This World Vegan Day, stock up your pantry with these Indian vegan food brands 

November 1 is celebrated across the globe as World Vegan Day to recognise and promote the benefits of a plant-based diet. Veganism is catching up in India too as more people shift to a completely or semi-vegan diet. And to cater to that demand, there’s a new crop of home-grown brands doling out vegan cheese, As more people turn vegan across India, more homegrown entrepreneurs have begun to offer a delicious array of healthy and sustainability-minded vegan delights. Think gourmet vegan cheese, peanut curd, traditional mithai, and mouth-watering desserts, available for delivery right at your doorstep. Ahead, we’ve curated a list of some of our favourites. 

Millie’s Vegan Cheese for artisanal, vegan cheese

One would argue that the biggest qualm of turning vegan is not giving up on meat, but giving up on delicious, creamy, good-quality cheese. Millie Mitra is here to help you with her Bengaluru-based brand that focuses on organic and small-batch vegan cheese products made with organic fermented Indian cashews, Himalayan pink salt, and natural seasonings. Don’t miss on her best-selling sundried and jalapeno wheel, the black pepper cheese wheel, or the rosemary thyme and oregano spread.

Wakao Foods for jackfruit chunks

Jackfruit is finally becoming a favourite among vegans in India, considered how widely it is available in the country, and how many regional dishes have the vegetable as the star. Yet, its superfood qualities have remained hidden from the mainstream, and brands like Wakao Foods are changing that notion with their offerings that include everything from chunks of jackfruit that can be added in your dals and curries, to shredded jackfruit that can be used to whip up cutlets, tacos and even biryani. 

One Good for plant-based dairy 

Nut milks are key to a vegan diet—they are the foundation of everything from your daily cup of coffee to homemade vegan paneer. One Good (previously Good Mylk) is a home-grown Bengaluru-based brand that offers plant-based milk alternatives like cashew-oat milk, vegan mayonnaise, peanut curd, and more. 

Blue Tribe for vegan meat

If you’re someone who switched to the vegan side after having meat as part of your diet, it will initially take time to adjust to vegan food, especially when it comes to dishes like keema, kebabs, and nuggets. With Blue Tribe, you can enjoy all your meat-based favourites in plant-based form. What’s more, their offerings all have the same nutritional value as meat, so you know you’re still getting your dose of protein. 

Hello Tempayy for tempeh 

Tempeh is a new soy-based protein on the block that has a different texture than its cousin tofu and can be used in place of meat in popular Indian dishes like kebabs, curries, and even a vegan version of biryani. The Indonesian fermented food is loaded with bacteria that is good for your gut, and has high protein content too. Make use of Hello Tempayy’s extensive range, and choose from either plain chunks or ready-to-cook flavours.

Plant Made for vegetarian ‘eggs’

If meat can be veganized, then why not eggs? These vegetarian eggs are made with moong dal and chickpeas, and can be used in the same way you would use eggs in savoury preparations—think scrambled eggs, omelette, and more. The eggs are both preservative-free and Jain-friendly, making them a healthy alternative source of protein for vegetarians and vegans.

Aurosoya for smoked tofu

Tofu gets a bad rep for being tasteless, but the truth is you’ve not had the right one. Aurosya, an Auroville-based brand run by Dhaval Chandarana and Frederic Cordonnier offers a smoked variation of tofu that is perfect for adding to curries, stir fries, and more. The tofu is organic, made with non-GMO soybeans, and is packed in biodegradable plastic. 

Bombucha’s vegan kimchi

Traditionally, the Korean side dish has fish sauce as one of the ingredients, but this vegan version by Bombucha has the same sharp, pungent flavour profile kimchi is known for without the fish sauce. Use it to spruce up your bowl of instant ramen or add it to your stir fries for an added depth of flavour and texture.