Vegan in Chania, Crete | Greece

I recently visited Chania in Crete, Crete is the largest Greek island and is one of about 200 that are inhabited. This holiday was a solo trip and it was one of the best holidays of my life; from incredible food and wine, beautiful beaches, mountains, sunsets, fascinating history, incredible architecture and some fantastic people I met along the way, this trip will be truly unforgettable.

The incredible thing about Cretian, or even Greek food is how vegan-friendly it is. So many of the dishes are accidentally vegan or can easily be adapted and it's centered around locally grown and seasonal ingredients and plenty of fresh herbs and olive oil. So in this blog, I'm going to share with you the food I ate in Chania, some dishes that you can try if you visit, and a few restaurant recommendations, as well as my tips for finding the best restaurants and some fun things to do in Chania! I hope you get comfy and enjoy the read, but I've also included a quick guide below with all the highlights. 

Pickled Ginger & Wasabi Tofu Salad

I absolutely love the flavours of wasabi and ginger, they pair so well together in sushi, so why not translate those flavours into a salad? Crisp leafy greens, pan-fried sesame soy tofu, creamy avocado, edamame, ribbons of cucumber and a creamy pickled ginger and wasabi dressing, topped with homemade furikake - a seaweed and sesame sprinkle. 

This salad is so satisfying and full of nutritious ingredients whilst also feeling indulgent - it's fresh, tangy and has a spicy kick from the wasabi. The homemade furikake adds a little umami kick to the salad - I made mine with white and black sesame seeds lightly blended with nori seaweed, a pinch of salt and sugar and chili flakes. You can use the remaining furikake to top other salads, bowls and even as a topping for some fries or popcorn.

Black Chickpea & Potato Chaat

Black Chickpea and potato chaat, aka aloo kala chana chaat - an Indian-inspired snack or salad made with black chickpeas and potatoes tossed in chaat masala and tamarind chutney, with red onion, tomato, vegan yogurt, homemade green chutney and thin sev (crispy noodles).

Chaat in Hindi translates to 'to taste' and is an umbrella term for savoury snacks like this one. There are many different types, typically served at street food vendors in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. This dish is packed full of flavour and texture, it's sweet, salty, tangy and a little spicy and has a great balance of soft, crispy and crunchy textures. It's an absolute delight to both make and eat!

Tequila-Soaked Watermelon with Chili Lime Salt

Tequila-soaked watermelon with fresh lime, chili lime salt (Tajin) and fresh mint, the ultimate summer party snack. Perfect served crisp and cold out the fridge or for a heatwave party, pop it in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving. 

I absolutely love the flavours here, that just scream sunny summer's day and for those in the UK, this would be a perfect addition to a bank holiday Jubilee party. Juicy, sweet watermelon infused with the almost smoky flavour of tequila, layered with mouthwatering fresh lime, rounded off with the tangy lime and chilli salt and fresh mint - like a watermelon margarita in snack form!

Creamy Lemon Truffle Orzo

Creamy lemon orzo with charred broccoli and truffle oil. Super delicious and perfect for those early summer days.

 This dish couldn't be simpler to make, the orzo is all made in one pot and the broccoli pan is cooked for an extra speedy and delicious dinner! It's creamy, lemony and herby with a umami truffle twist, what more could you want?