Mock Meat

Mock meat has a long history in Chinese Buddhist cooking, which turns soy, gluten and bean curd into convincing roasts, and this collection stocks the classics, tinned and frozen.

The tinned range from Companion and Wu Chung is the traditional end: Peking-style vegetarian roast duck, mock chicken braised bean curd, fried gluten, and chai pow yu — the braised gluten puffs known as mock abalone for their texture. They are a staple of Chinese vegetarian meals. Slice the mock duck and stir-fry it with vegetables, or serve it cold, sliced, as they do in temples and teahouses.

The frozen Everbest range is the more modern side: Teochew duck, Hong Kong barbecue mock meat, pandan chicken and layered 'belly' — closer in spirit to the meat dishes they echo, and ready for the wok or oven. There are vegan rib tips too, for those who want the newest take.

Mock meat is useful well beyond vegetarian households, adding texture to stir-fries and braises. Orders go out from our Manchester store, with free standard delivery over £75 to most UK postcodes; fresh and frozen lines add a £5.50 surcharge once per order.