12 Plant-based alternatives redefining what it means to be meat/dairy-free in Vietnam

Plant Power Day is celebrated every March 7 and this year, I am choosing to highlight 12 plant-based alternative brands in Vietnam redefining what it means to be ‘meat/dairy-free’.

For years, plant-based eating has been seen as a niche lifestyle choice in Vietnam. However, with the launch of plant-based versions of iconic meat dishes like phở and bún thịt nướng, plant-based eating is becoming more mainstream (plant-based alternatives market in Vietnam is growing rapidly and expected to reach 500 million USD by 2025 (CAGR 11.85%).

Owing to a large Buddhist population familiarised with the concept of ‘faux meats’, a growing distrust of meat-derived products amid a pandemic and the mainstreamificiation of buzz-generation documentaries (‘Seaspiracy’, ‘What the Health’, ‘Cowspiracy’ and ‘Forks Over Knives’) that throw shade at eating animal products, the popularity of plant-based alternatives (notably meat and dairy products) in grocery stores, restaurants, fast-food chains and of course, on social media, has grown significantly over the past few years.

As plant-based eating becomes more popular in Vietnam, we can expect to see more plant-based options appearing in restaurants and supermarkets. This is great news for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their health, but don’t want to give up their favourite Vietnamese dishes. Furthermore, thanks to innovative food tech start-ups redefining what it means to go ‘meat-free’, let’s just say ‘eating your veggies’ has definitely gotten a lot easier and more delicious in Vietnam over the past few years.

Read on for a list of plant-based alternatives available in Vietnam and where to find them.

What is plant-based meat?

Plant-based meat is a food product that replicates the taste, texture, and appearance of conventional meat, but is made from plants instead of animals. Plant-based meat is made from plant-based proteins, fats, and colours. These ingredients are combined to create a product that looks and tastes like meat. This typically makes plant-based meat is healthy. It is low in fat and cholesterol and high in protein. It also contains many essential vitamins and minerals.

It can be used to make burgers, sausages, chicken nuggets, and more. Contrary to popular belief, in some countries (mostly in the West), plant-based alternatives have become so prevalent that price parity in many Western countries is achieved. In some cases, plant-based alternatives are cheaper than conventional meat.

• What is a plant-based diet and why are so many people embracing it?

12 plant-based alternative brands available in Vietnam:

• Beyond Meat

Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat is one of the first plant-based meat alternatives to trailblaze this up-and-coming food category. Having been around for more than a decade, Beyond Meat offers one of the largest range of plant-based meats - beef and chicken (no surprise here).

From ground beef patties to sausages, chicken and meatballs, all of Beyond Meat’s products are made using non-GMO ingredients and offer equal protein levels than their animal counterparts, no cholesterol, less saturated fat, and no antibiotics, gluten, soy or hormones. Oh, and did I mention they’re absolutely delicious and mimic meat in texture, taste and colour? Now that’s quite a feat in the vegan food world.

Beyond Meat is sold at supermarkets such as Annam Gourmet and Nam An Supermarket. You can also purchase it online on Shopee, Lazada and Organic Food Vietnam.

• OmniFoods

Photo credit: OmniFoods Facebook

Launched by food tech company Green Monday (established in 2012), OmniFoods is best-known for its ‘Asian-friendly’ plant-based meat alternatives such as minced pork, luncheon meat and meat strips. According to OmniFood’s official website, it comprises a Canada-based R&D team that has done extensive research on Asian cuisines and culinary practice to create its range of meat-free versions of popular Asian dishes made up of ingredients like rice, peas, shiitake mushrooms and soy. Trust me, it tastes like the real thing and after one bite, you won’t go back!

OmniMeat, is sold at supermarkets such as Annam Gourmet and Nam An Supermarket. You can also purchase it online on Shopee and Lazada.

• Yukino Foods

Boasting the status of the first plant-based meat alternative to arrive in Vietnam in 2016, YUKINO is a 3rd generation family group (founded in 1946) headquartered in Japan and focused on natural and organic consumer goods including food, wellness and skincare. And if you’re a fan of Japanese food like I am, you’re in for a treat. Besides frozen products such as plant-based gyozas and falafel, Yukino Foods also serves and delivers hot food such as plant-based meat burgers, Japanese curry, tacos and gyoza dumplings. Needless to say, the food is delicious and very reasonably priced.

If you’re still unconvinced, you’ll be glad to know all products are developed, distributed and manufactured by CEO and Co-Founder Dr Ryu Trento who graduated from Harvard Medical School and spent a majority of his career immersed in the healthcare industry.

YUKINO Foods is available for purchase online or in-store at 69 Đ. Thảo Điền, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

CK Foods

Photo credit: CK Foods Taiwan

Boasting a portfolio of 150 vegan and vegetarian products, CK Foods only manufactures plant-based food in their production lines and all products have gone through genetic tests to ensure they are free of animal elements.

Being a Taiwanese brand, CK Foods follows Buddhist ascetic principles, which forbid five food ingredients – green onions, garlic, chives, scallions, and onions – in their food processing. In addition, CK Foods also features a range of Halal-friendly plant-based products as well as plant-based alternatives tailored for Asian cuisine and cooking styles such as hot pot (yum!). From flavour to flexibility, CK Foods is full of them.

