A vegetarian ...butcher? The name sounds paradoxical, but the store says the catchphrase has won them plenty of free publicity and no one has complained. They say they are selling vegetarian meat, not mock meat or fake meat or meat substitutes, but all of those terms could be applied to their products.
Meatless Meats on Sale in the Hague
The store sells a variety of meat alternatives, both fresh and frozen, from "tuna" to Greek gyros to cheese-filled Dutch krokets. Most are based on soy, but some are based on lupin flour. Vegan shoppers should take note that many of the products contain eggs or other animal products. Products labeled as "100% plantaardig" are truly vegan - while those labeled "100% vegetarisch" may contain eggs.
Sweet lupin is a legume high in protein and fiber but low in carbs and fat. It also appears to have some cholesterol-lowering effect. It is also an ecological plant, as it requires relatively little fertilizer and pesticides. The lupin flour used by the Vegetarian Butcher comes from their own organic lupin plantation.
Philosophy of De Vegetarische Slager
The Vegetarian Butcher isn't meant only for vegetarians, but also for omnivores who want to reduce their meat consumption, but not completely stop it. The store says about 50% of their customers are vegetarians.
Some of the vegetarian meats can resemble real meat so closely that people have even complained about it - some customers have even thought that they're being fed real meat disguised as mock meat. Others have been unable to finish their meal, even knowing it is not real flesh.
The fun doesn't stop with the clever name. The Vegetarian Butcher also made waves when, after Lady Gaga wore her infamous meat dress, the company dressed the Dutch supermodel Kim Feenstra in a mock meat dress - a large print of which graces the walls of the store.
Fun aside, the quality is real. A Dutch top chef recently introduced Ferran Adrià of the legendary el Bulli restaurant to the vegetarian meats and Adrià reportedly really liked them. One can't get a much better endorsement than that.
Information for Visitors
The Vegetarian Butcher is located at Spui 167A in the Hague, the Netherlands, easily accessible by train. It is a walking distance from the central train station, or one can take a tram or bus to the stop Spui, though it is just one stop from the train station. The store is open from Tuesday to Saturday.
Besides their own vegetarian meats and sandwiches and wraps made from them, the store also sells some other meat substitutes as well as homemade soups, some health and organic products and cookbooks. A visitor should note that the store takes no cash; only card payments are accepted.
A person fond of meat substitutes visiting the Hague should also consider visiting the Asian store De Vegetarische Toko in Chinatown (Wagenstraat 182), a short distance from The Vegetarian Butcher. De Vegetarische Toko sells various kinds of mock meats, mostly frozen but also dried and vacuum-packed ones.
De Vegetarische Slager products are also sold in many stores around the Netherlands and they are hoping to expand abroad at some point. A vegetarian travelling to Amsterdam can find their meatless meats sold at Vega-Life (Blauwburgwal 13, near the city center).
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