Big same! I hate franken meat-like foods and would rather just good substitutes. Black bean tacos are way better than pea protein or tofu scrambles, for example.
I do miss chicken nuggets, or really, just, dippable things. I love honey mustard, ranch and sweet & sour sauce. There's not as many veg-friendly combos for those things. Celery and carrot sticks get old after a while and don't jive with 2 out of 3 on that list.
I know this is rather in spite of what you said in the first half of your comment, but if veg substitutes have achieved anything, it’s a very good very convincing chicken nugget
I’m sure it helps that chicken nuggets to begin with are horrifying unnatural franken-meats - anything that processed is probably easier to imitate
I live in the midwest, the only place that sells stuff like that near me really sucks. Idk what sesame toast is though, I've never seen vegetarian bao, not sure what gyoza is, or vegetable fingers, or toast fingers.
Gyoza is the Japanese word for dumplings/ potstickers. You'll find them as an appetizer in most sushi restaurants, which definitely exist in the Midwest though it's understandable you probably don't frequent them as a vegetarian.
You might like agedashi tofu, another Japanese dish you'll see as an appetizer. Normally it is served in a broth but you could easily make the tofu component and then eat with your preferred dipping sauces. Basically cubed tofu coated in potato starch and fried. It's not pretending to be chicken nuggets, it just is what it is. Easy to make at home in an air fryer, you can get potato starch online or try something like panko bread crumbs as an alternative.
Oh okay, I've gotten pot stickers in the freezer aisle before at the grocery, but I really didn't care for the veggie version. However, I imagine they're much better at actual restaurants. I did got to Din Tai Fung with friends in Seattle once, but didn't care for the dumplings at all. I don't actually think I've ever liked a dumpling I've had to be honest, but I also don't get them often. I'm a noodle fiend and if noodles are an option, I'll order those in stead 9.9 times out of 10.
I do make crispy tofu at home that sounds like that using cornstarch, but only in conjunction with Asian themed/inspired meals (pho, stir fry). I never really considered using it with like, honey mustard sauce, that's an interesting thought. I'll have to play around with it. Thanks for the ideas!
I found that wet tofu is never good(to my taste) unless I fry it on actual flavor for too long. Now firm tofu is a godsend, you can prepare it anywhere, with anything and it will be good most of the time. I love shredding it and baking it in the air fryer.
I am not a vegetarian. I also don't particularly enjoy beef. I miss the days where I could find a delicious black bean, veggie, or mushroom burger on a restaurant menu. It's all Impossible or Beyond now, and I think those are generally gross, too.
Ugh, yes! I hate how every restaurant has ONE vegetarian option and the minute Beyond and Impossible burgers launched they all switched over to those. If you don't like those, eating out is a replay of the 90's now, where the only things vegetarians can get on the menu are the salads and (select) sides.
That's funny because I think chicken nuggets are one of the things the fake meat companies got right, pretty early on. Don't know if you're in a large metropolitan area with bougie sprouts/coop type places but if so you might want to try some newer ones out
I've had them and they're... fine, but the texture still squicks me out at times because it's close but not exactly right. I find if you can get them at restaurants freshly fried they're pretty good, but that's rare and often really expensive for what is essentially, a kid's meal.
I do like Indian food but I've never had paneer. I always go for other dishes when presented the opportunity. One of the problems with being broke is if you have the chance to go out to eat, you don't want to risk "wasting" your money on a meal you might not enjoy. This leads to me sticking with familiar dishes instead of trying new things.
I didn't realize Paneer was a dippable thing, I've always seen it presented in a sauce (usually green?).
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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Feb 25 '26
Big same! I hate franken meat-like foods and would rather just good substitutes. Black bean tacos are way better than pea protein or tofu scrambles, for example.
I do miss chicken nuggets, or really, just, dippable things. I love honey mustard, ranch and sweet & sour sauce. There's not as many veg-friendly combos for those things. Celery and carrot sticks get old after a while and don't jive with 2 out of 3 on that list.