Just Egg and South Korea’s Unlimeat crack recipe for vegan kimbap and plant-based breakfast sandwich

17 Aug 2023 --- Korean alternative meat brand Unlimeat, owned by the Zikooin Company, is partnering with US-based plant-based egg specialists Just Egg on innovative vegan products targeting Asian markets.

The two companies have signed a brand license agreement and will unveil new products using Just Egg’s “folded format.” This utilizes the mung bean and is hailed for its high protein content.

The company’s first collaboration item is the ‘100% Plant Protein Bomb Kimbap,’ which incorporates Just Egg’s folded eggs and various plant-based products from Unlimeat like a sausage patty and cheese, distinguishing it from traditional kimbap recipes. 

Kimbap is a beloved dish in Korea, made by rolling various ingredients in seaweed. Still, unlike sushi rolls, which are typically filled with only one ingredient, kimbap is a nutritionally diverse food filled with multiple types of vegetables and meats. 

This new vegan kimbap focuses on high protein content. 

Vegan breakfast sandwich follows US trends 
The second innovation is a breakfast sandwich influenced by the “convenient handheld format” popular in the US. The breakfast sandwich will feature a Korean-style Tteokgalbi (grilled short rip) patty, cheese and Just Egg. 

Just Egg claims its innovation has a much smaller environmental footprint than conventional chicken eggs. Its vegan patty has a soybean protein base and is enhanced with an umami flavor using onions, garlic and green onions.

Just Egg claims its innovation has a much smaller environmental footprint than conventional chicken eggs. From a health standpoint, it contains no cholesterol and a similar amount of protein as a chicken egg.

Zikooin Company has been pioneering the Korean alternative meat market with its various products, such as plant-based Korean BBQ, pulled pork, beef jerky, Mandu dumplings, sausage, and pepperoni, all part of the Unlimeat brand. 

The company has also used proprietary technology to develop a plant-based cheese line consisting of vegan cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese.

Recently, the brand has ventured into the seafood category by launching a vegan tuna product.

“As this collaboration unites brands with the same beliefs, we hope to develop a variety of products using Just Egg’s offerings and Unlimeat’s plant-based substitutes. This will serve as an opportunity to expand the range of choices for consumers who enjoy vegan options,” says a Unlimeat spokesperson. 

Edited by Gaynor Selby