One of the biggest decisions when planning a menu for any Indian event is whether to serve vegetarian or non-vegetarian food—or both.
Cultural preferences, religious sensitivities, and budget are all factors that influence this choice.
Here’s how to make the right decision for your event:
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🍛 1. Understand Your Guest Profile
If your guest list includes Jains, vegetarians, or religious groups, it’s safer to go 100% veg or offer separate counters.
For mixed crowds, offering both options is increasingly common.
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🍗 2. Budget Considerations
Non-vegetarian menus typically cost 20–30% more due to meat, seafood, and specialized preparation.
Veg-only menus are more cost-effective and easier to scale.
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🧘♂️ 3. Religious Sensitivities
Avoid beef and pork at all events—across most Indian communities.
Segregate cooking and serving areas for veg and non-veg, especially during traditional or temple-based functions.
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🧾 4. Popular Menu Combos
Vegetarian Starters:
Hara bhara kebab, chaat, cheese balls, paneer tikka
Non-Veg Starters:
Chicken malai tikka, fish fingers, mutton seekh
Mixed Mains:
Dal makhani, paneer lababdar + butter chicken, mutton rogan josh
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✅ Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Keep your audience in mind, consider dietary preferences, and work with a caterer who can offer well-balanced veg and non-veg options with proper segregation and presentation.
