fake meats in chinese retaurants - revisited

[Guest guest]

I happened to be in Fresno last weekend, and ate at a Chinese restaurant, which

was recommended by vegans at yelp.com. The reviews said that the owner, Tom

Luby, was enthusiastic about the vegan food he served (meat and vegetarian food

was also served). This is not a review because the place will actually be

closing in two weeks, due to a landlord issue. This message is about the issue

of fake meats discussed here recently. Although I didn't order it, I queried Tom

about his apparently very popular sweet and sour " chicken " dish. He told me that

he bought all of his " chicken " from U.S.-only sources and was very careful that

they did not originate overseas. He was well aware about the problems with

imported meat analogs. He showed me a Chinese newspaper dated June 14, 2009

(Singtao Daily, p.A13 Taiwan Main News), with a full-page article on the fake

meat issue. The headline, translated by Tom, read, " 50% of fake meats contain

meat. " He explained that meat broth was commonly used for flavorings. So,

related to the earlier topic on the LA restaurant testing, these analogs

with meat flavorings wouldn't show up in the tests for egg, casein, or

shellfish, unless the only flavorings are oyster and shrimp sauce. It seemed

that the article was about the new regulation to take the meat (flavorings,

etc.) out of fake meats. After speaking with Tom, I wish to alert folks that if

they are into fake meats, don't be misled or even relieved by the new

regulation. Tom said that people in the industry in Taiwan will do what they

want, despite any regulation, because there is no enforcement. He was VERY sure

of himself on that topic, but I suppose it is still his opinion.

 

Anecdotal and somewhat related:

Decades ago, I ate at a Chinese restaurant in SF and asked whether the soup in

the Vegetarian section of the menu was indeed vegetarian. The waitperson said,

" Oh yes! All vegetarian!! " I asked what kind of soup base was used, and he said

reassuringly, " Chicken broth! "

 

Donna