First there was vegan cheese, then came the vegan egg, and, most recently, the vegan bacon roll. Now, we’re introducing you to the latest plant-based alternative: vegan sushi.
Family-run plant-based brand IMA has launched the vegan sushi rolls – with flavours including ‘salmon’, ‘duck’ and ‘tuna’ (all fake, of course) – in Selfridges’ Food Hall in London. And we were excited to give them all a try.
The realistic-looking vegan ‘salmon’ is made by liquifying Konjac (an Asian plant) into a naturally orange-coloured gel. It is then layered with a coconut gel to create the appearance of real sliced salmon – and it really does look like it.
Even better, the sushi is all in 100% biodegradable packaging – it’s compostable bioplastic derived from corn. Top marks from us.
We asked HuffPost UK staff – none of whom are vegan – to try out the sushi. Does it taste as good as the real thing?
“The real star of the show is the vegan tuna.”
Becky Barnes, audience editor
“The ‘salmon’ looks like salmon. But, while delicious, it doesn’t taste like the real thing at all. The ‘duck’ is great, too. It tastes like a meat substitute, like many plant-based products, but is lovely and smokey like duck.
For me, the real star of the show is the vegan tuna and sweetcorn sushi burrito, which tastes remarkably like the real thing. Wow!
“I’m also interested in the plastic-free packaging, which is brilliant to see as I’m really putting my single-use plastic consumption under the microscope.”
“They were delicious.”
Stephanie Bosset, video producer
“I don’t think straight replacements of fake meat and fish are necessary – but if it helps people transition to a meat or fish-free diet, then I’m all for it. And the sushi...what’s not to like? It was delicious. Would eat again.”
“How on earth is this not made from fish?”
Natasha Hinde, Life reporter
“My mind is actually blown. How on earth is the ‘salmon’ roll not made from fish? I was initially sceptical – and thought it might taste overly fishy to compensate – but it’s super delicious. I had it with wasabi and soy sauce and honestly wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the vegan version and real deal.
“As for the ‘duck’? Duck me, that was good. It had the same meaty, albeit stringy, texture of actual duck. The hoisin sauce is a delicious addition. No animals were harmed in the making of this sushi roll – I think I’ve been converted.”
“The salmon? You couldn’t tell the difference.”
John Johnston, senior video producer
“I tried the ‘duck’ and the ‘salmon’ sushi. I’d say the ‘duck’ was pretty bland – but the sauce saved it. As for the ‘salmon’, you couldn’t really tell the difference between that and actual salmon.
“Unfortunately, I’d say the substitutes haven’t got enough flavour to keep me going past two or three pieces. If I was looking for a vegan sushi, I’d probably see what vegetable-based sushi I could get before opting for these.”
“If you’d sold it to me as fish, I wouldn’t question it.”
Sophie Gallagher, Life reporter
“I’m a pescatarian who can’t eat milk or soy (read: the person you don’t want to invite to dinner). I love sushi but find it hard to avoid soy, so was intrigued by whether a vegan option would be more suitable. Turns out, it’s spot on. Not only does it work for my fussy diet, but it’s bloody delicious. I tried the ‘salmon’ roll, which looks uncannily like fish – and tastes like it, too. In fact, if you’d sold it to me as fish I wouldn’t question it. Expensive, but hey, sushi is never a frugal lunch choice.”
The boxes sell for £6.99 for eight large pieces of sushi.