Japanese Airlines All Nippon Airways Introduces New Vegan Offerings

Starting November 1st All Nippon Airways will introduce new vegan and vegetarian offerings on international flights departing Japan.

The new menus have been created by award-winning chef Hideki Takayama, who is a member of the airline’s The Connoisseurs program, in collaboration with ANA chefs. The meals will be available to all passengers, regardless of cabin, but reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time via the ANA website or telephone.

The vegan menu features appetizers of cauliflower and tofu mousse with vegetable gelée, and spring roll with Tonburi dressing, with a green curry and five grain rice as a main course.

The vegetarian menu includes onion and celeriac mousse and vegetable tortilla with carrot salsa for starter, followed by a tofu lasagna with burdock root and sesame for main course.

Hideki Takayama commented on the creation of the menus:

“We had a particularly difficult time developing a vegan meal, as ANA strictly follows the guidelines set by Quality and Safety Alliance Inflight Services.” He continues: “Many ingredients such as dairy products, eggs, fish and meat could not be used, and we also developed the menu without root vegetables to accommodate the eating habits of more customers.”

“As we worked on the menu development, we were able to reconfirm the appeal of vegetables, and I believe we have completed an in-flight meal that is unlike any other”, Takayama says.