A couples weeks ago I had the opportunity to stop by a a cool place to add to my arsenal of vegan-friendly standby establishments. May Wah Vegetarian Market Inc. is a wholesale vehicle which ships all throughout the United States with a retail store conveniently located in Chinatown on Hester Street between Centre and Baxter. Walking into May Wah, what first caught my eye was a giant hanging with a vegan food pyramid and a description of proper methods and benefits of good vegan nutrition. In a world where every baffled meat eater likes to ask “but…where will you get your protein?”, I immediately liked that I was in a place that was well-suited to give me additional ammo next time I’m faced with the age old protein discussion. My mother will be pleased.
A few minutes after I came in I was introduced to Lily Ng, May Wah’s managing director. Never having been in a wholesale plus retail all vegetarian establishment, I first wanted to get a sense of what their business was about and a little history. Opened in 1995, May Wah is a mecca of mock meats and other vegetarian goodies, offering around 120 items, 100 of which are also vegan. They offer delivery service throughout the Northeast, and use UPS ground shipment to other areas in the US. Orders come from restaurants, schools and churches all over the place, with one recent order even coming from Alaska!
The retail store has undergone a recent expansion and will be hosting a re-launch party at the store on May 1st (check it out!). Although they have a collection of dedicated regular customers to the store, they are trying to grow their retail brand and get their name out in the city as a great local vegetarian resource. A typical vegan struggle is that mock-meat products tend to be pricier than their meaty counterparts, but May Wah products are a definite bargain. As a cheapskate college student who also likes to know where my next sandwich is coming from, the thought of a reasonably priced, close-by vegan-friendly grocery sounds like a frickin’ great idea to me.
After I got acquainted with the store, clearly it was time to get to know the fooooood. I think most people who commit to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, no matter how well acclimated and dedicated, probably have to have a couple specific items or dishes they might miss. Let’s just say your days of longing might be about through. Spare ribs? Chicken nuggets? Eel sashimi?! Yep, they got it all. Their selection is insane and May Wah is bound to have something that is a perfect replacement for your long lost craving sans guilt and animal cruelty. Many items are pre-cooked and already come in tasty sauces, so just heat ’em up and you are going to be floored at just how perfect this non-meaty substitute is. Think I’m just a veteran vegetarian who doesn’t know how these things should taste anymore? I’ve only been a vegetarian for about a year–total amateur! Still not convinced? Well my meat-eating roomie was. She tried the citrus spare ribs with me, and she will testify that this stuff tastes amazingly like the real thing.
So what’s the deal with these tasty super meat-like things? My next inquiry was about ingredients and basically…How do they do that? Aside from magic potentially being at work here, Lily explained that most of the products are based from texturized soy protein, mushroom, or a chinese yam flower which lends the food a very meat-like chewy texture. And it’s really all vegetarian and mostly vegan? Lily told me if there was any hint of a doubt that any ingredients were not 100% they would not accept them.
Are these foods healthy? The products tends to have a great deal of protein and fiber, both of which are obviously crucial for a balanced and well-rounded vegetarian diet. Everything in moderation of course, and for ANY diet (not just veg) there should be a healthy balance of fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc. Preparing some of these foods in with a stir fry could not be simpler, especially since they’re pre-cooked. You just sauté your favorite veggies a bit and throw the “meat” in at the last minute, and you have a wholesome, tasty vegan dinner in minutes.
I also inquired about the status of wheat-sensitive and kosher products. There are plenty of options for the wheat sensitive, so just ask. So far only a couple items are certified Kosher (she mentioned tofu and vegetarian buns), but they are currently working on getting Kosher certified. Since they are 100% vegetarian the certification should come through but it does take some time!
So do I recommend that any and all of my veg-happy compatriots come through the check out May-Wah? Absolutely! The products are great, affordable, and the staff is friendly and ready to help you out with any questions. These items will help you kick any lingering culinary nostalgia from your meat-eating days, as well as satisfy any omnivorous dining companions who still think vegetarian diets are no fun. Sounds good to me! So be sure to head over the May Wah, pick up some deliciousness and find out about demos which are held regularly at the store, and the re-launch party May 1st! See you there!
-Christina, Student Maximus Blogger
NYU
P.S. Not to mention May Wah is a quick walk over to the Babycakes vegan bakery on Broome. Sushi and a cupcake a la vegan = vegan paradise to me.
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