What's All This Talk About Vegan Foods?
Are you a vegan or about to become one, and looking for some reasons to solidify why you have chosen this philosophy?
Are you looking to find tasty vegan recipes, including some eaten or even created by celebrities?
Are you keen to discover more about the health benefits of consuming vegan foods and the reasons to follow a strict vegan diet plan?
Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about following a vegan diet plan, including some of the best vegan recipes and vegan baking ideas!
What Is Vegan Food?
First of all, it is important to understand what veganism entails: what food is vegan, vegan health benefits, the principles behind veganism, etc
Once you have all of the knowledge you need about what is essentially a completely different way of living as well as eating, then you can make an informed decision on whether veganism is right for you.
Veganism is not to be confused with vegetarianism.
While vegetarians abstain from eating meat, vegans neither eat meat nor use any products that are made from animals. Some strict vegetarians may also refrain from consuming animal-derived products like milk or eggs, too. Instead, vegans get their nutrition requirements from vegetables and other plant-based foods.
So, to recap, here are some useful facts about vegetarianism and veganism:
Vegetarian vs. Vegan: What Sets Them Apart
| Vegetarian | Vegan |
|---|---|
| Does not eat meat, poultry, game, fish or by-products of slaughter | Does not eat meat, dairy, eggs or honey |
| Strict vegetarians avoid eating honey or foods with traces of animal products | Is against the use of animal-derived products like leather |
| The FSA reported that one of their studies conducted across 2008-2011 found that 2% of both adults and children stated they were vegetarian | At least 542,000 Britons are now following a vegan diet plan |
| Vegetarians are said to suffer less heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cancers, bowel disorders and ball and kidney stones | Veganism reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism and some cancers |
You can find out more about vegan foods by reading the blog What Is Vegan Food And Where Do I Get It?
Vegan Health Benefits
Vegans have, in the past, had some bad press. For some reason, a lot of people talk of a 'dislike' for vegans, but in reality, these people just don't understand their mindset.
The term ‘vegan bore’ has even been used to describe individuals following a vegan diet, as it is stereotypically thought that vegans bore others with their philosophy on animal cruelty. As I (and many others out there) know, this is rarely the case.
But why should vegans be treated any differently from vegetarians, pescetarians or any other group of beings in actual fact? Is it because those non-vegans around them feel that they are just being overly tricky and selfishly inconveniencing others? Or could those easily offended by vegans be feeling threatened by a concern that they will be made to feel guilty about their own food choices?
For sure, being a vegan during the last decade can’t have been easy in a country that is typically quite mixed when it comes to diet, known for its fish and chips, English breakfasts, Sunday roasts, pies, pasties and high tea.
It would have, for a long time, limited where you ate, where you shopped and, to some extent, how you lived your daily life (i.e. the way you performed chores around the house). Nowadays, however, veganism is more widely accepted as a dietary choice and is generally perceived as adopting a healthier way of life rather than being a particularly attention-seeking act.
A broad collection of evidence suggests that following a vegan diet could improve blood pressure, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and promote healthy weight loss.
By reducing our consumption of meat and increasing the amount of fibre and plant matter we eat, we could be faced with better health prospects, like a much smaller risk of life-threatening or life-altering conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism and some cancers (in addition to those listed above).
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health provides guidance on balanced plant-based and vegetarian diets through its official Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2020. While the Ministry does not specifically call for a nationwide shift to veganism, it highlights that well-planned plant-based diets can support good health and help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. These guidelines encourage Malaysians to include more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains in their daily meals — promoting a dietary approach that benefits both personal well-being and environmental sustainability.
The Vegan Society itself knows that there would need to be some hugely influential environmental changes to convince everybody in the UK to adopt a vegan diet, but it is still adamant that it wants the country to know about the benefits of a vegan diet.
As such, a few years ago it launched Veganuary, a campaign to get as many people as possible eating vegan for January alone, in the hope that they experience first-hand the health benefits of vegan food, feel better in themselves as a result and then choose to stay vegan.
In 2015, the campaign counted 12,800 participants (almost quadruple the amount from the year of the launch), of which more than half decided to continue with the philosophy throughout the remainder of the year.
If you are interested in learning more about vegan health benefits, take a look at the blog Vegan Health Benefits.
