneer makhani: what's the difference?

It's one of the most-asked questions about Indian vegetarian food. Paneer makhani (paneer butter masala) is the vegetarian cousin of butter chicken: a tomato-butter sauce, slightly sweet and tangy. Shahi paneer means "royal paneer" and leans on cashews, cream and gentle spices, so it's richer and milder with less tomato.

If you love creamy and mild, our Shahi Paneer Methi Matar Malai or Malai Kofta will feel familiar. Ask us about paneer makhani, too.

Vegetarian biryani and starters

The Hyderabad Special Veg Dum Biryani is basmati rice and mixed vegetables, slow-cooked with whole spices. For starters, the samosa, papdi chaat and paneer pakoda are all vegetarian. Our street food guide covers them in detail.

Gluten-free and vegan tips

Many Indian curries are naturally gluten-free when eaten with rice instead of naan. Dal and most paneer curries are thickened with onions, tomatoes, nuts or cream rather than flour. For strict gluten-free or vegan diets, tell us when you order: some dishes use butter, cream or ghee, and we're not a certified gluten-free kitchen.

A vegetarian dinner for two

One dal makhani, one saag paneer, a veg dum biryani to share, two garlic naan, and a mango lassi. Vegetarian mains come with complimentary basmati rice.

Not sure where to start on a first visit? See what to order at an Indian restaurant in Victoria, or browse the full menu.

Zaika by JJ is at 2630 Bridge St, Victoria, BC. Open weekdays 11 AM to 9 PM and weekends 12 PM to 10 PM, with takeout and delivery on Uber Eats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes.