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1. Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings

Where: 1803 W. 39th St. in Kansas City, and 10581 Mission Road in Leawood

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Info: bluekoi.net, 816.561.5003 (Kansas City), 913.383.3330 (Leawood)

Many of the Asian comfort-food dishes at this stylish noodles-and-dumplings joint in Kansas City and Leawood are meat-free.

For an appetizer, nibble on the eggplant pockets ($7), crispy eggplant slices stuffed with all-vegan ingredients and served with a raw garlic sauce, or the crispy tofu ($5), which comes with spicy “awesome” sauce.

If you want something hearty, try the Vegan Delights ($11), a hodgepodge of daikon radish, cabbage, carrot and tofu ribbons simmered in vegan broth.

Don’t count out dishes with pork or chicken here, because in some cases you can substitute tofu.

2. Blue Nile Cafe

Where: 20 E. Fifth St. in the River Market

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

Info: bluenilekc.com, 816.283.0990

This Ethiopian restaurant in the River Market sells nine vegetarian entrees, including misir watt, a stew made with organic red lentils, sauteed onion, ginger, garlic, cardamom and other traditional Ethiopian spices. The dish costs $8.95 at lunch and $10.95 at dinner.

For dessert, there are orange or chocolate vegan cupcakes for $4.75.

For something lighter, try the butternut squash and red lentil soup ($3.75 at lunch, $4.75 at dinner) or the veggie sambusa ($3.75 at lunch, $4.75 at dinner), a pastry filled with spiced lentils, cabbage, carrots and spices.

Lentils, which are part of the legume family, are high in protein, which makes them an excellent substitute for meat.

3. Eden Alley Cafe & Catering

Where: 707 W. 47th St. on the Plaza.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

Info: edenalley.com, 816.561.5415

If you’re a picky eater, Eden Alley’s menu will satisfy.

Every item is labeled with terms such as gluten-free, vegan, virtually vegan so you know exactly what you’re putting into your mouth.

There’s no meat on the menu, but you can satisfy your carnivorous cravings with the meatless tacos ($12.25 for an entree) or the veggie burger ($7.25). Both dishes use veggies and seasonings to mimic the texture and taste of meat.

Eden Alley also serves enormous salads. For a taste of autumn, try the apple-cranberry salad ($6.25 to 10.25), a pile of mixed greens loaded with Granny Smith apple slices, dried cranberries, red onions, feta cheese and candied walnuts, and poppy-seed dressing on the side.

4. McCoy’s Public House

Where: 4057 Pennsylvania Ave. in Westport

Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday. The kitchen’s open till 11 p.m. every night except Sunday, when it closes at 10 p.m.

Info: mccoyspublichouse.com, 816.960.0866

The Westport brewpub has a surprisingly extensive vegetarian menu. If you’re drinking beer and just want something to nosh on, go for the roasted red pepper hummus ($7.99).

If you’re on your lunch break, try the Sonoma vegan wrap ($8.99), packed with roasted portabella mushroom, hummus, wild greens, tomato, onion and cucumber sprouts, or the black-bean veggie burger ($8.99).

The dinner menu boasts the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink Moroccan veggie stir fry ($9.99), a steaming stack of zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, carrots, onion, chickpeas, tomatoes, eggplant and spinach served alongside cashew-currant couscous and toasted pita.

5. Waldo Pizza

Where: 7433 Broadway in Kansas City, and 1543 N.E. Douglas St. in Lee’s Summit

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Info: waldopizza.net, 816.363.5242 (Kansas City), 816.875.2121 (Lee’s Summit)

This locally owned pizzeria stocks nearly 30 veggies, so you can keep things spicy without adding pepperoni.

Meat-free toppings include basics such as mushrooms and kalamata olives as well as rarer ones, including artichokes, eggplant, black beans, broccoli, pineapple, red pepper, zucchini and herb-roasted potatoes.

If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, spring for the soy cheese or vegan mozzarella, which costs a dollar or two extra, depending on the size of the pizza.

Not in the mood for ’za? Try the veggie sandwich for $6.25.

6. Zen Zero

Where: 811 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Info: zen-zero.com, 785.832.0001

The University of Kansas’ student newspaper, The University Daily Kansan, voted Zen Zero the best vegetarian restaurant in Lawrence four years in a row.

Look at the menu and you’ll see why: The vegetarian section has seven entrees, but most of the other dishes on the menu — such as the ethereal Pad Thai ($6.95) and seven curry dishes ($7.25 to 7.95 each) — can be ordered meatless.

There are also meat-free salads. Try the green-apple salad ($5.50), made with Granny Smith apples, mangoes, grapes, peanuts, garlic, lime juice and Thai chili vinaigrette.

Our pick from the appetizer menu: the portabella mushroom and Asian eggplant satays ($4.50), served with peanut sauce and marinated cucumbers.