The 5 Best Supermarkets For Buying Vegan Foods
Though you won’t yet find mainstream supermarkets in Malaysia dedicated solely to vegan produce, many popular chains now offer sections or aisles specialising in vegan-friendly foods such as nutritional yeast and plant-based snacks.
Shopping for a vegan diet in Malaysia doesn’t have to be a struggle. In fact, the country’s plant-based food market is growing strongly; recent data show that 35 % of Malaysians now consume plant-based meals regularly, and major supermarkets and online platforms are expanding their vegan offerings.
And if your local shop doesn’t have a full vegan section, you may still spot many “hidden treasures” among better-known brands that are safe for vegans. Take, for example, food chains in Kuala Lumpur such as Jaya Grocer, which list mock meats, vegan cheese, non-dairy milks and plant-based snacks.
Here are the top 5 supermarkets in Malaysia that are known to carry a good range of vegan-friendly products. All are established, credible chains — though the availability of vegan-specific sections may vary by branch.
1. Jaya Grocer
A premium grocery chain noted for imported & speciality goods. Vegan-friendly proof: their online store lists a “Frozen Vegetarian & Vegan” category. They carry items like mock meats, plant-based milks and vegan cheeses — reviews show branches like The Intermark Kuala Lumpur offering a good vegan brand range.
2. Village Grocer
Known for a “healthy-living” section including vegan, plant-based and gluten-free items. Their online category clearly lists vegan foods (for example, at the KL Gateway Mall branch), which confirms they actively stock vegan-friendly items.
Discover an amazing cooking class here on Superprof.
3. Lotus’s Malaysia
A large national chain (formerly Tesco Malaysia) with a wide reach. Whilst specific vegan-only sections aren’t widely documented, vegan product reviews for items sold there confirm availability. For example, a vegan-friendly frozen fries product is listed under Lotus’s on the vegan-community site abillion.
4. AEON BIG
While not as specialised in vegan goods as “premium” supermarkets, AEON BIG is a well-known hypermarket chain where many plant-based staples are available (per community feedback). It's practical for bulk shopping and common items which vegan shoppers might want (rice, legumes, non-dairy milks).
5. NSK Grocer
A strong local grocery chain noted by vegan/vegetarian shoppers in Malaysia for having decent vegan and vegetarian selections. It may not have a dedicated “vegan aisle” in all branches, but community mentions show it as a viable option for vegan-friendly grocery shopping.
While all of these supermarkets are authentic and credible, the extent and consistency of dedicated vegan sections (labels, signage, etc.) vary from branch to branch. It’s always wise to call your local store to check stock or vegan-specific aisles.
You can discover more about the vegan food ranges stocked by the above stores in the blog The Best Shops For Vegan Food.
What is a vegan recipe?
Are you looking for delicious meals that are completely plant-based? Wondering how you can enjoy flavourful food without using any animal products? A vegan recipe is exactly that — a set of instructions to prepare a dish that contains no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or any other animal-derived ingredients.
Why choose a vegan recipe? Could it be for health benefits, environmental impact, or ethical reasons? Whatever your motivation, vegan recipes allow you to explore a world of flavours using fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. From hearty main courses to decadent desserts, vegan cooking proves that you don’t need animal products to make tasty and satisfying meals.
So, are you ready to discover plant-based magic in your kitchen? A vegan recipe is your guide to creating meals that are healthy, sustainable, and kind to animals — all while keeping your taste buds happy!
10 Quick And Simple Vegan Recipes
Are you looking for some vegan recipes which will look good as well as fill you up, but that won’t take hours to prepare?
Look no further than our list below of ten quick and simple recipes. Whether you like to get your dinner preparation over and done with as quickly as possible or you like to make your dinner-making a drawn-out affair, each of these recipes can feasibly be ready in around half an hour.
That gives you a few extra minutes to pour yourself a nice cold glass of vegan-friendly wine while you wait for your culinary masterpiece to be ready!
