Veg-Jing Out: Vegetarian Sichuan Cooking Class and the City's Newest Meatless Menu Items

Veg-Jing Out: Your semi-weekly guide to a guilt-free lifestyle in the capital.

The Hutong’s Sichuan Vegetarian Cooking Class

The Hutong will be hosting a uniquely vegetarian cooking class featuring some of the finest dishes from Sichuan province including gong bao mushrooms, mapo tofu, and dry fried green beans. Known as one of the country’s spiciest and most popular culinary regions, Sichuan cooking is complex, nuanced, and bold. What’s more, it’s versatile… why not take that gung bao sauce and throw it on some veggie chicken or tofu? The options are endless and will surely make you the star chef at your next potluck. To register, scan the QR code on the event poster here. RMB 350 (RMB 300 for members). Jul 30, 7-9.30pm.

Jing-A Goes above and Beyond… Meat

Last Wednesday, Jing-A unveiled the Beyond Meat burger at both their Xingfucun and Longfusi Taproom locations. They’re just the latest in a string of venues and grocery stores stocking up on the US-based beef alternative favorite. For an additional RMB 25, you can swap out the traditional patty for the new GMO and gluten-free options on their classic double cheeseburger, which comes with a heaping side of fries. Unfortunately, the buns do contain milk, so this particular burger isn’t easily turned vegan. Nevertheless, the staff is currently working on a fully vegan option as well, which they hope to make available by the time their new CBD location is open for business.

Beersmith’s new meatless menu

If pork is more your speed, then Beersmith’s new meatless menu has you covered with a plethora of options that make liberal use of Omnipork – not to mention a whole lot of guacamole. If you’re looking for something that’s bound to get a little messy, then opt for the Beersmith Omnipork Burger with smoked brava sauce, guac, fried onions, pickles, tomato, and sweet potato fries (RMB 88). You can also travel south of the US border and munch on some hard shell tacos filled with Omnipork chili meat, guac, and a Mexican chopped salad (RMB 68) or nachos topped with the chili meat, guac, tomato salsa, sour cream, and jalapeños (RMB 98). On the lighter side, there’s an Omnipork-based spaghetti bolognese (RMB 88). 

READ: Why Chou Dofu is Good for Your Health

Images: Alana Harris (via Unsplash), courtesy of the venues