Bangkok: Meat found in 'vegetarian' food from China Town

[Artisi]

"Supposedly “meat-free” sausages, fish cakes, salted fish, meatballs and crab meat all contained traces of animal products, according to Apichai Mongkol, inspector general of the Department of Public Health."

Nothing new about this information.

I am vegetarian and would not touch any of these allegedly vegan/vegetarian 'fake meat' products.

They may not be meat as such but they are not meat free.

I am also 100% vegetarian and loathe the fake / pretend meat products and its taste.

[jacky54]

I am also 100% vegetarian and loathe the fake / pretend meat products and its taste.

The stuff here does not really taste like meat though!

[Bluespunk]

"Supposedly meat-free sausages, fish cakes, salted fish, meatballs and crab meat all contained traces of animal products, according to Apichai Mongkol, inspector general of the Department of Public Health."

Nothing new about this information.

I am vegetarian and would not touch any of these allegedly vegan/vegetarian 'fake meat' products.

They may not be meat as such but they are not meat free.

What exactly is a meat-free meatball? or vegetarian crab meat or fish cake, for that matter? I am thoroughly confused...

Depends. Mostly it's just flavoured TVP prepared in the form of the food it imitates. Quality varies to be honest but some like the Linda macartney stuff is ok.

[Bluespunk]

I am also 100% vegetarian and loathe the fake / pretend meat products and its taste.

The stuff here does not really taste like meat though!

Ironic really.

[Ulic]

Delicious

[Bluespunk]

I've always chuckled about the Chinese vegetarian festival, which offers veggie "meatballs", veggie "duck meat", veggie "sausages", veggie "chicken mince", veggie "stewed pork knuckle", and so forth.

If you're a vegetarian why would you care that your food resembles meat dishes or ingredients and go to such lengths to prepare them so they look like actual meat?

The same happens with some Indian vegan dishes, by the way.

I understand of course that the local vegetarian festival is more or less a religious/spiritual affair, during which people refrain from eating meat (and strongly spiced dishes) for a week or so in order in order to cleanse their bodies before they go back to eating meat. Yet I find it a rather hilariously ironic practice to imitate meat.

Have you ever considered that some vegetarians find the factory farming, production line manner of animal exploitation for food morally repugnant and therefore refuse to support it.

Its not about health. Its about right and wrong.

Doesn't mean they don't miss the taste though.

Edited October 3, 2014 by Bluespunk

[Artisi]

Been here 20 years vegetarian for 42 and never met a Thai vegetarian, only some who claim to be esp on the festival

I've meet quite a few, including whole families, usually of not to distant Chinese background who are 100% 24/7/365, many others I know with a Chinese background are like you said "part-time" veggies.

[Artisi]

I've always chuckled about the Chinese vegetarian festival, which offers veggie "meatballs", veggie "duck meat", veggie "sausages", veggie "chicken mince", veggie "stewed pork knuckle", and so forth.

If you're a vegetarian why would you care that your food resembles meat dishes or ingredients and go to such lengths to prepare them so they look like actual meat?

The same happens with some Indian vegan dishes, by the way.

I understand of course that the local vegetarian festival is more or less a religious/spiritual affair, during which people refrain from eating meat (and strongly spiced dishes) for a week or so in order in order to cleanse their bodies before they go back to eating meat. Yet I find it a rather hilariously ironic practice to imitate meat.

Have you ever considered that some vegetarians find the factory farming, production line manner of animal exploitation for food morally repugnant and therefore refuse to support it.

Its not about health. Its about right and wrong.

Doesn't mean they don't miss the taste though.

As a long time vegetarian - nearly 30 years I find the taste / smell of meat, seafood and fish sauce repugnant in the extreme to the point that any with any veggie dish prepared with or in utensils used for non-veggie dishes I can usually taste the contaminant - especially fish sauce -- yuk.

[winstonc]

Like anyone would care unless they are vegetarian, which apart from me and possibly a few other farrangs, don't exist in Thailand.

I have never met a Thai vegetarian, but they must exist. of course if this had been non halal meet served up to Muslims the market would probably have been burned down

all asoke people (dhamma army) all veggie thousands here..just replace meat with tofu you would never know...meat is murder remember that..

[Bluespunk]

I've always chuckled about the Chinese vegetarian festival, which offers veggie "meatballs", veggie "duck meat", veggie "sausages", veggie "chicken mince", veggie "stewed pork knuckle", and so forth.

