Fresh Cuts

MOCK MEAT MARKET

Beyond, Impossible, OmniPork... so many mock meats and so little time! It’s undeniable that plant-based proteins are having a moment right now, but what differentiates them from one another? Whether you’re an omnivore experimenting with less meat in your diet, or a seasoned vegetarian or vegan who’s trying to expand your repertoire, here are the best plant-based proteins widely available in Hong Kong supermarkets. By Aarohi Narain

OMNIPORK

Pork is the most consumed meat in Asia today. In order to promote more plant-based diets in the region, Hongkonger and eco-activist David Yeung launched OmniPork, a vegetarian, vegan and halal pork substitute. Made with pea protein, non-GMO soy, shiitake mushrooms and rice, it’s virtually indistinguishable from ground pork, while offering 327 percent more calcium and 127 percent more iron than the real deal. The brand has now expanded to offer other plant-based products, including pork strips, buns, dumplings, ready meals and - one of our personal faves - luncheon meat, which gets its characteristic pink appearance using beetroot juice.

UNLIMEAT

QUORN

Quorn may not date back to the Tang dynasty like traditional Chinese mock meats (we’re looking at you, tofu and seitan), but it’s probably the most established of contemporary meat alternatives. Founded in 1985, it’s well-known for its mycoprotein - aka fungal - meatless products, which include mince, sausages, chicken, lamb and more! While some of Quorn’s products use egg as a binding agent, they do offer a separate vegan line which uses potato protein instead. Hailing from South Korea, this mock meat is all about the beef! Inspired by Korean barbecue, Unlimeat focuses on producing thinly cut filets of plant-based beef that can be thrown on the grill for optimal sizzling action. Upcycling grains, oats and nuts that would otherwise be discarded because of cosmetic imperfections, this brand is also generating solutions to the food industry’s rampant waste issue. You can find Unlimeat products at Green Common, as well as on the menu at their in-house cafe, Kind Kitchen.

BEYOND MEAT

The world’s first publicly traded meat alternative company made headlines with an eye-watering IPO in 2019, proving that plantbased proteins had some serious market value. The brand became famous for its lab-grown faux beef patty, which uses mung bean and rice protein. After years of trial and error, the Beyond Burger elevates the concept of veggie burgers from a grainy, brittle puck to a tender, moist, and convincingly meat-like alternative that’s crueltyfree. Beyond has expanded its range in recent years to include meatballs, meat crumbles and sausage links.

HEURA

Created by a Barcelona-based vegan startup, Heura specialises in meat-free chicken products. Made with non-GMO soybeans, their plant-based poultry collection is totally vegan and protein-rich, delivering an impressive 19.7 grams of protein per 100 grams, plus added fibre, iron, zinc and vitamin B12. The brand focuses mainly on flavoured “chunks” and strips which can be added into everything from stir-frys to salads, pastas, pizzas, tacos, wraps - wherever chicken is used!

BATATA GREENS

Another Hong Kong brand catering to the Asian market’s tastes, Batata Greens remakes regional Chinese favourites in vegetarian form. Think plant-based squid balls, fish cake and calamari, as well as Chinese-style buns, pancakes, dumplings and char siu bao. You can find at one of their three different store locations, or at several retail points across the city, including Marketplace by Jason’s, City Super or ThreeSixty.

IMPOSSIBLE

Certified gluten-free, kosher, halal AND backed by Hong Kong’s richest, Li Ka-Shing? Impossible Foods has a lot going for it, and then some! Previously only available in restaurants from wholesale suppliers, this soy-based protein product was able to drop its retail price by 27 percent last year, following an investment by Li Ka Shing’s venture capital firm, and is now found in ParknShop stores across the city. Impossible is perhaps best known for its characteristic “bleeding” when cooked, which is caused by a legume hemoglobin found in the root of the soy plant.

FRESH CUTS

Dining news that’s good for you

VEGAN CHEESE SHOP OPENS AT K11 MUSEA

Hong Kong just got its first vegan cheese shop! Curated by famed plant-based, raw chef Tina Barrat, Le Fromage by Ma sells homemade dairy-free cheese varieties like “Shamembert”, a creamy truffle-flavoured number, and other vegan delicacies such as “Chiaviar” or “Faux-Gras”, plus keto bread, chutneys, organic olive oils, and gluten-free crackers. Perfect for your next plant-based picnic! Unit 21,

B201, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, lefromage.com.hk

TRY THIS DIETICIANDESIGNED CAFE IN CENTRAL

Founded by registered dietician Tiffany Shek, Grain Of Salt stands out for a well-balanced menu that’s certifiably nutritious. From avocado toast to veggie soup dumplings, yummy smoothies and lattes, we’re currently obsessed. Bonus: Collect 12 stamps on their loyalty card, and earn a free 15-minute nutrition consultation with Tiffany herself.

47 Gough St., Central, 2968-1083, grainofsalt.co

CHEAT DAY

Because life’s too short to always order the salad

CATCH OF THE DAY

Seafood lovers and pastafarians alike will be keen to try out the new surf and turf menu at Velo. This southern Italian eatery in K11 MUSEA just rolled out a decadent lineup of new seafood and beef specials, and we’re pleased to report that everything we tried was così gustoso (said with Italian hands for emphasis). House specialty starter Carpaccio di Manzo is a luxurious dish of paper-thin slices of wagyu and delicate shavings of truffle piled high on a bed of peppery rocket, while the Astice al Cartoccio (butterflied Boston lobster) is a butter-soaked revelation, served with your choice of side. But it’s the Spaghetti ai Ricci di Mare, a heavenly pasta dish topped with fresh uni and whole pieces of sea urchin that really bowls us over. Cooked to al dente perfection and coated in a garlicky uni sauce that packs an umami punch, this gave us all the mouthfeels. 103, F/1, K11 MUSEA, 18 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2117-0983

GIVEAWAYS

Visit liv-magazine.com/giveaways for a chance to win!

Free stuff!

WIN: a TaKe 2 Bamboo Cutlery Bundle from TaKe Lifestyle

Summer is around the corner, which means it’s time to eat outside! Step up your flat lay with this gorgeous, zen-inspired bamboo flatware set that’s light, durable and perfect for your next picnic or barbecue. Courtesy of TaKe Lifestyle, we have a 16-piece bamboo cutlery set - including cups, bowls, and large and small plates - up for grabs, valued at $1,184.

WIN: a meditation cushion from Arrived Mindful

Long meditations are divine for the mind and soul, but they can leave your body with pins and needles from sitting crosslegged for too long. A good meditation cushion makes a huge difference; by raising your hips above the ground, you get more stability and comfort, leaving you free to clear your mind and zen out. This Zafu meditation cushion from Arrived Mindful is ethically handmade and filled with buckwheat hull which can be removed if you need a height adjustment. Comes in a range of earthy tones (Carbon, Stone or Neutral), this plush prop is valued at $390.