1. Vegan Pizza Recipe: Malaysian-Inspired Delight
Craving a delicious, plant-based pizza that captures the vibrant flavours of Malaysia? Look no further! This recipe combines traditional Italian pizza with local Malaysian ingredients, creating a unique fusion that's both satisfying and ethical.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour (for a healthier base)
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup lukewarm water
For the sauce:
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the toppings:
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms (such as shiitake or oyster mushrooms, commonly found in Malaysia)
- ½ cup sliced red onions
- ½ cup sliced bell peppers
- ¼ cup olives, pitted and sliced
- 1 small tomato, sliced
- ½ cup vegan cheese (store-bought or homemade; see below for a simple recipe)
Optional Malaysian twist:
- A drizzle of sambal (Malaysian chilli paste) for a spicy kick
- A sprinkle of tempoyak (fermented durian) for a unique, tangy flavour
Instructions:
- Prepare the dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add the olive oil and lukewarm water. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine the tomato puree, tomato paste, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavours meld together.
- Assemble the pizza:
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (428°F).
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Transfer the rolled dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the dough.
- Arrange the sliced mushrooms, red onions, bell peppers, olives, and tomatoes on top.
- Sprinkle the vegan cheese over the toppings.
- Bake the pizza:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted.
- Add the Malaysian twist (optional):
- After baking, drizzle a small amount of sambal over the pizza for added spice.
- For a unique flavour, add a few dollops of tempoyak on top before serving.
Serving suggestion:
Pair your Malaysian-inspired vegan pizza with a refreshing iced lemon tea or a coconut water to complement the flavours.
Enjoy your fusion creation that brings together the best of Italian and Malaysian cuisines!
Note: The idea of incorporating local Malaysian ingredients into a vegan pizza is inspired by various culinary traditions and is not attributed to a specific chef.
2. Mediterranean baked sweet potatoes: A savoury, sweet, fresh and comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish.
In summary, this fast recipe consists of:
Baked sweet potatoes – cut in half to shorten cooking time
Seasoned, roasted chickpeas
Garlic-herb sauce
Parsley-tomato salad for garnish
The result is a quick and easy lunch or dinner that’s both satisfying and healthy. For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visit Minimalist Baker.
3. Coconut curry: A flavoursome dish that lets you use up your leftover vegetables.
Here is a flexible recipe that allows you to use whichever vegetables and spices you feel like. Although the the recipe uses broccoli, carrot, onion, snow peas and tomato, you could go with whatever veggies you wish! The same goes for the spices: this method keeps it simple with curry powder and a pinch of cayenne but you could also add turmeric, cinnamon or cumin to add even more flavour.
For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visit Minimalist Baker.
4. Poblano and portobello fajitas: an alternative to the Mexican favourite.
If you’re craving something fresh, colorful, and bursting with flavor, these Vegan Fajitas with Creamy Guacamole are the perfect choice. This dish combines sautéed poblano, bell, and jalapeño peppers with tender portobello mushrooms — all seasoned beautifully with cumin, garlic powder, and sea salt. Served with warm tortillas and a side of homemade lime-infused guacamole, it’s a wholesome meal that’s both easy to make and satisfying. You can top it off with salsa, cilantro, or a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick. For the complete recipe and instructions, check out the original by Minimalist Baker.
5. Vegan green chilli mac’n’cheese: a simple alternative to the original cheese-fest.
This is an unprocessed, wholesome, dairy-free recipe to help satisfy those cravings for childhood favourites. It is creamy, cheesy, spicy and absolutely delicious. Plus, it offers just under 20 grass of protein with every serving – what more could you want?
For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visit Vegan Green Chili Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Note: You will need to soak your cashews overnight!
6. Vegan mushroom stroganoff
For a cozy, comforting meal that’s entirely plant-based, this Creamy Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff is a must-try. Featuring a rich sauce made from mushrooms, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and a touch of lemon juice, this dish perfectly balances earthy and tangy flavors. The addition of whole wheat noodles and fresh parsley makes it hearty enough for dinner yet light enough to enjoy any day of the week. The optional vegan sour cream adds an extra layer of creaminess, making every bite indulgent and satisfying. It’s an easy, wholesome recipe that proves comfort food can be deliciously vegan. For the full recipe, check out the original from One Green Planet.
For more head turning vegan recipes, take a look at the blog 10 Vegan Recipes.
