Move over, plant-based burgers – a new meatless meat product is here to trick your taste buds. Earlier today, Impossible Foods announced the launch of its first-ever plant-based pork product, which is available exclusively at chef David Chang's Momofuku Ssäm Bar in New York City until it arrives at more than 100 restaurants in Hong Kong next month.
Like the brand's other meat-free creations, Impossible Pork is designed to be a tasty, more sustainable replacement for its animal-derived counterpart. The product uses 81–85% less water, and 66–82% less land than ground pork from pigs, resulting in 73–77% less greenhouse gas emissions.
So, what's it taste like? Impossible says the pork has 'mild savory flavor and balanced umami richness without being gamey or overpowering.' In a 200-person blind taste test hosted in Hong Kong, the brand reported that 54% of participants preferred the plant-based pork to pork from pigs. The gluten-free ground 'meat' also boasts a more impressive nutritional label – with 37% fewer calories and 59% less total fat.
But unlike Impossible's Burger and Sausage products, which are both available in grocery stores and online, Impossible Pork is only being served in select restaurants during its launch. In the US, curious diners will be able to try the meatless alternative at Momofuku Ssäm Bar in NYC, where Chang will use it in a pork ragu that's served over rice cakes. Come October 4, Impossible Pork will start appearing on menus in Hong Kong, including at Tim Ho Wan, Dumpling Yuan and Kyoto Katsugyu. From there, Impossible Pork will make its way to Singapore in November, launching at local favorites like PS Cafe, Moonbow Dempsey and Prive.
Keep your eyes peeled for pig-free pork coming to a meatball near you.