Veg-Jing Out: Pebbles' Plant-Based Menu Expands, Magnum Brings Its Vegan Ice Cream to Taobao
Veg-Jing Out: Your weekly guide to a guilt-free lifestyle in the capital.
Full disclosure, when we first started this column we figured it would be a semi-weekly affair. After all, how much plant-based news could possibly break in Beijing during any given month? Well, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we were sorely mistaken. So much so that we can barely keep up with all the new menu additions, events, and industry tidbits. Don’t get us wrong though, we’re not complaining! The veritable onslaught of slaughter-less news is outstanding. So, with that… here’s some of the latest information to help you live an animal-friendly lifestyle in the capital.
Pebbles’ plant-based menu gets a boost from Zrou
Vegan and vegetarian options are certainly no stranger to Pebbles’ menu. From their nopales tacos and deep-fried avocado sandwiches to vegan Tinga enchiladas, the Wudaoying Mexican restaurant has long been an ally for meatless diners. Nevertheless, as an eatery that’s constantly reinventing itself while always remaining true to its authentic recipes, it should come as no surprise that they’ve recently teamed up with Shanghai-based alternative protein producer Zrou to expand that menu even further.
The new menu, which is available now, features four dishes: Zrou Queso Fundido, a piping hot bowl of baked mixed cheese topped with Zrou plant-based meat, roasted bell peppers, and pico de gallo, served with either corn or flour tortillas for dipping (RMB 78). On the lighter side is the Zrou Albondigas, aka meatballs with a drizzle of salsa negra and sour cream (RMB 48). Meanwhile, for those of you who were sad to see the potato tacos removed from the menu a couple of years ago, you’ll be happy to know that they’re back and better than ever, because this time they’re Zrou Chorizo Potato tacos (RMB 65). Lastly – and perhaps the most decadent of all the dishes – is the Zrou Tlayudas, homemade tlayudas toasted and topped with beans, cheese, Zrou plant-based meat, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, diced avocado, and sour cream (RMB 65).
Magnum’s vegan ice cream comes to Taobao
Lastly, global luxury ice cream brand Magnum recently released its vegan almond ice cream bar on Taobao, two years after it hit shelves in the UK, US, Australia, and Sweden. Aside from being a much-needed animal-free option, the product is an all-around boon both for you and the environment. Case in point, the pea protein used to make Magnum’s almond ice cream requires 98 percent less land, 87 percent less water, and produces 89 percent fewer greenhouse gases than the dairy-based equivalent. Likewise, all of the cocoa and vanilla beans are sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Huzzah!
Unfortunately, the only thing that’s definitely not less is the price. The bars range from RMB 145 to RMB 191 on Taobao, however, some come in über fancy packaging with a biodegradable plate to boot. So that’s cool? At any rate, to find Magnum’s vegan almond ice cream, search 梦龙素享 mèng lóng sù xiǎng Magnum vegetarian enjoy.
Shanghai’s Butler & White’s continues to wow with vegan delivery sets
As we’ve said time and time again, the capital is a delightful cornucopia of plant-based options. Nevertheless, we know a good thing when we see it, and if that means ordering from a company based in Shanghai, then we’re more than happy to oblige. Enter Butler & White’s, a UK-inspired purveyor of bacon, sausages, pies, and more. Despite being deeply rooted in the meat scene, Butler & White’s embraces plant-based meals in equal measure and is continuously coming up with innovative, not to mention delicious, vegan alternatives to their meat-based dishes. Most of what Butler & White’s does is delivery sets, meaning you pay X-amount for a box of goodies. The most recent set runs RMB 188 and comes with a maple and smoked apple sausage, chili con carne meal, chicken nuggets, chicken patties, beef patty, meatballs, and truffle trio pack. To see their ever-growing list of food, stay up to date on the latest developments, and place an order, follow them on WeChat (ID: ButlerWhites).
READ: Veg-Jing Out: Kakikopi and Peach by Hulu Unveil Vegan Menus
Images: courtesy of Zrou, Unilever
