Emirates is redefining in-flight dining with its commitment to Emirates vegan cuisine, catering to a growing number of travellers seeking plant-based meals. The airline will develop its portfolio with innovative ingredients, including an egg substitute in solid form made entirely of legumes.
These culinary advancements highlight Emirates’ dedication to offering nutritious and delicious options for all passengers, including curated vegan meals for children and new dishes in onboard dining and airport lounges.
Emirates’ Commitment to Vegan Innovation
As part of Veganuary, Emirates’ chefs recently gathered at the Emirates Flight Catering Concept Development Kitchen to explore the latest trends in plant-based dining. The team experimented with various innovative vegan ingredients, including the legume-based egg alternative, which they tested in a spicy shakshuka sauce. They also worked with a premade vegan pastry sheet to create savory cannelloni, while reviewing high-quality plant-based products already available on Emirates flights.
Emirates currently offers more than 300 vegan recipes on flights to over 140 destinations worldwide. These dishes feature premium plant-based ingredients from global suppliers, including Beyond Meat’s plant-based proteins from California ; soybean protein from UAE and Singapore-based Arlene ; pressed tofu from Japan’s Qian Ye.
Other gourmet additions include organic dark chocolate from France’s Linnolat, vegan margarine from Germany’s Meister Marken and almond milk from Italy’s Koita. The airline also prioritises sustainability by incorporating fresh produce from Bustanica. The world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm, supplying chemical-free leafy greens directly to Emirates’ catering facilities.
Vegan meals are available in all travel classes and can be requested up to 24 hours before departure. In select high-demand routes, plant-based meals are integrated into the main menu options.
Vegan Dining in Every Cabin Class
Today, Emirates UAE serves over 400,000 plant-based meals annually, with demand on routes to Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East particularly high. Many Emirates cabin crew members also maintain a vegan lifestyle and have been ordering vegan meals for nearly a decade.
Economy Class passengers will be served crêpes filled with sautéed carrots and peppers. Accompanied by roasted potatoes, mushrooms, and tomato concassé; curried vegetable puffs; and chocolate mousse cake.
Premium Economy Class customers can savor braised mushrooms with vegetables in five-spice soy sauce, paired with steamed jasmine rice and blanched pak choi. Followed by chocolate tart with apricot compote or raspberry tonka mousse cake.
Business Class offers elegant selections such as Thai red curry tofu with aubergine, mushrooms, and taro, complemented by tropical coconut pineapple cake or chocolate pecan cake.
First Class guests can indulge in refined dishes like creamy polenta cake with thyme mushroom ragout, along with decadent desserts such as warm chocolate fondant with salted caramel sauce and whipped cashew cream.
Crafted Vegan Selections in Emirates Lounges
Emirates’ seven lounges at Dubai International Airport feature an extensive selection of vegan dishes. Business Class lounges offer soya and pea protein crispy pops, while the buffet includes Baharat and turmeric spiced kofta in coconut gravy. One of the most popular items across lounges is the Emirates Green Burger. Made from soya and flax seed, topped with signature sauce and pickled cucumbers.
Emirates UAE continues to enhance its Emirates vegan cuisine offerings, ensuring every passenger can experience the best in plant-based dining both in the air and on the ground.
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