We ordered Vegan Zeastar Salmon Sashimi! Let's talk about what this new vegan salmon tastes like.
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Vegan Zeastar Salmon Sashimi review
The taste and texture of salmon is one of the few things that I have missed since going vegan. So, when Vegan Zeastar came on the scene with vegan salmon sashimi, I had to order some to review for y'all!
The vegan salmon comes from a company called Vegan Zeastar, who makes all kinds of vegan seafood including:
- salmon sashimi
- tuna sashimi
- calamari
- shrimp
Update: GTFO It's Vegan, where I purchased this product, no longer stocks Vegan Zeastar, since they launched their own line of vegan salmon.
Vegan Zeastar has a store locator you can use to find it in stock near you. I also found it online at Asian Veggies, though the price is pretty hefty, at $21.99 a package.
In addition to the salmon, I ordered Vegan Zeastar calamari, which comes breaded. Here's our review of Vegan Zeastar Calamari, in case you're wondering about that one.
When the salmon arrived, I knew that I wanted to use it to make poke bowls. A poke bowl is basically like a sushi bowl. Here's how I made mine:
- a batch of vegan sushi rice
- roasted broccoli
- sliced avocado
- carrots
- pickled ginger
- green onion
- cilantro
- sweet chili sauce
- sliced Vegan Zeastar salmon sashimi
Y'all. Dave and I were blown away! The flavor and texture of this salmon were spot on.
It had that mildly sweet, mildly fishy taste you expect from conventional salmon. And the texture is that velvety, mildly toothsomeness of animal fish.
I created an Instagram reel showing the salmon. Here it is:
How to serve it
Vegan Zeastar salmon is meant to be eaten uncooked. Y'all, do not cook this!
I tried pan searing a small piece of this vegan salmon, and it did not go well! The texture turned gummy, and it ruined that delicate flavor. Do not do it!
Instead, treat this like sashimi! Pile it onto poke or sushi bowls or roll it up into vegan sushi rolls.
What is it made of?
That's a question I've been getting a lot about Vegan Zeastar salmon. How do they achieve that incredible taste and texture? The answer is water and a mixture of starches, thickeners, and seasonings
Water 80%, trehalose 5%, modified tapioca starch 2%, stabilizer (D-sorbitol) 2%, gelling agent (konjac powder, carrageenan, carob bean gum), salt, canola oil, flaxseed oil, acidity regulator (potassium chloride), food colours (red iron oxide, paprika oleoresin, titanium dioxide).
Probably not health food, but boy howdy, does it taste and feel like salmon!
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Marianne van Lierop
Hi Becky. I tries the zeastar salmon and I am actualy so disapointed! It has no taste and no smell .... I can't think of a nice recepy to eat it. Really .... ? What a mistake
Becky Striepe
I'm sorry to hear that, Marianne! I love it in a sushi roll or tossed with rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and avocado as a salad or bowl topper. You can use it in any recipe that uses salmon nigiri, really. If the flavor isn't doing it for you, maybe whip up some sriracha Vegenaise and toss it with that and some sesame seeds and green onion?