Vice President-elect JD Vance recently shared his appreciation for Indian vegetarian cuisine, a love he attributes to his wife, Usha Vance, who is Indian-American. Speaking with Joe Rogan, Vance reflected on his culinary journey, explaining how his wife’s heritage has introduced him to the world of vegetarian cooking and inspired him to move away from processed foods.
The conversation began with Rogan’s strong criticism of processed meats, calling them “highly processed garbage.” Vance, who has embraced a more plant-based lifestyle in recent years, agreed wholeheartedly. The discussion then shifted to one of Vance’s newfound passions: Indian vegetarian cuisine.
“If you’re going to be vegetarian, eat Indian food,” Rogan said, highlighting the variety Indian cuisine offers. Vance echoed Rogan’s sentiment, crediting his wife’s Indian background with transforming his perspective on cooking and eating. “My wife is Indian-American, and the vegetarian dishes she makes are amazing,” he shared. “If you’re exploring a vegetarian lifestyle, Indian food is unbeatable with its delicious and diverse options.”
Vance also shared a humorous memory from his early days of dating Usha. Attempting to impress her, he prepared his version of a vegetarian meal, which didn’t quite go as planned. “I thought I’d make something special, so I rolled out a sheet of crescent rolls, added broccoli, poured ranch dressing over it, and baked it for 45 minutes… I called it vegetarian pizza,” he laughed. “It was terrible.”
Despite his initial missteps, Vance’s appreciation for Indian cuisine has only grown over time as he continues to discover its depth, variety, and flavors.
