We live in exciting times. In this modern era, literally anything people enjoy eating can be made vegan, from marshmallows to cheese to eggs, and now even traditional meaty burgers. As you've probably already heard by now from every major news source, the California-based company Impossible Foods has spent millions of dollars and many years developing the plant-based Impossible Burger, completely mimicking the taste and texture of a beef patty (which even bleeds, thanks to heme molecules). This is all very exciting in theory, but the first restaurant to sell it, Momofuku Nishi at 232 Eighth Avenue in New York City, has officially begun offering this notorious staple on their menu! Of course, I was super psyched to have the opportunity to go try it for myself. I went at the top of happy hour (limited supply) for the $12 Impossible Burger 'Nishi Style' with fries, sans American cheese on a vegan bun. I got a table, ordered and waited patiently. It was cool (even though it added to my anticipation) to see trays of Impossible Burgers being served all around me in the restaurant. The service is really friendly, despite the busy crowds and hype. Now onto the burger...
Finally, the moment of truth! The burger was very much impossibly realistic, to the point where I wasn't sure whether to be overjoyed or somehow feel guilty for enjoying it. The patty is thin, like those at most popular fast food restaurants. It can be cooked anyway you like it, just like a regular beef burger. I had mine medium well, and it was nicely crispy at the edges. The toppings are simple (pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, special sauce), and pair nicely with the burger itself. In addition, they've mastered the art of making McDonald's-style fries that are actually vegan, which are an awesome compliment to the burger. I look forward to pairing the burger with some interesting out-of-the-box toppings at home, once it becomes available in grocery stores. Going forward, I think a vegan cheese option (like Field Roast's delicious Chao Slices) would be a fantastic idea for Momofuku Nishi and the other restaurants that will inevitably serve the Impossible Burger on their menus very soon.
The verdict? I genuinely believe you could give this to someone who regularly enjoys burgers, and they wouldn't know the difference! In addition to being a tasty "fast food" meal, the Impossible Burger has the potential to revolutionize the way everyone eats. As Momofuku's head chef David Chang put it after first trying this dish: "I tasted the future and it was vegan". Here's to the future!
The verdict? I genuinely believe you could give this to someone who regularly enjoys burgers, and they wouldn't know the difference! In addition to being a tasty "fast food" meal, the Impossible Burger has the potential to revolutionize the way everyone eats. As Momofuku's head chef David Chang put it after first trying this dish: "I tasted the future and it was vegan". Here's to the future!
