More and more of the population are choosing to follow a vegan lifestyle and diet, preferring not to consume animal products due to ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental concerns about the impact of animal agriculture on the planet, or health reasons. Due to this shift in consciousness, the demand for mouthwatering vegan recipes has soured.
Oriental dishes include a broad range of delicious recipes that are traditionally associated with the countries of the East, such as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. There are many delicious oriental dishes that are vegan-friendly, and in this article, we will explore five of them. These dishes offer a variety of flavours and textures, making them perfect for vegans looking to diversify their diet.
Tofu pad thai
Pad Thai is one of the most simple and delicious street food dishes from the ‘land of smiles’. It’s an iconic dish sold on nearly every street corner across Thailand and has stolen the hearts and ignited the taste buds of countless foreign visitors.
The dish is made with chicken, shrimp or tofu, scrambled eggs, crushed peanuts, bean sprouts and lime. It is typically stir-fried and served with a sauce made from tamarind paste, palm sugar, and fish sauce. Pad thai is often garnished with fresh herbs such as coriander and spring onions. To make this dish vegan friendly, make a tofu pad thai and omit the egg and fish sauce and make a variation of the sauce using tamarind paste, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
Mapo Tofu
Mapo Tofu is a popular Chinese dish that can be found on nearly every Sichuan eatery menu around the world. Its distinctive flavour has reached tastebuds far and wide. The dish is made with soft silken tofu and a spicy sauce made with chilli paste, fermented bean paste, and sometimes ground meat. Mapo tofu is typically stir-fried with vegetables such as sweet peppers and onions, and then finished off with a sprinkle of scallions.
To make mapo tofu vegan friendly, simply omit the ground meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also use a vegan substitute for fermented bean paste, such as miso paste.
Sushi
Sushi is a type of Japanese cuisine that includes vinegared rice combined with seafood or vegetables. Sushi is typically served in bite size pieces and can be eaten by hand or with chopsticks. In Japan, it is often considered poor manners to eat a sushi roll in more than one bite!
Traditionally, sushi is made with raw fish, but there are many vegan options available as well. Some popular vegan sushi choices include avocado rolls, cucumber rolls, asparagus rolls, and inari sushi which comprises tofu pockets filled with sushi rice. Some sushi restaurants also offer vegan sushi made with ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, sweet potato, and pickled daikon radish.
Bibimbap
Korean Bibimbap is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for vegans. It is made with protein (such as beef, chicken, or tofu) and a variety of vegetables, including sweet peppers, carrots, courgette, and bean sprouts, which are stir-fried and served over a bed of rice. The dish is usually finished off with a spicy chilli sauce and a sunny-side-up egg, which can be omitted for a vegan version. It is typically served in a bowl with all the ingredients arranged in separate sections on top of the rice.
The word ‘bibimbap’ means ‘mixed rice,’ and the accompanying spicy sauce is called gochujang, which is made from fermented red chilli peppers, rice, and soybeans. To eat bibimbap, you typically mix all the ingredients together, including the gochujang sauce, and then enjoy the dish hot.
Gyoza
Gyoza, also known as Japanese dumplings, became truly popular following World War II, when Japanese soldiers returned home with an appetite for crispy Chinese dumplings and plenty of tasty recipes. They are usually made by wrapping a filling of ground meat and vegetables in a thin dough and then pan-frying them until they are crispy on the bottom.
To make vegan gyoza, fill the parcels with a mixture of tofu and vegetables, such as shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and scallions. You can also use a vegan dumpling wrapper, which is made with wheat flour and water. Gyoza are often served as a snack or appetiser, and can be found at many restaurants in Japan. Some people like to dip gyoza in a sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and chilli oil.
These are just a few examples of oriental dishes that can be easily made vegan. There are plenty more delicious vegan-friendly recipes that are perfect for adding some variety and nutrition to a vegan diet. With a little creativity and a few simple substitutions, you can enjoy a delicious and plant-based meal that is inspired by the unique flavours of the Orient.
