Veg-Jing Out: Z-Rou's Home Chef Challenge, Beyond Meat Coming to Freshippo

Your semi-weekly guide to a guilt-free lifestyle in the capital.

Z-Rou's Home Chef Challenge hits Beijing

After successful campaigns in Shanghai and Wuhan, China-based faux meat purveyors Z-Rou – together with local organization Vegans of Beijing – are bringing their Home Chef Challenge to the capital. From now until Jul 20, the company is offering RMB 158 worth of products for a whopping RMB 1. The catch? Z-Rou is asking anyone who signs up for the promotion to share pictures and descriptions of their creations on WeChat – let’s be real, though, you probably would’ve done that anyway.

The deadline for submissions is Jul 24 when Z-Rou’s celebrity chefs will select a few winners based on creativity and presentation, as well as likes and comments from the wider plant-based audience. Prizes range from a month’s supply of the brand’s wares to BOGOF vouchers. From Western culinary delights to traditional Eastern dishes, any and all recipes are encouraged. The only limit is your imagination… and possibly your cooking skills. Click here to register.

Beyond Meat coming to a grocery store near you

You may recall a few months ago we wrote about the new partnership between Beyond Meat and Starbucks. Unfortunately, our experience was less than stellar, but it seems as though the move into China’s market has been profitable, because now Beyond Meat is teaming up with Alibaba’s grocery chain, Freshippo, to put the US-based meat alternative directly into the hands of Chinese consumers. Although some of the products have been available on Taobao for a while now, the convenience of a brick-and-mortar store carrying their lines of pork, beef, and burgers – not to mention a 30-minute delivery option – can’t be overstated. Unfortunately, though Shanghai Freshippos will begin carrying Beyond Meat this month, Beijingers will have to wait until September. 

Moka Bros' first July weekly special: Pesto Pasta

With an extensive vegetarian menu, much of which can be made vegan, Moka Bros is always looking out for their meat-free friends, and the first addition to their weekly specials menu – pesto pasta (RMB 62) – is true to form. Roasted pumpkin, broccoli, hazelnuts and a drizzle of tarragon oil sit on a bed of whole wheat penne tossed in a homemade pesto sauce (add tofu for RMB 19). The sauce does contain cheese, however, if you’re living that dairy-free life, simply ask to substitute it for their vegan pesto. Heck, even if you aren’t dairy-free you can still give the vegan pesto a try! Easy squeezy, everyone wins. Available at all Moka Bros locations across the city.

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Images: Youkai, Beyond Meat, Moka Bros