Plant-based meat, artificial meat, vegan meat, meat substitutes…whatever fancy name people want to call it, there’s little doubt that it’s sweeping much of the world. The name plant-based meat is probably most suitable, as it reflects the source of protein and explains some of its characteristics. At any rate, since plant-based meat is becoming increasingly popular around the globe, as an avowed foodie I figured it was high time I try it for myself!

My first experience with plant-based meat came while traveling in Hong Kong. After a full day of activities, I was exhausted and my stomach yearned for some food, so I opted for a burger restaurant right next to the hotel. Initially, I intended to play it safe and order a classic beef cheeseburger. But then I saw the huge poster placed beside the cashier bearing a photo of a delicious-looking burger and a phrase I’ve heard countless times, “Impossible Meat.” “Woah!” I thought, “I’ve never tried this before. Should I go for it?”

And so began my first encounter with plant-based meat. I don’t remember exactly how the burger tasted, probably because I was too hungry and devoured it within seconds. But what I can remember is that there was no “wow” moment nor disappointment in having it.

Since then, I’ve tried more and more plant-based meat dishes including dumplings around town and Beyond Meat wraps from Starbucks, as well as cooking my own meals using plant-based meat stuffing and sausage. And though the concept of plant-based meat is worthy of applause, there’s definitely still room for improvement in terms of its likeness to real meat. For instance, many of the plant-based proteins that are used lack some of the amino acids found in meat. This, in turn, means that some of the essential chemical reactions – such as the Maillard reaction – are missing during the cooking process. These are integral to capturing the texture, taste, and aroma of meat.

In fact, my numerous experiences with plant-based meat have all left me with similar impressions. Namely, when biting into it, the meaty, juicy mouthfeel is distinctly less, instead consisting of a rather beany and dry texture. These features – or flaws, depending on who you’re talking to – become even more noticeable when cooking. I vividly remember the first time I worked with it, excited to make some Chinese dumplings using plant-based meat stuffing from Zrou. And yet, when I popped a dumpling into my mouth I froze: The flavor was so plain! While I was making those dumplings, I seasoned the stuffing the same way I would normal meat, however, it didn’t turn out the same. Thus, I discovered that although plant-based meat is regarded as a more sustainable and healthy option, if it’s a richness of flavor you’re after, you’ll have to add some extra condiments to your recipe and meal.

What’s interesting though is that all this raises another question: Should plant-based meat aim to mimic authentic meat? Admittedly, the answer is largely subjective. For vegetarians and vegans, the answer might be no. After all, the creation of plant-based meat simply provides more options and is tastier than many of the previously available protein sources. However, put that question to a meat-eater like me, and though the concept of a more sustainable source of protein is appealing, it’s an uphill battle persuading them to give up the kebab in their hand and go for the plainer plant-based variety.

Why should we choose plant-based meat?

Greener: In terms of sustainability, producing 1kg of beef protein will create 74 times more greenhouse gases than 1kg of plant-based protein.

Healthier: When compared to traditional meat, plant-based meat contains lower saturated fat and lower cholesterol.

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue

Our names are Emily Hellqvist and Kathy Shi, and we underwent a hair makeover in the name of journalism. While both of us have never really been to the hair salon for anything other than simple cuts, we didn’t quite know what to expect on the big day. We both went in with an idealistic view of what could come out of it but were soon faced with reality. Things never go according to plan, even if the styles that we wanted were completely different.

Emily’s Experience:

The only times I’ve ever been to the hair salon were to trim or cut my hair – never for anything else. I had always been discouraged from dyeing or curling my hair as my mom is fond of saying that, “Doing anything unnatural to your hair damages it.” Call it the prime teenage rebellious era, but when the opportunity arose for me to do whatever I wanted with my hair, I hopped on board. Hey, what excuse will work better on my tiger mom than, “It’s for work!”

I went in with reference pictures ready. Like the stylist noted, the style I wanted was very European-American, while what Kathy wanted was more Korean. I had been so nervous and excited in the week leading up to it, that when the day came, I was a little bit scared. I was right to be scared though because my emotions were about to endure a roller coaster ride.

It was my first time doing something different with my hair, so I was very new to the environment. When they pulled out the tin foil that they were going to use to bleach my hair, my internal dialogue was a mixture of confusion and horror. What were they going to do? I was like a cat seeing the outside world for the first time – I didn’t know what to feel. Then, after a lot of tin foiling and a lot of waiting, they washed my hair and I think that’s when they dyed it? I did feel some burning sensation on my scalp so that’s what I assume it was. It seemed like he had washed my hair several times but by the time he was drying my hair, I noticed something that seemed different.

The highlights that I had asked for were…not there. Instead, the bleached strands were replaced with grey locks. It wasn’t the light brown that I had asked for – unless I’ve been color blind this whole time? When I asked, the reply was a relatively simple one: “We thought this would look better on you.” At that moment, my heart did about three somersaults and wanted to jump out of my chest. Even if this altered style did look better, shouldn’t they have asked first? Maybe tell me what they were planning on doing instead of letting me find out after they had finished the job. This attitude threw me off – but maybe it’s a normal occurrence, and I was just a rookie in this whole new world.

As they dried and curled my hair, it began to take shape. The colored highlights were growing on me, but I just couldn’t quite get over the fact that they had switched the colors up without letting me know first. But, I’ve been getting compliments since so it all worked out in the end.

Kathy’s Experience:

“Unexpected” would be the perfect word to describe my experience at the hair salon during this seemingly ordinary, but entirely extraordinary Tuesday. As a girl whose long hairstyle has remained unchanged for years – until very recently, that is – going into a hair salon and asking a hairdresser to “create art” was a challenge.

So then why would I describe it as unexpected? One week before I even stepped into the salon, I was already very excited about the makeover and began looking up photos and styles to capture the “ideal me.” Initially, as a K-Pop fan, I wanted a Korean-styled girl kind of look. However, when I showed the photos to the stylist, he firmly rejected the idea and suggested that small curls would suit me better. He suggested that for a magazine shoot, we should go for something a bit more complex than what I would normally wear in daily life. So, this is what happened…

The final look was a far cry from my original plan, and I can’t say I was 100 percent satisfied with it, but this modern disco lady look was a big breakthrough from the normal me.

This was my first time having my hair styled somewhere other than the small hair salon near my home, and it left me with a good impression. I enjoyed the whole process of putting on the makeup, getting my hair done, and doing the photoshoot. It was particularly interesting to watch the transformation taking place in real time. The four hours passed very quickly, and the salon’s staff were super friendly too.

While Emily started the process of getting her hair dyed, I started with makeup. The process of putting on makeup while a photographer documented it made me feel a little like a celebrity.

The whole experience was quite enjoyable. My hairdresser was an easy-going person and very professional. I have to compliment the effort he put into turning my long and messy hair into a shorter, neater version by cutting it into several layers again and again. Unfortunately, those small curls disappeared after a single hair wash – or perhaps fortunately, since in any case, I can’t go out with the exaggerated curves in real life.

大象造型 (三里屯店)

北京市朝阳区工体北路4号院78号楼南侧首层 4 Gongti Beilu, South side of Bld 78, Chaoyang District Tel: 6592 2202

大象造型 (祥云小镇店)

北京市顺义区安泰大街3号楼南侧底商 3 Antai Dajie, Shunyi District
Tel: 8047 6166

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue