'The Temple of Seitan' is a humorously named new restaurant in Hackney, east London that specializes in the creation of dishes made with the vegan chicken alternative seitan.
Seitan is a popular meat substitute that is sometimes called wheat gluten or "gluten meat," as it is made of the main protein portion of wheat. At The Temple of Seitan, this vegan chicken alternative is mixed with soy and seasonings to form a convincing, cruelty-free version of fried chicken.
Some of the dishes made with seitan that can be ordered at the restaurant include vegan macaroni and cheese with "bacon" bits, the Temple Burger, wings, as well as popcorn-style mock chicken bites. Restaurant co-founder Rebecca McGuinness says: "We think it’s important as there is a common misconception that vegans hate the taste of animal products, but this isn’t true. The majority of us go vegan not because we hate the taste of meat, but because we see the important ethical, environmental and health reasons for doing so."
Vegan Chicken Restaurants
The 'Temple of Seitan' is a Destination for Vegan Chicken Alternatives
Trend Themes
1. Vegan Meat Substitutes - The popularity of vegan chicken alternatives like seitan presents opportunities for innovation in creating more flavorful and realistic plant-based meat substitutes.
2. Cruelty-free Fast Food - Restaurants specializing in vegan alternatives, such as The Temple of Seitan, are disrupting the fast food industry by offering flavorful and guilt-free options to conscious consumers.
3. Plant-based Comfort Food - The rise of vegan chicken restaurants highlights a trend towards creating satisfying comfort foods using plant-based ingredients, paving the way for more innovative and indulgent vegan dishes.
Industry Implications
1. Food Service - Vegan chicken restaurants are disrupting the food service industry by catering to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives and providing flavorful options that accommodate different dietary preferences.
2. Food Manufacturing - The increasing popularity of seitan and other vegan meat substitutes presents a growth opportunity for food manufacturers to produce and market innovative plant-based products that mimic the taste and texture of meat.
3. Hospitality - Hotels and other hospitality businesses can tap into the vegan market by incorporating vegan chicken alternatives into their menus, offering a unique and inclusive dining experience for guests looking for plant-based options.