Happy Veggie World produces and sells quality plant based alternatives to meat for both retail and the food service industry. They have just about every kind of faux meat product a Vegetarian or Vegan could ever want. I was amazed at the vast selection of plant based Asian foods they carry. In their shop you can find plant based versions of hot pot lamb, vietnamese lemongrass chick'n, chinese dim sum items such as Lo Bak Go ( turnip cake ), shredded meat floss and so much more.
The company has been around since 1995, so it's been close to 30 years that they've been making and selling their meat alternatives. While they started out supplying plant based foods within Canada, they have now grown to become an international producer and supplier of quality plant based products. Their company was founded on a desire to protect the environment and that respect for Mother Nature hasn't changed.
I came home with Vegan Xiao Long Bao (Shanghainese dumplings) and Vegan Lo Bak Go (turnip cake). The Xiao Long Bao were honestly quite disappointing. Some of them got stuck together in the steamer and then it was hard to pry them apart. Regular Xiao Long Bao usually has soup inside the dumpling but there wasn't any soup inside these dumplings, and they didn't taste anything like regular Xiao Long Bao. Eating these with Black Vinegar is a "must" as they really don't taste very good on their own.
The Vegan Lo Bak Go were much better. Still not as tasty as the genuine article. Without any sausage or dried shrimp, it was somehow lacking something. However, for a more eco friendly option, we found it to be sufficient. I wouldn't buy the Vegan Xiao Long Bao again, but the Vegan Lo Bak Go is something I could live with and be happy enough to eat.
I recently tried an excellent Vegan Lemongrass chicken at a Vegan Vietnamese restaurant and wonder if Happy Veggie World is the supplier. I'm thinking...most likely. Might come back to Happy Veggie World and try buying their Vegan Lemongrass Chicken one day. I'm also very curious to try their Vegan Meat Floss. I used to eat that with my congee when I growing up, and it's been years since I last had it!
Even though the Xiao Long Bao was a disappointment, I still give this place credit for even attempting to make a Vegan version of it. It's a hard item to imitate, and I'm still very impressed with the extensive collection of Vegan offerings they have. Some things are hit and miss to be sure, but it's nice to know of a place that has so many plant based foods to choose from. Even regular foods that are made from real meat don't always taste good. I would happily shop here again and would definitely recommend others to come and check out this place!
Service: Good
Parking: Free
Location: 120 - 8291 Ackroyd Rd., Richmond read more