KUALA LUMPUR: Adopting a diet based on plants is becoming an increasingly popular worldwide trend, with certain studies indicating that by 2040, only 40% of the global population may consume meat.
However, for most Malaysians, this appears somewhat difficult to accept. Can Malaysians truly part with their rendang, sambals, and rich meat curries?
Here’s some positive news – you don’t need to abandon your beloved local dishes to adopt a vegan lifestyle. At least, that’s the belief of 29-year-old Jessica Yeong, the founder of Vegecore.
Vegecore is a homegrown business that was established in 2024, and it stands out as one of the limited number of companies in the nation providing fully vegan, pre-prepared meals that draw from classic Malaysian tastes.
Yeong, a food scientist, mentioned that the concept originated from her personal life experiences.
“I have been vegetarian since birth. As a child, I watched people savoring Malaysian dishes such as nasi lemak, but I was never able to experience its true flavor,” she said to FMT Lifestyle.
So the idea for Vegecore emerged when I noticed a gap in the plant-based market. I just wondered, where are our Malaysian flavors?
Yeong’s family had been in the restaurant business since her childhood, sparking an early fascination with flavours that led her to pursue food science. While working in food manufacturing, she assembled a team and began experimenting.
The initial three flavors they launched were “Nenek’s Masak Merah,””Pakcik’s Dendeng,” and “Mama’s Sambal Sotong.”
Whether you believe it or not, every one of her meals – which you just need to heat up in the microwave to savor – can last for two years. The best thing is that they are entirely free of preservatives.
“We make an effort to use all-natural components that are beneficial for your health,” Yeong stated.
For instance, the “(ayam) masak merah” is prepared using lion’s mane mushroom, which serves as a rich source of fiber. Other dishes include shiitake mushrooms, whereas their “sambal sotong” is crafted with konjac, a starchy root that is nearly calorie-free.
Yeong mentioned that they collaborated with a manufacturer that utilizes a particular technology known as retort, which enables the food to remain stable on the shelf without the need for preservatives. This also enhances convenience significantly.
“When I go abroad, it’s usually hard to find vegetarian meals. It’s always just instant noodles. So carrying these with me has been very useful,” she added.
I also wished for our products to be enjoyable and vibrant starting with the packaging. Vegan food doesn’t need to be dull.
Every meal is given a fun title, such as “Makcik’s Rendang” and “Amma’s Masala Curry”.
Although their top-selling product is “Pakcik’s Dendeng,” Vegecore also provides three types of sambal in jars, including “Apak’s Nasi Lemak Sambal,””Mama’s Sambal,” and “Atuk’s Sambal Cili Hijau.”
There is indeed a significant amount of scientific research involved in our work, and our primary objective was to preserve the genuine tastes.
So, were they correct?
Many individuals who are not vegetarian or vegan have shared that they cannot distinguish it from the meat version and they really enjoy it.
“Some people have also reported feeling improved after trying these plant-based alternatives, possibly because meat can sometimes feel heavy or difficult to digest,” said Yeong.
Vegecore, a halal-certified brand, has developed a dedicated group of customers, with some frequent buyers purchasing in large quantities every month.
“I feel the common misunderstanding is that vegan food lacks flavor. I think this has significantly shifted many people’s views,” she mentioned.
Yeong acknowledged that the difficulty lies in encouraging non-vegetarians to sample their cuisine. However, after they do, they soon discover how delicious it is.
Our main objective is to change people’s perception of vegan cuisine. For Malaysians, I wish that when they try it, they experience a taste of their homeland.
Vegecore may soon be broadening its selection, possibly introducing flavors inspired by Chinese cuisine, so stay tuned.
Follow Vegecore on Instagramand visit their websitehere.