“Here’s your bill. It comes to a total of $15.05, how would you like to pay?”
I’m sorry… what?
The first time I realized just how expensive vegan restaurants can be, I had only ordered one small item.
Knowing I was in a hurry that day and could only order one thing, I thought, what could be any better than dumplings? A small bowl was placed in front of me. Five crisp mushroom and vegetable fried dumplings served with an almond butter kimchi sauce. The crunchiness of the outside, paired with the sweetness and spiciness of the sauce kept me on my toes.
The whole experience was amazing, extremely picturesque and certainly memorable… If only you were to look past the cost of the five dumplings.
Fifteen dollars just didn’t sound right. I mean, there’s no meat in them, and usually, the meat protein drives up the price for regular dishes. Going home that night, I sat down to look at a few other places selling regular dumplings.
Some popular venues in Ontario serving dumplings include:
- So Inviting: 15/pcs for $10.90 (876 Dundas St, London)
- Mother’s Dumplings: 12 boiled /pcs for $9-$13 (421 Spadina Ave, Toronto)
- Juicy Dumplings: 6/pcs for $3.99 (280 Spadina Ave, Toronto)
So, what makes vegan food expensive? The experience of eating out? The quality of ingredients? There are two main reasons: the market for substitutes and fresh organic produce.
While veganism is growing, it’s still a small market. There isn’t nearly as much of a demand for plant-based products, like cheese or meat substitutes, as there is for animal-based products. As such, a smaller percentage of items are kept in stock. Niche markets typically face limitations due to this reason.
Animal products are also heavily subsidized, which allows manufacturers to sell them for less. Vegan manufacturers don’t get the same benefit, as they’re dependent on supply and demand, allowing them to drive up their prices. Vegetables aren’t cheap either, and the quality of each product can also increase the value of the dish you’re ordering.
Normally, commercially grown vegetables and fruits are treated with pesticides to protect them against various dangers that could ruin crops and output. They penetrate the skin of fruits and vegetables, making it hard to avoid ingesting them even if you wash them. As a result, some restaurants and individuals look for those higher-quality ingredients with better health and taste benefits.
Unfortunately, organic produce is expensive. Though there’s no use of chemicals, the risk of contamination through the water or neighbouring farms is extremely high. This also means that because they don’t use chemicals, the plants are vulnerable to insects and bacteria. Again, the consumer demand is low, and the supply is smaller, resulting in higher prices.
Overall, though the food is delicious and the restaurant was a great experience, it made me realize how limiting vegan options are and how expensive they can be when eating out. I do recommend giving it a try to treat yourself. There are cheaper vegan foods out there, you just have to look for them.