If you're a vegetarian why would you care that your food resembles meat dishes or ingredients and go to such lengths to prepare them so they look like actual meat?

The same happens with some Indian vegan dishes, by the way.

I understand of course that the local vegetarian festival is more or less a religious/spiritual affair, during which people refrain from eating meat (and strongly spiced dishes) for a week or so in order in order to cleanse their bodies before they go back to eating meat. Yet I find it a rather hilariously ironic practice to imitate meat.

Have you ever considered that some vegetarians find the factory farming, production line manner of animal exploitation for food morally repugnant and therefore refuse to support it.

Its not about health. Its about right and wrong.

Doesn't mean they don't miss the taste though.

As a long time vegetarian - nearly 30 years I find the taste / smell of meat, seafood and fish sauce repugnant in the extreme to the point that any with any veggie dish prepared with or in utensils used for non-veggie dishes I can usually taste the contaminant - especially fish sauce -- yuk.

Same here - 31 years now - and don't miss the taste at all. Can see why some might though. Each to their own.

[winstonc]

I've always chuckled about the Chinese vegetarian festival, which offers veggie "meatballs", veggie "duck meat", veggie "sausages", veggie "chicken mince", veggie "stewed pork knuckle", and so forth.

If you're a vegetarian why would you care that your food resembles meat dishes or ingredients and go to such lengths to prepare them so they look like actual meat?

The same happens with some Indian vegan dishes, by the way.

I understand of course that the local vegetarian festival is more or less a religious/spiritual affair, during which people refrain from eating meat (and strongly spiced dishes) for a week or so in order in order to cleanse their bodies before they go back to eating meat. Yet I find it a rather hilariously ironic practice to imitate meat.

its for former meat eaters/people who miss meat but wont buy/eat it anymore..simple thought process really dont you think..

Edited October 3, 2014 by winstonc

[ezzra]

I'm having a laugh... the irony is many items that suppose to contain meat, doesn't, the

items that not suppose to contain meat, do.... what a whacky world....

[WitawatWatawit]

If it looks like meat and is made to taste like meat, why complain if it contains meat? As a commenter argued: "most meat-eaters who think vegetarians are crazy or weird have been put off by the eating of some meat substitute. Because they try to be what they're not, these mock meats are always disappointing. People need protein, but they don't need to imitate flesh."

Anyone got a good recipe for a veggie meat sausage, veggie meat patty, veggie hot dog? Tofurky, anyone?

[winstonc]

If it looks like meat and is made to taste like meat, why complain if it contains meat? As a commenter argued: "most meat-eaters who think vegetarians are crazy or weird have been put off by the eating of some meat substitute. Because they try to be what they're not, these mock meats are always disappointing. People need protein, but they don't need to imitate flesh."

Anyone got a good recipe for a veggie meat sausage, veggie meat patty, veggie hot dog? Tofurky, anyone?

not your brightest post..some like me detest meat..thats the point........try tofu..

[ggt]

they found animal DNA from a number of faux-meat samples

Why do we assume this was animal meat...could have been feces...

[bruceybonus]

lucky bastard, I've been searching for meat in my dishes for years!

[jacky54]

they found animal DNA from a number of faux-meat samples

Why do we assume this was animal meat...could have been feces...

Could have been a few rats that dropped in the mix, we will never know

[kunnatee]

Anybody die ?

yes

the animal in the fake vegetarian food

That's just a detail. People shouldn't be so picky. 99% meat free should be enough. The last 1% is a hassle to control. Turnover is more important.

what would you say if it were 1% human meat?

you wouldn't say "99% is enough"

you'd say "they killed someone!!"

some people don't want other conscious beings being tortured and killed when it has become totally unecessary

making them eat those being is like making you eat humans

[Ulysses G.]

I've always chuckled about the Chinese vegetarian festival, which offers veggie "meatballs", veggie "duck meat", veggie "sausages", veggie "chicken mince", veggie "stewed pork knuckle", and so forth.

If you're a vegetarian why would you care that your food resembles meat dishes or ingredients and go to such lengths to prepare them so they look like actual meat?

The same happens with some Indian vegan dishes, by the way.

I understand of course that the local vegetarian festival is more or less a religious/spiritual affair, during which people refrain from eating meat (and strongly spiced dishes) for a week or so in order in order to cleanse their bodies before they go back to eating meat. Yet I find it a rather hilariously ironic practice to imitate meat.

