Asian Herbivore: A Meat-Free Flavour Trip Through Asia in the Heart of Joburg

Tucked into the colourful bustle of Melrose Crossing on Corlett Drive, Asian Herbivore isn’t just another vegan spot; it’s a full-on, pan-Asian adventure minus the meat but packed with bold flavour and heart.

Forget the stereotype of vegan food being bland or preachy. This spot is playful, unpretentious, and absolutely fearless in bringing the joy of Asian street food to every bowl, bite, and bao. It’s where Thai spice meets Korean crunch, and Japanese broth dances with Indonesian sweetness, all while keeping things vegetarian or fully vegan.

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More Than Just Ramen (But Yes, They Do That Too)

If there’s one thing Asian Herbivore is getting known for, it’s the fresh ramen, crafted daily. Diners start by choosing between egg or vegan noodles, then dive into wildly different regions through their dish of choice.

The Beefy Ramen doesn’t include beef but packs a broth so rich and meaty you’d never notice, ladled over soy chunks, daikon, and coriander. Then there’s the Spicy Chick’n Ramen with fiery broth, pak choi, and a ramen egg, or the Creamy Soy Milk Ramen, a silky Japanese-style broth that balances delicacy with depth.

The local favourite? A dramatic, crunchy bowl called The Mystical Flying Noodle, a Malaysian-inspired tower of crispy deep-fried noodles drowned in savoury tomato gravy with mushrooms and baby marrow. It’s a showstopper.

A Tour Through Southeast Asia (All On One Menu)

While ramen takes centre stage, the rest of the menu reads like a flavour passport. From Pad Kra Pao (a Thai soy-mince stir-fry topped with a fried egg) to Sweet and Sour Rice loaded with golden-fried soy chunks and peppers, there’s no skimping on familiarity or comfort.

Indonesian-inspired Mie Goreng brings shiitake mushrooms, green beans, and tofu together in a wok-tossed tangle of chilli and sweet soy. Or go lighter with Wakame salad, gyoza, or a sushi sandwich layered with cucumber, soy ham, and vegan mayo.

There’s even Candied Fruit Tanghulu, a viral street snack from China served on skewers, and Hakka-style mochi, dusted in peanut and soft as a whisper.

Image 1: Asian Herbivore

Culturally Rooted, Joyfully Adapted

What makes Asian Herbivore stand out isn’t just that it’s meat-free. It’s that it celebrates cultural authenticity while offering accessible, fun adaptations for a Joburg crowd.

A scroll through TikTok or Instagram shows happy diners slurping down cold nutty ramen, showing off bao closeups, or filming the ‘flying noodle’ from every angle. It’s become a kind of local gem, somewhere you’d recommend to meat-eaters, vegans, and the “I just want something different” crowd alike.

A Rising Star in Joburg’s Plant-Based Scene

South Africa’s plant-based food culture is evolving, and places like Asian Herbivore are driving the shift, not by preaching, but by serving food that’s actually exciting.

Their portions are generous. The prices are reasonable. And while you’ll find them on Uber Eats and Mr D, the full experience really shines when you dine in. The space is casual, colourful, and tucked just enough off the main road to feel like a discovery.

Why It Matters

In a city bursting with steak joints and bistros, Asian Herbivore dares to be different, not just by skipping the meat, but by centring joy, flavour and cultural respect in everything it serves.

It’s proof that plant-based doesn’t mean giving something up. It means opening up to new flavours, new comfort foods, and maybe even a new regular lunch spot.

Asian Herbivore Johannesburg

Location: Shop U6, Melrose Crossing, 83 Corlett Drive, Birnam, Johannesburg
Open: Dine-in, takeaway, Uber Eats, Mr D
Instagram: @asianherbivore
Contact: [email protected] | +27 (67) 073-6592

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Source: Asian Herbivore

Featured Image: Facebook/Asian Herbivore Restaurant