CK Foods, is available online and at supermarkets such as AEON Citi Mart, K-Market Supermarket, Mekong Gourmet Market Supermarket and Nam An Supermarket

• Heura Foods

Reigning from sunny Spain, Heura is 100% plant-based and 100% Mediterranean. According to Heura’s website, its products ‘live and breathe Mediterranean heritage and cuisine’ and this means high-quality ingredients like olive oil and incredible taste, of course. Best known for its vegan soy-based chicken strips, Heura products are made from mushroom mycelium and are high in protein and low in fat.

As far as meatless products go, Heura knows what’s up. From plant-based beef (meatballs, burger patties, sausages) to plant-based pork (chorizo!) and plant-based chicken (nuggets and chicken strips), this Spanish meat alternative brand knows what’s up when it comes to meatless products!

Heura Foods, is sold at supermarkets including Annam Gourmet and Nam An Supermarket. You can also purchase it online on Shopee, Lazada and Organic Food Vietnam.

• Next Meat

Photo credit: Zairyo.com.sg

The newest kid on the vegan block is a good one I promise. Next Meat is the world’s first plant-based Yakiniku (Japanese short rib) meat and thankfully for us in Vietnam, the good guys at Classic Fine Foods are officially distributing Next Meat’s plant-based Gyudon and Karubi and the best part is the price. For a portion of deliciously-marinated plant-based meat (80 grams), it’s only VND 52,000 (USD 2,28).

Mostly made of soy, the Japanese alternative meat has twice the amount of protein and half the fat of regular meat. It’s also an excellent source of protein and is made using 100% non-GMO soy. Next Meats are low in calories, saturated fat and has zero cholesterol. Best part? The Japanese plant-based food tech brand promises no compromise on taste. Now that’s a feat worthy of mention in this list.

Next Meats, now available online on Classic Food Deli

• SaladStop!

It’s no surprise that SaladStop! Group, Asia’s first and largest healthy food chain, is on the list. After a successful SGD 12 million series B funding round in November 2021, the healthy food chain is on a mission to impact even more consumers (surpassing its current consumer base of 3.5 million) to become the leading personalised nutrition company in the world.

While SaladStop! is not a big player in Vietnam’s plant-based meat alternative game, it is definitely a go-to for a nutrition-packed patty like its Protein Patty (Chickpeas, potato, edamame, onion, garlic, lime, juice, salt, pepper and chilli) and Chickpea patty (chickpeas, carrot, Black Olive, parika, Siracha, oatmeal, flour, onion, salt, garlic), which are low in fat and calories and rich in protein, iron, and zinc.

SaladStop! can be purchased online or in-store at 54 Xuân Thủy, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000

• Is It Meat? (made in Vietnam)

Photo credit: Is it Meat?

Founded by Saigon expat Jessica Marber, Is It Meat? is on a mission to provide customers with delicious plant-based meats without compromise on taste or texture. Most importantly, it’s ‘meat’ that’s good for everyone (people, animals, the environment - you name it, they got it). Literally. Products include plant-based nuggets, sausages, schnitzels, shredded pieces and sausage rolls. Since its inception in 2020

Is It Meat?, is available in multiple restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City including Brick&Barrel, Zeroism and Kebaby

• Dairy-Free Down Under

Founded in 2018 in Australia, Dairy-Free Down Under is a delicious dairy-free alternative brand with a mission to deliver dairy-free and plant-based products that are not only affordable but taste delicious. The large range currently consists of the brand’s famous dairy-free cheeses including cheddar slices, Mozzarella style shreds, cashew Parmesan, sour cream and cashew cream cheese that you guessed it, are available in Vietnam (hooray!). Did I mention all Dairy-Free Down Under products are also plant-based and sans gluten, GMO and palm oil?

Dairy-Free Down Under, available online at The Food Shop and in supermarkets (Annam Gourmet, Nam An Supermarket)

• Kashew Cheese (made in Vietnam)

Photo credit: Kashew Cheese

Ask any vegan or Thao Dien resident and there’s a good chance they’ll be able to tell you about the delicious wonders available at Kashew Cheese, a plant-based artisan cheese and maker of delicious dairy alternatives. Having experimented with different ingredients to satisfy founder Lê Na’s cravings for tasty food, she quickly learned that cashew nuts made for great dairy substitute to make cheese due to their fat properties which resembled dairy and allowed fermentation to happen in a relatively similar manner. With this simple nut, the wonder of fermentation, aging, and other cheesemaking techniques, Lê Na was able to unlock a world of flavour and texture. Out of this journey of discovery, Kashew Cheese was born and the rest is history.

While famous for its deli sandwiches, Kashew Cheese also features a range of plant-based cream cheeses, milk, yoghurts as well as condiments. Signature flavours include Kashew Aged Cheese Chilli, Kashew Aged Cheese Smoked Hickory and Kream Cheese Pepper. Hungry? I don’t blame you. This one-of-its-kind dining institution is not to be missed.

Kashew Cheese, available online and in-store at 14 Đ. Trần Ngọc Diện, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000.

• Verdino Foods

Verdino Foods is a plant-based meat alternative company that is quickly gaining popularity in Vietnam. All of their products are made from plant-based ingredients and they are cholesterol-free, gluten-free, and vegan. Some of their popular products include their plant-based sausage, plant-based burger, plant-based chicken, and plant-based minced meat.

If you're looking for plant-based meat alternatives in Vietnam, Verdino Foods is definitely the place to go. Not only do they have a wide variety of products to choose from, but their products are also healthy and delicious. So if you're looking for a delicious and healthy plant-based meal!

Verdino Foods is available online and supermarkets such as AEON Citi Mart, K-Market Supermarket, Mekong Gourmet Market Supermarket and Nam An Supermarket.

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