Have you ever considered that some vegetarians find the factory farming, production line manner of animal exploitation for food morally repugnant and therefore refuse to support it.

Its not about health. Its about right and wrong.

Doesn't mean they don't miss the taste though.

As a long time vegetarian - nearly 30 years I find the taste / smell of meat, seafood and fish sauce repugnant in the extreme to the point that any with any veggie dish prepared with or in utensils used for non-veggie dishes I can usually taste the contaminant - especially fish sauce -- yuk.

So many vegetarians claim. I have been a very strict vegetarian for years at a time, but some BBQ ribs or bacon or a good steak always tastes great to me when I finally start eating it again.

[Nickymaster]

Anybody die ?

yes

the animal in the fake vegetarian food

That's just a detail. People shouldn't be so picky. 99% meat free should be enough. The last 1% is a hassle to control. Turnover is more important.

what would you say if it were 1% human meat?

you wouldn't say "99% is enough"

you'd say "they killed someone!!"

some people don't want other conscious beings being tortured and killed when it has become totally unecessary

making them eat those being is like making you eat humans

My last sentence should haven given you a hint

[seabass69]

I think I found a bit of chicken in my KFC once, but I'm not quite sure.

[ldnguy]

I've always chuckled about the Chinese vegetarian festival, which offers veggie "meatballs", veggie "duck meat", veggie "sausages", veggie "chicken mince", veggie "stewed pork knuckle", and so forth.

If you're a vegetarian why would you care that your food resembles meat dishes or ingredients and go to such lengths to prepare them so they look like actual meat?

The same happens with some Indian vegan dishes, by the way.

I understand of course that the local vegetarian festival is more or less a religious/spiritual affair, during which people refrain from eating meat (and strongly spiced dishes) for a week or so in order in order to cleanse their bodies before they go back to eating meat. Yet I find it a rather hilariously ironic practice to imitate meat.

I don;t remember the exact story behind it but it's along the line that some Buddhists many years ago didn't want to eat meat but when they had guests they wanted to stay meat-free while making their guests feel at home. So they invented lots of fake meat dishes.

Another reason is that the majority of customers in vegetarian restaurants are meat-eaters that want to sometimes eat veggie meals. It's easier for them if there is familiar food on sale.

But you could also wonder if so many people want to eat meat, but they often give it different names and shapes to disguise what it really is. If you want eat pig, cow, etc, then why not call ti what it is? And why make it into shapes that hide the fact that it's an animal? And why would the vast majority of meat-eaters be unable to kill a pg or a cow. Meat-eaters are the real fakes. I know some of you will claim you can kill animals and some even do, but I'm talking about the majority here.

[Bluespunk]

I've always chuckled about the Chinese vegetarian festival, which offers veggie "meatballs", veggie "duck meat", veggie "sausages", veggie "chicken mince", veggie "stewed pork knuckle", and so forth.

If you're a vegetarian why would you care that your food resembles meat dishes or ingredients and go to such lengths to prepare them so they look like actual meat?

The same happens with some Indian vegan dishes, by the way.

I understand of course that the local vegetarian festival is more or less a religious/spiritual affair, during which people refrain from eating meat (and strongly spiced dishes) for a week or so in order in order to cleanse their bodies before they go back to eating meat. Yet I find it a rather hilariously ironic practice to imitate meat.

Have you ever considered that some vegetarians find the factory farming, production line manner of animal exploitation for food morally repugnant and therefore refuse to support it.

Its not about health. Its about right and wrong.

Doesn't mean they don't miss the taste though.

As a long time vegetarian - nearly 30 years I find the taste / smell of meat, seafood and fish sauce repugnant in the extreme to the point that any with any veggie dish prepared with or in utensils used for non-veggie dishes I can usually taste the contaminant - especially fish sauce -- yuk.

So many vegetarians claim. I have been a very strict vegetarian for years at a time, but some BBQ ribs or bacon or a good steak always tastes great to me when I finally start eating it again.

As I said 31 years and don't miss it at all.

[Tokay]

Meat used in vegetarian festival dishes. Really, anyone surprised? Especially after the news just a week ago warning people to be on the lookout for fake vegetarian food.

[The Blot]

Hahahaha.... Meat in your bell,y will turn your wegies to Jelly

[The Blot]

Sorry!!!!... And they liked it???

[jacko45k]

At least it was fresh meat, Still wriggling i hear.

I hope it wasn't donkey like we get in our UK burgers.

[mikemac]

Waiter ! There's a hare in my vegetable soup !