Back in the ‘90s, I jumped into veganism like a summer fling—full throttle, no hesitation. The Smiths’ Meat is Murder became my battle cry, pushing me to swap bacon for beans. People were properly stumped. “No meat? Try fish,” they’d say, as if one dead thing was less grim than another. A corpse is a corpse, mate, and I wasn’t about to tuck in like some eager fluffer in a Corbin Fisher clip.
Filipino food? Comforting, I guess. But as predictable as a Chuck Lorre sitcom. It hugs you like an old hoodie—warm, familiar, a little boring. Going vegan flips the script. Imagine swapping that heavy meal for soft, tender fresh lumpiang gulay, colourful, lively, teasing your taste buds with every bite. And yes, it’s simple—but it can be also a quiet rebellion against the meat industry.
Goodbye, sad salads and limp tofu
Supermarkets now stock plant-based meats and cheeses like they own the place—and honestly, they do. Seitan has a satisfying chew, tofu can be your top or bottom, and suddenly, plant-based protein isn’t timid—it’s ready to steal the show. Each bite? A reminder that you don’t need animal flesh to feel satisfied, strong, and alive
Flavours That Stick
Some Filipino dishes hit sweet or salty and vanish, like a date who ghosts after dessert. Vegan twists? They linger. Spices flirt, textures tease, aromas hang around like they mean it. Vegan adobo? Tangy, garlicky, comforting, and a little saucy—flavor with a conscience. Kare-kare with seitan? Rich, peanutty, bold, and satisfying enough that you’ll forget what it’s replacing.
Heavy meat meals can leave you sprawled on the sofa, motivation napping. Vegan plates? They fill you up, keep you energized, and let you move. Veggies, legumes, and tofu keep you sharp—ready for a night out, a kitchen experiment, or a sneaky midnight snack. Bonus? No ethical hangover.
(Tomate Ceris Co/Davao City)
Your Plate, Your Power
Food isn’t just fuel—it’s a choice that matters. Animal agriculture produces 14.5% of global greenhouse gases, devours forests, and strains oceans. Your fork? It’s got swagger. Choosing plants over jerky? Ethical and sustainable because every bite of meat is a tiny nod to a system that kills, pollutes, and exploits.
Ditch the Lechon, Keep the Spark
No roasted pig, no dud date. A bowl of colourful salad? Vegan okoy? Beanuguan? These dishes flirt with tradition in a playful, mischievous way—teasing comfort without bowing to it. All the while, they’re quietly sticking it to the meat industry without sacrificing joy.
Filipino Vegan Dishes That Don’t Just Sit There
- Kare-Kareng Gulay: Forget oxtail. Peanut sauce hugs the plate, vegan bagoong winks with umami. Bold, rich, and impossible to ignore.
- Ginisang Monggo: Warm, hearty, mushrooms crackle gently, giving comfort without the slump. Great with Marty’s Vegetarian Chicharon for toppings.
- Tofu and Seitan: The kitchen’s ultimate shape-shifters. Tofu yields or commands, seitan satisfies without guilt. Every dish is a playful ménage of flavor—and a tiny rebellion against the meat industry.
Kitchen aromas aren’t very homely
It’s not “comforting”, cheery or kind
It’s sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of murder
Meat Is Murder!
This isn’t preaching—it’s pleasure. Let veggies and plant-based proteins take the lead. Rediscover Filipino cuisine with bold, mischievous, unforgettable vegan twists that tease your palate, satisfy your cravings, and honor the message behind that Smiths’ song.
Sources
- Food and Agriculture Organization. (2013). Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities. http://www.fao.org/3/i3437e/i3437e.pdf
- Harvard T.H. Chan School 1of Public Health. (2023). The nutrition source: Plant-based diets. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/plant-based-diets/
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2022). Climate change 2022: Mitigation of climate change. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/
- PETA. (2023). Vegan Filipino recipes. https://www.peta.org/recipes/vegan-filipino-recipes/
- Vegan Society. (2023). Why go vegan? https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/why-go-vegan