Vegetarian dining at Lazeez Indian Cuisine & Sweets in northeast Calgary is not an afterthought — it is a full half of what we do. Our menu carries dozens of vegetarian options spanning both the Indian and Hakka Chinese sides of the kitchen, and many of our most loyal customers eat vegetarian exclusively. Here are the five dishes that consistently win over first-timers and keep regulars coming back.
1. Paneer Butter Masala
If Butter Chicken is the king of Indian non-vegetarian cooking, Paneer Butter Masala is its vegetarian counterpart — and it is every bit as satisfying. Soft cubes of fresh paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are simmered in the same rich makhani sauce: slow-cooked tomatoes, cream, butter, and a warming blend of spices.
What makes our version stand out is the paneer itself. We source fresh paneer that holds its shape in the sauce without becoming rubbery, absorbing the flavors while maintaining a pleasant, pillowy bite. Paired with Garlic Naan or Jeera Rice, this is a complete meal that satisfies on every level.
Best paired with: Garlic Naan or Basmati rice
Spice level: Mild to medium — adjustable on request
2. Vegetable Manchurian
This is the dish that convinces skeptics about Hakka Chinese food. Vegetable Manchurian starts with mixed vegetable dumplings — finely chopped cabbage, carrot, beans, and green onion, formed into small balls and fried until crisp. Then they go into a dark, glossy sauce built on soy, garlic, ginger, and chilli.
The contrast between the crisp outside and tender inside of each dumpling, coated in that bold sauce, is one of the most satisfying textures in vegetarian cooking. Order it dry as a starter or in gravy form alongside Hakka Noodles or fried rice.
Best paired with: Hakka Noodles or Fried Rice
Spice level: Medium — the sauce has a pleasant heat
3. Shahi Paneer
Where Paneer Butter Masala is warming and familiar, Shahi Paneer is richer and more indulgent. "Shahi" means royal in Hindi, and the name earns its title: the sauce is made with cashew paste, cream, and aromatic whole spices like cardamom and saffron.
The result is a sauce that is almost silky — subtly sweet, deeply fragrant, and more complex than a standard tomato-based curry. If you are dining with someone who finds Indian food too spicy, Shahi Paneer is the perfect introduction. It is mild, luxurious, and genuinely hard to stop eating.
Best paired with: Roti or Laccha Paratha
Spice level: Mild — great for sensitive palates
4. Daal Makhani
Daal Makhani is the soul of Punjabi vegetarian cooking. Whole black lentils (urad daal) and kidney beans are slow-cooked overnight — literally — with butter, tomato, and spices until they develop a depth and creaminess that no shortcut can replicate.
A proper Daal Makhani takes 12 to 18 hours from start to finish. The lentils go from firm to completely yielding, the butter and cream meld into the base, and the resulting dish has a richness that rivals any meat curry. This is comfort food at its most elemental, and it is one of the dishes Chef Manjinder takes most seriously.
Best paired with: Naan or rice — absorbs the sauce beautifully
Spice level: Mild with warm, earthy depth
5. Gobi Manchurian (Dry)
Cauliflower has never tasted this good. Gobi Manchurian takes florets of cauliflower, coats them in a light, seasoned batter, deep-fries them until golden and crisp, and then tosses them in a garlicky, spicy, tangy Manchurian sauce. The dry version (as opposed to the gravy version) works best as a starter or side dish — each piece is its own little package of crunch and flavor.
This dish is consistently one of our top-ordered starters. Meat-eaters and vegetarians alike reach for it the moment it lands on the table. If you are new to Hakka Chinese food and want to understand the appeal immediately, Gobi Manchurian is your entry point.
Best paired with: Mint chutney as a dip, or alongside Hakka Noodles
Spice level: Medium-high — the sauce has genuine kick
Vegetarian Is Not a Compromise
One thing our regular customers tell us is that they came in expecting to "make do" with vegetarian options and left surprised by how satisfying the meal was. That is intentional. At Lazeez, vegetarian cooking receives the same attention, the same quality ingredients, and the same care in preparation as everything else on our menu.
Whether you are vegetarian by choice, by faith, or just looking for a lighter meal, our kitchen has you covered. Explore the full range on our menu page, or order online for delivery or pickup across northeast Calgary.