Top Vegan Baking Recipes
If you are a devout vegan, you’ll be all too aware of the products you can and can’t use when baking vegan puddings. However, if you are trying out a vegan recipe or want to put in that extra effort and cook a completely vegan three-course meal for a vegan friend, then you might like to find some recipes that won’t require you to go out an buy a shop-full of alternatives to your kitchen cupboard basics.
Here are ten recipes that use straightforward ingredients, suitable for a vegan diet.
1. Vegan tiffin
Using ingredients from your larder, like coconut oil, golden syrup, cranberries and pistachios, you can make this tasty dessert. It is great for parties, and with some vegan dark chocolate and ginger nut biscuits thrown in, no one would suspect it’s vegan it tastes so good!
For the full list of ingredients and cooking method, visit BBC Good Food.
2. Sticky Toffee Pear Pudding
Ingredients
• 8 small firm pears
• 200g golden caster sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 star anise
• 6 cloves
• 1 lemon, zest pared
• 1 orange, zest pared
• vegan ice cream, to serve (optional)
For the sponge
• 250g pitted dates
• 2 tbsp linseeds
• 300ml unsweetened almond milk
• 200ml vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing
• 175g dark muscovado sugar
• 200g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp ground mixed spice
Method
1. Peel the pears and cut the bottom off each to give a flat base – cut them to a height that will fit snugly in your tin. Use a melon baller or small knife to cut out the pips from the base. Roughly chop the pear scraps, discarding the pips, and set aside. Tip the sugar, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, zests and 600ml water into a saucepan large enough to fit all the pears. Bring to the boil, then simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Add the pears, cover with a lid or a piece of baking parchment, and poach gently for 15 mins until a knife easily slides into a pear. Leave to cool in the liquid.
2. Now make the sponge. Put the dates and linseeds in a saucepan and add the almond milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 2-3 mins until the dates are soft. Pour into a food processer and blitz until smooth. Add the oil and blend again, then scrape into a bowl and set aside to cool a little. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 20 x 30cm baking tin (a loose -bottomed one if possible) with a strip of baking parchment.
3. Put the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl with 1/ 2 tsp salt. Mix well, breaking up any lumps of sugar with your fingers, and shaking the bowl a few times to encourage any remaining lumps to come to the surface. Add the date and oil mixture, and stir well. Fold in the chopped pear scraps. Scrape the cake mixture into the tin, then nestle in the pears, standing straight up, so that the bottom halves are covered. Bake for 35-40 mins until the cake is cooked through. Insert a skewer to the centre to check – it should come out clean. If there is any wet cake mixture on the skewer, return the cake to the oven and bake for 10 mins more, then check again.
4. Meanwhile, bring the pear poaching liquid back to the boil and simmer until reduced to a glossy syrup. When the pudding is cooked, cool for 5-10 mins, then brush all over with the syrup, saving a little extra to serve alongside, with vegan ice cream, if you like.
Recipe courtesy of BBC Good Food.
If you’d like to make your own toffee sauce to go with the above, you can find a link to a vegan-friendly recipe when visiting the above recipe on the BBC Good Food site.
3. Lemon cake
Ingredients
• 250g vegan margarine
• 200g sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla sugar
• 30g soya flour
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
• 200ml warm water including juice of 2 lemons
• Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
• 150g plain flour
• 100g corn flour
• 15g baking powder
• 50g ground almonds
For the icing
• 150g icing sugar
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp lemon zest
Method
1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees, line a 30cm cake loaf tin and lightly grease.
2. Place vegan margarine, sugar and vanilla sugar, soya flour, lemon zest and xanthan gum into a mixing bowl. Combine on low speed.
3. Top up the lemon juice with warm water to 200ml in total. Let liquid drizzle into mixture beating on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until creamy.
4. Sift flour, corn flour and baking powder and fold under mixture with a spatula.
5. Fill with loaf tin cake mixture and bake for 65-70 minutes.
To make the icing
Mix the icing sugar with zest and lemon juice. Spread over cake.
Recipe courtesy of Vegan Society.
Are You Ready To Go Vegan?
And there you have it! Everything you need to know about becoming or remaining vegan, including some really great recipes to try out.
For more vegan baking recipes to try your hand at, visit 10 Amazing Vegan Baking Recipes.
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