We know we are a nation of meat lovers, but among the younger generations, there’s been a growing vegan movement sweeping across the country. As more of us adopt clean eating and healthier diets, it makes way for new, exciting dishes!
Worried that removing meat will take away the essence of good Filipino food? You’ll be pleased to know that it’s very easy to still enjoy your local favourites with a few simple ingredient tweaks. See some of our recipes below.
1. Ensaladang Ttalong
Photo Credit: Angsarap
Nothing says classic Filipino vegetable salad more than “ensaladang talong.” Made with eggplants, tomatoes and onions, this salad is the perfect side dish for any Filipino meal or eaten on its own. Find the full recipe here.
2. Vegan Filipino Ssiomai
Photo Credit: All Plants
Siomai is one of the most prominent influences of Chinese cuisine in our Filipino culture. But while this dumpling dish is traditionally made with ground meat, you can still enjoy the same comforts of your favorite siomai without the extra calories. This vegan Filipino siomai uses vegan mince and mushrooms in replacement of the meat, but you still have all the good flavors that make the classic siomai special.
3. Vegan Adobo
Photo Credit: The Woks of Life
Adobo is the ultimate Filipino comfort food, and now you can try this healthier version that’s packed with the same adobo goodness and uses plant-based ingredients. So, how do you achieve the same adobo flavors without the braised chicken? Simple: slowly sweat the onions and garlic.
Cook this dish using the Thermos® Shuttle Chef® to save energy by replacing the 20-min simmering process with at least 1 hour vacuum-insulation cooking in the Shuttle Chef® or within 6 hours till ready to serve.
4. Vegan Tapa
Photo Credit: Astig Vegan
Find any “tapsilogan”, or breakfast joint nearby, and its bestseller has got to be the famous tapsilog. But while the meat is the star of this breakfast dish, you can switch to healthy mock meat to make it vegan and combine it with the same flavors that make this dish so delicious. Find the recipe here.
5. Vegan Champorado
Photo Credit: Astig Vegan
Sweet, filling and decadent—these are just some of the many reasons champorado is the ultimate Filipino comfort food. Go vegan and gluten-free with this recipe. It sticks to the classic champorado version but leaves out cow’s milk, which you can replace with your preferred vegan milk. You can also top the dish with fried salted tofu instead of the classic fried dried fish. Keep your champorado in the Thermos® Food Jar to keep it warm, especially when bringing it to work.
6. Vegan Ginataang Munggo Guisado
Photo Credit: Astig Vegan
Mung beans are a staple ingredient in Filipino cooking and this vegan recipe is a favorite, especially during cold, rainy days. This mung bean stew with coconut milk is made with just mung beans cooked in coconut milk with tofu cubes and a variety of vegetables until it becomes a thick stew that’s best enjoyed with rice. Get the recipe here.
7. Taho
Photo Credit: TofuBud
You can’t ignore your local taho seller shouting “tahoooo!” every morning around the neighborhood, and it’s because this sweet tofu pudding is a staple food for us! Taho is a sweet dessert that’s made of silken tofu, sago pearls and a local sugar syrup called “arnibal.” It can be enjoyed as a breakfast, snack or dessert without worrying about the extra calories.