We all have our weaknesses. For some people, it’s ice-cream, coffee, cakes, chicken wings or cookies (coincidentally, they all start with “c” with at least one of the words…). I’m going to confess mine by showing this photo of the vegan comfort food (fast food) I splurged on a couple of months ago, which I still have some left in my freezer. They are really my reserves whenever I need a bite or two as I’m trying to cut down on processed food. As I’m making my transition in Hong Kong and trying to figure out where to buy what, this is some of the successes I have.
I’m going to list them out so people in Hong Kong (or even overseas) could get the names and look for them in the local grocery stores. There are five products I do not want to live without in Hong Kong: Boca Vegan Meatless Burgers, Boca Original Chik’N, Boca Ground Crumbles, Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread and Purely Decadent Chocolate Brownie Almond. However, not all of them are here, so I have other alternatives to make do for now.
From left to right:
- Boca Spicy Chik’N – Meatless patties that are like deep fried chicken. Great on sandwich, salad or rice. You could grill, pan fry or microwave it. My favorite is the Original but unfortunately I can’t find it yet.
- Boca Original Vegan Meatless burgers – Quick and easy meal. Same cooking methods as Spicy Chik’N.
- Alexia Sweet Potato Julienne Fries – Bake or deep fry.
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Country Pies – It says vegetarian. It’s actually vegan. Bake it.
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Sausage Rolls – This was the first thing that went to the oven. Also vegan.
- Birds Eye Vegetable Fingers – Surprisingly there’s no dairy in this. Grill or bake.
- Veat Veaty Bites Pandan Chicken Style – Deep fry, microwave or pan fry.
- Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread – Spread, saute, fry, bake and cook with it. This is the only butter you’ll ever need.
- T&T Fresh Mushroom and Vegetable Juicy Bun – Steaming is the way to go for these Chinese dim sums.
- Chimei Frozen Vegetable Dumpling – You can steam, microwave, deep fry boil or pan fry them.
- Veat Veaty Bites Satay Chicken Style – Deep fry, microwave or pan fry.
- It’s Soy Delicious Raspberry Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – Taste like ice-cream. This is not on my favorite list, but it’s the only close substitute I can find to Purely Decadent Chocolate Brownie Almond.
- Yves Tofu Dogs – The vegan and healthier version of hotdogs.
- Yves Veggie Breakfast Patties – Breakfast item. Pan fry or microwave.
- Yves Original Veggie Ground Round – This is my alternative to my favorite Boca Ground Crumbles that I can’t find in Hong Kong. This is very similar and you can use it for pasta, chili, tacos and a variety of dishes.
- Yves Mexican Veggie Ground Round – Same as the Original. Just with a different kick to it.
- Yves Veggie Breakfast Links – Another breakfast item. Pan fry or microwave.
- Sheese Cheese – The importer of the Sheese Cheese was kind enough to give me a variety of cheese to sample. They are completely vegan. There are the cream cheese for spreading and dipping; hard cheese for salads or with crackers; and the meltable cheese for pasta and other baking dishes. I’m not a cheese person but I know my friends who will visit me soon will love them. So they stay in my fridge for now.
- Vegelink Vegetarian BBQ Buns – This is a great dim sum item that you can easily reheat at home by steaming. Vegelink also has a wheat bun version.
- Vegelink meat jerky – This is really wicked as they taste like the real deal. They have the dried and frozen ones. Microwave or just thaw it at room temperature.
So where to get them in Hong Kong?
- Oliver’s The Delicatessen in Prince’s Building, Central (items 1-3, 12-17)
- CitySuper, IFC, Central (items 3-8,11)
- ParknShop Super Store, Fitfort, North Point (items 9-10)
- For Sheese Cheese, you can get them in a number of places including Great in Pacific Place, Admiralty; Loving Hut in The Hennesy in Wanchai, Amoy Plaza in Kowloon Bay and Wing Wo Building in Tai Po; Harvester in Yardley Commercial Building, Sheung Wan; Just Green Organic Store in Soho, Central and Yung Shue Wan Main Street on Lamma Island; and Ali Oli on Sha Tsui Path in Sai Kung.
- Vegelink, Foo Yet Kall Building, North Point (items 19-20)
